The Compound by S.A. Bodeen

I enjoyed the idea of this one, I just couldn't get into the weird family dynamic and any of the characters. 

This Shattered World by Amie Kaufman and Meagan Spooner

I really liked this one. I enjoyed the writing and mood. I like that each book is a different story with the same enemy. 

The Siren by Kiera Cass

The first half was repetitive about Kahleen complaining about her life, and the sirens moving every few months. I liked the second half where things picked up. I enjoyed the relationship between the girls and the Ocean.

Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix by J.K. Rowling

I finally know what the Room of Requirement is! I enjoyed diving deeper into the series. I do have a hatred for Umbridge. 

What I Thought Was True by Huntley Fitzpatrick

Way too long without much of a plot. Only the second half of the book I finally saw why it was even written.

The Distance From Me To You by Maria Gessner

It had the potential to be this amazing book about feminism and overcoming obstacles while a girl hikes the Appalachian trail alone. Instead, she makes stupid decisions when she meets a boy. 

I was SO excited for this one. While I am no expert, I definitely love to hike. I have always been fascinated with the woods and exploring different trails. So I thought this one would be perfect for me. What also drew me to this book was the cover. Its so simple and pretty. I like the colors and the camping emojis. 

McKenna and her best friend Courtney have been accepted into college for the fall but they have decided to defer to hike the Appalachian Trail. When her best friend backs out, Mckenna is determined to make the dangerous trip alone. On the trail she meets Sam who has escaped his abusive father and has been walking with no goal or future in sight. They fall in love despite their opposite lives.

I liked this book because It mentions Harper's Ferry West Virginia being the halfway point. I love going to Harper's Ferry for the hiking and mountains so it was cool to see the mention. I liked this book because McKenna had such big plans for herself, she was very smart and studied for this trip for a long time.

I would have LOVED this book if McKenna had made smart decisions, and didn't fall in love with a boy who basically derailed her trip. I would have LOVED this book if it was about a girl who overcomes others doubts about her hiking alone, if the book focused on McKenna hiking and the states and places she stopped, it would have been great. 

As soon as she met Sam she started making stupid decisions to get him to like her and not run off. These decisions cause her to almost get herself killed and ruin the trip. This book had the perfect opportunity to write a story about feminism and girl power. Hiking the trail alone and overcoming everyone's doubts about her. Instead its about a girl who had big plans for herself who put them in jeopardy for a boy. 

Okay - first off, it didn't take me almost a year to read this book!! I started it last year and got sidetracked with book club books and reviews I was trying to finish up. So I started fresh after the first of the year.

This is my first AT memoir and I thoroughly enjoyed it. From the people Pharr Davis encountered to the situations in which she found herself, I was intrigued the entire way. One of the first things I found after starting is that I wanted to visit this trail. I'm not a hiker, I've never been a hiker, and I'd probably make for a horrible hiker, but Pharr Davis brings the trail to life here and into perspective as well.

The stark difference between our harried existence of today and the blissful, quiet of nature (especially at the AT) is mesmerizing. Her descriptions of her lone segments made me hunger for the opportunity to experience such a beautiful place in complete silence. No interruptions, no jumping from obligation to obligation, no littered, oily highways or sidewalks...just pure nature and all it has to offer.

I've read through some of the recent reviews and was surprised by some of the reactions to this book and the negativity shown towards the author because she wrote so much about her relationship with God and complained or whined a lot. I enjoyed her reflection on her faith and her relationship with God. I think that was one of the most defining portions, for her, on the journey. As I would expect it would be of any Christian. I also enjoyed the fact that she didn't handle all of the "discomforts" of the trail with a smiley, happy demeanor because let's be honest - that would be total untruth. Pharr Davis made it clear that she was uncomfortable and that she seriously contemplated quitting during the book. She made it clear that this was not a recreational hike (as did her mentor in the beginning of the book), but instead a trying, frustrating, mentally & emotionally draining job.

Had she treated her trials like she was running around with unicorns on rainbows it would have made for quite a different and less satisfying book.

From someone who had no previous AT knowledge, has never really hiked a day in her life, and is the epitome of the busyness this world has created - go read this book; you will appreciate what it has to offer!

I am a Non Fiction lover.  And one of the sub genres I love most is Appalachian Trail Memoirs.  I read my first one almost 2 years ago and have been hooked every since.  Love the stories of REAL people challenging themselves and overcoming to push through.  I have included a couple of my favs in the posting.