Notes from the Shelf

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Wild: From Lost to Found on the Pacific Crest Trail by Cheryl Strayed – Trailblazing & Free-Spirited

Genre: Nonfiction – Travel

Pages: 336

Rating:  ★★★★★

Buy: Bookshop.org

This post contains spoilers.

Book Summary

At twenty-two, Cheryl Strayed thought she had lost everything. In the wake of her mother’s death, her family scattered and her own marriage was soon destroyed. Four years later, with nothing more to lose, she made the most impulsive decision of her life. With no experience or training, driven only by blind will, she would hike more than a thousand miles of the Pacific Crest Trail from the Mojave Desert through California and Oregon to Washington State — and she would do it alone.

Told with suspense and style, sparkling with warmth and humor, Wild powerfully captures the terrors and pleasures of one young woman forging ahead against all odds on a journey that maddened, strengthened, and ultimately healed her.

My Thoughts

Wild by Cheryl Strayed is a memoir that’s both raw and inspiring. It’s not just a story of hiking the Pacific Crest Trail; it’s a powerful call to embrace nature, to push beyond your limits, and to redefine what it means to be a woman navigating the world on her own. Strayed’s journey is as much about inner healing as it is about physical endurance, and there were moments in the book that had me holding my breath, terrified for her safety and her emotional well-being. Her raw honesty and vulnerability make it easy to get caught up in her struggle, to feel the weight of her grief and self-doubt, but it’s equally uplifting to watch her rise above these challenges and find strength she didn’t know she had.

This memoir is a reminder that we shouldn’t let our circumstances—whether it’s being single, facing the unknown, or confronting personal trauma—hold us back from pursuing what we truly desire in life. Strayed’s journey on the trail is both a literal and metaphorical path toward rediscovering herself, and the way she embraces the journey, flaws and all, is incredibly empowering.

As I read, I couldn’t help but feel a pull to the wild spaces she described, a longing to step outside my comfort zone and embark on my own adventures. Her story serves as an invitation—to step away from the noise of everyday life and seek out those raw, life-changing moments in the great outdoors, or anywhere life takes you. Wild is a reminder that it’s never too late to set off on a new path, whether you’re looking for adventure, self-discovery, or just a break from the grind.

Final Thoughts

At its core, Wild is a story of self-discovery and finding peace amidst chaos. Cheryl Strayed’s story of overcoming grief, loss, and fear will resonate with anyone who has ever felt lost or unsure of their path. This memoir will encourage you to take that first step into the unknown because you never know where it might lead. If you’re seeking a story that challenges you to step outside your comfort zone, this memoir is a must-read.

If Wild has inspired you to embark on your own journey of self-discovery and adventure, grab a copy through Bookshop.org. Not only will you dive into this transformative memoir, but you’ll also support independent bookstores and help keep this blog going.

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