Given that a
passion for writing is often linked with a zeal for reading I need to put up an
asterisk. I am not an avid reader of
books and never have been.
That’s not
to say that when I do read, however, that I don’t read with passion.
But for a
long time, and for no specific reason other than time management, most of the
books I’ve read have come off the shelves designated for sports or comedy. And nearly
all the rest of my reading has revolved around essays and self help.
This past
Christmas, I received a New York Times Bestseller as a gift. No sports, no comedy and well…everything
that’s good is self help I suppose…right?
So there it
was before me: ‘Wild’ by Cheryl Strayed.
An inspiring memoir unfolded amid a solo long distance hike up the
Pacific Crest Trail. Ironically put in
my lap by my fully citified daughter.
Following
the pattern that change often happens so slowly over time that it can’t be
discerned, the sports and humor genres were safe in their thrones. Weeks went by and I didn’t even crack the
cover.
Then on one
of those bitter and snowy nights of this thankfully elapsed winter I picked up
WILD and found a warm and quiet spot in my basement seated at the end of my futon
and nearby a portable heater. I read the
first five chapters and was completely engaged in the style and substance of
her writing.
Unfortunately
none of the other snowstorms helped me with my time management and WILD sat
tranquil on top of a nesting table at the other end of the futon, dog-eared at
page seventy five until this weekend.
No mini
vacation was in the plans for this Memorial Day. And I was annoyed with myself that I didn’t
go back to finish a book that I didn’t want to put down in the first place.
Once I
finally picked it up again, resting it was difficult. In between washing my car, playing wiffle
ball with fav bud and a trip to the Bronx Zoo I obsessively read through the
remaining 240 pages of this transformative human adventure.
Almost
always as my mind was taken along this journey pulsating with fear, pain,
grief, hunger, and loneliness I was feeling the faith, strength, happiness,
contentment and love that Cheryl Strayed so perfectly sewed together. Most enjoyable is that her forceful hike
through the wilderness and her experiences on and off the trail avoid and go far
beyond common catch phrases of change and inspiration and instead are hard,
honest, simple and real recognitions.
I cannot
imagine anyone reading this story while not rooting for Cheryl and amidst the
heartache not also rooting for life well lived.
If you are
searching for pages that are compelling, pivotal and moving while you place
your toes in the sand this summer I would highly recommend picking up a copy of
WILD, by Cheryl Strayed.
…And if any
of you have summer reading recommendations…please don’t be shy.
© 2014
Christopher’s Views
