Read Something Else: Collected & Dubious Wit & Wisdom of Lemony Snicket

by Lemony Snicket

Looking for wit, wisdom, and inspiration all within the pages of one useful book? Read Something Else. 

Life is a turbulent journey, fraught with confusion, heartbreak, and inconvenience. This collection of wit and wisdom from New York Times bestselling author Lemony Snicket is unlikely to help.

It includes a new introduction filled with curious aphorisms, a handful of never-before-seen-or-heard quotations, and fan favorites from works over the years. These dubious offerings, collected from Snicket’s books, unpublished papers, and more, have been made pleasing to the eye by illustrations, select fan art, and design flourishes.

Genres: Nonfiction, Humor, Childrens, Poetry, Middle Grade, Adult, Short Stories

175 pages, Kindle Edition

First published April 16, 2019

About the author

Lemony Snicket had an unusual education and a perplexing youth and now endures a despondent adulthood. His previous published works include the thirteen volumes in A Series of Unfortunate Events, The Composer is Dead, and 13 Words. His new series is All The Wrong Questions.

For A Series of Unfortunate Events:
www.lemonysnicket.com

For All The Wrong Questions:
www.lemonysnicketlibrary.com

Reviews

[emma]

This is simply a nice, small, pretty book, with quotes that are funny and thoughtful and sometimes include lovely illustrations.

It's like eating a little treat.

Bottom line: If you like Lemony Snicket, give yourself this pleasure! If you don't, who are you?!

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pre-review

in the least surprising event of the century, this ruled.

review to come / 4 stars

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tbr review

i want to frame this cover (both out of general affection for lemony snicket and because look at it)

[Jon Nikrich]

Sometimes I read books with my son.
Sometimes I read short books because I made a commitment to read 80 books in a year.
Sometimes I do both and misleadingly claim I am multi-tasking.

[Megan]

Lemony Snicket is a genius.

[✧ hayley (the sugar bowl) ✧]

➳ 4 ⋆ ˚｡⋆୨୧˚

this is basically his book horseradish with pictures but lemony snicket could fill a book with his grocery lists and I’d read it plus this was so cute and nostalgic 🧸


₊˚ ✧ ‿︵‿୨୧‿︵‿ ✧ ₊˚


➳ reread 12 • 30 • 23 ⋆ ˚｡⋆୨୧˚

this is still so good the 3rd(?) time around!! i read this to help with my reading goal but i always love lemony and this was so cute and nostalgic 🫶


୧ ‧₊˚ 🍓 ⋅ ☆

[Panda Incognito]

"So much inspiration and hope can be found in the pages of books other than this one."

When I first saw this on order at my library, I wondered if it was simply a reprint of the previous quote collection, "Horseradish: Bitter Truths You Can't Avoid," but I requested it anyway, since I would enjoy looking at the new illustrations. Happily for me, this is a brand new book! Although it does include some of the best quotes from the past, it predominantly features lines from more recent works, along with lovely graphic design and illustrations from a variety of artists who are credited in the back. I enjoyed this tremendously, and even though I already own the first book of quotations, I expect that I will eventually buy this as well.

One reviewer recommends that people reread Snicket's novels instead of spending money on this recycled material, but as far as I am concerned, this book is a gift to people who want to enjoy his sardonic, pessimistic humor without slogging through the unresolved tension and misery of the Unfortunate Events series, which I made the wise decision to abandon after book one. (He gave plenty of warnings!) Because I am so sensitive and justice-oriented that I can't endure long books full of suffering, I am grateful for the opportunity to read Snicket's best quotes out of context.

[talia ♡]

read this in the car as my family drives to see christmas lights and now i’m 💖❄️💞🎄💗✨❤️

[Jett Odle]

This was lovely ☺️ I enjoyed it a lot

[Phil]

Lemony Snicket is one of my most favorite authors. If you agree, then ignore the title of this book. Even if you own or have read "Horseradish: Bitter Truths You Can't Avoid," there are mostly new quotes in this book, along with stylish and modern illustrations, some of which are fan art. Of course it includes a two-page print of one of my most favorite quotes: "never trust anyone who has not brought a book with them." This book is short and beautiful, so I'll only share one more that I particularly love: All cannot be lost when there is still so much being found.

[Esther]

Lemony Snicket is a genius.

