The Hunger Games

Book #158 (Unique books)
Book #12 in 2012

The Hunger Games
by Suzanne Collins

"In a future North America, where the rulers of Panem maintain control through an annual televised survival competition pitting young people from each of the twelve districts against one another, sixteen-year-old Katniss's skills are put to the test when she voluntarily takes her younger sister's place."

March 22nd to March 23rd - 2 days - 374 pages

Notes:
Yesterday morning I was like "I don't actually especially want to read this" and now I have read the entire thing and been to the midnight showing of the movie and I desperately need Catching Fire and there are 137 HOLD REQUESTS ON IT AT THE LIBRARY

A Series Of Unfortunate Events: The Hostile Hospital

Book #157 (Unique books*)
Book #11 in 2012

A Series Of Unfortunate Events: The Hostile Hospital
by Lemony Snicket

"Dear Reader,
Before you throw this awful book to the ground and run as far away from it as possible, you should probably know why. This book is the only book that describes every last detail of the Baudelaire children's miserable stay at Heimlich Hospital, which makes it one of the most dreadful books in the world.

There are many pleasant things to read about, but this book contains none of them. Within its pages, are such burdensome details such as a suspicious shopkeeper, unnecessary surgery, an intercom system, anesthesia, heart-shaped balloons, and some very startling news about a fire. Clearly you do not want to read about such things.

I have sworn to research this story, and to write it down as best as I can, so I should know that this book is something best left on the ground, where you undoubtedly found it.

With all due respect,

"

March 6th to March 12th(I think) - 7 days - 255 pages

Notes:
*I have read these lots of times but I'm counting it in my total because it's never been published here.

A Series Of Unfortunate Events: The Vile Village

Book #156 (Unique books*)
Book #10 in 2012

A Series Of Unfortunate Events: The Vile Village
by Lemony Snicket

"Dear Reader,
You have undoubtedly picked up this book by mistake, so please put it down. Nobody in their right mind would read this particular book about the lives of Violet, Klaus, and Sunny Baudelaire on purpose, because each dismal moment of their stay in the village of V.F.D. has been faithfully and dreadfully recorded in these pages.

I can think of no single reason why anyone would want to open a book containing such unpleasant matters as migrating crows, an angry mob, a newspaper headline, the arrest of innocent people, the Deluxe Cell, and some very strange hats.

It is my solemn and sacred occupation to research each detail of the Baudelaire children's lives and write them all down, but you may prefer to do some other solemn and sacred thing, such as reading another book instead.

With all due respect,

"

March 4th to March 6th(I think) - 2 1/2 days - 259 pages

Notes:
*I have read these lots of times but I'm counting it in my total because it's never been published here.

A Series Of Unfortunate Events: The Ersatz Elevator

Book #155 (Unique books*)
Book #9 in 2012

A Series Of Unfortunate Events: The Ersatz Elevator
by Lemony Snicket

"Dear Reader,
If you have just picked up this particular book, then it is not too late to put it back down. Like the previous books in A Series of Unfortunate Events, there is nothing to be found in these pages but misery, despair, and discomfort, and you still have time to choose something else to read.

Within the chapters of this story, Violet, Klaus, and Sunny Baudelaire, encounter a brightly colored staircase, a red herring, some friends in a dire situation, three mysterious initials, a liar with an evil scheme, a secret passageway, and parsley soda.

I have sworn to write down these tales of the Baudelaire orphans so the general public will know each terrible thing that has happened to them, but if you decide to read something else instead, you will save yourself from a heapful of horror and woe.

With all due respect,

"

March 1st to March 3rd - 3 days - 259 pages

Notes:
*I have read these lots of times but I'm counting it in my total because it's never been published here.

A Series Of Unfortunate Events: The Austere Academy

Book #154 (Unique books*)
Book #8 in 2012

A Series Of Unfortunate Events: The Austere Academy
by Lemony Snicket

"Dear Reader,
If you where looking for a story about cheerful youngsters spending a jolly time at boarding school, look elsewhere. Violet, Klaus and Sunny Baudelaire are intelligent and resourceful children, and you might expect that they would do very well at school. Don't. For 'the Baudelaires, school turns out to be another miserable episode in their unlucky lives.

Truth be told, within the chapters that make up this dreadful story, the children will face snapping crabs, strict punishments, dripping fungus, comprehensive exams, violin recitals, S.O.R.E., and the metric system.

It is my solemn duty to stay up all night researching and writing the history of these three hapless youngsters, but you may be more comfortable getting a good night's sleep, in this case you should probably choose some other book.

