48 Peaks: Hiking and Healing in the White Mountains

My friend and sister author Cheryl Suchors has little affinity for my spiritual/religious quest, nor I for her mountain hiking quest. Nevertheless we care about each other and we read each other's books not out of obligation. 48 Peaks is a quest memoir driven by the author's question and challenge to herself: Am I strong enough, despite cancer, significant personal grief, and sheer terror about heights, to hike to the absolute top of every one of the 48 New Hampshire White Mountain peaks? A reader will be with this courageous, sometimes foolhardy, woman as she follows her passion, receives support from family and friends, and never gives up. This identification and the accessible writing is the power of this book for me. In it I relived my own spiritual quest as a woman and discovered to my delight that the Church was my "mountain." Read this book for inspiration, challenge, and the sheer joy of, yes, climbing whatever your own mountain may be.

It was interesting to read about her hiking up 48 mountains, but I got tired of all the criticism of her hiking companions. She's an "expert hiker" and they just won't follow all her routines, instructions and lists. It's her goal, not theirs. And I think an expert hiker should carry they own gear, but for health reasons, she couldn't. Which meant she constructed a goal that required help from others to attain. And then she criticizes them for not having her passion for the hikes. She was very controlling, and yet complained because she always had to lead. I wonder if all those people remained friends after they read her book?

48 Peaks is an impressive work, and a completely enjoyable read – it was hard to put the book down. The arc of all Cheryl set out to do, and how she did it, was compelling, and she told it very honestly and openly. I was moved by how she handled her many challenges toward accomplishing her 48-peak hiking goal, not to mention her 10-year effort to write about it — her perseverance and determination are noteworthy and downright inspirational. The terrific writing really propelled me through the book -- it was a powerful journey, and it’s fascinating to be inside her head for that journey. Cheryl’s description of the mountains themselves, the forbidding elements and heights, the weather, and also the gorgeous flora she encountered — were all as beautifully described as her internal thoughts and her push and pull interactions with her friends and family throughout. I do believe that this book can convey strength to a reader, as it’s easy to hold on to Cheryl’s own contemplative and ultimately energizing thought process, so clearly articulated.

Brilliant and eloquent. Cheryl Suchors explores her hiking in the White Mountains, developing friendships, overcoming injuries, and finding peace and solace from grief in the mountains. Engaging and heartwarming. I love the way the author weaves together her hiking journey with her internal journey. She meets the challenges of climbing the mountains and affirms her own life, while working through grief for her mother, her sister, and her hiking buddy, and her own breast cancer treatments and injuries. We climb with her, as her friends do, and cheer her triumph in the end. Uplifting, funny, delightful, and beautifully written.

The quest to conquer the 48 highest peaks in New England begins with a simple hike to the summit of one mountain. A woman in mid-life who has always taken challenges head on decides she wants to summit all of them. What follows is more than a personal journey, more than an adventure story, more than a personal memoir of triumph over tragic losses and illnesses of herself and dear hiking partners, friends, and family members. I've read many adventure books, but few have the powerful inner story of 48 Peaks. And none are written in the beautiful, sometimes poetic, lyrical style of Suchors's book. It's not just about "making it to the top" or "to the end of a trail", it's an ongoing life journey. I found myself breathless, not only from the herculean efforts of this initially non-athletic woman to accomplish her goals against seemingly insurmountable odds, but from the reflections on what she learned about what is most important in life.

As a New England resident who has done a fair amount of hiking in the region in my past, I found instant love with this memoir. Hiking sounds glamorous but as Cheryl Suchors shows us, it can be HARD. But not as hard as some of the challenges and curve balls that life throws us--injuries, cancer and death of those we love. This beautifully written memoir is not just a journey through the mountains, but also the ups and downs of the soul and the body. It is at times heart wrenching and at other times, inspiring, as Cheryl picks herself back up to climb another mountain. When she reaches the top of that last 4,000 footer you almost feel like you are there with her, lost in time, forgetting that there is the down still to go. A wonderful, must-read debut.

This memoir pulled me right in like a wonderful piece of escape fiction. I entered another world that was lyrical and lovely where I didn't need to worry about my fear of falling. I could just travel up all these mountains, enjoying their beauty and wonder without any work, like a little marsupial curled up in Cheryl's backpack. I didn't want to put this book down and I couldn't wait to pick it up again when I had to put it down. I loved the story Cheryl was telling, but I realized there were therapeutic lessons I was gaining from the book as well--about speaking up, about chasing one's dreams, about being flexible and resilient and determined. I'm not the most athletic person, but I REALLY felt like going for a hike when I finished reading this book. The book is engaging, beautifully written and inspirational. It's also a great discussion book for a book group.

From the first stunning pages of this rich, closely observed, and deeply felt memoir, you may feel, as I did, that you have encountered a long lost friend. The "story" wove a spell that I didn't want to break, and fortunately, I started reading on a weekend so I could finish it over two days. If books could reproduce, 48 Peaks might be an offspring of Cheryl Strayed's Wild, with its humor and honesty and fierce ambition, and The Abundance by Annie Dillard, with its lyrical, almost mystical lyricism and deep love of nature. I'll keep 48 Peaks on my bookshelf that holds my favorites, and expect to dip back into it for inspiration, wisdom and good company as I climb my own literal and metaphorical mountains.

48 Peaks unfurls as a mighty testament to the human spirit in the genre of other classic heroic journey tales among them “Wild,” “The Boys in the Boat,” and “Unbroken.” The uniqueness of Cheryl Suchors’ always fascinating, entertaining and alternatingly heartbreaking, illuminating and humorous quest is the every woman quality she brings to the decade she spent battling not only the body-crushing granite of New Hampshire’s White Mountains, but cancer, the loss of loved ones, professional insecurity and breathtaking physical and emotional setbacks. Yet this diminutive, middle-aged woman prevails in climbing all 48 of the 4,000 Footers in the Whites. Through it all she is relentlessly honest about her fears and limitations _ she’s been too near to death, her own and those of dear friends and family to be otherwise_ while never losing sight of the joys that spring up unexpectedly throughout her odyssey and ultimately reward her with profound grace at the top of the final peak. This book will crack your heart open to all kinds of fresh life possibilities and maybe even send you to the nearest outdoor store for a new pair of hiking boots.

I really enjoyed the book. I have hiked many of the mountains Cheryl describes. She has an uncanny ability to get the reality of the trail into words. And, like her, I always found that hiking in the White Mountains challenged something inside me. She weaves her personal story into the narrative so carefully that it's only on re-reading that I realized how much insight she had offered up about life, careers, and overcoming adversity. I enjoyed it so much that I've bought several more copies to give to my friends in Vermont. They will appreciate Cheryl's book as much as I did.

