Daniel Handler (Lemony Snicket himself) will be appearing at the Central Library's Montgomery Auditorium on Tuesday, October 2, at 8:00 p.m. Click here for ticket info. He recently took a moment to chat with us about some of our favorite topics.

What role have libraries played in your life?

My local library, the West Portal Branch in San Francisco, was my first taste of genuine freedom--my parents said I could take home any books I could carry.

What was your favorite childhood book?

Dino Buzzati's The Bears' Famous Invasion Of Sicily .

What made you think you could be a writer?

Other writers. Not other writers I met--I didn't really meet any until I was older--but other writers I read.

Who are the three authors you think everyone should be required to read--which books would you start with?

I don't think any books should be required of everyone, but anyone who hasn't read Vladimir Nabokov's Lolita, William Maxwell 's The Folded Leaf and Alice Munro's Open Secrets really shouldn't approach me and complain they have nothing to read.

If you couldn’t write, what other job would you like to have?

Crimefighting superhero.