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North of Ordinary: How One Woman Left It All Behind for Wilderness and Wonder in Alaska's Frozen Frontier
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Expected 10 Mar 26Win a free print copy of this book!
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10 copies available
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When the wild strips everything away, what's left is who you are.
In the raw, untamed wilds of Alaska—where the wind howls, predators hunt, and the sun disappears for months—only a rare few figure out how to survive. Sue Aikens, the breakout star of National Geographic's long-running TV show Life Below Zero, is one of them. At her remote outpost 200 miles north of the Arctic Circle, she weathers more than just brutal winters and hungry bears. Sue battles isolation, injury, and the ghosts of a turbulent past, forging a life in a place most people wouldn't last a day.
Left to fend for herself as a child, Sue's fight to survive began long before she ever set foot in Alaska. In North of Ordinary, she tells the unforgettable story of abandonment, grit, and fierce independence—from navigating deadly storms and surviving a horrific bear attack to learning how to build a life, a home, and a sense of self where most would see only desolation. With her trademark wit, fearless honesty, and an indomitable spirit, Sue proves that the toughest terrain isn't always on the map. It's the one we conquer inside.
Unflinching and inspiring, North of Ordinary is a memoir of resilience, reinvention, and the extraordinary power of choosing your own way through the world.
In the raw, untamed wilds of Alaska—where the wind howls, predators hunt, and the sun disappears for months—only a rare few figure out how to survive. Sue Aikens, the breakout star of National Geographic's long-running TV show Life Below Zero, is one of them. At her remote outpost 200 miles north of the Arctic Circle, she weathers more than just brutal winters and hungry bears. Sue battles isolation, injury, and the ghosts of a turbulent past, forging a life in a place most people wouldn't last a day.
Left to fend for herself as a child, Sue's fight to survive began long before she ever set foot in Alaska. In North of Ordinary, she tells the unforgettable story of abandonment, grit, and fierce independence—from navigating deadly storms and surviving a horrific bear attack to learning how to build a life, a home, and a sense of self where most would see only desolation. With her trademark wit, fearless honesty, and an indomitable spirit, Sue proves that the toughest terrain isn't always on the map. It's the one we conquer inside.
Unflinching and inspiring, North of Ordinary is a memoir of resilience, reinvention, and the extraordinary power of choosing your own way through the world.
304 pages, Hardcover
Expected publication March 10, 2026
6 people are currently reading
3470 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews
October 31, 2025
“It’s all too easy to get mired in the tragedy of life. But if we only focus on what’s wrong, we’ll never see what’s right.”
This was such a compelling memoir!
I chose it because it was set in Alaska. I didn’t know who Sue Aikens was, nor had I ever heard of the National Geographic series ‘Life Below Zero’.
My heart went out to childhood Sue as she faced a horrific family situation and events. I read on with tears falling, hoping that she found her way out and found a place where she was accepted. I read in awe of the choices and sacrifices she made to be her authentic self and realized that my bad day is nothing compared to what this amazing lady has faced.
Sue’s resilience and endurance echo through the book, and her love of the Alaskan wilderness is forefront.
Three things:
I’m searching for heart-shaped rocks.
I can endure more and for longer than I think I can.
I will not miss an opportunity to tell my tribe what they mean to me.
If you have ever wondered what makes people choose to live in extreme places or what it’s like facing down a bear or living in isolation, this is one you won’t want to miss. If reading about self-reliance and resilience inspires you, this one is a must-read.
I’m off to discover the ‘Life Below Zero’ series now!
I was gifted this copy and was under no obligation to provide a review.
This was such a compelling memoir!
I chose it because it was set in Alaska. I didn’t know who Sue Aikens was, nor had I ever heard of the National Geographic series ‘Life Below Zero’.
My heart went out to childhood Sue as she faced a horrific family situation and events. I read on with tears falling, hoping that she found her way out and found a place where she was accepted. I read in awe of the choices and sacrifices she made to be her authentic self and realized that my bad day is nothing compared to what this amazing lady has faced.