My friend and sister author Cheryl Suchors has little affinity for my spiritual/religious quest, nor I for her mountain hiking quest. Nevertheless we care about each other and we read each other's books not out of obligation. 48 Peaks is a quest memoir driven by the author's question and challenge to herself: Am I strong enough, despite cancer, significant personal grief, and sheer terror about heights, to hike to the absolute top of every one of the 48 New Hampshire White Mountain peaks? A reader will be with this courageous, sometimes foolhardy, woman as she follows her passion, receives support from family and friends, and never gives up. This identification and the accessible writing is the power of this book for me. In it I relived my own spiritual quest as a woman and discovered to my delight that the Church was my "mountain." Read this book for inspiration, challenge, and the sheer joy of, yes, climbing whatever your own mountain may be.

It was interesting to read about her hiking up 48 mountains, but I got tired of all the criticism of her hiking companions. She's an "expert hiker" and they just won't follow all her routines, instructions and lists. It's her goal, not theirs. And I think an expert hiker should carry they own gear, but for health reasons, she couldn't. Which meant she constructed a goal that required help from others to attain. And then she criticizes them for not having her passion for the hikes. She was very controlling, and yet complained because she always had to lead. I wonder if all those people remained friends after they read her book?

48 Peaks is an impressive work, and a completely enjoyable read – it was hard to put the book down. The arc of all Cheryl set out to do, and how she did it, was compelling, and she told it very honestly and openly. I was moved by how she handled her many challenges toward accomplishing her 48-peak hiking goal, not to mention her 10-year effort to write about it — her perseverance and determination are noteworthy and downright inspirational. The terrific writing really propelled me through the book -- it was a powerful journey, and it’s fascinating to be inside her head for that journey. Cheryl’s description of the mountains themselves, the forbidding elements and heights, the weather, and also the gorgeous flora she encountered — were all as beautifully described as her internal thoughts and her push and pull interactions with her friends and family throughout. I do believe that this book can convey strength to a reader, as it’s easy to hold on to Cheryl’s own contemplative and ultimately energizing thought process, so clearly articulated.

Brilliant and eloquent. Cheryl Suchors explores her hiking in the White Mountains, developing friendships, overcoming injuries, and finding peace and solace from grief in the mountains. Engaging and heartwarming. I love the way the author weaves together her hiking journey with her internal journey. She meets the challenges of climbing the mountains and affirms her own life, while working through grief for her mother, her sister, and her hiking buddy, and her own breast cancer treatments and injuries. We climb with her, as her friends do, and cheer her triumph in the end. Uplifting, funny, delightful, and beautifully written.

The quest to conquer the 48 highest peaks in New England begins with a simple hike to the summit of one mountain. A woman in mid-life who has always taken challenges head on decides she wants to summit all of them. What follows is more than a personal journey, more than an adventure story, more than a personal memoir of triumph over tragic losses and illnesses of herself and dear hiking partners, friends, and family members. I've read many adventure books, but few have the powerful inner story of 48 Peaks. And none are written in the beautiful, sometimes poetic, lyrical style of Suchors's book. It's not just about "making it to the top" or "to the end of a trail", it's an ongoing life journey. I found myself breathless, not only from the herculean efforts of this initially non-athletic woman to accomplish her goals against seemingly insurmountable odds, but from the reflections on what she learned about what is most important in life.

As a New England resident who has done a fair amount of hiking in the region in my past, I found instant love with this memoir. Hiking sounds glamorous but as Cheryl Suchors shows us, it can be HARD. But not as hard as some of the challenges and curve balls that life throws us--injuries, cancer and death of those we love. This beautifully written memoir is not just a journey through the mountains, but also the ups and downs of the soul and the body. It is at times heart wrenching and at other times, inspiring, as Cheryl picks herself back up to climb another mountain. When she reaches the top of that last 4,000 footer you almost feel like you are there with her, lost in time, forgetting that there is the down still to go. A wonderful, must-read debut.

This memoir pulled me right in like a wonderful piece of escape fiction. I entered another world that was lyrical and lovely where I didn't need to worry about my fear of falling. I could just travel up all these mountains, enjoying their beauty and wonder without any work, like a little marsupial curled up in Cheryl's backpack. I didn't want to put this book down and I couldn't wait to pick it up again when I had to put it down. I loved the story Cheryl was telling, but I realized there were therapeutic lessons I was gaining from the book as well--about speaking up, about chasing one's dreams, about being flexible and resilient and determined. I'm not the most athletic person, but I REALLY felt like going for a hike when I finished reading this book. The book is engaging, beautifully written and inspirational. It's also a great discussion book for a book group.

From the first stunning pages of this rich, closely observed, and deeply felt memoir, you may feel, as I did, that you have encountered a long lost friend. The "story" wove a spell that I didn't want to break, and fortunately, I started reading on a weekend so I could finish it over two days. If books could reproduce, 48 Peaks might be an offspring of Cheryl Strayed's Wild, with its humor and honesty and fierce ambition, and The Abundance by Annie Dillard, with its lyrical, almost mystical lyricism and deep love of nature. I'll keep 48 Peaks on my bookshelf that holds my favorites, and expect to dip back into it for inspiration, wisdom and good company as I climb my own literal and metaphorical mountains.

48 Peaks unfurls as a mighty testament to the human spirit in the genre of other classic heroic journey tales among them “Wild,” “The Boys in the Boat,” and “Unbroken.” The uniqueness of Cheryl Suchors’ always fascinating, entertaining and alternatingly heartbreaking, illuminating and humorous quest is the every woman quality she brings to the decade she spent battling not only the body-crushing granite of New Hampshire’s White Mountains, but cancer, the loss of loved ones, professional insecurity and breathtaking physical and emotional setbacks. Yet this diminutive, middle-aged woman prevails in climbing all 48 of the 4,000 Footers in the Whites. Through it all she is relentlessly honest about her fears and limitations _ she’s been too near to death, her own and those of dear friends and family to be otherwise_ while never losing sight of the joys that spring up unexpectedly throughout her odyssey and ultimately reward her with profound grace at the top of the final peak. This book will crack your heart open to all kinds of fresh life possibilities and maybe even send you to the nearest outdoor store for a new pair of hiking boots.

I really enjoyed the book. I have hiked many of the mountains Cheryl describes. She has an uncanny ability to get the reality of the trail into words. And, like her, I always found that hiking in the White Mountains challenged something inside me. She weaves her personal story into the narrative so carefully that it's only on re-reading that I realized how much insight she had offered up about life, careers, and overcoming adversity. I enjoyed it so much that I've bought several more copies to give to my friends in Vermont. They will appreciate Cheryl's book as much as I did.

I expected a good story about hiking by a passionate woman. It was part guide to hiking the White Mountains and part personal, social, family saga, encompassing all areas of life. Women and friendship, women as athletes, women as mothers with careers - Cheryl explores, with honesty and generosity of spirit, every area of her life. What an inspiration! Fascinating to read about her encountering one obstacle and life-altering challenge after another while never giving up on the pursuit of her dream and goal. Her deep personal growth and healing are shared with tenderness, wisdom, penetrating self-exploration and intelligence. More than that, Cheryl's appreciation of nature and attention to the beauty of being outdoors is excellent writing. I probably won't take on the peaks, but I had to go and hike a favorite mountain the week after finishing it - alone - Mount Monadnock, just to reflect on the spirit of what Cheryl shared. I will never view hiking, or life, or my friendships and process with organizing and leading women in the same way. I loved this book!

