State of Wonder by Ann Patchett

Dr. Marina Singh is a research scientist working at a Minnesota based pharmaceutical company. She is sent by her company to find out what happened to a colleague who died in the Amazonian jungle at the research site.  The company hasn't heard from the research leader who happens to be Dr. Singh's former mentor, Dr. Annick Swenson. Dr. Singh is moved to travel to Brazil in hopes of bringing peace of mind to her colleague's wife as well as her own peace of mind.  Her employer would like her to find Dr. Swenson and find out if this research is going as planned since the stock holders are asking. Dr. Swenson has built a whole system of barriers to keep out the prying eyes of those who might interrupt the creative flow of the scientific method from the gatekeepers in Manaus, Brazil to her harsh manner, to the evasiveness of the other scientists on the team.

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

A memoir from Cheryl Strayed, a writer who lives in Portland, OR.  Her mother was diagnosed with cancer and died a few weeks later. The author, who was twenty-two at the time, is devastated. Her family falls apart, she looses her relationship with her stepfather and her husband.  She reacts by doing wild things, trying heroin, becoming addicted to heroin, travelling across the United States and finally divorcing her husband.  Four years later, she feels she must do something to get back on track, the path she has strayed from.

A book caught her eye as she stood in line at a sporting goods store.  Hiking the Pacific Crest Trail.  This was the mid-90's, these kinds of adventures were not as in vogue as they are now. She bought the book, read it and began her plan for hiking the trail.  Unfortunately, she did not know how to prepare for such a hike.  She bought the wrong sized hiking boot (granted that is the store's fault--they should have sold her the correct size), she packed too many things in her hiking pack, she also did not train for this hike.  Yet, she planned on hiking from Southern California to Oregon and take at least three months.

The toll on her body was severe but she did persevere. She met people who helped her on her way. She met life long friends. Most of all she healed, and by finding her way on the Pacific Crest Trail, she found herself.

A beautifully written book, a page turner, lyrical and full of beautiful images. I felt like I was with her on her adventure yet managed the trip without the hurting feet and loss of toenails.