Last Updated on January 3, 2019 by mountainswithmegan
Ruby McConnell had me by the introduction to her new book, A Woman’s Guide to the Wild: Your Complete Outdoor Handbook. She writes about feeling like she needed to earn her place as an outdoorsperson and how she often made poor decisions in the wilderness for the approval of her male counterparts. Through years of experience, she found her confidence and learned how to assert herself in her outdoor adventures. Her book is a manifesto for women to go exploring the wild, even if it means making mistakes along the way.
I’m also particularly psyched on it because I make an appearance in the “What to Bring” chapter. Ruby interviewed me for a section on packing for long distance hiking.
What makes A Woman’s Guide to the Wild so great?
- Ruby makes her book accessible to everyone. There are no assumptions that the reader already has a base of wilderness experience. It is exactly the type of book I needed when I was first getting into backpacking.
- It is not backpacking exclusive. Anyone from day hikers to car campers to river enthusiasts can find value in it.
- She includes so many incredible recipes, as well as how to best prepare them in a camping scenario. I’m eager to try the vegan barbecue tempeh wraps.
- The “Lady Matters” chapter is blunt and informative about topics like peeing and digging catholes, handling your period in the woods, and having sex in your tent.
- I found the “Navigation” chapter useful because I’m currently getting into learning how to use a map and compass to orienteer myself in the trail-less wilderness. She laid out the information in an easy to understand manner, and she provided some great tips.
- Did I mention how fabulous the illustrations throughout the book are? She also provides gear checklists that vary according to the activity.
- The book is packed with interviews from women who are experts on different wilderness topics. I love how she draws on the experiences of others to give readers a complete perspective of what the wild is really like.
Ruby’s book is the perfect addition to any pro-female, adventure-centric book collection.
Appalachian Trail Girl is hosting a giveaway of A Woman’s Guide to the Wild. You can enter the giveaway by writing your email address in the comments section of this post. The giveaway will close on April 15th. It’s only open to US residents.
Sounds like a fantastic read!
taylorbluebird@gmail.com – awesome! looking forward to her book! 🙂
BA-capecod@comcast.net
Hope I win this great book!
This book would make a great birthday present 🙂
Missemma166@gmail.com
Looks great!! Ktnorbut@gmail.com
Would love to read this amazing book!
My wife would love this book.
emily.k.cornish@gmail.com – thanks for the review!!
ashley.wilda@richmond.edu
Ann.malinak@yahoo.com
Ozonebb@me.com
Hope future editions address the Lady Matter needs of the post-menopausal hiker babes!
Sounds like a wonderful book – zann59@verizon.net
Perfect book for my daughter .
Sounds great! haleylamar94@gmail.com
Sounds great! victoria.trask@gmail.com
Looking forward to reading it! – acrespos01@aol.com
Cool julesbuj@gmail.com
ericabodwell@gmail.com. I love your site and loved your books!
Ekatwood@yahoo.com
Sounds amazing, and exactly what I’m looking for! Eahenderson7@gmail.com
Really looking forward to reading this book, as a fellow female backpacker, still learning the ropes. Sounds as though it will be really informative. Thank you for the review and your great website!
sarawinters75@gmail.com
Would love to have a book like this to keep up with my husband.
Sarakcannon@sbcglobal.net
Cniemeyerotr@yahoo.com
carneyber@yahoo.com
This book is exactly what I need. I want to teach my daughter about hiking and camping and I need help too.
I definitely want to check out this book! kimbernel@gmail.com
natalie.virginia@gmail.com
I would love this book! If I don’t win it, I’ll need to purchase it.
I’d like to read it….t.rauscher@att.net
rose.brown3700@gmail.com
Sounds awesome! I’m going to be reading this one regardless 🙂 spookhorse01@yahoo.com
Can’t wait to get a hold of this book!
Oh my goodness!! This book sounds amazing!!
Just what I need to prepare for a full thru hike of the AT!! samanthamarie05@att.net
Thought I had left a comment already, but I too look forward to reading this!! Have a great day! – acrespos01@aol.com
kdmyerson@rcn.com
This sounds awesome! Can’t wait to get a copy (one way or another!)
magehikes@gmail.com
I have been searching for something like this. Excited to read about it.
c.ricaldi@yahoo.com
Looks like a great read!!! ssstschroeder@yahoo.com
jcoffman@cedarville.edu
Lnlipka@gmail.com
tracy@livingnaturally.rocks
I’d love to win!!
Fooseberrypie@gmail.com
I would love this book to add to my wilderness toolbox! raisingkidswild@gmail.com Good luck to all!
KChillscyzn@gmail.com
I hope I win!
Thanks for the great review and offer… algoan at gmail.com
kneecoal43@yahoo.com
definitely going to read this! k.soyoung@gmail.com
Can’t wait to read it! kimberlywithers14@gmail.com
I would love this book. Section hiking some of Oregon this summer. This sounds like a perfect guide for me. Kathryn.tice@gmail.com
I really loved this book!!!
Keeping my fingers crossed
Fingers crossed. It sounds extremely entertaining