North of Ordinary: How One Woman Left It All Behind for Wilderness and Wonder in Alaska's Frozen Frontier , by Susan Aikens

 Publication March 10, 2026

Although I've certainly heard of Life Below Zero and Susan Aikens, I sometimes think I must be one of the few Alaskans who has never watched even one episode of Life Below Zero. As a result, other than the well documented bear attacks, I knew very little more about her other than that she was living a rugged life. As such, I was instantly pulled in from the opening chapter. Aikens struggles began long before Life Below Zero. I'm not going to go into detail here because I don't want to dilute one word of this astonishing tale of struggling not just to survive against the odds but thrive and find her place in a sometimes inhospitable land. This is her story and although I lean toward thinking some sections were glossed over, it's an amazing one. 

Alaska itself, of course, plays a starring role. I could instantly identify with how small and alone she must have felt as a child left alone here. Even in the best of times I have frequently pondered how, while we all need to be reminded at times that we're not the center of the universe, that there is life within the emptiness and grandeur and, yes, frigid cold where she lives north of the Arctic Circle. I've been to Fairbanks, south of her turf, in the winter and learned what -40 degrees felt like.... it wasn't great but was also amazing to realize one could survive it .... but I was surrounded by people and had a cozy, well heated cabin to retreat to that I didn't even have to chop and gather wood for. And, of course, surviving the harsh cold is only a small part of the battle of life. Loneliness, the unexpected, (an Alaskan specialty), vast emptiness, injury and sickness, wildlife who were there first, and, well, so much more, all play into just the survival mode, never mind finding yourself while surviving. The resilience of the human spirit can break or be strong. In Aikens, it is strong.

Bottom line, I could rattle on here endlessly but will try to restrain myself to saying that if you enjoy stories of not just surviving the elements but your past, you will thoroughly enjoy this book. If you are interested in it simply for the Alaska setting, that's okay, too. Alaska is vast and you'll find something to love, not to mention gasp over in astonishment of all she can throw at you in one of the most challenging areas of Alaska. Aikens faced not just the challenge of life in remote Alaska but one of overcoming her own past and haunting memories of never being enough. And, and, and....okay, I could keep going but it's tough not to want to detail specifics and I want to leave the readers to meet Aikens' Alaska fresh. Thanks #Sourcebooks for allowing me this early peek at Aikens. I think I may have to finally dive into watching a few episodes of Life Below Zero, or at least wonder if she's watching the same Northern Lights aurora display I am next time Lady Aurora dances above me. 

Widows on the Wine Path, by Julia Jarman

 

Publication April 3, 2024

You'll frequently be moved from grins to anger, laughter to tears, and everything in-between. There are tense moments, too, that will have you cheering on Libby, who you'll want to give a high five and hug at the end. In other words, this book is a bit of an emotional roller-coaster but it's a delightful ride. Although I haven't read the intro book for this series, thist worked well as a standalone. Libby, the central character here, is a new addition, one full of promise but, oh, my, the obstacles she allows to get in the way. That need to feel loved is strong. So, do I need to tell you there's a handsome man who sweeps Libby off her feet and away from the protective group of friends she has made since becoming a widow. The Muscateers together and are a strong force, a group that has each other's back even when it comes to what many of us would consider going the extra mile. I liked them all, even when wanting to shake some sense into Libby for missing so many signals. 

I won't detail the plot. It's far more fun to experience the highs and lows and catch up on who is who as you go, after all, so read the blurb. I do admit that at times I found myself skimming, a sign either the book wasn't holding my interest in sections or my impatience to reach the hoped for happy ending. Maybe both. It also took me awhile to sort out which of Libby's three friends was which personality, so to speak, and there were a few coincidences that seemed unlikely but, hey, were possible. Hence the 4 rating. Overall, however, aside from Monty being a jerk, everyone else was interesting, likable, and well-rounded although we didn't really get to see much from the Muscateers individual lives. I hope to find time to read the first book soon however, since that one focused on them and the original formation of the group. Their "one for all, all for one" camaraderie is both inspiring and telling. They bring different life experiences and skills, Libby's writing skill for instance. As someone who has experienced a family member with dementia, I appreciated that aspect being included as it is something many encounter or worse, experience as they age. Let's just say, I also plan to get my hands on the author's children's book, "Lovely Old Lion" soon, a guide for children on navigating that difficult to understand, even for adults, aspect of life. 

