Topeka & Shawnee Co. Public Library discussion

Here's what I thought about this book the first time I read it:

This tale of surviving the Pacific Crest Trail--and the self-destructive aspects of the author's own personality--held my interest well enough, though some fellow readers I know were put off by the personality of the author. Cheryl Strayed was a lost soul, if ever there was one, a lost soul who decided to "find herself" by taking off on a hike on the Pacific Crest Trail. With barely a plan, a guidebook, and an overloaded backpack filled with items from REI she sets off on a journey that turns out to involve skin rubbed raw, toenails falling off, unexpected detours, and brushes with predators--both animal and human.
The aspects of the book that I liked were learning about the Pacific Crest Trail and its natural wonders, seeing how Cheryl overcame the many difficulties she encountered (or forced upon herself), and reading about the other hikers and trail angels that she met along the way. The aspects I didn't like as much were Strayed's reflections upon her past and some of the incidents from it. It was just as much a story of her surviving despite her own self destructive tendencies as about her surviving the trail--however self destructive and self focused people are not always the most inspiring or appealing people to read about.

I need to get back involved with the group. Right now things have been a bit overwhelming on what I'm dealing with and kinda shutting down. Some of it is my own destructive tendencies. I wasn't a fan of the book. There were so many times I wanted to punch her for being so stupid. Seriously she never heard of "breaking" in your hiking boots? Never considered making sure everything fit and you can carry your pack? Those were just a couple. I'm shocked by the amount of people that love Wild.

Melanie wrote: "I need to get back involved with the group. Right now things have been a bit overwhelming on what I'm dealing with and kinda shutting down. Some of it is my own destructive tendencies. I wasn't a f..."

I have heard a lot of people say the same thing about this book--that they just couldn't get past their dislike for the narrator. I too found her quite shocking and I found myself worried more about whether or not she would survive her own stupidity rather than the physical hardships of the trail.

We miss you at the group but I understand about life getting in the way. We'll be here for you whenever you can make it!