Wild by Cheryl Strayed

This book is a must read. Period.

I don't know if I can really do it justice by reviewing it but I will do my best and try.

This book first came on my radar before I made my own bookstagram account on Instagram. It was through random people I follow on my personal Instagram that I heard about it. They all said it was special and important to read. At first, I wasn't really interested because I am a mystery lover at heart and this a true story. For a little while I went through a faze of wanting to read books that are inspirational and life changing so I ended up picking this up.

Right from the start this book had me in tears. There were moments at the beginning I had to put it down and walk away for a while. It wasn't because I didn't like it, but just that it was emotional and made you feel things.

This is the story about a woman who decides to hike the Pacific Crest Trail. She has nothing to lose and gives up everything, changing her life entirely, to hike more than 1000 miles. She has a lot of personal tragedy in her past and she decides that she needs to do this crazy thing. She sells her stuff, bought supplies, arranged for packages to reach her on the trail, with the goal being to just do it.


I know I'm not summarizing it and doing it any kind of justice, but honestly, you need to read this. It's a story about a journey that leaves the reader changed from its reading.

This book broke me and put my back together again, a little bit better than I had been before. It was moving and inspiring in all the best ways.

I haven't had the pleasure of watching the movie yet, but while reading it I kept picturing Reese Witherspoon anyway. I think doing that gave me even more perspective on the story that I might not have had otherwise.

This book really touched me in ways I didn't think it would. I am so much better for having read this. I hope for the courage to do something daring like this in my life one day.

Recommendation: Read this. You will need some tissues. You will hurt, but you will come out on the other side better, believe me.

Brain on Fire: My Month of Madness by Susannah Cahalan

This book was raw, honest, and incredibly brave. It was also quite compelling and interesting.

I won't recap the novel suffice to say that it is about a woman who became ill with an almost unknown, almost undiagnosed disease that took over her life for a period of time. 

This woman is so brave to share her story with such honesty and transparency. She tells us all the gritty details of her illness, what she knows to have happened, and how she believes she felt. She is a journalist by trade so there are a lot of details that I really appreciate, especially how she took the time and effort to go back and collect all the info she could.

It's crazy to think that there are still illnesses out there that doctors are just now figuring out. Definitely makes me worry a little every time I don't feel well.

I am happy to have read this book. I am happier still that she fought such a crazy battle and is still here to tell us all about it, not to mention that there are wonderful doctors out there who keep searching for answers.

I was surprised to learn that the disease she had could have been the cause of "demonic possessions" throughout history. That alone I find pretty darn fascinating! 

Recommendation: I am glad I read it. If you enjoy true stories, especially the medical mystery type ones, then please pick this up!