The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy (Series) by Douglas Adams - 9/10

When an ordinary Thursday goes terribly wrong, Arthur Dent finds himself fleeing the smoldering ruins of his home in the company of Ford Prefect, an experienced intergalactic hitchhiker, as they set out to explore the marvels of the galaxy - and maybe even discover the meaning of life, the universe, and everything.

This classic science fiction series takes the idea of a comedy sketch and explores what would happen if the story continued after the punchline. Adams incorporates dynamic characters and settings, paired with commentary in the form of excerpts from the satirical guide to the savvy traveler: The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy. While we are primarily along for the journey rather than the destination, there are elements of uncovering mysteries and saving the world.

*I think that the first book is the best and that some of the later books can be a bit hit or miss, but Adams has a flare for storytelling, so they are still entertaining reads.

**These books may be appropriate for younger audiences - they are pretty tame, not a lot of heavy themes or explicit content (my parents, who were very protective about what we were exposed to, let us read them in either middle or high school). However, they are peppered with adult jokes and the characters are in their 30s (or the alien equivalent).