Sue’s resilience and endurance echo through the book, and her love of the Alaskan wilderness is forefront.
Three things:
I’m searching for heart-shaped rocks.
I can endure more and for longer than I think I can.
I will not miss an opportunity to tell my tribe what they mean to me.
If you have ever wondered what makes people choose to live in extreme places or what it’s like facing down a bear or living in isolation, this is one you won’t want to miss. If reading about self-reliance and resilience inspires you, this one is a must-read.
I’m off to discover the ‘Life Below Zero’ series now!
I was gifted this copy and was under no obligation to provide a review.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Beautiful. Absolutely beautiful. I've never felt more touched by a memoir than this! I cried (yes, really)--Aikens's writing and storytelling was profound, I found myself moved to tears. What Aikens has experienced also brought me to tears, and shocked me. Aikens is badass, and this memoir will be held dear for me. It has changed my life.
January 27, 2026
Wow what an incredible life. I’ve never watched Life Below Zero, but I did watch The Last Alaskans and I read about Heimo so I was curious to learn about Sue. Her life was incredible, she underwent so much from an early age and it’s amazing to see how resilient she is. Reading about everything was excruciating and this was a fascinating story. I definitely want to watch Life Below Zero now.
February 9, 2026
Many thanks to Sourcebooks for the chance to read this book early!
Such a great example of the resilience of the human spirit and what can be accomplished when a person chooses not to be a victim of their circumstances. I had never before tuned into Life Below Zero, but I love reading or watching stories of people who live a transcendental existence. When I found this book advertised in an email, I knew I had to read it!
Sue’s story read like fiction in some areas because it was so gripping. I couldn’t wait to find out more and I honestly could have read a book about her life twice as long. With so many years covered in Sue’s story, many events were quickly glossed over in favor of the more interesting or traumatic events. Nonetheless, I didn’t want to put the book down, and it was all I could think about until I could read more. Sue is like the modern, female Hugh Glass!
I highly recommend reading this book if you’re a fan of people who live unconventional lives against all odds.
Such a great example of the resilience of the human spirit and what can be accomplished when a person chooses not to be a victim of their circumstances. I had never before tuned into Life Below Zero, but I love reading or watching stories of people who live a transcendental existence. When I found this book advertised in an email, I knew I had to read it!
Sue’s story read like fiction in some areas because it was so gripping. I couldn’t wait to find out more and I honestly could have read a book about her life twice as long. With so many years covered in Sue’s story, many events were quickly glossed over in favor of the more interesting or traumatic events. Nonetheless, I didn’t want to put the book down, and it was all I could think about until I could read more. Sue is like the modern, female Hugh Glass!
I highly recommend reading this book if you’re a fan of people who live unconventional lives against all odds.
October 29, 2025
Absolutely not your typical memoir — but then again, Sue Aikens is not your typical human.
The narrative covers Sue’s tragic beginnings as a young girl, abused and unloved; to her mentors, loves, and children as her family life evolves; all the way to her eventual settlement on her own and in charge, running a base camp intended to service scientists, hunters, and eco-tourist visitors to the remotest regions of Alaska. Throughout it all, as the author shares her journey and her life philosophy, each feeding the other, this rendering of an utterly compelling life story is absolutely impossible to put down.
A fascinating character, Sue (the real Sue, whom we will come to know intimately between these pages), is a force to be reckoned with, combining grit, determination and an indomitable sort of ferocity, with a heart and soul held primal through her unshakeable connection with nature. Nature that in Sue’s case, includes not only the bone-chilling temperatures and topography of the Arctic tundra, but two angry grizzly bears, and predators including wolverines and the consistently prowling packs of hungry yellow-eyed wolves.