Bottom line, this book will make you think, not to mention provide some very basic red flags to notice when engaging in new relationships. Libby is lucky to have so many who have survived loss and know what she's going through and are there for her. Zelda is the dominant force this go-round and we do get her viewpoint interspersed throughout the book. Mistakes are made, scary ones, but inner strength, having friends, and, I guess you'd say, having beloved ol' friends who know the right people save the day. Thanks #NetGalley and #BoldwoodBooks for this sneak peek. I absolutely loved the ending.

When Winter Comes: Discovering Wildlife in Our Snowy Woods, by Aimée M. Bissonette (Author), Erin Hourigan (Illustrations)

It should come as no surprise that as the first real snow of the winter begins to fall on my beloved adopted state's mountains that I'd be drawn to this charming, poetic children's book. It's a good reminder to those of us who live in snow globe settings much of the year that the pristine, silent white expanse we view isn't empty or, for that matter, silent. Far from it.

The author's writing is simple and easy to read and follow while the illustrations are, and I live in Alaska, a lovely rendition of reality with a smidgen of fantasy winter tossed in there. (I've never tucked any wild creatures into my own bed, not to mention a mix of them). Having been stunned to learn about an Alaska frog that freezes in the winter and thaws out, very much alive, as it warms, I found the mention of how many small creatures survive the frigid temperatures a nice touch, as was the mention of all the life going on under the snow and frozen bodies of water.

In other words, the book is not only delightful but, dare I say it, teaches, too, but gently. It'll make you look more closely at wandering tracks in the snow. You'll learn to pay more attention to the trees and how they work to shelter birds and small climbing critters like those pesky squirrels that amaze no matter the season. You'll learn and maybe, shh, come to appreciate poetic musings, too, as you enjoy this gentle visit to the woods on a snowy day.

Thanks #NetGalley and #SasquatchBooks - #LittleBigfoot for reminding me of the wonders of the season that grips my adopted home state for so many months of the year. It's cold but, yes, magical. This book does a wonderful job capturing that sense of wonder. 

BONUS PIX FOR BLOG READERS: My own winter wonderland photo of a snow covered tree on a day it was a balmy -26 degrees. (F) The frosting on the tree is known as hoar frost and it's one of winter's lacy wonders. 

 

Souvenirs from Kyiv, Chrystyna Lucyk-Berger

Heartbreaking. You're there. You feel their pain. Their fear. Their hunger. The despair. You're reminded that all we really know of war is of our own experience, an experience many have only experienced from the safety and security of their television screen or a book. Most of all, you're reminded that there are no winners in war, then or now. It's easy to feel anxiety as we see the past being reflected in the present. While the foreword is new, the book itself details experiences in the second world war but echoes strongly given current events. A character in each of the six stories within ties them together.

I won't detail the stories as you need to meet them head on, with no expectations or screens to fully appreciate the hunger, despair and, yes, hope. As I type, the invasion of the Ukraine continues. We see the scenes on our tv screens, yes, but somehow even that and the starkly shattering scenes captured in pictures never quite lets us inside the heart, hopes, and dreams of the Ukrainian people. In this book, Ukrainian-American author Chrystyna Lucyk-Berger allows us to feel their hearts as she shares her stories of families past. She weaves these stories into a tale of historical fiction but you know, you just know, the pain was real.

This book was an eye opener. Until recently, I must admit, I had no real knowledge of Ukraine or its people Her foreword, written post invasion, details a brief history of the country, noting that her goal is "to hold up a mirror to our humanity so we can reflect on how we have gotten to where we find ourselves. I write stories to help readers and listeners connect to their ability for empathy. And I write to resolve the truth behind the big picture, to make it clear that conflict is not about two teams meeting on the battlefield -- one called 'good' and one called 'bad', there are no winners in this story."

