2015 Reading Challenge [Closed] discussion

This book seems right up my alley. I often have the longing to just abandon my current life and delve into the unknown, doing whatever I can to survive. I plan to see the movie whenever I finish the book so if any of you have seen it or have read the book already, let me know what you thought.

Can't wait to hear your thoughts, Taylor! I've heard great things.

I'm going to join you on this one, Taylor. I've always been curious about this book but I could never quite get myself to take the plunge. I too have fantasized about throwing out the rule book and forging my own path with reckless abandon! Plus, I'd really love to see the movie sooner rather than later and I'm one of those book first, movie later types. It seems this is the perfect opportunity to make this read happen.

It is on my "to read" list anyway, so I will join you on this one. Have not seen the movie yet.

I just got this one for Christmas. Looking forward to it.

I just finished this a few weeks ago for another book group I am in. I'm curious to hear your reactions to it.

Taylor wrote: "This book seems right up my alley. I often have the longing to just abandon my current life and delve into the unknown, doing whatever I can to survive. I plan to see the movie whenever I finish th..."

If you have any kind of hiking experience or camping know how, this book may make you fling it across the room

Patty, what did you think of it? The reviews on Goodreads seem somewhat rough (as does your 1 star) and I already have high expectations. I'm guessing I'll be doomed to be disappointed.

EDIT: Just saw your post above mine. This may not end well.

Taylor wrote: "Patty, what did you think of it? The reviews on Goodreads seem somewhat rough (as does your 1 star) and I already have high expectations. I'm guessing I'll be doomed to be disappointed.

EDIT: Just..."

Truthfully, I made myself finish it. I got really tired of the constant whining and the "poor me" attitude.

Are you saying that the hiking/camping bits are not at all accurate, Patty? Not that I suppose it will matter for me since I have no real hiking/camping experience beyond pup tents in my backyard when I was a kid and Girl Scout Camp, haha.

Michelle wrote: "Are you saying that the hiking/camping bits are not at all accurate, Patty? Not that I suppose it will matter for me since I have no real hiking/camping experience beyond pup tents in my backyard w..."

It's not that they are not accurate, it's that she goes into the woods for a long hike without any clue what she is doing. Some guys help her along the way, but she was very ill prepared for the journey. As a person who plans extremely, this didn't set well with me. My husband, on the other hand, would completely go unprepared!

I am going to read this one as well!

My pick as well!

This is also my pick! Patty, your comments make me wary as I am also a planner. However, isn't the point of the book that she just drops everything and goes on adventure and learns along the way? Whatever the case, I am interested to see how I feel about it!

My pick too! I am going to start the challenge with this one.

Hannah wrote: "This is also my pick! Patty, your comments make me wary as I am also a planner. However, isn't the point of the book that she just drops everything and goes on adventure and learns along the way? W..."

Yep, but the planner in me cringed each time I picked it up.

I will be joining in on this one too! Haven't seen the movie (always prefer to read first) and currently on the library waiting list for it. Hopefully I can also get beyond the complete lack of prep and just enjoy!

This book was due back to the library before week 3 so I'm finishing it up now. This book REALLY pulled me in. As someone who barely considers herself a light day-hiker (maybe a couple hour hiker ;)?), I actually liked hearing about her inexperience and the trouble she got in as a result. Really drives home how dangerous of a situation she was in (not only on the trail but danger from other people). Well worth the read, hoping to catch the movie before its out of the theater.

Shout out to Duluth, Minnesota too!

For week three I will also be reading Into the Wild. The premise of the story is intriguing and I expect it to be a great read.

I'm going to be reading this book too! I've heard good things :)

Just finished reading this and from the comments above, I'm glad I'm not the only one who didn't love it. I'm curious what other people thought. I do want to see the movie but was not a fan of the book.

Starting this tonight! I'm interested in seeing what I think about it.

just started :) will post more as I get into it, but I can see myself liking it a lot :)

I finished this a couple of days ago and I really liked it...but not the way I was supposed to. Patty...you were SO SPOT ON!!! I kept shaking my head as this girl made bad decision over bad decision. It was more of a parody of what not to do on a 100 day backpacking trip.

I loved the writing and the story...I just hate that it was all true. I wonder if others didn't like it because they didn't like Cheryl, or if there were other reasons?

I'm almost half way through it now. It isn't what I expected. She dashes between self-absorption and self-abandonment so quickly I'm getting whiplash. I don't dislike it, necessarily, I just have to adapt my expectations.

Michelle- I had to adapt mine as well. I guess I just didn't know much of the story to begin with but I couldn't agree more with what you said. Still hoping to see the movie and see how it turns out.

wow. loved it! did not have the troubles with it, just mentioned before, I know the point of view of a character does not have to agree with mine ;) I love books that combine travels with some self-development, and this one fulfilled it so much!!

For those of you that have read the book and watched the movie... Is the book better? Is it similar?

I have not read the book, but have watched the movie. It was ok, kinda boring for me. I couldn't connect with the character, she aggravated me! I wanted to reach in and shake her! I do however admire her bravery and/or recklessness whichever way you look at it. To be able to go out there all on your own is brave and a bit reckless. The story seemed to drag on and on. Based on the movie I don't think I want to read this book. However my friends keep raving about it. Now I'm wondering if this would be worth the read?

my review

good review Lacy :)
I can just add: I usually do not like the descriptions (of nature or other ;) ) in books - here I loved them!
the way of writing was just clicking with me - great way of passing on the true feelings, emotions etc. totally worth reading!!!

Thanks, Emilia

I read this book and really enjoyed it even though Strayed was brutally honest about her self destructive behavior.
I also saw the Movie and it was kind of slow but one thing I did notice is it wasn't as pretty on the Movie Theatre as it was how she described in the book. In my mind's eye it was even more beautiful.

I finally made it half way through the book - I am so behind - and am really enjoying it. I am appreciating the author more with each chapter.

Finally finished it. I think it was ok. But somehow reading it made me not want to see the movie. I can´t explain it, but it made me feel that I already know how the movie is going to be and what cliches to expect...

totally opposite to Ireene, I can't wait to see the movie, hope they actually recorded it in the areas described? have to do some research! loved the book :D

My library hold just came through so I'll be starting this once I finish In the Woods. I'm a little wary after reading some of the comments but still looking forward to it since it's so popular. I haven't watched the movie yet, figured I'd wait until after reading the book.

i read this and i really enjoyed it, but i used it for my one word title

I finally finished reading this book and I enjoyed it. It was a good read. By the second half of the book, I felt like I was there with her. She was certainly brave and, more importantly, she completed her journey. I appreciate how the book ended. No fanfare. Just a simple, real life ending. Planning to watch the movie next.

Toni, i watched the movie a couple of days after i finished the bk, i enjoyed it too. I was interested in looking into the trail.... It seems so amazing to be able to do something like that.