August 28, 2008: Page Turners 7 pm

Book: A Walk in the Woods by Bill Bryson

Discussion:

The majority of the members of Page Turners liked the book this month. Eight people voted thumbs up, two thumbs down, one sideways, and one member abstained from voting, having not quite finished the book. Of those who voted down, one suggested that Bryson was not truly interested in hiking, that he only hiked the Appalachian Trail in order to write a book about it. Others disagreed, saying he started off not knowing much about hiking but that he then underwent a transformation into a genuine enthusiast.

We also talked a bit about the defense measures Bryson and his friend Katz took in preparing for their trek. Basically they took none, equipping themselves with only a small knife and a pair of nail clippers, a fact they lamented when Bryson suspected a bear was roaming near their camp.

The talked turned to Katz in general after that. Several readers pitied the poor guy. I remarked that I missed him during Bryson’s solo hiking excursions and the single trip he took with another friend. Another Page Turner remarked that there was a chemistry lacking on the trips not involving Katz.

The major point of discussion concerning the book was about the food. I commented that my favorite parts were the ones where Bryson and Katz made it to a town with a restaurant, and were able to eat something besides noodles and Snicker bars. Another member enjoyed the part when Katz listed the foodstuffs he tossed out of his backpack the first day and Bryson counters with the items he left in New Hampshire. One member revealed that our hikers did not have to subsist on noodles, Snickers, coffee, and trail mix by describing travel food which only requires boiling water to prepare.

From this point on we shared personal camp stories. One Page Turner actually spent a weekend on the Appalachian Trail and said it was as Bryson described it, not at all a clear walking trail, but a collection of blazes which one must follow by climbing over rocks, trees, and water. Another had a friend who wanted to walk the Trail so she subscribed to the Trail’s news publication, although after receiving it she thought twice about accompanying him.

We also discussed books for next year, several members turned in their ballots a month early, and we had a few new suggestions as well.