I recommend this to anyone who cares, anyone who has a thirst to know more than the news feeds dole out to us. It's a stunningly sad yet, ironically, hopeful story. The human need for freedom rings out. Read it. You owe it to yourself.

My genuine, heartfelt thank you to #NetGalley and #Bookouture for making this book available.

But Knot for Me, by Betty Hechtman

Casey Feldstein is complicated. On the one hand she's friendly and efficient and shows not just investigative skills but leadership skills. On the other, she seems a mass of contradictions. As we discover, her past has colored her present and she's wary of putting down roots and opening up to others. Initially, it almost appears as if her closest and most enduring relationship is with her cat. As the story continues, however, she slowly begins to realize that she not only has friends but a man who, despite all the barriers she has thrown up, seems to genuinely care about her. 

I won't detail the plot, which focuses on the retreat of a flashy and demanding, but charismatic guru known as Jordan and the contrast with Casey's own, more laid back, knitting retreat.They are all looking for something, however, an improved, better life. Then, two members of the Jordan retreat staff are murdered. Casey's ability to open up to others provides her with insight when some members of  Jordon's staff come to her for enjoyable food and coffee. Seems the focus on Jordan's retreat is self-sufficiency, self-sufficiency right down to foraging for their own food. In the quest for that improvement, people have been seriously injured, Casey discovers. Given that some of the challenges include walking on hot coals and an escape room with all your fears included in the experience, it's no wonder. Casey's experience in the escape room is, well, you'll have to read the book to find out. 

Thanks to #NetGalley and #BeyondThePage for the ARC.

-Northwind, by Gary Paulsen

Intense. The images just keep on coming. Gary Paulsen is a master at painting the scene for his readers and he outdoes himself in "Northwind". On the surface, the plot sounds simple. A boy left alone in the wilderness through no fault of his own and forced to rely on his own wits and ability to learn from events and his own mistakes. 

Hey, I think I've heard that story before! Yes, the wilderness and self-reliance are a common theme in many Paulsen books but this time he's taken us to sea, to sea in a small canoe. Paulsen, an avid sailor, combines his wilderness lore and knowledge of the sea to create a memorable picture of a boy becoming a man against the backdrop of the sea, a sea that includes swirling tides, dolphins, whales, and icebergs. 

While the focus remains on the journey and growth, "Northwind" is full of Nordic mythology with references to life, death, and learning and moving forward, always forward. In Nordic mythology a ship often symbolizes life, livelihood and ones journey through life and the afterlife, according to a source I read. Leif's ship is a cedar canoe, perhaps?

I live in Alaska and have observed whales from a small boat, one that appeared relatively large at the dock but suddenly seemed dwarfed when surrounded by leaping, playing whales. I remember the awe of thinking I could almost reach out and touch a mother whale that came up alongside where I stood, then dived and swam directly under our boat. I've actually witnessed the bubble feeding process that nearly sucks Leif to his death.Thus, I could experience some of the awe and unease Leif, the main character, must have felt when encountering these massive, majestic creatures. Bears are common, too, in Alaska, often in our own yards, so I shuddered when Leif came practically face to face with one. His story of a young eagle learning to carry its prey rings true and I've seen it with my own eyes. Ravens? Everywhere and I chuckled at the descriptions of their calls.

It should come as no surprise to any but new readers that Gary Paulsen once lived in Alaska. He knows the north. Blending that knowledge with Nordic mythology, he makes the experiences, both the wondrous and frightening ones, real. Like Leif, I have to wonder if Paulsen is also always looking north, even when at the helm of a sailboat, as he keeps on learning and sharing the oneness of nature with us. He has another winner in "Northwind".

Added: Sadly, received word that Gary Paulsen has passed away. He was 82 according to the press release. He has reached Valhalla, leaving us with his words, wonderful words, and shall be missed by friends, of which I was one, and readers, of which I was also one, alike. The photo below is my own, taken during his brief attempt to run the Iditarod once again.

 

Thank you to #NetGalley and #MacmillanChildrensPublishingGroup for the ARC.