As Sue takes charge and “creates her own reality”, leaving “the world of people and institutions” behind, she becomes an “ active participant in her own existence”, relying on her own skills and actions to ensure not only her livelihood, but her own survival — as she lives essentially stranded in an inhospitable environment for several months of the year.
This terrific book is well worth a read, peppered with so many of Sue’s life choices, about-turns, and golden “opportunities” that it couldn’t help but inspire any reader who has ever found themselves wondering if they are out of options.
A great big thank you to Netgalley, the author and the publisher for an ARC of this book.
Note: there were some sections, easily recognizable, mainly dealing with hunting and or animal injury or trapping, which this reader skipped. This did not appear to detract from the author’s overall story.
The narrative covers Sue’s tragic beginnings as a young girl, abused and unloved; to her mentors, loves, and children as her family life evolves; all the way to her eventual settlement on her own and in charge, running a base camp intended to service scientists, hunters, and eco-tourist visitors to the remotest regions of Alaska. Throughout it all, as the author shares her journey and her life philosophy, each feeding the other, this rendering of an utterly compelling life story is absolutely impossible to put down.
A fascinating character, Sue (the real Sue, whom we will come to know intimately between these pages), is a force to be reckoned with, combining grit, determination and an indomitable sort of ferocity, with a heart and soul held primal through her unshakeable connection with nature. Nature that in Sue’s case, includes not only the bone-chilling temperatures and topography of the Arctic tundra, but two angry grizzly bears, and predators including wolverines and the consistently prowling packs of hungry yellow-eyed wolves.
As Sue takes charge and “creates her own reality”, leaving “the world of people and institutions” behind, she becomes an “ active participant in her own existence”, relying on her own skills and actions to ensure not only her livelihood, but her own survival — as she lives essentially stranded in an inhospitable environment for several months of the year.
This terrific book is well worth a read, peppered with so many of Sue’s life choices, about-turns, and golden “opportunities” that it couldn’t help but inspire any reader who has ever found themselves wondering if they are out of options.
A great big thank you to Netgalley, the author and the publisher for an ARC of this book.
Note: there were some sections, easily recognizable, mainly dealing with hunting and or animal injury or trapping, which this reader skipped. This did not appear to detract from the author’s overall story.
December 29, 2025
North of Ordinary by Sue Aikens was a fascinating read. The only other book I’ve read about Alaska is Into the Wild by Jon Krakauer, which tells the story of Christopher McCandless, a young man who ventured into the Alaskan wilderness in search of simplicity and meaning, only to tragically die there. This book, by contrast, surprised me. At first, I wasn’t sure, but before long I was completely drawn in.
Sue Aikens had a very tough upbringing, abandoned by her mother in the cruellest way at just 13, and that early hardship shines through in the strength of her character and resilience. Her story is filled with fabulous descriptions of the vast Alaskan wilderness, and I loved how she conveyed feeling so small and insignificant at times against the enormity of that landscape.
This isn’t a sugar-coated account of life in Alaska. It’s brutally honest: there are huge challenges, betrayals, back-breaking physical work, emergencies, lack of resources, and even a bear attack to survive. Yet through it all, Sue rises above, refusing to give up. She is incredibly resourceful, level-headed, and determined, and I found her journey both inspiring and empowering.
The book is well-structured and easy to read, and I flew through it quite quickly. I especially enjoyed learning about the different jobs she did to make a living, her relationship with nature and animals, and the risks and rewards of living in such extreme solitude. What also struck me was her contentment in a life away from the usual demands of society, marriage, and conventions.
I’m giving this book 4 stars, as there were moments where my interest dipped towards the end of the book, but overall I really enjoyed it. An inspiring memoir of survival, solitude, and strength in the unforgiving yet beautiful Alaskan wilderness. I received an advanced review copy from the publisher and NetGalley and this is my honest review.
Sue Aikens had a very tough upbringing, abandoned by her mother in the cruellest way at just 13, and that early hardship shines through in the strength of her character and resilience. Her story is filled with fabulous descriptions of the vast Alaskan wilderness, and I loved how she conveyed feeling so small and insignificant at times against the enormity of that landscape.
