Every year on May 25th fans of the most amazing intergalactic space journey known as the Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy proudly get their towels and remember the man behind the trilogy in five parts – Douglas Adams.

When Adams passed away May 11th, 2001, it was proposed that his fans hold tribute to him two weeks later, and this has now become a wonderful tradition known as Towel Day. Every intergalactic traveler knows to always bring his/her towel, and on this day H2G2 fans carry theirs proudly with them. We also celebrate by drinking copious amounts of Pan-Galactic Gargle Blasters and reading the instructions on boxes of toothpicks.

My first encounter with the Hitchhikers Guide was many years back. I was around fourteen or so and late one night on the college radio station they were playing the audio book as read by Stephen Fry. The very next day I went to the bookstore and bought the tome: The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy – A Trilogy in 5 Parts. Since I am an avid reader, it did not intimidate me. Instead, I devoured all five stories in the span of a week. There was not a moment that I did not enjoy. From Ford Prefect trying to get Arthur safely off the plant before the Vogons destroyed it , and to Arthur learning about Someone Else’s Problem (SEPs) and my favourite character of all-time, Marvin the Paranoid Android.

My copy is well worn, well read and well loved. The number 42 is significant to me, and I am always thinking of just exactly what the Ultimate Question to Life, The Universe and Everything actually is. I would love to eat at the Restaurant at the End of the Galaxy and little green bits of paper fascinate me.  The journey of Arthur Dent and his crash course in learning all the wondrous things in Douglas Adams’ version of the Galaxy will always remain my favourite story of all-time. Douglas Adams was a really hoopy frood and he really knew how to spin a tale.

So cuddle up with your towel, mix up a drink and do yourself a favour today – read (or watch, although not as great as the books!) Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy and celebrate with the rest of us who honour this great author today!

Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy The Complete Edition on Amazon