All That We Carried by Erin Bartels

 

Olivia and Melanie Greene are sisters with a few problems. In fact, they haven't seen each other since their parents died in a fatal car accident 10 years ago. Then they meet up to go hiking together for a week after Melanie talks Olivia into the trip. For several days the girls navigate both the wilderness of the Porcupine Mountains of Michigan's Upper Peninsula and their relationship with each other. 

All That We Carried by Erin Bartels is a book about relationships. I don't have a sister but I found it interesting to see how both handled themselves with each other. I liked when Bartels let us read their thoughts. Both were introspective at times and reflected on their faith or lack of faith and spiritual lives. While they weren't Christians, they were both searching spiritually at times. The searching was further encouraged after meeting another hiker named Joshua who helped them out of a few scrapes. He also helped them gain some insights into each other and God. While the reader isn't given neat and tidy Christian answers, I think the book could make some book club discussions. I thought the plot moved along nicely and I found All That We Carried to be an enjoyable read that was over far too quickly. I enjoyed meeting these sisters and grew to like them both even though they were both very different people.

I received a copy of this book as part of the Revell Reads Blogger Program. All opinions within this review are my own.