This isn’t a sugar-coated account of life in Alaska. It’s brutally honest: there are huge challenges, betrayals, back-breaking physical work, emergencies, lack of resources, and even a bear attack to survive. Yet through it all, Sue rises above, refusing to give up. She is incredibly resourceful, level-headed, and determined, and I found her journey both inspiring and empowering.
The book is well-structured and easy to read, and I flew through it quite quickly. I especially enjoyed learning about the different jobs she did to make a living, her relationship with nature and animals, and the risks and rewards of living in such extreme solitude. What also struck me was her contentment in a life away from the usual demands of society, marriage, and conventions.
I’m giving this book 4 stars, as there were moments where my interest dipped towards the end of the book, but overall I really enjoyed it. An inspiring memoir of survival, solitude, and strength in the unforgiving yet beautiful Alaskan wilderness. I received an advanced review copy from the publisher and NetGalley and this is my honest review.
November 17, 2025
I received this book from NetGalley as an ARC. The Arctic seems like a desolate place, but Sue brings it to life with her love and highlights its beauty. A fast-paced book that will pull you in and that you won't want to put down. I have been watching Sue on the TV show Life Below Zero for years. She was always a favorite, and I was excited to learn more about her backstory. This book would appeal to anyone who feels lost, enjoys the outdoors, is a fan of Life Below Zero, someone's life journey, and wants to learn more about Alaska. This book is one of my favorite books of 2025. Thank you, NetGalley. Below are some of my favorite parts from the book.
They remind me- as they've done every day since- that as dark as the world may seem at times, life persists with grace and tenacity, shaped by land and light.
Nature, like always, was my respite from a world of people and institutions I had a hard time navigating.
Eventually, I thought, nature will always take back what is hers.
I'd lived my life largely feeling like an outsider, but in that singular moment in time and space, I was exactly where I was meant to be: not separate from the wilderness, but within the wilderness and of the wilderness.
At night I watched the northern lights dance overhead in silent waves of green and purple, but everything else around had slowed, like the beat of a bear's heart in its winter den, to almost a complete stop.
Every bird that flew by, every patter of a fox's paw on the snow, every wisp of wind that carried the scent of the tundra across my face reminded me of the precious, delicate balance of life in the sacred place.
And when the moment comes, I'll leave like the wolves do: not looking back, just moving forward, slowly and deliberately, into the unknown.
They remind me- as they've done every day since- that as dark as the world may seem at times, life persists with grace and tenacity, shaped by land and light.
Nature, like always, was my respite from a world of people and institutions I had a hard time navigating.
Eventually, I thought, nature will always take back what is hers.
I'd lived my life largely feeling like an outsider, but in that singular moment in time and space, I was exactly where I was meant to be: not separate from the wilderness, but within the wilderness and of the wilderness.
At night I watched the northern lights dance overhead in silent waves of green and purple, but everything else around had slowed, like the beat of a bear's heart in its winter den, to almost a complete stop.
Every bird that flew by, every patter of a fox's paw on the snow, every wisp of wind that carried the scent of the tundra across my face reminded me of the precious, delicate balance of life in the sacred place.
And when the moment comes, I'll leave like the wolves do: not looking back, just moving forward, slowly and deliberately, into the unknown.
September 14, 2025
Thank you for Netgalley and the publisher for a chance to read North of Ordinary before release. Sue Aikens' story is amazing and at times unbelievable. She has incredible resilience which is showcased so well in this book. She is faced with challenge after challenge in her life from an incredibly young age (abandonment, surving a bear attack, death of loved ones, etc.) and somehow manages through and keeps going back to the coldest, most remote part of Alaska. I was floored that her experience was real life and that she made it through it all. This was a pretty easy and smooth read and I would recommend it to anyone interested in learning more about living in Alaska, experiencing a story of perseverance and knowing yourself and your calling above all else.
