The Distance from Me to You by Marina Gessner Published by G.P. Putnam's Sons Books for Young Readers on October 20th 2015
Pages: 352
Format:ARC
Wild meets Endless Love in this multilayered story of love, survival, and self-discovery.
McKenna Berney is a lucky girl. She has a loving family and has been accepted to college for the fall. But McKenna has a different goal in mind: much to the chagrin of her parents, she defers her college acceptance to hike the Appalachian Trail from Maine to Georgia with her best friend. And when her friend backs out, McKenna is determined to go through with the dangerous trip on her own. While on the Trail, she meets Sam. Having skipped out on an abusive dad and quit school, Sam has found a brief respite on the Trail, where everyone’s a drifter, at least temporarily.
Despite lives headed in opposite directions, McKenna and Sam fall in love on an emotionally charged journey of dizzying highs and devastating lows. When their punch-drunk love leads them off the trail, McKenna has to persevere in a way she never thought possible to beat the odds or risk both their lives.
There were some things that I really, really enjoyed about this book. And then there were a few that I really did not. It was a mixed bag, but in the end landed on the side of positive more than negative.
So, let’s start off with the things I really enjoyed!
- The Appalachian Trail. This is kind of a phenomenal premise for a book to begin with, but actually travelling through the trail with McKenna was so, so fun. Talk about an adventure! The entire time, all I could think about was “holy crap, I never, ever want to do anything like this, but at least I get to read about it in the warm, dry comfort of my bed”.
But McKenna is clearly not like me, and she is bound and determined to do this ridiculously long hike. I loved her determination, and her amazing attitude toward the hike. It was nice to read about a young woman pursuing such a rugged adventure. More of that, please! And there’s this very cool site that tells you about real life hikes and hikers (and also shows that the author definitely did her research for this book, as I noticed a lot of things that were presented very accurately in the story)! Honestly, after reading about McKenna and her badass goals, I thought about doing this, for at least ten minutes before I remembered that I was not “that guy”. - McKenna’s character growth was on point. It would have been ridiculous to have a book about a girl going on a solo hike in the damn woods if the girl wasn’t going to go through some changes. So, good thing she did! I mean, yes, there are times she makes some really asinine decisions, but I think that is a huge part of her journey. How could she not, really? She had no one to ask for advice, no one to bail her out, she had to figure it out for herself. Even the initial decision to continue on alone when Courtney backs out may not have been the smartest, but I understood it.
- Sam’s challenges and backstory made things interesting. McKenna comes from a place of privilege, and it was nice that she was able to hear some stories and perspectives outside of her comfort zone. Sam’s behavior and actions didn’t always appeal to me, but I felt like he learned quite a few lessons on the trail as well, and taught McKenna a lot of them too.
- Part of the ending. Don’t worry, I will be incredibly vague here. There was a part of the ending that I thought was perfect and adored. I just wish there was a little more.
The things I was less fond of:
- McKenna’s “friends” are crappy human beings. Courtney ditches her for some on-again-off-again boyfriend. And lets her supposed best friend hike a few thousand miles completely alone. Some other stuff happens between them that I seriously wanted to take Courtney and strangle her for, but that’s later, so I’ll leave it at that. I also hated her crappy boyfriend from like, minute one. Brendan was awful and I was glad McKenna was hiking away from him in a hurry.
- McKenna’s parents were pretty naive. Like, I get why McKenna lied, she’s young and had this idea stuck in her head that she was going to hike the trail. But as a parent, if my kid told me that they were going to hike through the damn woods, I would not only be making them call every single day, I would also be keeping in touch with her friend’s family on the regular, so I would have known she was going alone before she’d even attempted to leave the driveway. This isn’t the only example of course, but the only spoiler free one 😀
- Sam and McKenna’s relationship annoyed me at times. It wasn’t really insta-lovey, because McKenna didn’t profess to love him ten minutes into meeting him or anything, but they did become close very quickly. I guess I could see it, being alone on the trail, but then Sam kept doing things that were incredibly douchey, and I couldn’t really understand why he kept repeating the same mistakes over and over with McKenna, or why McKenna kept allowing him to. I wanted them to both cut the crap, basically.
