Shall we start this off by stating the obvious?
I am a non-fiction, first person biography nerd. First hand accounts of the lives of people who inspire me, well... inspire me. Often make me laugh. It feels like making new friends for introverts.
A few books passed through my hands this month, but one in particular sticks with me, and really, leaves me wanting more. It isn't more from the story I long for, rather more story. Because it really is the best book I've read thus far this year.
Carrot Quinn's Thru Hiking Will Break Your Heart is her own account of her experience of thru hiking the Pacific Coast Trail. The book kept popping up on my recommended book list on Amazon (outdoorsy, biographical books are my thing, remember?) and was a free PrimeUnlimited option. I was searching for a book to read following my completion of Pro Cycling on $10 a Day. I had pinged my social media community and came back wanting. So, fine, read the book that is an easy choice, and not something I would normally choose, subject matter-wise. I ride bikes and backpack, but for some reason, thru hiking has always felt bigger than me. Probably because of my crazy feet.
As I read, though, I found Carrot (is this her real name? her hiker trash name? I think the latter... I dig it.) to be a relatable person, witty and interesting. She's open, about her faults and doubts, about the things she wants. As she traverses the country from south to north, she grows as a person, and you can see it and feel it. Her book, created from her daily blog posts while on the trail, is a chronicle of her life on the trail, in all its beauty, riddled with challenges and increased self awareness and self actualization.
Her writing is exquisite in its conveyance of the striking scenery of the trail, physical and mental. Her writing is exquisite, period. Stylistically, I couldn't ask for more from an author.
Would I recommend this book to my friends? Absolutely. It is inspiring, and makes me want to do something big and crazy. Maybe on the bike though.
Any warnings? To my more conservative readers, language and subject matter warning is suggested. But if you read my blog, you probably aren't too bothered by either of those things.
Anything else you need to know? Yes... you can follow Carrot on Instagram (I do!!) and check out her website.
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