I happened to meet Cheryl and her husband Larry a couple of months ago while descending from one of the NH 48 peaks. We had a lovely conversation, typical of lovers of hiking and the NH 48, which she mentioned that she had completed. We were about to say farewell when Larry mentioned "well, you did write a book about it"!....which Cheryl very humbly said "yes, I guess I did"...ran home, bought the book, and read right through it. Wonderfully written, couldn't wait to get back to it at the end of the day. A wonderful story of love, friendship, overcoming adversity, all set in our beloved White Mountains. For those who are looking to start, finish, or work on the NH48, you will love this book. For those contemplating hiking the NH 48, you'll love this book. For anyone interested in a great story about perseverance, you'll love this book. Cheryl, you were as humble in person as you are in the book. LOVED your story. So tickled we got to meet you!

Cheryl Suchors has written a profoundly moving book, in which she journeys along difficult paths, physical, emotional and spiritual. Her writing is honest and heart-felt, her cadence and metaphors lovely. She is a gifted story-teller, and her story will come alive for any reader grappling with challenges in their life. Throughout, there is a sense of determination and optimism, even in the least favorable circumstances. An inspiring read!

This is a book I didn't want to put down....if only to discover whether the author, Cheryl Suchors, overcame loss, illness, and pain to finish all 48 peaks. You'll have to read it yourself to find out. But what is most inspiring about the story is that despite the obstacles, Suchors still experienced, and transmits to the reader, the glory and beauty of the mountains. She does this with poetic, evocative writing and accounts of the joy that went along with the struggle. It makes me want to jump off the couch and start climbing.

Like so many others who reviewed this book, I loved its compelling narrative and emotional honesty. Cheryl's quest to complete "the 48" is surprisingly suspenseful. You know Cheryl is going to finish, but what challenges will she confront around the next bend? Her evocative writing, and keen observation of the natural and human world keep you turning the pages. And then there is Cheryl's candor, her willingness to share her internal journey as clearly as she does the rugged mountain trails. Your challenges may be different, but Cheryl's clear-eyed approach to overcoming physical and emotional barriers is truly inspirational.

Not only does Cheryl Suchors chronicle the hikes of 48 mountain peaks, she beautifully weaves into this diary her history of breast cancer, her fear of heights, the myriad injuries sustained while hiking and the death of family members as well as her first hiking buddy. It is a story of friendship, determination, understanding and growth that is so beautifully written that time flies by and the hesitancy to set this book down is overwhelming.

This memoir is very well-written and inspiring. The story centers on the author’s goal of hiking 48 mountains, but you don’t need to be a hiker to get a lot out of it. The real message is being resilient in the face of physical and emotional setbacks. Suchors describes her 10 year quest with humor and humility.

What I most liked about this book was its total honesty. Cheryl Suchors writes movingly about the monumental challenges and struggles she has faced, describing in remarkable detail how she moved through them—sometimes with grace, sometimes simply through grit. Her strength, courage and determination emerge on every page as she overcomes cancer, processes difficult relationships and works to attain her incredible goal of climbing 48 Peaks over 4000 feet in the White Mountains. The prose is beautiful with striking imagery; the detailed descriptions of the mountains and their flora transport you to the hikes. A wonderful read. Thank you.

This is a terrific adventure story about hiking, nature, illness, goal- setting, persistence, and the complexity and importance of friendship. It is engagingly written, funny and tragic by turns, and inspiring for anyone who is slogging through the hard work of achieving a big goal. Highly recommended!

A compelling debut by this author, I loved how suspenseful the hiking scenes are, how sweeping the book's themes are (leadership, loss, nature, true friendship, parenting, self doubt, recovery...) and the sometimes funny but always beautifully crystallized observations from the author on each of those themes. Inspiring and gritty, this is a book I will come back to again and again for the deep insights Cheryl Suchors provides and for the occasional teleportation onto a faraway mountain I suddenly crave.

The hiking experiences Cheryl Suchors describes are riveting, but her book is about much more than climbing mountains. The joys and intimacies of friendships, the pain of loss, and the complexities of families are woven throughout this compelling book. Cheryl's quest to climb the forty eight peaks required to join the The Four Thousand Footer Club despite her struggle with cancer and the myriad fears that plague her is packed with life lessons on persistence, hope, and love. It is an inspiring book. Read it!

This was a fun and meaningful read as it brought me back to climbing the 48 peaks in New Hampshire! The author capably brings us along on the trail as well as on her healing journey, recovering from cancer, and integrating the loss of her best friend. It will inspire anyone with a big, challenging goal, especially as it took her a full decade to achieve with many setbacks for her health and injuries. How I loved revisiting my own journey in these mountains, while hearing Suchors' voice with me on the trail!

On the surface, this memoir is about the personal challenges the author faces in hiking the White Mountains of New Hampshire and the parallel challenges of battling cancer. But it’s also about friendships, spiritualism, a love for the planet, and family dynamics. Cheryl Suchors is a remarkably strong daughter, wife, mother, friend, and skilled writer.

Though not a climber (or an athlete in any way) or someone who has had to deal with cancer, I found this book spoke to me in many ways. Cheryl's writing style is accessible and strong, and her story has inspired me to address challenges in a different way and even to start moving more. (I tried to climb the steps at Porter Square. Let's just say starting at South Station, which I have been doing since I read the book in October, is more doable for now.) This book gave me much to think about, and I think I will come back to it at various times for inspiration and insights.

48 Peaks: Hiking and Healing in the White Mountains is an honest, gusty memoir. I enjoyed the writing, the descriptions, the subtle humor, and the characters, especially the author herself. Her message of perseverance—in spite of adverse weather, stubborn mountains, physical pain, injuries, illness, and the death of a dear friend—is inspiring.

48 Peaks is an exhilarating memoir of physical challenge and the will to survive. This acutely personal book brings new meaning to the word "survivor."

Cheryl has written a marvelous book showing passion and grit in the face of many obstacles. I enjoyed the the use of flashbacks to a past with assorted issues and transitions from self-absorption to friends point of view. I was considering giving only four stars, because as an individual (male) I would have probably walked off a cliff rather than follow a plan. Writing was too good , so five stars it is.

Very detailed good story. Hits home for those touched by the whites. Adding the challenges of life, and battles with illness everyone can relate too.

This book was beautiful and inspiring. I have a history of being done with a book half way through. Definitely not the case with this one. I read it in less than a day because I couldnt put it down. Worth reading for sure!

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It speaks to so many important aspects of our lives. The author wove stories of her family relationships, close friendships, career successes and struggles, surviving cancer and dealing with grief around her journey in the White Mountains. Her determination to succeed in climbing all of the 4000 ft peaks is inspirational and her telling of that journey is heartwarming and entertaining. She has a subtle sense of humor that surfaces regularly along the way.

