And Then? And Then? What Else? is a very interesting book about Daniel Handler, also known as Lemony Snicket, and his personal catalog of books, movies, and music. Handler weaves his writing process throughout as he discusses his personal life. He talks about the books, poems, writers, movies, and music that are meaningful to him and explains how certain things have stuck with him over time and ended up in his own work, which was really interesting to read about. It also includes very personal stories from his own life, including some information about controversies that he has been involved in more recently. It was done very thoughtfully and was respectful to the subjects, I thought. This will definitely appeal to fans of Daniel Handler, especially people who enjoyed Why We Broke Up or The Basic Eight, as the writing is quite similar. There are snippets that sound like Lemony Snicket, but don't go into this book thinking it will be like a Series of Unfortunate Events, as it is something else entirely. People who enjoy reading about the writing process are certain to enjoy this one as well.

I grew up reading A Series of Unfortunate Events and fell in love with what would happen next. I loved how they were written and all of the quirky names and the writing of the books. One of the great things that this shares is the authenticity. The writing just feels so genuine and sincere. If you loved A Series of Unfortunate Events, this is a read for you.

Thank you, NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Entertaining and accessible. A recommended purchase for collections where memoirs and writing craft titles are popular.

Stars = Sometimes 3.5, sometimes 4. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

⇉ At one point, Handler uses 'sui generis' -- "The adjective sui generis is Latin, meaning literally, 'of its own kind.' Anything sui generis is its own thing; there's nothing else like it." -- Uh, yeah, that about sums this work up. This is just as kooky and odd as aSoUE; reading from a physical book would have benefited me better, I think, though. Certain books are like that (for me, at least). It's almost like reading System of a Down lyrics as a book, lol IDEK. I can in the very least NOT recommend reading this on a Kindle, because the formatting is horrid. Heads up.

⇉ I do have to say I appreciate that we're learning how commonplace it is for celebrities to check themselves into places of betterment, that the stigma is getting more and more removed. Always helps knowing you're not alone in your truth.

★ [ Insert Jim’s 'this-really-got-away-from-me' and Mike 'IDK-wtf-that-was' .gif from "The Office" ] 😅

→ “I got interested in this kind of juxtaposition, the way words and phrases could sit on the page and influence each other and the reader, without making exact strict sense.” ~ Handler quote
→ “It’s the same feeling when you’re completely immersed in a good book and then, at the conclusion of a chapter or the intrusion of a noise, blink your way back to real life.” ~ Handler quote

Thank you to NetGalley and W. W. Norton & Company/Liveright for providing me with a digital ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review!

Daniel Handler (Lemony Snicket) is publishing an autobiography/memoir/notes on craft. Like many of his works, sprawling through the years I have interacted with him as an author, I devoured the book and the way he plays with words. It's an interesting look into his mind, his thoughts on form and craft, censorship for children and his own personal struggles.

Read for his notes on form and inspiration and stay for his chapter on Prince’s legacy. Expected publication May 21, 2024

As a fan of Daniel Handler's work as Lemony Snicket since childhood, I was eager to pick this up. Handler explores the many cultural touchstones that have influenced his work. He delves into deeply personal events and topics with open frankness. His style is fairly loose and he rarely spends significant time on particular events or works.

This would be excellent for fans of Stephen King's On Writing. However, this was not for me. Unfortunately, the nonchronological, stream of consciousness structure didn't work for me and I found it difficult to finish. It did inspire me to return to A Series of Unfortunate Series as an adult which has been great fun.

This is such a fun read. With bite sized poetry like paragraphs that give you much to chew on, this memoir is a gift for all the readers that loved and grew up on the cadence of Lemony Snicket.

Have you ever wanted to purchase a shrink ray, use on yourself, and crawl inside someone's brain to experience them more in depth? That's what this book feels like, in a good way. This book is a stream of consciousness memoir of beloved author Lemony Snicket/Daniel Handler, including ramblings on his favorite books and music and life experiences.

I'd recommend this book to people who love to understand how others' operate.

