Alone in Wonderland - by Christine E Reed (Paperback)

Book Synopsis

A woman leaves behind the expectations of conventional life to walk solo into the wild -- and discovers far more than just the miles ahead.

When Christine Reed first stumbled across a long-distance hiking blog at her office desk, she never imagined it would change her life. With little outdoor experience and no real plan, she decided to thru-hike the Appalachian Trail. That single decision sparked a journey of thousands of miles and countless transformations.

Years later, newly single and questioning everything she thought she knew about herself and her relationships, Christine sets out to hike the 93-mile Wonderland Trail around Mt. Rainier. Alone. Battling rough terrain, unpredictable weather, and the emotional weight of her past, she reclaims her identity as a woman capable of doing hard things and learns that sometimes, solitude is the only place we truly hear our own voice.

Alone in Wonderland is more than a backpacking memoir. It's a raw, relatable story of independence, vulnerability, and the healing power of wild places. With honesty and humour, Christine explores what it means to define yourself on your own terms and reminds us that sometimes, the person you've been looking for has been with you all along.

Perfect for fans of Cheryl Strayed's Wild, Carrot Quinn's Thru-Hiking Will Break Your Heart, and anyone who's ever wanted to pack a bag, walk into the woods, and see what happens.

Review Quotes

"Alone in Wonderland is poignant, raw, and stunningly beautiful. Reed brings the reader onto the trail with her as she walks, exploring the ups and downs of a mountain path as well as the journeys of grief, self-discovery, and overcoming that form our lives." --Heather Anderson, author of Thirst: 2600 Miles to Home and Mud, Rocks, Blazes: Letting Go on the Appalachian Trail, and co-author of Adventure Ready: A Hiker's Guide to Planning, Training and Resiliency

"Like many wanderers, Christine Reed sets out into the mountains hoping to recreate herself. Instead, amid the alpine light, wildflower meadows, bear encounters, and cold waters, she finds how mountains can transform us with unexpected stories of their own." --Katie Ives, author of Imaginary Peaks: The Riesenstein Hoax and Other Mountain Dreams

"In a time when so many people are questioning the roles, fears, and stories we've inherited, Alone in Wonderland offers a powerful reminder that the path to freedom begins with daring to know ourselves. With humour and vulnerability, Christine Reed shows us the true adventure lies in confronting and rewriting the narratives that hold us back. This is an essential read for anyone ready to explore new ways of being - on or off the trail." --Meghan J. Ward, author of Lights to Guide Me Home: A Journey off the Beaten Track in Life, Love, Adventure, and Parenting

"In this meditative narrative, Christine Reed charts a path through sorrow, shaped not only by rivers, forests, and the steadfast women in her life but also by the realities of walking through the world in a female body. With rare clarity, she captures the bittersweet dance between solitude and longing, independence and intimacy, empowerment and the lingering shadow of past harm. The result is a deeply felt tribute to the ways we mend ourselves--alone, together, and in the wonder of the world around us." --Denisa Krasna, co-editor and co-author of Flow: Women's Counternarratives from Rivers, Rock, and Sky