With all due respect,

"

February 28th to March 1st - 2 1/2 days - 221 pages

Notes:
*I have read these lots of times but I'm counting it in my total because it's never been published here.

A Series Of Unfortunate Events: The Miserable Mill

Book #153 (Unique books*)
Book #7 in 2012

A Series Of Unfortunate Events: The Miserable Mill
by Lemony Snicket

"Dear Reader,
I hope, for your sake, that you have not chosen to read this book because you are in the mood for a pleasant experience. If this is the case, I advise you to put this book down instantaneously, because of all the books describing the unhappy lives of the Baudelaire orphans, THE MISERABLE MILL might be the unhappiest yet. Violet, Klaus, and Sunny Baudelaire are sent to Paltryville to work in a lumbermill, and they find disaster and misfortune lurking behind every log.

The pages of this book, I'm sorry to inform you, contain such unpleasantries as a giant pincher machine, a bad casserole, a man with a cloud of smoke where his head should be, a hypnotist, a terrible accident resulting in injury, and coupons.

I have promised to write down the entire history of these three poor children, but you haven't, so if you prefer stories that are more heartwarming, please feel free to make another selection.

With all due respect,

"

February 27th - 1 day - 194 pages

Notes:
*I have read these lots of times but I'm counting it in my total because it's never been published here.

A Series Of Unfortunate Events: The Wide Window

Book #152 (Unique books*)
Book #6 in 2012

A Series Of Unfortunate Events: The Wide Window
by Lemony Snicket

"Dear Reader,
If you have not read anything about the Baudelaire orphans, then before you read even one more sentence, you should know this: Violet, Klaus, and Sunny are kindhearted and quick-witted, but their lives, I am sorry to say, are filled with bad luck and misery. All of the stories about these three children are unhappy and wretched, and the one you are holding may be the worst of them all.

If you haven't got the stomach for a story that includes a hurricane, a signaling device, hungry leeches, cold cucumber soup, a horrible villain, and a doll named Pretty Penny, then this book will probably fill you with despair.

I will continue to record these tragic tales, for that is what I do. You, however, should decide for yourself whether you can possibly endure this miserable story.

With all due respect,

"


February 26th - 1 day - 214 pages

Notes:
*I have read these lots of times but I'm counting it in my total because it's never been published here.

A Series Of Unfortunate Events: The Reptile Room

Book #151 (Unique books*)
Book #5 in 2012

A Series Of Unfortunate Events: The Reptile Room
by Lemony Snicket

"Dear Reader,
If you have picked up this book with the hope of finding a simple and cheery tale, I'm afraid you have picked up the wrong book altogether. The story may seem cheery at first, when the Baudelaire children spend time in the company of some interesting reptiles and a giddy uncle, but don't be fooled. If you know anything at all about the unlucky Baudelaire children, you already know that pleasant events lead down the same road to misery.

In fact, within the pages you now hold in your hands, the three siblings endure a car accident, a terrible odor, a deadly serpent, a long knife, a long brass reading lamp, and a reappearance of a person they'd hoped never to see again.

I am bound to record these tragic events, but you are free to put this book back on the shelf and seek something lighter.

With all due respect,
"


February 25th - 1 day - 190 pages

Notes:
*I have read these lots of times but I'm counting it in my total because it's never been published here.

Slaughterhouse-Five

Book #150 (Unique books)
Book #4 in 2012

Slaughterhouse-Five
by Kurt Vonnegut, Jr.

"Slaughterhouse-Five, an American classic, is one of the world’s great antiwar books. Centering on the infamous firebombing of Dresden, Billy Pilgrim’s odyssey through time reflects the mythic journey of our own fractured lives as we search for meaning in what we fear most."

February 14th to February 21st - 8 days - 190 pages

The Book Thief

Book #149 (Unique books)
Book #3 in 2012

The Book Thief
by Markus Zusak

"It’s just a small story really, about among other things: a girl, some words, an accordionist, some fanatical Germans, a Jewish fist-fighter, and quite a lot of thievery. . . .

Set during World War II in Germany, Markus Zusak’s groundbreaking new novel is the story of Liesel Meminger, a foster girl living outside of Munich. Liesel scratches out a meager existence for herself by stealing when she encounters something she can’t resist–books. With the help of her accordion-playing foster father, she learns to read and shares her stolen books with her neighbors during bombing raids as well as with the Jewish man hidden in her basement before he is marched to Dachau.

This is an unforgettable story about the ability of books to feed the soul."

December 26th to February 14th - 51 days - 552 pages