- I wish I had just a bit more insight into McKenna’s personality. I wanted to know a bit more about her, I felt a bit disconnected from her at times. Even when she was being vulnerable, I still couldn’t connect as much as I might have wanted to.
Bottom Line: Overall, this was definitely more good than bad. It was entertaining, especially since I adore a road trip (or a trail trip, I do not discriminate). I liked that McKenna had to fight through a lot of obstacles to try to make her goal come to fruition, and while there were parts that I found a bit lacking, I enjoyed the overall story a lot.
I feel like I’ve never even READ a book where they went for a trail trek! I mean, they tried in Black Ice, but they didn’t even really get there, because — ya know — psychopaths and murders and stuff are distracting. BUT ANYWAY. If my kid was doing a trail trek, I probably would go with them. REASON #942802 CAIT CANNOT BE IN A YA BOOK. (Not that I’m a parent. Omg why am I even talking. I don’t even make sense.)
ANYWAY!! I hadn’t even heard of this one before, but not entirely sure about it yet. XD
YES, good call! The parent should have gone WITH. Her dad had even been a hiker himself, so it would have made sense! I mean, the story would have had decidedly less trail sex. I hope.
It’s highly unlikely that I would read this one – or any book that deals with a hike. Or anything outdoorsy. I am the antithesis of outdoorsy. I mean, there’s sun and heat and dirt and bugs and… well, the outdoors. 🙂 But I enjoyed reading your thoughts on it. Just the thought of them veering off the trail has me imaging all sorts of Very Bad Things.
I feel you, I absolutely am NOT outdoorsy, which I think is why it was fun- like, I am NEVER going to do that, so why not read about it 😉 And right?! NEVER leave the trail. UGH!
I think as a mother I’ll be fuming while reading this. LOL It sounds so great, and since I do have an ARC I will give it a go. I’m glad to see you overall enjoyed it, despite the issues you had with it. Great review! 🙂
It is so true! I mean, there were times that the parents made sense but mostly it was like “someone call CPS”. 😉 It WAS a fun read overall though, I hope you enjoy it!
I love the idea of a life-changing physical challenge, and I think if I were at a place in my life where I needed a kick in the pants, I might try it (but probably on a somewhat smaller scale). Wild by Cheryl Strayed spoke to my soul when I read it, because I was in a place where I could see myself doing something hard and challenging and extreme in an effort to get my life back on track.
I do like that idea of the whole life changing experience thing. I DO need a kick in the pants, so maybe I should reconsider my stance on “hell no, I am not hiking” 😀 I have heard a lot of people compare this to Wild, so I am definitely going to check that one out!
I’m answering “NO WAY” to all of your questions. It’s an interesting premise though. I’m glad there was more good than bad for you with this one – it doesn’t sound like the right fit for me at the moment though.
I think you DO have to be in a certain frame of mind for this one. I LOVE a trip- be it a road trip, a wagon trip, or in this case, a hike! So that was super fun for me, but if it isn’t you kind of thing, then absolutely pass!
I think the only thing that stopped me from requesting this one was the romance part. I was afraid it would be too much of an insta-love and it would annoy me. Sounds like I was kind of right, but it sounds like there were enough pros for me to maybe give it a chance. The hike part sounds pretty cool.
The hike part was awesome. The romance… I was conflicted about basically. On one hand, I think they were good for each other. On the other.. sometimes they made me angry! But I definitely liked it more than not, so that’s a win!
I’m going to say no to all three of those questions as well! The biggest hike I’ve done is the first half of Vernal Falls in Yosemite, and while I’d totally do it again and go all the way to the top, that’s where I draw the line lol. If it requires staying overnight using the stuff I can carry on my back, I’m not about that.
BUT! I would totally read a book about all this xD It sounds really good, though the romance would definitely put me off if Sam is a douche-canoe and McKenna just rolled with it.