3.5 rounded up

As a kid, I was completely obsessed with A Series of Unfortunate Events, so I was thrilled when my request to read Daniel Handler’s new memoir was approved. It felt nostalgic to read his voice again, this time as a grown-up in a grown-up context. Frankly, I wish more memoirs were written like Handler’s- rather than a narrative, it’s presented as almost a collage of influences brought together in a stream-of-consciousness writing style, almost a literary equivalent of a mix tape. His thesis of creating your own canon rather than adhering to what The Literary Canon tells you to read/watch/consume really spoke to me, and gave me a newfound appreciation of my own influences, as someone who also finds solace and attachment in media. It was good to hear from Lemony Snicket again, I’m glad he’s doing well.

Thanks to NetGalley for this eARC!

As a fan of Daniel Handler, I really was excited to read this part memoir, part insights from Daniel Handler about writing and art. It was fascinating and a speed read for me. I thoroughly enjoyed it and will definitely be purchasing a physical copy once it's sold in stores.

daniel handler aka lemony snicket speaks writes a clever memoir. recalling his early childhood to his adulthood. it was an honor to have gotten to know one of my favorite childhood authors. at times heartbreaking as he shares his medical condition that haunted him as a child. so honored to have read this memoir early.

I want to start by saying I am so thankful to read this ARC. I loved A Series of Unfortunate Events as a child and continue to read the series every now and then, so it is an honor to be able to read an early copy of Lemony Snicket/ Daniel Handler's work.

And Then? And Then? What Else? is such a thought provoking and very personal memoir. Handler is authentic and really opens up about the events unfortunate and fortunate that shaped the way he chooses to write and present himself. I will say I have not had the pleasure of reading any of Daniel Handler's work aside from this novel and I am making it a point to do so immediately. I have loved everything he wrote as Lemony Snicket, so I know I will appreciate it.

This was such a great memoir to read, that will stick with me awhile.

And Then? And Then? What Else? Peels back at the identity of a man often known by his alias and a series of unfortunate novels about a sad trio of children. As a fan of his work, I greatly enjoyed getting to hear about some of the scraps of life that have inspired his own literary canon. From scribbles notes to snippets of music and books references galore, Handler gives an honest glimpse into the life and mind of a writer inspired by the world around him. He asks us to meet the world with curiosity and the occasional boredom, and to of course always carry a notebook for when inspiration strikes. In particular, I loved his recommendation to other writers to construct their personal literary canon as a means to craft and understand their own work.

There are pieces of brilliance and insight in this, but I found myself pretty confused about what exactly it’s supposed to be. Part memoir, part media criticism, with a dash of writing advice? It’s almost entirely stream of consciousness, and I’m not sure I really understand why certain things were included or how they are meant to connect. Some of this I found very compelling and some was dull, preachy, or (ironically) a bit problematic. Maybe I’m missing the point in wishing this had a little more intention and structure.

i was an Unfortunate Events kid, so this appealed to me knowing that i knew nothing about this mysterious author with the sordid stories. i think that as an adult, handler and i have more in common than i realized, and if anything, i think he’s not mysterious and now i can see him as a friend. great jarmusch-directed book – quite a fortunate event.

many thanks to w.w. norton & company and netgalley for the advance reader copy.

Thank you to W.W. Norton & Company for the ARC of And Then? And Then? What Else? in exchange for an honest review.

There’s no question that the series that had the largest impact on me as a child was A Series of Unfortunate Events by Lemony Snicket. I was enthralled by the timeless, dreary world Snicket created populated with lovable and intelligent orphans, and messy adults who failed and disappointed. It’s an empowering series for children, one that not only teaches them to be their own advocates but to stand up to any kind of abuse. It honors the integral acts of reading, writing, and thinking for oneself. To me, it’s always been surprisingly hopeful, in a way that those who don’t get it never seem to understand.

I was thrilled when I got approved by NetGalley for And Then? And Then? What Else? By Daniel Handler, eager to step into the mind of one of my favorite brilliant minds. What follows is a tribute to the stories and memories that made the writer, those foundational moments that inspire, confuse, delight, and spark creation. I lived for the little bits of connection to ASOUE and Snicket’s other works, but that’s not what And Then? And Then? What Else? is really about. It’s a free-flowing expression of storytelling that tries to make sense of a career and of a writer, that finds perspective in small moments, and asks us to really think about the way art (film, television, books, theater, so on) changes us irrevocably.

