'Trail of the Lost: The Relentless Search to Bring Home the Missing Hikers of the Pacific Coast Trail' by Andrea Lankford

Trail of the Lost: The Relentless Search to Bring Home the Missing Hikers of the Pacific Coast Trail, Andrea Lankford (3.5)

Having hiked in the areas of California near and on the Pacific Coast Trail, I was particularly interested in reading this book which talks about several thru hikers who have gone missing while attempting to hike the PCT. The author, a former Search and Rescue (SAR) professional, does a good job describing the people and environments of the PCT. She follows 3 specific missing hikers and their family’s search for them. Along the way, other missing hikers are discussed. I enjoyed most of the descriptions of the people and understood the difficulties inherent in the searches (based on the basic wilderness aspects). I did get a bit lost on the timelines as the searches were multi-year and the book did not flow chronologically. The jumping around was a distracting. Sadly, resolution was minimal, the book is more about the journey.

'Sold' by Patricia McCormick

Sold, Patricia McCormick (3.0)

I wonder how reading this book would change if you were younger and less jaded? The book is labeled ‘young adult’ and has been on banned book lists. What was happening to the protagonist was painfully obvious for an adult, but I can imagine it would read quite differently as someone more innocent. Taken from her home in the mountains of Nepal, she was told she was going to work as a maid and make money for her family, but obviously she was being lied to along the way. The story was short and compelling, but very painful to read. I never agree to ban a book, but I would caution very young readers as the reality of her journey’s destination could be quite disturbing. The trite ending with a ‘great white hope’ was disappointing.