I remember, in high school, one of my friends held up a book and said, "You need to read this." I wasn't a huge reader in high school. I read tons and tons and tons in elementary school, but when I moved at the age of 11, all I cared about was being cool, being popular. And apparently, reading was not cool. (Of course, now I think it's one of the coolest things in life!) So a lot of books that my friends read in high school, I read in my late twenties, or I haven't read them yet at all. I'm trying to make up for this, and this reading challenge will help a lot.
So in high school, my friend held that book up and told me I needed to read it. I automatically wasn't really interested, because although at that point I was quite beyond being popular, I still wasn't back in the reading saddle. But I glanced at the book, and most likely nodded and made some type of committment to read it. But the only word I really caught from the title was "Hitchhiker's." My 17-year-old brain thought, "Ugh, is this a story about bearded old men and their travels along the U.S. highways?" I was not interested.
Fast forward about ten years, and somehow I saw the film adaptation. I don't remember when I saw it, or with whom, but I saw it, and I loved it! This was what my friend had told me about all those years ago. She hadn't been crazy! She had actually known me really well! Ever since then I knew I had to read the books. I bought them last year, but they've been sitting on my shelf while I read books for book club and other books. But they've been sitting there, kind of taunting me, saying, "Don't Panic. We'll be here when you're ready." And then I decided to take the "Off the Shelf" challenge and they were the first on my list of must-reads!
All I have to say is, Kelli, I wish I had listened to you back then. Oh the things I have missed! I have only read the first story, but I plan on reading the others for this challenge as well. As far as the story goes, I laughed out loud through so much of this book, and I think anyone who says that this is not an amazing idea is crazy. I mean, people who manufacture planets? Come on! What writer out there wouldn't kill for an idea like that?
So, 1 book down for my "Off the Shelf" Challenge, 14 to go!
