DISCLAIMER: THE 30-DAY BOOK CHALLENGE IS CREATED BY PROFESSIONAL BOOK NERDS. I’M MERELY RESPONDING TO THEIR PROMPTS FOR MY OWN WRITING CHALLENGE.

You’re probably thinking it’s Harry Potter.

You couldn’t be more wrong.

Lord of the Rings? Chronicles of Narnia? Game of Thrones?

All wrong.

If I were to nominate a series that everyone should read, it’s A Series of Unfortunate Events.

All thirteen novels of it. And the related works, if you can get your hands on them.

Count Olaf’s attempts to get rid of the Baudelaire children and the latter’s close shaves are always fun to read. To me, they look like a battle of wits between a sinister villain and the innocent yet smart children. How can Olaf fool their adult guardians yet the kids can see through his charades?

Why should everyone read it?

Lemony Snicket’s humor is one of the things that made my life interesting and if you haven’t experienced it for yourself, you’re missing out. Look at these wonderful dedications from the series:

Another reason is the series applies to all ages. I like how some words are defined or redefined in the novels without needing a glossary. It helps the younger audience understand the plight of the Baudelaire children and renders the older readers helpless with fits of laughter.

The fact that the series also educates children to recognize red flags in a situation or a person is a plus.

There is no use in regretting that I read the series years after I started having my annual Harry Potter marathon but I can always spare a month to reread the A Series of Unfortunate Events. Looking at it, I can even read one every month. I’m going as far as to say I’m going to read the whole series to my children for their bedtime stories in the future.