The Lemony Snicket clock is ticking!

If you simply can't wait to read more about the adventures of the unlucky Baudelaire orphans, don't despair. The next book in Lemony Snicket's Series of Unfortunate Events is a mere seven months away! That's right, Book the Eleventh: The Grim Grotto is set for release in September. Until then, we'll ease the longing of Lemony's diehard fans by counting down all the titles in this super series. If you're new to the dark and dreary world of the Baudelaires, our countdown is a great way to catch up on all that you've been missing.

This month, we're recalling the special sorrows of Book the Second: The Reptile Room. After enduring the deaths of their parents and the schemes by evil Count Olaf to steal their sizable inheritance, the three Baudelaire children have been sent to live with Dr. Montgomery ("your late father's cousin's wife's brother"). As you will soon discover, dear reader, the trip to the home of a distant relation is part of a pattern that is repeated in each of the subsequent books. The miserable, mistreated Baudelaire children begin each volume by settling in a new home with yet another unpleasant relative.

Actually, to be perfectly honest, Dr. Montgomery doesn't turn out to be unpleasant at all. A herpetologist by trade (that's someone who studies snakes for a living), Uncle Monty makes the children coconut cakes, teaches them about snakes and promises to take them on an expedition to Peru. Their hopes for happiness are soon dashed, however, when Count Olaf arrives—disguised as Monty's new assistant, Stefano. (And you, dear reader, should not be surprised to learn that Olaf will don many disguises in the books ahead.) Tragically, Monty soon succumbs to what appears to be an "accidental" snake bite, and Violet, Klaus and Sunny Baudelaire must summon all their strength and cunning to escape Count Olaf once again.

What other evil could possibly befall the trio? We'll find out in Book Three!