This was one of the most well written books that I have read in a very long time. You could actually see the little flowers on the mountain trails and feel the frigid, wet cold on some of the treks. In my mind, what moves a book from simply good to great is how it touches chords in one's own life.

Very good read! If you like outdoors adventures and women contouring life then this is your book! Arrived fast and in good condition.

I was glad that Cheryl could take me on her hikes without my ever having to leave home. Thank you

This is a thoroughly enjoyable, emotional and readable story of a woman's journey at mid-life. It is the story of challenge, success, worry, friendship and love. The author also gives the reader a keen sense of place--of the beauty and power of nature while mountain climbing. Five stars!

Every word, scenery, state of mind from her pen reaches out to me at a very deep personal level with such sincerity, courage, and fellowship.

Very accurate descriptions of what it is like to hike in the Whites. Cheryl let’s us in to her life and her heart as she recounts her journey to conquer the 4,000 footer while overcoming some formidable personal and physical challenges.

Loved the story - beautifully written! Great descriptions of the New Hampshire mountains alongside themes of friendship, love and motivation & drive to conquer mental and physical life challenges.

A wonderful memoir about resilience, friendship and love. I thought I was climbing those peaks along side Cheryl. I couldn't put it down and it has gotten me thinking about hiking a bit myself. It really was inspiring.

One of the best books I've read! How heartwarming to read of the journey of the 48!

This story of courage, strength, and determination is truly inspiring. 48 Peaks is filled with lessons we can all bring to our every day challenges, and reminders to appreciate the wonders of nature as well as the gift of time each day brings.

Excellent book, very inspiring. Highly engrossing and a must read for anyone who loves the outdoors. I really admire the author's tenacity facing life's challenges.

Very Inspiring. I can't never complain about anything ever! Cheryl kept going no matter what life threw at her. Amazing

Very interesting book--shared it with all my family!

This book is so honest and real, as are all of the characters. Brave living, brave writing.

When writer's block struck, the author challenged herself to try something outside her comfort zone- something that would be the opposite of writing. She sets on climbing the highest mountains in New Hampshire in an attempt to achieve a success. Her enthrallmant with the beauties of the outdoors is palpable. The memoir, however, is not only about the author's impressive hiking achievements despite great difficulties. The story is also a sharing of the special bond between close female friends and it is told with compelling honesty and aching vulnerability. It is to mountain climbing she turns for solace in her times of fear and sorrow. Beautifully written, with touches of humor, this inspiring true story is to be savored.

As someone who aspires to hike the Appalachian Trail in my lifetime, the White Mountains are oftentimes a part of my research or the videos I watch, with over one hundred miles of the AT traveling through the range. This is one of the most grueling albeit beautiful parts of the hike. When I discovered Cheryl Suchors’ book, 48 Peaks: Hiking and Healing in the White Mountains by She Writes Press on Netgalley, I almost felt as if it was speaking to me personally! I just had to have it, not only because I love a good memoir, but I couldn’t pass up the opportunity to learn more about hiking this area of our country. While this was a slower read for me because of the immense detail and span of years, friendship, and life covered, I couldn’t skip a single word. I had to know what would happen next, almost as if I was reading a fictional novel. I was inspired by something on nearly every page, feeling as if I could accomplish anything after I finished this book. Cheryl’s strength both mentally and physically is awe-inspiring. She battled numerous injuries, cancer, death, and the normal demands one would face in the span of ten years. Simply, this is a tale of a life of a woman determined to accomplish her goal, despite the tremendous obstacles standing in her way. Being able to learn about the condition of the body, challenges, people, and acts of nature making each individual hike difficult was one of my favorite things about this read. These are things I look forward to learning about this topic and I was happy to see everything I hoped for was covered in this novel. The biggest thing I took away from reading 48 Peaks was the human ability to accomplish anything we put our minds to, if only we keep trying. Cheryl faced basically every hardship a person can experience in life within the ten-year span of chipping away at her goal. Most people would have given up, no doubt Cheryl felt like she should at times, but after each set-back, her resolve only strengthened. Cheryl Suchors’ impeccable will almost makes me feel a well of emotions, just thinking about it. I want to be a woman with as strong of a mind, unable to accept failure; instead, seeing impediments as another mountain to climb whether those mountains are physical or metaphorical. I’m so thankful for the chance to have been able to read Cheryl’s story and bear witness to her huge accomplishment, if only in writing. 48 Peaks gets a strong 4-stars from me, only losing one star for the organization of the story as a whole. I can’t recommend this fantastic memoir enough. Even if you don’t find yourself being an outdoorswoman, this book is worth picking up, as it delves into the issues we face as women, motherhood, friendship, and the heartbreaking loss of people we love. I guarantee this book will make readers feel inspired and moved to take action in their own lives, no matter their goals. Cheryl, you are a superhero! Get your copy of 48 Peaks now!

Cheryl Suchors’ gorgeous and inspiring memoir about her midlife quest to climb the 48 highest mountains in New Hampshire’s rugged White Mountains will leave you both breathless and awe-struck. From the the opening scene when Suchors has climbed yet another peak, this time to spread the ashes of her best friend and former hiking partner who has died of cancer, we know we are in for an arduous but rewarding journey. From there, the story weaves seemlessly back and forth in time as she initially sets her ambitious goal and then attempts to reach it, one peak at a time. Along the way, we deepen our knowledge of her motivations, her history, her family, her changing physical and emotional status, her friendships on and off the trail, and the immense challenges she faces that would have stopped anyone with less determination. Suchors’ use of the present tense when we are on her hikes allows us to be present with her as she takes time to observe and appreciate nature or to converse with her hiking companions. Her prose is both descriptive and lyrical, and yet, this memoir is a page-turner. It also will appeal to a wide audience, not just those interested in hiking. For me, who can’t imagine doing what Suchors did, ir was a story of the importance of friendship and of openness to the lessons of life’s experiences, both good and bad. This wonderful book will make you see your world in ways you never imagined.

48 Peaks by Cheryl Suchors offers a backpack full of inspiration, encouragement, adventure, and pathos to sustain your mind and spirit. Cheryl’s journey takes the reader from a 48-year-old woman besieged by cancer, disappointments, and personal loss to a strong, healthy, triumphant 58-year-old. You can enjoy this book on many levels. If you’re a sports-minded, outdoorsy type, you’ll revel in Cheryl’s descriptions of her efforts to “summit” 48 of the over-4000 ft peaks of the White Mountains of New Hampshire. If you’re an armchair athlete, then you’ll enjoy the vicarious pleasure of scaling the mountains from the safety of your sofa. If you’re a feminist, then you’ll appreciate the can-do attitude of Cheryl and her friends who take on the challenges of the peaks in spite of injuries, fears, and even terror. You’ll be heartened by the sustaining power of strong female friendships. If you’re someone who has faced cancer, you’ll recognize the strength and perseverance needed to move through this life challenge. Her descriptions are vivid—often graphic—but real and honest. If you’ve lost loved ones, you’ll cry—and laugh—with Cheryl as she recounts some of the most tender and wrenching moments of these life passages. If you’re seeking strategies to push you through some of the toughest life’s challenges, you’ll find them in 48 Peaks. Ascend and then descend with Cheryl and her buddies as they “bag the peaks” of the White Mountains. It’s a journey you’ll long remember.