Sam isn’t really a douchecanoe. He just has issues. But sometimes his actions are annoying, and I feel like McKenna should have called him out on it more.
And that is awesome that you have hiked a mountain! I think the longest hike I have done is like… to a 6th floor of a hotel or something 😉 I try to find solace in the fact that I can likely outswim you all? Because I would be dead in a hike, you’d find me at the bottom, where I rolled down, after about seven steps or so. Good times 😀
Okay… first of all… I’ve never even heard of this book (Doh), so I’m freaking out because of that. But… I think I’d probably read this one. It seems like it would be a fun book to take when I go camping over the summer. I might check it out if I find a cheap copy.
And to answer your question… I would probably do the Appalachian Trail hike if I were in better shape, but I’d definitely have to go with a group of people.
OHH if you go camping this would be PERFECT! I really loved that whole aspect of it. And YES, good answer! Do the hike. But take PEOPLE.
I heard about this one a while back but I guess I kind of forgot about it…seeing your review made me remember it, and since it was such a great review I definitely have to pick this one up!
Also, I think the only way I’d do the Appalachian Trail hike is if there are donuts waiting for me!
Aww thanks so much! And actually, there were donuts I think! Like, lots of little towns along the way, and there was definitely mention of some good food 😉 I really hope you enjoy the book, I feel like it is pretty unique, AND it is still in the back of my head, which has to be a good sign, right? 😀
yeah no, i don’t think i would ever do that hike. But the book sounds interesting, i’d prob read about it and cheer the character on? 😛
Yes! That is exactly what I did too! It’s nice reading it from the comfort of your bed, just thinking “man, sucks to be McKenna, but I DO hope she makes it!” I hope you enjoy it if you do read it 😀
A book about hiking the Appalachian Trail??? Why didn’t I know about this, I love the sound of that! Um, but no, I would not do it myself. definitely not alone. The only slim chance that I would is if my brother went with me, then….maybe? But probably not. Plus, he’s more of a vampire than me so he’d probably explode in a ball of flames or something.
Anyway, I kind of want to read this now. Shannon, could you please stop making me add books to my TBR??? 😉 I’m a little sad that there seems to be quite a bit of drama with the love story aspect but I think I’m sold by the hiking aspect! Great review, Shannon! =)
No, you NEVER do it alone. Bring your brother. And I think it is probably pretty shady, since it is in the forest? At least, that is how I pictured it haha. So he may not melt? Fingers crossed 😉
SORRY. If it helps, my latest reviews are pretty much screaming “don’t add this, I hate them all”, so maybe you can cross some books OFF? But I would add this one, yes. 😀 Thanks so much!
I wouldn’t do the hike, but I don’t think I would mind reading about it. ALSO WHY WOULD HER FRIEND BACK OUT. LIKE WOW. Like she literally deferred a year from college. Anyways, I’m glad you liked this, even though it could’ve been more. The plot is a good idea though 😛
YES. Her friend was such an asshat. Like who DOES that!? Especially for some loser quasi-boyfriend. I did like it. Quite a bit, really. Yes, a few things did bug me, but overall, it was good.
I’ve never heard of this book, but when I saw the cover, I was all “awwww!” I love thru-trail books! I used to read up on the Pacific Crest trail and daydream about doing at least a portion of it–say, Oregon & Washington, because they California part sounds kind of scary. Now I’m old and fat and tired (although I suspect a few weeks of hiking would change 1.5 of those), and I haven’t even been on an overnight backpack in a long time.
I adore the cover, it is too cute! In the book, McKenna’s dad had done the Pacific one! And yeah, I feel the same, about all three of those things. I mean, I would be less fat after the hike (unless I died on the first day hah), but I would be just as old, and probably even more tired. Also, I would do a LOT of crying, so I think maybe it isn’t for me 😉
I love the idea of the trek too, but the whole parental thing would probably really bug me – I guess there really are parents who are pretty hands-off, but …
Nicole @ Feed Your Fiction Addiction
Great review! Definitely adding this to my reading list 🙂
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