January 15, 2026
4.5 stars. The book’s portrait of Alaska is what stayed with me most deeply. Every chapter felt like stepping into a landscape that is both breathtaking and unforgiving, and the author captures that duality with a kind of honesty that’s rare.
What I enjoyed most was the way daily life is woven into the wilderness rather than set apart from it. The routines, challenges, and small triumphs of living in Alaska aren’t romanticized—they’re grounded, textured, and full of quiet resilience.
The choices Sue has made are certainly not for everyone but it evident she’s found peace & purpose in her life through those choices. What a strong woman she is.
Highly recommended for anyone who likes memoirs, travel or nature.
Thank you to NetGalley and Sourcebooks for the advanced copy.
November 13, 2025
Special thanks to NetGalley for the advanced reader copy.
I’ve watched Life Below Zero for years, and Sue Aikens has always been my favorite with her wit, humor, and no-nonsense attitude. I’ve long admired her strength and independence, so when I saw she had a biography, I couldn’t wait to read it.
North of Ordinary offers a fascinating look at Sue’s life, how she became who she is and what life at Kavik is really like. It’s honest, funny, and inspiring. I highly recommend it, especially for fellow fans of Life Below Zero!
I’ve watched Life Below Zero for years, and Sue Aikens has always been my favorite with her wit, humor, and no-nonsense attitude. I’ve long admired her strength and independence, so when I saw she had a biography, I couldn’t wait to read it.
North of Ordinary offers a fascinating look at Sue’s life, how she became who she is and what life at Kavik is really like. It’s honest, funny, and inspiring. I highly recommend it, especially for fellow fans of Life Below Zero!
August 15, 2025
North of Ordinary by Sue Aiken
This is definitely not my normal type of read but I was enraptured by the title! I absolutely love reading about others adventures so this one was a super cool read! This story details a story of bear attacks, horrible weather, and more! But that’s not all that is needed to be faced out there..a battle with loneliness, past memories, and so much more are also things one must learn to live with!
4⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
This is definitely not my normal type of read but I was enraptured by the title! I absolutely love reading about others adventures so this one was a super cool read! This story details a story of bear attacks, horrible weather, and more! But that’s not all that is needed to be faced out there..a battle with loneliness, past memories, and so much more are also things one must learn to live with!
4⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
August 23, 2025
An excellent story of a woman’s early abandonment, falling in love with remote Alaska and managing to make and thrive in a life there, Genuinely moving in places, and an incredible testament to her determination and strength. I’m glad I read it.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
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.
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.
November 21, 2025
I had never heard of Sue Aikens or watched her television appearances before I received this memoir. The idea of an ordinary woman choosing the life she did, with its dangers and hardships intrigued me. I certainly wasn’t disappointed. At several places in this book, I shook my head thinking “no, no, the author’s gone too far this time” and then remembered I was reading a true story. Ms Aikens is quite the survivor. She should be studied by science to find what she has and then how we can all develop it.
I won’t spoil the story but there are several episodes where you hold your breath. There’s one in particular when you have to remind yourself that the writer is still alive and writing the book. It’s that scary.
But the other surprise is how honest and well written the book is. There’s a flow to the narrative and you’re swept along through some horrendous hardships and betrayals into some scary times or surprising choices. I have not a single thing in common with the author but I thoroughly enjoyed this autobiography while flinching on many occasions.
Recommended if you like independent women living incredible lives but honest enough to know their own shortcomings.
I was given a copy of this book by NetGalley
I won’t spoil the story but there are several episodes where you hold your breath. There’s one in particular when you have to remind yourself that the writer is still alive and writing the book. It’s that scary.
But the other surprise is how honest and well written the book is. There’s a flow to the narrative and you’re swept along through some horrendous hardships and betrayals into some scary times or surprising choices. I have not a single thing in common with the author but I thoroughly enjoyed this autobiography while flinching on many occasions.
