How To Dress For Every Occasion and A Series of Unfortunate Events:
The Puzzling Puzzles
Recommended Reading by Steven Salardino of Skylight Books
How To Dress For Every Occasion
by The Pope
and
A Series of Unfortunate Events:
The Puzzling Puzzles
by Lemony Snicket
Besides being an innovative literary journal, a pirate store, an interesting magazine (without one page of advertising), a learning center for kids, and an impressive hobby for self-declared “staggering genius†Dave Eggers, McSweeney’s is also the publisher of some very fine books. Always beautiful and unique looking, their books have been written by some of our most contemporary writer-heroes, including Jonathan Lethem (This Shape We’re In), Salvador Plascencia (The People of Paper), Lydia Davis (Samuel Johnson Is Indignant), George Saunders, William Vollmann, Nick Hornby, Amy Fusselman, Michel Houellebecq, and others.
Often the McSweeney’s titles will have an absurd, ironic or even sarcastic nature, but don’t mistake them for being righteous or pompous—most of their literature is for “The People,†and is meant to be experienced by the heart and not necessarily just for entertainment.
Case in point: How To Dress For Every Occasion By The Pope-a thin, illustrated hardback book with pointers on how to dress, especially if you like to wear a robe, lots of rings, carry a scepter, and wear a large pointy hat. This book is beautiful and hilarious—who knew The Pope used so many exclamation points?! Find out what The Pope recommends for attire while visiting the racetrack, the cinema, traveling on a plane, hitting the nightlife, and of course going to church. This is Pope Eye For The Fun Guy (“Dressing well is an adventure and clothing is the star!!â€).
Now, it says it is written by The Pope but I have it on very good authority that it’s actually written by the amazing Daniel Handler (The Basic Eight, Watch Your Mouth) aka the famously intriguing Lemony Snicket (A Series of Unfortunate Events). Not only that but it’s illustrated in a very pleasing clip-art style by Sarah “Pinkie†Bennett, none other than graphic designer Lisa Brown! The reason I get so excited about the Lemony Snicket connection is because I am also pleased to tell you that HarperTrophy has just re-released A Series of Unfortunate Events: The Puzzling Puzzles.
Full of mazes, riddles, recipes, and all sorts of enigmas, this slim volume won’t stop cracking you up. Find out how to make a sign to protest the mistreatment of orphans by villains; how to reach a sugar bowl before an infamous sugar bowl thief arrives carried by eagles; and how to make pasta (“Step 1: Ask your parent or guardian for permission to use their credit card. Step 2: Drive yourself to the grocery store. Park with caution.â€). With liberal use of elves, unicorns, and, of course, Count Olaf and the Baudelaire orphans, The Puzzling Puzzles is as funny and absurd as a McSweeney’s book and for kids and non-kids alike—answers are in the back (except for the maze to “find peaceâ€).