The thought to pick up a book on hiking, let’s say from here to the corner grocery store, would never in five eternities have occurred to me – let alone hiking 48 (freaking) Peaks! Add to that, I’m not a “feminist,” I don’t have an MD, a PHD, or an LMNOP for that matter, framed and hanging tidily on my office wall. So, were it not for my darling cousin (“Ginny” in this book) sending me a copy of 48 Peaks, I would have missed this inspirational story altogether! What I discovered as I read, was I don’t need to have graduated summa cum laude; achieved Olympian status; or adhere to any particular political persuasion, to share in the rich wisdom available to “whomsoever will” in the pages of this rousing manuscript. For the spirit behind Cheryl’s text transcends all difference and calls to the commonness of human experience. The theme of hiking is the most brilliant metaphor for life. It is the thread weaving its way through the moments, hours, days… months, years, and lifetimes that form souls. Two of Cheryl’s qualities that appeal to me most are 1) her powers of observation, and 2) her open-hearted willingness to be vulnerable. For through them, she invites her readers to better understand and manage our own challenges through her vivid and articulate expression of her personal experience. Friendship, family, loss, pain, disease, struggle, recovery, determination, frustration, resolution, realization, and bright vistas – all fall under the heading of “victory” in this story. For all these reasons, I give this book 5 stars. I hope it becomes a movie. Ginger A.

Inspiring, well-written account of the author's quest to climb the Over-4000-foot mountains in New Hampshire's White Mountains - all 48 of them. She accomplished this over the course of several years, and in the face of numerous injures and physical health challenges, and the death of her beloved first hiking buddy. As someone who has hiked in mountains throughout North America and Europe, but only recently in these White Mountains, I can attest to how surprisingly difficult they are. Suchors's descriptions of the steep, rocky, wet climbs and descents vividly capture their challenging trails, and she has a detailed knowledge and appreciation for the wildflowers and other flora of the landscape. I found particularly interesting her account of the interpersonal dynamics between the author and her various hiking companions, as they face decisions about the choice of routes or how to respond to changes in the weather. The author's determination to achieve her goal against all odds is truly impressive.

This is the story of one woman's quest to climb all 48, 4,000 or over peaks in the White Mountains of New Hampshire. It may have taken her 10 years to accomplish, but this she finally did, while battling health issues, family, loss of a dear friend and hiking companion. She had many setbacks which an ordinary person would have given up on. I found her story to flow beautifully, keeping my interest while climbing those daunting mountains as if I was there with her. She is a person who did everything to overcome her circumstances and more. We hear about her life, her love of writing which she had been struggling with for awhile, and the unfortunate health issues that arise. She has a backing of good friends and family that do these hikes with her at different times, even her daughters small dog. This book shows us that anything can be accomplished when one puts their mind to it. I am so glad that I was given an ARC of this book by NetGalley and She Writes Press. This book and her courage will stick with me for a long time.

Cheryl Suchors’ persistance, guts, and passion are catching as she takes you along on her hiking and healing journey. The 48 4,000- ft high peaks of the White mountains in New Hampshire are her measure and her challenge. The book begins as she leaves a successful career to pursue her lifelong dream of becoming a writer. As if that isn’t challenge enough, she decides she will become a member of the AMC’s four thousand footer club – those who have climbed all 48 peaks. It takes Suchors ten years, and through it she mourns the death of her mother, her sister, and her best friend and hiking buddy. She also loses a breast to cancer. But there are gains as well as losses: she trains to become a woman who can hike alone and with friends through storms and seasons. Suchors is not afraid of anything although heights terrify her. Perhaps her greatest strength is to know when and how to ask for the help she needs whether it is from her therapist, her coach, or the buddies who help carry her equipment when a mastectomy makes her unable to use a back pack and a fanny pack is just not big enough. Hikers will of course love this book, but it is really a book for those who would rather read a good book than climb a mountain. You can’t experience it all without being the hiker Suchors was, but you can go along and be inspired to find your own mountains.

Full disclosure: I’m grateful to #NetGalley for the free advance copy of #48Peaks in exchange for an honest review. This book is meant to be savored with a cup of coffee or tea, and time to relax and hear the story while appreciating the relationships with their strengths and challenges. It is a beautifully blended memoir with honesty, vulnerability, courage and strength. The author is my hero. She is strong enough to demonstrate her strengths and vulnerabilities and how she grew throughout her aspiration of climbing the 48 4,000 footers. I can’t imagine how she was able to persevere through the physical pain to attain her accomplishments, but I’m so grateful she persevered, both through the climbing as well as the writing and publishing. Some of the formatting seemed a bit confusing, such as starting out at the beginning of the book mentioning Kate’s death, and then backtracking and coming back to it later. While some parts seemed to move slower than others and I had to put the book down and come back to it later, I wanted to see how everything turned out, and I appreciated the epilogue following the story. I look forward to seeing what comes next for this author, as her books will be at the top of my to-read list.

This is a book to savor . It is that rare book that must be bought to kept in the bookcase and that you will recommend for years to come. It will change your life like Eat Pray Love and Wild. It is a heartwarming true account of the author's determination to climb 48 peaks in New Hampshire through cancer and grief. I loved the sheer will she exhibited throughout as she never lost focus on her goals. She is someone to be admired . I enjoyed reading this and plan on giving it out for gifts. I highly recommend this book for those who believe we can overcome illness through faith in ourselves and determination. Very well done ! My opinions are my own. Thank you for the ARC.

This was a very enjoyable book to read. The details of Ms Suchors' lengthy "journey," her substantial physical and emotional travails as she sought to complete her mission, were intensely engaging. Joy, frustration, fulfillment, setbacks, physical challenges, friendship and family issues.... we share all these experiences with the author, and come away impressed by the discipline and determination it took to accomplish her goals, not the least of which was the completion and publication of this book.

I had heard about this book for the past year or so, meaning to take it out of the library someday. But when I was in the local bookstore, I decided to treat myself to it, and was so glad I did! Cheryl and her odyssey were my constant companions for a couple of weeks on a recent trip, as I could not leave them behind. The book was quite lovely, especially in the honesty that Cheryl shared as she bared her thoughts and feelings about herself, those around her, including her older sister with Downs, her other family members, and her aspirations to climb the 48 White Mountains 4000 ft+ high peaks. Very rare to find such a beautifully written book with a perfect balance of openness, reflection, life's curveballs, and the quest the author gave herself!

