The majority of my reads are fiction but occasionally I need an inspiring nonfiction read. When I started reading In The Shadow of the Mountain I had no idea the epic adventure that I was in for.

The Shadow of A Mountain is a nonfiction memoir by Sylvia Vasquez-Lavado. Sylvia was working in the male-dominated Silicon Valley when her mother called her home to Peru. At the time Sylvia was hanging by a thread and struggling with alcoholism, hiding her sexuality and repressing the horrific abuse that she suffered from as a child.

Sylvia’s trip home changed her life forever when she started climbing. Something about the high altitude and the risk woke something in her. Sylvia gathered a group of young female sexual assault survivors and together they decided to tackle the biggest mountain in the world, Mt. Everest.

Get ready for an emotional, awe-inspiring, tale of heroism and adventure! Not only is this is a story of a grand expedition but it's also a story of healing after a lifetime of pain. I immediately connected with Sylvia’s story and thoroughly enjoyed reading every single page of In The Shadow of the Mountain.

While writing this book, Sylvia shared the most intimate parts of herself with raw honesty. Not only did I find Sylvia’s strength to be inspiring but I also found her compassion and selflessness for others awe-inspiring.

In The Shadow of the Mountain would be a wonderful selection for book clubs and would make an excellent gift. I feel like this book is a must-read for many, not just women but men as well. I highly recommend this book and I feel like it will inspire so many readers.

A massive thanks to Henry Holt Books for a gifted copy of this amazing book!