This book has been quite popular lately as it has been made into a movie. I actually watched the movie first, before I read the book but I enjoyed both. This book is about Cheryl's hike along the Pacific Crest Trail in California. She has multiple life experiences that put her in a really bad place, especially emotionally. She came to a point in her life where she decided that things needed to change and she needed a better way to deal with the events that affected her life. This book is a somewhat a journal of her experience on the PCT with her reflecting on the events that brought her there along the way.
Cheryl is someone who has never really hiked before and did not train extensively before she went, and so I found it incredible that she would decide to hike a trail so long and in some parts, very rugged and difficult to hike. She carried an enormous backpack with basically everything a person on a long hike would need. I really don't think she left anything out, which resonated with me, because I am definitely someone who packs everything I could possibly need.
It was interesting to read about her experiences on the trail. For one thing, she was pretty much alone the entire time. She was carrying a very heavy backpack, wearing shoes that were too small, which caused her to lose toenails (I cringed too) and had to take some risks that I am not sure I would have the courage to take.
My favourite quote from this book is found on page 51 and it reminds me of my favourite quote from Honeymoon in Purdah.
"Fear, to a great extent, is born of a story we tell ourselves, and so I chose to tell myself a different story from the one women are told. I decided I was safe. I was strong. I was brave."
I really enjoyed reading this book, however I felt that it was a bit slow in some parts, which makes sense since exciting things probably didn't happen every day she was hiking. I think this is a great summer read, it certainly has made me want to go on a hike! Maybe not as long as her hike was but I would like to hike part of the PCT one day.
Please let me know what you thought of this book. Have you had an experience like this? What are some hikes you have been on?
Happy Reading!
P.S. How many of you now want to hike the PCT?
Labels: Book Review, Wanderlust Reads
