Literary Club: 'The Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy'

By Amir Ali Said

Today marks the fourth week I've been in literary club. Today's discussion was very helpful in my comprehension of the first book in The Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy. I learned a lot of things I never knew about this book. For one, I never knew that The Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy was part of pop culture. Until two weeks ago I didn't even know a book existed. Now come to find out The Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy is quoted and discussed as part of pop culture. I only thought a small group of people knew or read this book.

Number two, I didn't know that Douglas Adams (author) was an atheist. This group of people, Atheist' don't believe in the notion of a god. In the book Adams gives hints to his beliefs. This really comes out in a scene where there is a fish talking to what is suppose to be God. In this scene, the fish says that God can't exist. There I wondered if Adams was an atheist, and during the discussion I realized that he was. Also, I looked him up and found out that he considers himself to be a "radical atheist."

After the discussion at literary club today I came away with a much better understanding of the first book in The Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy. This understanding helped me get a better grasp of book one. It also gave me more fuel to want to read book one again to see if I missed anything. With literary club, I think we all get a better understanding of the books we read.

Reading Updates: 'The Catcher in the Rye' Added To Rotation

By Amir Ali Said

I've added The Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Sallinger to my reading rotation. I'll have updates for The Catcher in the Rye too. The Catcher in the Rye is a coming of age story that centers around Holden Caulfield, a teen, who’s just been kicked out of his third school. His expulsion is a result of lack of commitment to school.

So far, I've only got up to the part when Caulfield is in New York City. Caulfield's New York because he expected to meet up with a girl he met a party a couple months earlier. Caulfield doesn't plan on going home anytime soon, he's got a little bit more fun left in him. He also knows that his parents may not take the news very well. I don't want to spoil anything so that's all the details I'll give.

Next Book, 'The Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy'

By Amir Ali Said

The next book on my Literary Club's book list is 'The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy.' I never knew that was a book. I always thought 'The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy' was a just a movie, an original story. Come to find out, Douglas Adams wrote 'The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy' in 1979. It just goes to show that most movies are either based on a book, short story, or another movie. But there's room for original ideas too. But my question is, What is this book/movie about?

I have no clue what 'The Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy' is about. It seems like a interesting story just because of the name, but what is it about? The movie seemed really confusing to me, because I didn't understand most of the story. By the end, I didn't know what happen. Hopefully, the book is much better, which is why I look forward to reading it.

A Tale Of Two Cities Update (Part 5)

By Amir Ali Said

I'm up to chapter 7 in Book Three of A Tale of Two Cities. Charles Darnay is back and better than before. While reading the last chapters of Book Two, you'll notice that Darnay is probably the most important character in the book. Darnay is important because of his family roots. There is a revolution going on and Darnay doesn't know which side to choose. Its either he sides with his family or the "peasants." But this isn't the only thing going on in A Tale of Two Cities.

Darnay has come back to Paris and as far as he and everybody else is concerned, a lot has changed. Darnay left after his Uncle died, he couldn't face controlling Paris. Something inside of Darnay just wouldn't allow him to do such a thing. He was sort of against all the revolutionist, but he had sympathy for them. Darnay could understand the problems of the people, but he knew that if he sided with them he wouldn't have anybody to turn to. What "peasant" revolutionist would willingly take in the nephew of the ruler they're trying to over throw. Therein lies Darnay's problem, what can he do? What should he do? Well I plan on finding out.

A Tale Of Two Cities Update (Part 4)

By Amir Ali Said

I'm up to chapter 19. The book is getting even more interesting. Book Two is taking some twists and turns. Plus, Mr. Lorry and Miss Mannette is back. Both of them are playing some pretty big roles in the last parts of Book Two. Mr. Lorry and Miss Mannette are both starting a family. That's about all I can tell you. The man who was acquitted in Book One is back, oh wait, it's not him. Read Book Two and you'll see why. Here's a brief description.

As if Book Two couldn't get any better, Dickens helps you out. Book Two is getting hectic and the story is starting to unfold. Actually there are multiple stories, but the source of A Tale of Two Cities is starting to unravel. Mr. Lorry and Miss Mannette are having separate lives, ever since that first meeting. Miss Mannette's father is going back to work. But there's more. To bad, I can't describe what else is happening because that would really spoil your reading experience. But like I've said before, pick up A Tale of Two Cities as soon as possible.

A Tale Of Two Cities Update (Part 3)

By Amir Ali Said

I'm up to chapter 15 in Book Two and the story has only gotten deeper and better. I thought the story would get better, but boy is it taking a couple turns. After chapter 9, Dickens goes into the life of Charles Darnay. He's just been acquitted a couple chapters before. And he has interest in Miss Mannette. Problem is, two other men do. So that leaves you with a question, how's that going to work out? Me, I think somebody is going to disappear, I just have that movie mind-state. I don't think all three men can have an interest, without the others finding out. When they do, they'll be happy to eliminate any and all competition. But who?

