Wild: From Lost to Found on the Pacific Crest Trail by Cheryl Strayed

Wild: From Lost to Found on the Pacific Crest Trail by Cheryl Strayed is an inspirational book that details the author’s 1,100 mile solo hike on the Pacific Crest Trail. Cheryl Strayed set out on a quest to heal in the wake of her mother’s death, her failed marriage, and her drug abuse. Wild is the story of her journey, a highly personal tale of the hardship and beauty she witnessed along the way.

Wild begins with Cheryl Strayed’s mother’s diagnosis and death from cancer. Her mother was diagnosed after Cheryl was already stressed due to her failed marriage and previous heroin abuse. After her mother’s death, Cheryl spirals further and further out of control until she decides that the only thing to do is to get away from it all and hike the Pacific Crest Trail.

Throughout the book, Cheryl reveals her feelings of vulnerability and isolation as she embarked on her journey. She describes the physical and mental challenges faced over the months-long hike, including freezing temperatures, dehydration, and exhaustion. Cheryl does not make her journey alone however, she meets several hikers along the way and experiences generous kindness from total strangers, helping to build up her strength and confidence.

Cheryl also faces the challenge of acclimating to a simpler life, with none of the comforts or conveniences she'd previously taken for granted. Through her journey, Cheryl finds that there is a beauty to its simplicity and the freedom of being away from the chaos of everyday life. As Cheryl moves across the landscape she's also able to move through her emotions and even re-define what home means for her in a newfound sense of peace.

One of the most inspiring messages from Cheryl’s journey is that no matter what life throws at us, we can get through it if we keep moving forward and stay true to ourselves. Wild is a story of pain and loss, but it is also a story of strength and resilience. Wild is an inspiring account of the power of nature to heal and the understanding that no matter how difficult the journey, we can always reach the end.