There’s a lot to unpack and a lot to think about. At times the writing is chaotic and veering sideways, leaving the reader with the task of drawing conclusions and staying on the right track. It’s much more fun to just let it be what it is and go along for the journey, to not try to categorize all of the bits of dust and magic that make a person, but accept the mind of a creative for what it is: endlessly trying to put humanity into words, and find that string of connection to somebody else so we all feel less lost.

Synopsis: Daniel Handler, a.k.a. Lemony Snicket, invites readers to sit down and get to know the person behind A Series of Unfortunate Events and other beloved books. And Then? And Then? What Else? joins the ranks of other great writers’ memoirs like On Writing by Stephen King and Bird by Bird by Anne Lamott. Handler deftly weaves events from his life with writing advice and the art that influenced him as a writer; both as Daniel Handler and under the alias of Lemony Snicket. This book is sure to be a favorite for those who want to know about their favorite author, and those hoping to glean a few pieces of writing wisdom.

My Thoughts: The Bad Beginning was published when I was ten years old. In many ways I felt like I grew up with the Baudelaire orphans. As I read each book the series left its mark in my imagination, and I became fascinated with the reclusive author Lemony Snicket. Then I grew up, and the mystery dissipated as I realized that the author was the same man who kept appearing at schools and on television. Then I became fascinated by the real person of Daniel Handler. What sort of mind concocts these stories, and then adds a layer of mystery by pretending the author is someone else all together? Thanks to And Then? And Then? What Else? I finally had the chance to find out.

This book is not a normal memoir in which the author recounts their life from past to present, tagging on meaningful bits of life advice. Instead the book reads more like a love letter to books and writing, that just so happens to tie in to the author’s life. He talks at length about Les Fleurs du mal by Charles Baudelaire, the man who gave his name to the Baudelaire orphans and inspired Handler. He ties many of the poems back to the points he is making, and these points vary greatly. He talks about misogyny and feminism, the mystery and magic of story for story’s sake, and many other points. There are dozens of other books mentioned throughout as well, and I found myself making a TBR list of all the fascinating works Handler mentions.

The section I found most impactful was near the end in which the author discusses what gives a book merit. Hundreds of thousands of words have been written trying to pinpoint exactly what makes one book worthy of the Nobel Prize and another worthy of the clearance rack at Target. Handler breaks it all down and says that whatever bibliography has shaped the reader are great books. As a reader it is freeing when someone important tells you to read whatever you want. Don’t read to please or impress anyone else.

There were a few moments that gave me pause while reading, only because of who Daniel Handler is. As a writer for young people I found some of the content in And Then? And Then? What Else? concerning. A few different passages are devoted to recounting Handler’s past sex life, as well as drug and alcohol abuse. All of these passages related directly back to the book’s message but it might be shocking if a lover of A Series of Unfortunate Events picks this up and is greeted by these passages before they’re ready.

Overall, I thought this was a great book and I’m thankful I had the opportunity to review it ahead of publication. I strongly recommend fans of Handler/Snicket pick this up, and anyone else who loves to write, or even hear about an artist’s creative process.

Daniel Handler is a master of writing. As a fan of his previous works under Lemony Snickett, I was interested to pick up this non-fiction piece and learn more about "the man behind Snickett." This did not dissapoint and I am in love with Handler's tone, style, and voice throughout the entirety of this piece. I would definitely reccomend this to any fans of his previous work, as well as those who just love eccentric writing and inspiration.

This book has so much appeal -- it is a memoir by the author of the Lemony Snicket books, told in his incredible, engaging voice. It is also inspiration and education for anyone interested in the art of writing. And, of course, anyone who grew up reading the Lemony Snicket books will enjoy all the background and history on that.

Goodreads review linked here:
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/6380468430
2.5 stars rounded up. The first bit and some other parts of this book were great. Handler does deliver thoughts and advice on the craft of writing with wit and skill, but those pieces are diamonds in the rough. This is one of those books that really should have been an article about Handler’s process (how to cut out fluff even though he didn’t do that with a lot of this book, his notecard method) without all of the extra analysis of his childhood. Major trigger warnings for sexual assault of a child. I would share the thoughts and a couple of quotes from this book with aspiring writers, but I definitely wouldn’t recommend it as a primer or a refresher on the craft of writing. Thank you to Liveright, Net Galley and the author for the e-ARC.