[Cheryl]

Snarky quotes, witticisms and puns beautifully illustrated with fetching fonts.

[KimKim]

Containing some Absolutely beautiful illustrations ..
A must read for anyone who adores "the series of unfortunate events " by Snicket like me..

Read it like in an hour .. but will definitely keep getting back to it many more times.. !

Downside :
The price was kinda expensive though regarding the light concept.. it felt more like looking at a good magazine , rather that reading a book ! Just sayin ! 🤷 (Still love Snicket to my very core !! )

[Karrie]

It was nice to revisit some of Snicket’s bon mots, but I’m afraid it felt like a cash grab to me. He did warn us in the introduction which I appreciate. Just reread his other books instead.

[Kylie!]

silly man

[zOdAê aKAê]

great coffee table type book. i like lemony snickets writing and recognized some quotes from his books. i was just reading it bc i wanted an ebook to quickly read and was surprised but it was enjoyable and quotable.

[jess h.]

This book of wit and wisdom is such a sweet reminder of the great author Snicket is. Anytime I was having a bad day, I’d read his series, “Series of Unfortunate Events” and because the events were so unfortunate, mine paled in comparison and I immediately felt better. He will forever be my comfort author.

[Zoe]

“Reading very short things is like opening a box of candied violets. You promise yourself you will only eat one, but before you know it, the whole day is gone and an angry mob is driving you out of town.”

[erin! ౨ৎ]

expected more :[

[Madison]

Loved this. Would make an EXCELLENT coffee table companion.

[Ellyn (Mrs. Darcy in my Dreams)]

So funny!! I want to make t-shirts out of most of the sayings!!

[Maecenas]

This was fun! Love a good witticism.

[Remy]

User @Shrutika said it better than me: it's giving boomer facebook memes

[Krista Kimball]

I love books like this for my students. I could see a lot of this as inspiration.

[bibamerlo]

"Never trust anyone who has not brought a book with them"

[Persy]

“All the secrets of the world are contained in books.”

A delightful collection of Snicket-isms that have his patented style. The accompanying illustrations were also lovely.

I just wish there was a bit more substance.

[Kristin]

Are you looking for wit, wisdom and inspiration? Need tips on how to survive the turbulent journey and adventures of life? Well look no further than this book and be sure to read "Read Something Else" by Lemony Snicket! This New York Times bestselling author has grouped together some of his most dubious and insightful offerings from his previous books and unpublished stories. He has even included some never-before-heard quotations in this useful and thought-provoking collection. Naturally, you’ll have to be the judge and decide for yourself if his writing is actually full of wisdom or just suspicious! The illustrations and design elements throughout the book are magnificent for all ages, and certainly will grab the attention of children while igniting the imagination of adults. As soon as you flip open the book, you’ll be immediately drawn in and unable to resist turning the pages to see the next eye-catching illustration that brings each quote to life in a wonderfully meaningful way. This collection from one of the most widely recognized authors for children will provide his young fans with plenty of his trademark pessimistic humor to enjoy. It also has the power to transport adult readers back to the time of their own childhood when they were enjoying books by this famous author such as the legendary "A Series of Unfortunate Events" series. Thus, I encourage everyone to read this book as it was a true pleasure (definitely don’t take the title to heart) full of intriguing ideas and perspectives on life!

[Nesch]

"So much inspiration and hope can be found in the pages of books other than this one."
- a Very Frightening & Daunting collection of quotes with hauntingly beautiful illustrations. No sugar bowls were included. Faster read than one can say the quote about Sisyphus's sister out loud. This review is almost longer than the book.

[Alison]

Very quick, easy read, mostly quotes and thoughts from Snicket with some nice illustrations and some covers of his novels. Many of the thoughts have his quirky humour, and some are heart-felt common sense ideas that everyone should take on.

[Rebecca]

I love Horseradish: Bitter Truths You Can't Avoid, which is an earlier edition of this book, but Read Something Else is by far my favourite. The graphics are amazing and add extra layers to the funny, weird and sad quotes of one of my favourite writers. Highly recommend!

[Melanie]

Nice collection of witticisms and great illustrations.

[Jess]

“Some books are like trapdoors, because you go through them once and leave them behind, and some are like fishnets, because they provide you with sustenance for years.”