48 PEAKS tells Cheryl Suchors’ poignant, inspirational and beautifully written story of loss, illness, friendship, and recovery. Over a decade, she loses her best friend to cancer, nearly loses her own life to the illness, struggles mightily in a mid-life second career, and copes with a long-held crippling need to succeed and be in control. She decides to hike the highest peaks — all 48 — in New Hampshire’s White Mountains with the support of friends and it is this journey into the wild that leads to deep emotional, physical and spiritual healing. A lovely, hopeful narrative that encourages us to keep climbing our own life peaks, no matter the obstacles. Highly recommended! Pub Date 11 Sep 2018 Thanks to She Writes Press and NetGalley for the review copy. Opinions are fully mine. #48peaks #NetGalley

I loved, loved, loved this book and would hike with the author anywhere. I loved her faults, her courage in facing her health battles, her insecurities, and, most of all, her struggle to not control her hiking buddies. I saw so much of myself in watching the clock, checking hike-completion deadlines, list-making, and wanting, as most of us do, for life and people to adhere to our schedule, thank you very much. It made her all the more endearing. Her honesty in sharing so many parts of herself made me feel I knew her, which, in my opinion, is the number one requirement for a well-written memoir. And I must say, the account of the death of her good friend was one of the most touching I have ever read. Ms. Suchor is not only an accomplished athlete, but a wonderful writer as well. I hope to read more of her work.

I was swept through this book like the rushing streams, pulled through each loss mourned, and discouraged by each health obstacle. Cheryl's healing transpired through her dedication and determination to hike all 48 peaks despite all the personal losses during an 11-year span in middle age. She started this quest as a novice hiker and developed expertise and strategies along the way, persevering despite all sorts of physical challenges and doubts, building friendships. She honestly addresses the challenges of engaging friends, family, and new acquaintances to safely accompany and assist her in her quest. The writing about this journey was undertaken with an equal dedication, and was never boring because it was so well honed. I was breathing the misty mountain air again... shivering in the cold mornings... delighting in the glory of the seasons. I was moved by her spiritual quest to find sustenance in hiking, step by step, alone and with others. At times I nearly wept. At times I was filled with relief and joy. Give this gift to yourself and others.

I read Cheryl's 48 Peaks at the same time as one of my best hiking friends was battling breast cancer. Breast cancer and all the evil side effects of it took us off the trails of New Hampshire for far too long! The mountain descriptions here are spot on and I felt like I was with Cheryl on Tecumseh during the lightening storm. That was a close one! Then I was hooked. One of my favorite chapters is Path Finding and I highlighted this thought: "The concrete evidence of mountains climbed - from scraped up hiking boots to eleven red pins on my map - reassures me that I am alive, strong and mastering something ..." I don't always know what mountain someone is climbing, but I do know that I love rooting for someone like Cheryl as she overcomes major challenges (with humor) while pursuing her life passions. One thing for sure, Debby and I will be kicking up our hiking boots and peak dancing like crazy when we bag our next 4,000-footer! Thanks for sharing your journey.

This book is a well-crafted and moving story of one woman's determination to keep moving forward and the value of holding to life-affirming goals. With humor and a finely tuned pen Cheryl Suchors writes about the challenges of injury, illness, and family. Her quest to climb the 4000-footers in White Mountains, the framework of her story and often the anchor that sees her through sadness and despair, illness and recovery, provides the backdrop and includes many wonderful descriptions of the highs and lows of mountain climbing, the scenery and sensations along the route and the exhilaration of reaching the summit. The book moves right along, carrying you through its pages, and offers insights on living that I found useful.

“48 PEAKS” is not just a triumph of climbing so many mountains, but in how Suchors faced the challenge of doing so, conquering her fears, training responsibly, and sharing her learning with those who hiked with her. She also met the massif of breast cancer with courage and planning and a determination to heal herself. No one “triumphs” over cancer, but Suchors handled the difficulties of the cancer journey honestly, and desirous of focusing on the life she could have rather than focus on what she’d lost.The book is itself a triumph, of writing. “48 PEAKS” moved and inspired me, written in elegant yet simple prose that sings to the reader. Treat yourself to the experience of reading this book!

Carrying a backpack full of personal adversity—the death of a friend, a sister with Down Syndrome, surviving her own cancer—the author of this memoir sets out to scale more than the many peaks of New Hampshire’s White Mountains. The reader, wanting answers to questions (Will she succeed? How will she do it?), will find a narrator who does not disappoint. Suchors’ writing is adrenaline inducing, especially when she describes the hiking challenges she faced in the mighty Whites; she is that good. Without exception, this memoir gives insight not only into the author’s strength of character but also into her deep gratitude for the healing powers of the natural world. 48 Peaks is a beautifully rendered tale of grit and persistence.

I finally got the book and I devoured it. wow. Cheryl Suchors is an indredibly good writer, enganging from the first page, i can't put it down.this is much better than cheryl strayed's book "wild" which was a best seller.Cheryl Suchors is a much more relatable woman, more mature. I am in awe of Cheryl Suchors I can't believe how many surgeries she had, what she went through in her childhood, in her life, her incredible determination. I admire her honesty and courage to share her life with others, what a legacy she is leaving behind! all i can say is : thank you, Cheryl. what a gift you gave the world with this book! I highly recommend this book not just to women on a healing journey with cancer or hikers, but everyone!

I have never hiked up a mountain, but I am a skier, so I have reached many “peaks” – always via a ski lift! Reading this book exposed me to a very different aspect of time spent in the mountains. The author’s descriptions of the pristine and immense natural environment of the White Mountains and the intricacies of the climb were vivid. More interesting to me, however, were her descriptions of how she and her hiking partners confronted significant challenges created by their differences in physical strength and ability, fears, interests and perseverance. They worked things out with honesty, thoughtfulness and humor. It was inspiring and uplifting to read this wonderful story.

I really enjoyed this book! Not only was it a tale of a woman’s taking physical challenges in bold and connected ways, but it also presented the complexities, depth, and importance of friendships among women. Cheryl both struggled with a life-threatening illness and committed herself to having a big and vibrant outer life, while exploring her inner life. All this with humor, intelligence, attention to detail, and love of the outdoors! It was very interesting to see how the complexity of Cheryl’s memoir permitted different people in my book group to identify and explore how various facets of Cheryl’s story might be echoed in their individual lives. All book group members found it a fast, fascinating read and participated in a lively and wide-ranging discussion about it.

I received this book as a gift and was finally able to meet Cheryl Suchors at a talk in Watertown, MA. What an inspiration this woman is! There were times when I truly felt like I was with her; the struggle of climbing some of those White Mountains is daunting, but I love how she broke it up into manageable pieces and had a mantra for each portion. Living through her struggle with breast cancer, the death of family members and friends, and yet seeing the strength that she brought to her family and others, was remarkable. Releasing Kate's ashes on top of Mt. Monroe was so emotional. I rarely cry when reading books but there were portions of her journey that were so powerful, I was brought to tears. Such a powerful read. I'm so grateful that I was finally able to meet her in person. She's amazing!

