Reading outdoors is one of life’s simple pleasures, and while we are definitely on the springtime rollercoaster in northern Nevada, we are starting to see a really gorgeous day here and there. Last week, I seized a couple of those afternoons to get a little bit of Vitamin D - and coincidentally, the book that I have for you this week is perfect for just such an occasion. So, grab your comfy beach chair and your beverage of choice and head outside with “What Wild Women Do” by Karma Brown, because I can’t think of a better book to enjoy outside.
In 2021, Rowan’s life is at a standstill. Her dreams of becoming a great screenwriter have stalled, forcing her and her novelist fiancé, Seth, to retreat to a secluded cabin in the Adirondacks to get out of their collective rut. There, Rowan finds herself drawn to the mysterious and unsettling story of socialite-turned-feminist, Eddie Callaway, who vanished without a trace in 1975 and was never heard from again. When Rowan finds a handbook in the ruins of the old Callaway camp, it gives her a glimpse into the woman who Eddie was and offers clues about what might have happened to her. Soon, Rowan uncovers more of Eddie’s story and her second chance at life, helping women to unlock their own “wildness.” Even with women coming from all over the country to find themselves at Camp Callaway, Eddie’s methods and wild ways are not welcomed by all in the small town. As Rowan draws closer to the truth of Eddie’s unsolved disappearance, she realizes that the past may hold two keys: one that reveals what really happened to Eddie Callaway and another that unlocks a future beyond her wildest imagination.
This book left me unsure if I wanted to be one of the women who visit Eddie’s camp or if I just wanted to be Eddie. She is a passionate and fascinating middle-aged woman who refuses to become brittle or invisible as she ages, and I am always looking for more of that type of representation in books. The timing with which Rowan stumbles on Eddie and her camp is just perfect, and Eddie’s wild spirit and philosophies help Rowan to see her self-worth, reigniting her passion for her own life. In the end, “What Wild Women Do” is equal parts adventure and inspiration, with a hefty dose of girl power added in, and I really think that it is best enjoyed while basking in the sunshine. If it starts to rain, you can take a break and come and follow me on Instagram @allison.the.reader, where I will be reading and rambling with other wild women readers every day.
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