Looking forward to the rest of Book Two and Literary Club next week, fuels the need to complete A Tale of Two Cities. It's such a great book, that keeps you interested during every page. Even when the writing gets out of hand, I still want to read more, because I know it'll only get better. This may very well be my favorite book, since I've never read a book like it. It's made me become a better writer and reader. I think this book will certainly help me in the long haul. If you haven't read or intend on reading A Tale of Two Cities, I can't stress it enough, please do.

Literary Club, Very Special To Me

By Amir Ali Said

As a kid I felt like I belonged wherever I went. For example I felt like I belonged at my grandma's house. But the fact of the matter is, I didn't know any better.

Somebody can't always belong everywhere they go. There are some places you go and you don't feel comfortable, or you don't like the atmosphere. But you can't feel like you belong every where you go. I bring this up to make a point, Friday was the third time I felt like I really belonged. I went to a literary club for homeschoolers. Laurie Block Spigel runs the literary club for homeschoolers. Thanks Laurie.

Friday was the first time I ever went to a literary club. Mind you, I think they are really cool. A group of people coming together to discuss a book and their thoughts, dope! By the way, Pop and I got there about thirty minutes early. Anyway, I was the newest member of the literary club and I was welcomed immediately. I felt like I really belonged at the Literary club. Everybody there seemed like an instant friend. I plan on holding on to that for the rest of my life. Now about the literary club.

The literary club was cool. We discussed A Tale of Two Cities through Book Two, chapter nine. The club was really beneficial because I learned things about the book and the story, that I never even thought about. I have a whole new look on the book. We discussed themes and went practically chapter by chapter. I can't say exactly what we talked about because that would include spoilers. But the literary club is great.

Tale Of Two Cities Update (Part 2)

By Amir Ali Said

I've read eight chapters of Book Two,"The Golden Thread", part of A Tale of Two Cities. The past eight chapters haven't ceased to impress me. Plus the story has only gotten better. Book Two gets heavily into the story. It gives a backdrop to the story that isn't written in Book One. Book Two may well be the most important book in A Tale of Two Cities. It's good, like Book One, but even better. There is more action and description of the actual story. However, Book One is still significant in itself since it gives context to the story. Here's a brief description of Book Two (up to chapter eight).

Book Two opens up in the year 1780. It's five years after the beginning of the story. Book Two dives into the life of Tellson's Bank. A very sinister bank, for reasons I can't disclose, or it would be a huge spoiler. Then Book Two takes you on a journey with Mr. Cruncher. Cruncher is a odd-job man who works outside of Tellson's Bank. He also happens to be a messenger, a good one at that. That's the most important part. Mr. Cruncher is a messenger, one that sees and hears a lot of different things. But what he sees in the second and third chapter, brings Book Two to life. He is a witness to a prosecution of a prisoner, being held for treason. Through Mr. Cruncher's eyes the reader learns of the story in Book Two and you meet up with Mr. Lorry and Ms. Manette again. Plus, in the first eight chapters, the reader can gain knowledge on the importance of the title, The Golden Thread. That's all I can say for now, but I'll be back tomorrow, to give a spoil free summary of Book Two.

One Book Down, Two More to Go

By Amir Ali Said

I've completed Book one of A Tale of Two Cities. What a great book indeed. It's funny how I'm saying it's a good book, knowing the fact that there are three books in one. Book one, "Recalled To Life," describes England and France (as I've stated in my earlier article.) Book one is outstanding. Here's a brief description of Book one.

Book one details Jarvis Lorry and his encounters. One very important encounter with Miss Manette. Miss Manette was informed to meet with an employee of Tellson's Bank. Something about new details have surfaced about her account. But what she doesn't know is that she's only be called for one specific reason. This reason is told to her by Jarvis Lorry. Once Miss Manette catches wind of her and Mr. Lorry's purpose, they embark on a journey together. A journey that will come to explain the importance of the title, "Recalled To Life." Here's where I stop, since like before, I would be giving spoilers. Spoilers that really would hurt your reading experience if and when you read, A Tale of Two Cities.

A Tale Of Two Cities Update (Part 1)

By Amir Ali Said

A Tale of Two Cities is a great book. I've only read four chapters! I had to make an update on my reading. I'll probably have four chapter updates just for this book. It's extremely interesting. The writing is outstanding, seriously, I've never read a book like it. Plus, I feel like I'm reading an ancient artifact. A Tale of Two Cities was written in 1859, by Charles Dickens. I think this book will be a turning point in my writing and reading. I recommend this book to anybody! It's such a great book, you've got to check out. Well, time to go read some more.

The first four chapters are great. Dickens describes England and France at the time of this story. It's the year, 1775. Weeding through the first three chapters you notice a comparison between Paris and London, two prominent cities in England and France. The story of England and France is told mainly through one character, Mr.Jarvis Lorry. Lorry is an employee for Tellson's bank on a trip from England to France. I can tell you no more, or I would be giving some spoilers. But you should know that by the fourth chapter, the story really starts to pick up. Oh boy, I could read chapter four all day. Bottom line, read A Tale of Two Cities as soon as possible.