How Did You First Discover ASOUE?

[Glittery666]

Anyone like to share how they first discovered ASOUE? When I was 7 I received the first 3 books as a Christmas present.

[jackson]

That sounds like a wonderful Christmas, Glittery.

I found The Bad Beginning in my elementary school's library, bound in what's now marketed as the Classic Edition. I remember feeling strangely compelled by the cover art and colored spines, completely unlike anything else in the shelves.

The Netflix paperbacks seem a bit garish. I think the original artwork really helped guide the feeling of the world, though I'm not sure if Snicket has much of a readership among the grade-school crowd anymore. There are probably better things to be concerned about.

[MisterM]

I found 'The Miserable Mill' on my first visit to my local library.

[Violent BUN Fortuna]

I first came across them in a bookshop -- I can't remember where, I think perhaps in Cornwall. I was sort of intrigued, but then a girl, older than I was, saw me looking at them and told me how very good they were and I, being a contrary child, resented being interrupted and decided if she was recommending them then I definitely wouldn't like them (I often wish I could go back and tell her how very right she was!).

But then my aunt gave me the first one for Christmas just before I turned 8; I still didn't read it for a while and pretended it was a magic spell book instead, but after a few weeks I decided I'd give it a go and I was immediately entranced.

[Deleted]

I started reading the series as a kid after seeing the 2004 adaptation (which I loved as a kid). I think I read the first eight books all the through and bits and pieces of the last few books, but the story of the books went completely over my head as a kid, which is why I wanted to reread them again as an adult.

After I’m done reading the series, I intend to watch the TV show adaptation, but I’m not sure I’ll like it as much as the movie.