Wild was published almost a decade ago, but it remains one of the greatest books on adventure, courage, and personal growth. When Cheryl Strayed found herself quickly approaching rock bottom, she made a pretty rash decision: to hike more than a thousand miles of the Pacific Crest Trail — alone. Strayed wasn't a hiker or even a particularly outdoorsy person, and she didn't train much for the trek. But her recounting of her journey, her struggles, her pain, and her triumphs big and small leads the reader through the mountainous journey alongside her. Be warned: your friend will definitely tell you they're considering hiking the PCT by the time they've finished this book.