Currently I am in midst of reading the "A Series of Unfortunate Events" series of books to my children. Which is excellent, and I would recommend you read it to your children upwards of 8 years old. What distinguishes it from other works for the same age range is the authors rather demented sense of humour and perpetual small subversions that give away more about the world they're growing into than most people would be comfortable discussing or acknowledging. Which, if you're like me you're always eager to discuss and the book gives many introductions to topics that can easily expand into a cheerful evenings conversation....
The story focuses on 3 children - Violet, Klaus and Sunny, (AKA the Beaudelaire orphans), who were left without parents after a mysterious fire destroys their home, and the villainous Count Olaf, who attempts to possess himself of the Beaudelaires' fortune by various intrigues and adventures. While superficially very humourous, and written at an age level most younger children could easily understand, the books also offer many winks and nods to an older and more informed audience via asides from the narrator, Lemony Snicket.
Some quotes:
"For instance, as I crouch here behind the altar of the Cathedral of the Alleged Virgin...."
"The most important thing we do at the hospital is paperwork...."
And, of course, he scrupulously dissects such adages as: "Children should be seen and not heard" and "No News is Good News".
These quotes and topics above are but a very few of the many themes covered in book #8 - "The Hostile Hospital". Overall, these books are excellent, and I would recommend for children aged 8-14, although I've heard of adults who have read and quite enjoyed them as well.
Please note, that while the movie of the same name possessed characters of some resemblance, all qualities end there.