Title of the Book: Wild
Author: Cheryl Strayed
Number of Pages: 315
Rating: ☆☆☆☆☆
Review:

At 26 Cheryl Strayed decided she was going to backpack more than a thousand miles from the Mojave Desert through California and Oregon—on her own. One step at a time she would heal her past and bridge a new path for her future. Cheryl would face wild animals, harsh terrain, facing rain, snow, and extreme heat. Wild gives an up close and personal view into the strength of a single woman.

Strayed was slowly falling beneath the cracks, after her mother's death she watched her marriage fall apart and her family separate from heartache. Cheryl thought she had lost it all until the day she stumbled upon a hiking guidebook of the Pacific Crest Trail. She believed her fate could turn around. Strayed not only captures the extreme battles she's faced with on the trail but she exposes the battle she was fighting within.

Wild gives a unique outlook on finding yourself through defeat, and triumph. It’s not every day that a woman sets out on a solo backpacking trip without previous knowledge of what it takes to be an avid backpacker. Cheryl needed a drastic change in her life, and she knew it would take extreme measures. Cheryl journaled about her trip; the people she met, the animals she came faced with, the ups and downs, and her realization that she was healing. Strayed became Queen of the PCT. Wild has no dull moments and is filled with adventure, the kindness of others, and emerging yourself into the wild. Her humor and vivid images of the PCT compelled me to keep reading. Seeing the PCT through her eyes gives me a strong belief that the unimaginable is possible.

The fearless and somewhat reckless decision of hiking alone through the backcountry intrigues not only women but all walks of life who have been faced with trauma or a life-altering event. This book is for anyone looking for something different in life, it is not only uplifting and powerful but it is a clear realization of how disconnected we are from the wild. Strayed is beautiful, strong, brave, and a master at showing us what life has to offer and “how wild it was to let it be.” (Strayed, 311)

A Moveable Feast Review

A Moveable Feast
Ernest Hemingway

 Number of Pages: 211
 Rating: ☆☆☆☆☆

 Review: A Moveable Feast by Ernest Hemingway is a young adult readers dream. Hemingway managed to create an autobiography that feels like a novel, where all the details of his mid twenties life in Paris is brought to life. He recalls being friends with Gertrude Stein, golden days of Shakespeare and Company, and being drunk in the depths of depression. Yet, behind all the glitz and glam of the twenties in Paris, Hemingway manages to manipulate words in a way only he can. He allows readers to dive into his world, and thus, allowing them to find peace in his honesty. Hemingway reveals himself to the world, showcasing his hardships, and how he eventually overcomes them. Readers are able to be immersed in his compassion, empathetic, and sometimes stupid tendencies, as he shows the world who he once was. Hemingway writes about his extreme poverty, heartbreak, depression, and adulterous characteristics without blinking an eye, often causing readers to almost second guess his good natured side often shown. After reading Ernest Hemingway’s autobiography twice, I can safely give A Moveable Feast five stars. Hemingway transported his life into writing, executing it so perfectly, readers forget they're reading. He was able to create a book about love, passion, depression, and most importantly, the never changing human condition, where readers are forced to love his work. I recommend this autobiography to majority of readers. This book is perfect for lovers of fiction, classic literature, and even more advanced young adult readers. I believe once a literature lover is mature, and has put aside Percy Jackson, and Harry Potter, they are more than ready, and more than lucky, to dive into the world of Paris, circa 1920s, with Hemingway.

Title of the Book: Wild: From Lost to Found on the Pacific Crest Trail
Author: Cheryl Strayed 
Number of Pages: 311
Rating: ☆☆☆☆☆


Review:

“To wander from the proper path, to deviate from the direct course, to be lost, to become wild, to be without a mother or father, to be without a home, to move about aimlessly in search of something, to diverge or digress” (Strayed, 96). These things are all definitions of the word wild. These phrases are also all ways of describing Cheryl Strayed. After a series of life altering events Cheryl a mid twenty year old decides to hike the Pacfic Crest Trail without any backpacking experience. The Pacfic Crest Trail is a grueling hike that spans from Mexico to Canada and passes through the states bordering the Pacific Coast. While on the trail Cheryl quickly learns she is underprepared and ill fit to hike the trail. However, she is determined to make it to the finish line and hikes through all obstacles in her way in search of the person she was before her mother died. This experience on the trail is a healing one and teaches her many values and characteristics of herself.

Strayed’s writing style is very unquike. It is so vivid with imagery and feeling that the reader can picture being right next to her on the PCT. As she changes throughout the book so does her writing to model the growth. She is honest and personable. I found myself relating to many of the things she was experiencing and preaching. One of my favorite parts of the book was when Cheryl first stepped foot onto the PCT. She was so naive and excited when she quickly realized that the hike was going to be harder than she thought. I loved seeing her determination and drive. I also really related to a part mid way through the book when she shed her first tears on the PCT. She was looking up at the stars and thinking about her dad and realized how happy and full the PCT had made her and what a healing experience the hike had been. I really connected to this point in the story as I have also felt that feeling while being up here at Outdoor Lab. Finally, I loved the moment she reached to The Bridge of the Gods. The way she wrapped up the story made a lasting impression on me and the rest of her audience. It was such a monumental moment where I felt proud of her accomplishments.

I had a great time reading this book and loved every moment of it. I really connected and related to the story as I choose Outdoor Lab for a similar reason that Cheryl chose to hike the PCT. It was funny, relatable, and genuine. I would definitely recommend this book to others. It's a fantastic way to get a new perspective on grief and times when life just doesn’t seem to go your way. It makes me really believe that I can also pick myself up on a bad day as Cheryl did on the PCT.

Title of the Book: Into The Wild Author: John Krakauer Number of Pages: 201 Rating: ☆☆☆☆ Review:

\

Into The Wild Written By John Krakauer, Is a captivating book about a rich kid turned minimalist/Alaskan survivalist, where he would, unfortunately, meet an unexpected demise. This book is centered around Chris McCandless and his unique exploits around the country. A Kid from a rich family with contrasting aspirations. Instead of following in his family's footsteps Chris ventured down the economic ladder to experience a different life; Chrises ultimate goal was to live in the Alaskan wilderness of the land. To understand why Chris did what he did, traveled where he did, and ended up like he did, Krakauer thoroughly analyzes every available piece of evidence into Chris's life. This book in an analysis of Chris and his travels.

Although Chris McCandless himself has passed, the people he met, inspired, and influence is very much still here (during the writing of the book). This book if full of direct quotes from these people providing many insights into Chris's peculiar personality. It is Chris and his unique character/story that makes this book unique. The book is written around the bits of evidence Chris left in his wake, paired with that author’s analyzes and two cents. Using what He can Krakauer create a rather full picture of the Chris two year venture.  The book also draws on other case studies and the author's personal experiences to examine similarities and differences. The author's writing style and mastery of writing imagery makes for an enjoyable read. This is not an objective retelling of a story though, Krakauer does have opinions and he shared them. Part of the joy in this book is reading His opinions one of the few “experts” on the topic.

This book gets my recommendation. It has plenty of memorable moments, when Chris convinces an 80+-year-old man to sell his belongings and live a new lifestyle, to name one. It is not a difficult read, but enjoyable. By the end of the book, it brings Chris McCandless character to life. The author makes many strong points regarding his perspective, but there is room for your own thoughts and opinions. Despite the sparse amount of evidence left by Chris, Krakauer is able to piece together a very whole feeling story. It It is very interesting to see Crisis impact on all the people he met through his journey. This book is perfect for travelers, it tells an interesting and unpredictable (Chris didn't do much planning) travel story