A wonderfully inspiring memoir for hikers and non-hikers alike, Cheryl Suchors chronicles her quest to hike every one of the 48 peaks in the White Mountains of New Hampshire. She endures not only the injuries and self-doubt that accompany her ambitious undertaking, but also the loss of her best friend and her own cancer diagnosis. A testament to hope, perseverance, and human resilience, Suchor’s book is heartwarming, moving, and ultimately uplifting.

"Five-foot-two, eyes are blue, but oh what Cheryl Suchors five-feet can do." The author sets high goals for herself and follows through on those challenges. She tells an inspiring story about climbing 48 peaks in the White Mountains, whilst sharing her personal life: family, friends, death, and surviving cancer. Her writing style is brilliant. We find ourselves hiking alongside of her sweating and feeling the grit of the mountain. A truly great read! Note: Everyone should have a Larry.

I purchased 48 Peaks for a couple of reasons, the first of which was to live vicariously through Suchor's hiking adventures in the White Mountains and because I enjoyed her writing style in the sample I downloaded. I also enjoy reading about places that I've been, and living just a couple of hours from the Whites, let's just say, that the book "peaked" my interest. I raced through this book in less time than it would have taken me to climb one of the peaks she describes so masterfully. Who would have thought that a book about hiking could be a "page turner"? Suchor's personal trials, triumphs, and relationships, interspersed with her vivid descriptions of nature keep the reader engaged from the first page to last. I'm not likely to climb any of the 4000' peaks--something that my husband, son, daughter and granddaughter have been doing--but, I am inspired by Suchor's tenacity and lust for life. Cheryl Suchors is a gifted writer; I hope that she keeps on writing and sharing her talents.

Do yourself a favor and spend time with Chery Suchors as she works her way into your heart, mind, and imagination. Her writing is astonishing, even lyrical, whether tackling the challenges, setbacks, and rewards of hiking, deep loss, or compromised health. Honesty, meaning, and hope are threads throughout the journey, and I treasured the experience every step of the way.

I loved the author's balance of mountain stories, alongside human stories. I learned a ton about hiking, the element that attracted me most to this book, and at the same time it asked me to dig deep on my thinking about relationships, friendships, individual accomplishment vs. team experience, etc. I loved knowing what physical objects she was carrying up the mountain with her on each climb, and what emotional baggage she was lugging to the top as well. Most importantly it inspired me to hit the trail, invite and encourage friends to join me, and to be present on each and every hike. Highly recommend!

I believe many of us recognize the value of friendship. This book goes beyond to explore life after loss with a journey in the most rugged mountains in New England. This is an evocative read which teaches us how the experience of nature assists in the healing process. I reviewed this NetGalley for She Writes Press.

I hate climbing mountains, I don't have cancer and yet, I loved this book. The writing is superb--it's such a seamless account of Cheryl Suchors quest to conquer that it's very hard to put down. Read it and pass it along to your nearest and dearest girlfriends. I cannot imagine anyone not responding to Cheryl's honesty, sense of humor and sheer guts. I will never look at another mountain without appreciating it in a totally different way!

There are few books that really transport me. This book is an exception. Within the pages of this beautifully written work, the author takes the reader on a journey of well-earned life lessons, courage, self-reflection and self- acceptance. The ideas of success, goal setting and achievement are thoughtfully explored and examined. I loved reading this and was sorry when the journey ended. Thank you.

Suchors' writing is so good and her descriptions so well drawn, you feel like you're riding along in her hip pack. Her quest tackles so much more than mountains, with such honesty and vulnerability, the book has much to offer everyone, including folks like me who never have and never will assail the 48 Peaks. The tale is particularly timely in a month dedicated to breast cancer awareness, for Suchors' candid discussion of her disease offers support to anyone battling the disease.

Make a new friend as you accompany Cheryl Suchors on a journey through the rugged White Mountains of New Hampshire in her book, 48 Peaks. Suchors brings you with her as she sets ambitious goals, deepens friendships, and affirms the wonder of living. The loss of her dearest friend to cancer and her own terrifying cancer diagnosis prompt her quest, but this is not a cancer story. This is a story of friendship. She shows by example the brave honesty, the focused listening, the acknowledgment of annoyance, and the deep caring that intimate relationships require. The first rule of hiking - and true friendship - is "Speak Up" and that is played out in facing fears, negotiating with hiking buddies, and sharing joys. Accepting how little can be controlled when facing mountains, weather, and those most dear and yet working a plan for everyone's survival is wisdom that comes from journeying through one's own peaks and deep valleys. Suchors' understanding of group responsibility and the processes of mutual decision-making, honed during her years as a management consultant, are also illuminating. I have climbed only one of these mountains. It was exhilarating but it was also a painful bone to stone experience. It took Cheryl Suchors ten years, with many months of psychological and physical training, to bag forty-eight peaks and become a leader with the Appalachian Mountain Club. Her steeliness and persistence in achieving her goal are remarkable. Though you will yearn to see the flowers and views, to feel the moisture, and smell the fecund springtime earth, you can share in the insights gained by her effort and avoid the cold days, the rain, and the injuries as you journey with her in 48 Peaks. She developed mantras for each quarter of a hike: "I am just warming up!", "I feel surprisingly strong", "I have a lot of energy left", "We've done it!" Concluding her book, I shared her joy and exclaimed, "I am alive!".

Chronicling her quest to climb New Hampshire's highest mountains, Cheryl Suchors writes of the challenges with extraordinary honesty. Establishing a strong voice at the start of her narrative, she takes readers with her as she struggles with fears and doubts, illness and loss, relationships with climbing partners--and, of course, the physical demands of the hikes. I admired the author's stamina, enjoyed her vivid descriptions, and found "48 Peaks" a thoroughly absorbing story of a personal journey.

Despite the loss of her mother, sister, and close friend (neighbor and hiking partner) as well as dealing with injuries and her own cancer, Cheryl Suchors was able to persist in her goal of climbing the 48 Peaks in the White Mountains. She wrote honestly about her grief, about her challenges, and about the close relationships she forged and deepened through hiking. There is also a lot to be learned about hiking and nature from this book. I heartily recommend following her journey.

What a great read! I have done some hiking and got this book for inspiration as I contemplate hiking “the 48 4000-footers”. Not only did it offer practical insight into hiking preparedness, Cheryl bravely shares her story of transcending loss, overcoming injury and conquering cancer to climb the mighty “Whites”. Her grit and determination are a powerful reminder to get off the couch, keep moving and not to take life for granted!

I knew Cheryl Suchors when she was writing this book and she told me how in preparation for her hikes, she would go to the subway stop near where she lived and climb up and down the 199 steps between the train and the street. I was moved by her story as it unfolded, portraying the mental, emotional, and spiritual challenges she faced along the way. Her resilience in dealing not only with her own illness but the loss of her friend and the sometimes extreme physical challenges of hiking in the White Mountains is inspiring.

