Latke's and Mistletoe: The Latke That Couldn’t Stop Screaming: A Christmas Story by Lemony Snicket

One of my favourite authors has written a new book. It is called The Latke That Couldn’t Stop Screaming. How lovely is that? Doesn’t that title just give you chills?

Just the sound of the title fills me with holiday delight.

I really really really really want this book. I know it's not quite Christmas yet, but I want it anyway. I love Lemony Snicket and can't help but wonder if this book is more supplemental material or if is more material that doesn't add much to the mystique his series.

For those of you who don’t know about Lemony Snicket, he’s the author of the incredibly popular A Series of Unfortunate Events. The books are a mix of Edward Gorey, Charles Dickens and Harry Potter. There’s no magic but there is plenty of British charm, wordplay and disastrous deeds to keep even the pickiest reader happy.

There are thirteen volumes in the series of books including three books of supplementary material: Lemony Snicket – The Unauthorized Autobiography, The Beatrice Letters and Horseradish: Bitter Truths You Can’t Avoid. I was thrilled with the first two and thought the third was a cute way to cap off his series of books. While it didn’t add to the mystery, it added to my delight.

And so, I thought: That was The End. That was it. I thought Horseradish would be the last book by Lemony Snicket and tried to move on with my life. Contrary to almost everyone else, I loved the ending of the series (which I will not disclose here). I thought it explained itself well and left the series with many things unanswered, just like in real life.

So I was most surprised to see that Lemony Snicket had written a new book. A Christmas book about screaming Latke's at that. The book may or may not include answers or more mysteries. The only way to find out is to read it.

I am salivating to have my hands on this book but now there seems to be a problem with the publisher. It was supposed to come out on November 10th but now it looks like it might take another two weeks; I don't know if I'm going to be able to wait that long or if I'm going to go crazy in the meantime.

It's rare for me to become so obsessed about a book. Well, okay, it's not. Anyone that knows me can tell you I'm just bonkers for books. But every once in a while there are books that just call to you, books you would do anything to get your hands on; books by J. K. Rowling and Stephenie Meyer come to mind for me here.

There is also something about a book written by Lemony Snicket that calls to me, tells me I must possess it. I must get a copy of my own and savour every word. Some people like buying CD's, some like shoes. Some love clothes or jewellery; each person has the one thing they buy more than anything else.

For me, it's books. Especially magic books. I don't mean books that are about spells. I mean books that hook me under a spell. Books that I can sink into, books that get under my skin. A Series of Unfortunate Events makes me crazy with wonder and The Latke Who Couldn't Stop Screaming is no exception.

I can't wait to find out if I'll be reading a book full of mysterious secrets or if I'll be reading a new holiday tale to cherish by one of my most favourite of authors.

Either way, there's no harm in getting myself a copy before Christmas, is there? I know we're not supposed to buy things for ourselves before Christmas, but in all good conscience, I just can't wait. Hopefully Santa will forgive me.

And so with each approaching day I get a bit more anxious. I wonder what Lemony Snicket has in store for me? Maybe in a few more days, I'll find out.