Not Null Book Review: In My Boots
Like hiking with a friend
In My Boots by Amanda K. Jaros is a memoir about one woman’s journey hiking through the Appalachian Trail. It’s like taking a hike while talking with a friend.
Why did I read it?
I received a free copy of the book to review from Amanda, who I met through volunteering for Literary Mama. I greatly enjoyed working with her and was excited to get to read her book.
What’s it about?
After college, Amanda K. Jaros learned about the Appalachian Trail, and in 1999 decided to backpack it. At 23. Alone. But Jaros quickly found she was not alone. She was actually part of a community of others making the same trek stretching from Georgia to Maine. She and fellow thru-hikers would meet up for meals and at shelters along the path, forming friendships—some persisting to this day.
Though she had time with other hikers, Jaros still had plenty of time to hike on her own, reflecting on her past of being a compliant young girl living with a volatile father, and wondering where her life would go after walking more than 2,000 miles to the end of the Appalachian Trail.
What’s the longer review?
First of all, I had no idea hiking the Appalachian Trail required so much planning! Jaros explains her process, including mapping out which cities and towns were close enough to the trail for her parents to mail food to her along the way. I guess I thought one would pack up six months’ worth of food in a backpack and start walking. Can you tell I’m not very outdoorsy?
She also knew where all the hiking shelters were along the way, as well as when to ship back home her warmer clothes and where she’d be able to buy new equipment or even stay in a hotel or hostile to have a shower and a relatively comfortable night’s sleep. Reading about the planning alone was impressive.
From the beginning of the journey to the end, Jaros does a lovely job of describing her surroundings. I doubt I’ll ever take this same hike, so I appreciate having her descriptions of things like watching a pair of moose just ahead on a trail or standing atop Mount Katahdin.
She also talks about the amazing community she joined along the way. There were other hikers on the trail not far from her at any given time, which was a blessing and sometimes a curse. At times when no one was around, the loneliness could be crushing. But other times, there was unwanted attention, making the company feel suffocating. In general, her descriptions of the people along the way made me want to meet most of them and hear more of their stories.
In addition to telling about her AT adventure, Jaros shares stories from her past, with memories of vacations with family members who joined her briefly on the trail or of her fathers explosive anger. All the stories are woven together seamlessly, providing a broader picture of Jaros through her journeys before and on the AT.
Overall, reading In My Boots feels like taking a hike with a friend while she tells you about her life. Be warned that while reading this book, you’ll likely start craving ice cream and M&Ms and have Dave Matthews songs stuck in your head. 🙂
Any additional information?
Jaros has been sharing on Instagram (@amandajaroschampion) photos from her time hiking the Appalachian Trail. It’s a lot of fun reading the book then seeing photos of the places and people mentioned. And have you seen a map of the Appalachian Trail?
What did you think?
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