This is a moving and engrossing story about overcoming losses of many kinds through nature. Whether you're a hiker or not you will enjoy Cheryl's descriptions of scenery and the unique personal dynamics that arise while hiking. The milestones that Cheryl accomplished despite personal and physical challenges are remarkable.

Enjoyed reading this book - which isn't just about hiking but also tells about changing a career, loss, personal challenges, connection to nature, inner thoughts and importance of family, friends & teams. Cheryl does a great job of revealing her thought process and feelings as she conquers her fears and overcomes numerous obstacles to achieve her goal.

A wonderful account of one woman's challenges (the least of which were the hikes) I so enjoyed this beautiful book, communing with nature and joining the author on a quest to see a dream through. Cheryl Suchors writes a love letter to the mountains. It is an inspirational story.

48 Peaks is a great read. It captures the emotional, psychological and physical strengths needed to conquer hiking the formidable White Mountains. The reader is transformed by the elegant writing into a hiking partner that feels, smells and visually travels along the journey. The book is so much more than a journal of hiking. 48 peaks sets up the practical " packing list" to prepare you for the human journey of setting your personal goals in life.

I laughed, I cried. A book about friendship, loss, friendship, survival, the healing power of nature … and friendship. After reading Cheryl Suchors' 48 Peaks, you will pause a bit longer to savor the glories of nature, and will hold your friends a bit closer.

48 Peaks brought back so many memories of my excursions in the White Mountains. I never hiked with the ashes of my best friend or in the dicey conditions Cheryl Suchors describes. The book made me feel like an armchair hiker. She also related many good suggestions for hikers at the beginning of the hike. Ask each participant what are your goals? What are your fears? I will use those questions on my next hike, alone or with a group.

An interesting story of how the author channeled her love for hiking and her desire to accomplish specific goals into a healing process for the injuries that life dealt her. I especially enjoyed reading the sections on leadership and the descriptions of the mountains in New Hampshire.

Wonderful story about heartbreak, dedication, motivation, and achievement. Great for anyone who has ever been motivated by life's challenges. Cheryl is well-spoken in this book and in person. Try to get to one of her book readings, if you can. They are a treat.

Thinking of this as a book about surviving breast cancer denies the absolutely wonderful insight into friendship, love, marriage, physical challenges, and the conquest of Nature to say the least. The writing is splendidly descriptive to the point of feeling like you're there and involved in challenges as they happen so you're part f the story. Fabulous reading!!! She'll wind up your friend!

I am not a mountain climber, but I could relate Cheryl's trials and triumphs to many experiences in my life. Her writing is lively and touched with humor and insight. She uses all five senses to help the reader experience her climbs in the White Mountains, and uses her intelligence and emotional sensitivity to reflect on many of the family, friendship, work and health issues that are important to all women.

If you want a beautifully written and inspiring story, this is the book you need to read. The author describes her goal to hike to the top of the 48 highest mountains in the White Mountain range. Despite health challenges and life events she takes the reader on this journey with her. Although I don’t normally read memoirs I am glad I didn’t miss reading this one. I generally give my books away when I am done reading them, but I think I’ll keep this one in my library in case I need to find my motivation.

Suchors starts out with a new life goal, to climb all 48 of the White Mountains in New Hampshire that are at least 4,000 feet tall. While she is working hard toward this daunting goal, life throws her several curve balls, unwanted surprises and deeply challenging events that she must also traverse. She sets out for a life-changing experience with the mountains and nature, and gets far more than she bargained for in the decade it takes to reach her goal, yet meets all that comes along with strength and intelligence. Highly recommended!

This book is so motivating. If Cheryl can over come so many odds so can I. Her willingness to share her most intimate feelings with her friends let alone her readers was most emotional for me. She is a reminder that we need to be friends to have friends. All in all I always knew Cheryl would make it off the mountain, but the story is so riveting I kept reading and reading. Just a wonderful story!

I originally tried a kindle sample of this book and was hooked! Cheryl Suchor's book is about so much more than hiking. She shares her own personal story of overcoming loss and illness while hiking the White Mountains. It's about one woman's internal journey of healing while challenging herself physically. It's on my list of books to re read :)

Written with great clarity and profound honesty, 48 Peaks takes the reader on a journey through not just mountains, but also friendship, grief, commitment, and accomplishment. This book is a natural to be read and discussed by a group, as Suchors ably carries concerns about the meaning of life's losses and triumphs on her relentless drive to meet her mountain climbing goal.

For anyone who has had their own mountain to climb.....anyone who has decided to set out to do the unthinkable, the daunting, the challenging thing...I recommend this book. The word "inspiring" is much overused....but Suchors inspired me with her personal insights while surmounting obstacles. A must read.

I’m just back from hiking the difficult Presidential Traverse through the White Mountains with adventuresingoodcompany.com. Started this book before I went and finished it on my return. This was a great story of perseverance and friendship. The book highlights the difficult nature of these peaks as well as the beauty of the White’s. Amazing accomplishment.

I loved following Cheryl on her quest for reaching her goal! easy read, beautifully written, did not want it to end. Reflective memoir for me and anyone searching for what is important in living one's life and dealing with the search for joy amidst the pain of everyday trials and tribulations.

Cheryl Suchors writes about her dual journey of surviving cancer and her injured body and her quest to hike 48 of the 4000 ft. peaks in the White Mountains in New Hampshire. She writes with eloquence and honesty about her struggles through both these journeys. A good read.

This book had awesome pictures. I could have looked at the pictures and feel like I was really there. great book.

I loved this book! It is brave, heartfelt, and inspiring, and beautifully written. Even though I knew Cheryl was going to achieve her goal of hiking all 48 peaks, I was still on the edge of my seat as she bagged each one. A story of endurance, lovingly and honestly told.

Suchors' book is so open and honest. Her love for the mountains and their challenges is evident throughout. You feel like you are right on the trail with her. I highly recommend this well-written, engaging account of Suchors' journeys - both personal and mountain.

The story, its peaks serve as a metaphor. The author skillfully Climbs life's challenges, never succumbing . Excellent read for those traversing life's course.

This book shows how determination and passion can conquer barriers. The author overcomes physical and psychological setbacks and keeps focused on her goal. This is a model for anyone who considers undertaking a daunting task.

I found this book a compelling read. My definition of good writing is when I don't see how a book is written but absorb the content as if I were living it. I admire Cheryl Suchors both for her persistence and determination in reaching the forty-eight peaks when others would have given up and for the way in which she shared her experiences with us, the readers.

I loved reading this book; it's so moving, and it's beautifully written. I've shared it with friends, and I look forward to sharing it further as a holiday gift.

A very well written memoir that both hikers and non hikers will love. The challenge of hiking New Hampshire's 48 peaks over 4000 feet is the backdrop for this reflection on friendship, health, and overcoming the odds. Well worth the read!

An inspirational story and hard to put down.