Recommended if you like independent women living incredible lives but honest enough to know their own shortcomings.
I was given a copy of this book by NetGalley
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
This book delivered what I hoped it would. It gives a larger and more nuanced picture of Sue from Life Below Zero. I haven't watched all the seasons of that show, but I have watched several and always liked Sue. This book will appeal to people interested in unusual memoirs and also nature enthusiasts. This book is a little different than many memoirs, however, in the following way. Sue is a little bit more solitary than a lot of us and always has been. So, while most memoirs have a very large portion describing the people in the author's life and the activities they do together, this one is lighter on that. For example, Sue's first husband is described in about 2.5 paragraphs. Second husband gets a lot more space as do children. But it would be accurate to say that people are not major components of this book. This book is about one person and about wildlife and rugged determinism. Therefore, this book will appeal to folks with a solitary streak and might appeal less to uber-social people of the type who read People magazine and are always wondering who else is in a celebrity's life. Thanks to the publisher for the digital ARC. I enjoyed it.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
I am sure some people who pick up North of Ordinary will do so because they’re already fans of Sue Aiken, who gained some popularity through being featured on the reality show Life Below Zero. I had never heard of Sue, nor Life Below Zero, before reading this book, but I am now solidly a Sue fan.
North of Ordinary is a larger-than-life memoir of Sue’s journey through the Alaskan north. Starting at 12 years old, abandoned by her mother in the Alaskan wilderness, Sue learned how to fend for herself and live off the land.
With a short stint to the lower US, where Sue married and birthed two children, she spent most of her life living in a way that is truly unfathomable to me. From the -100 degree temperatures, months on end of darkness, and wild predators, the life Sue describes feels foreign and unbelievable.
North of Ordinary is gripping reading; a real-life adventure story. Sue is a true heroine. While I don’t understand her choices, Sue’s firm belief in herself and her unflappable ability to weather everything Alaska throws at her, is admirable.
Highly recommended. Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
North of Ordinary is a larger-than-life memoir of Sue’s journey through the Alaskan north. Starting at 12 years old, abandoned by her mother in the Alaskan wilderness, Sue learned how to fend for herself and live off the land.
With a short stint to the lower US, where Sue married and birthed two children, she spent most of her life living in a way that is truly unfathomable to me. From the -100 degree temperatures, months on end of darkness, and wild predators, the life Sue describes feels foreign and unbelievable.
North of Ordinary is gripping reading; a real-life adventure story. Sue is a true heroine. While I don’t understand her choices, Sue’s firm belief in herself and her unflappable ability to weather everything Alaska throws at her, is admirable.
Highly recommended. Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
If you met Susie Aikins in the TV show, Life Below Zero, this is a book you must read. You might feel like you know her story, the stalwart hardy woman who lets nothing in life stop her, who lives alone in the most frigid and lonely part of Alaska's North Slope, who treats every two- and four-legged creature with respect. But you don't. Not until you read North of Ordinary (Sourcebooks 2026). Her rough start in Chicago among a family that cared little, how she used that to grow, found people to teach her to survive and then a place where that could happen. This is the rare book that is as good as the movie--in this case, National Geographic's long-running TV show.
My only frown was that the book includes none of Sue's popular TV witticisms, the home-spun at-your-moral-core advice that made her a breakout favorite of the series. Despite that, I enjoyed every page of this book. I want more, but she wrote to the end. Resoundingly recommended for those who like strong women, survival stories, and happy endings.
My only frown was that the book includes none of Sue's popular TV witticisms, the home-spun at-your-moral-core advice that made her a breakout favorite of the series. Despite that, I enjoyed every page of this book. I want more, but she wrote to the end. Resoundingly recommended for those who like strong women, survival stories, and happy endings.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
ARC | Poor writing quality and very shallow storytelling | I just didn't like this, and it was a struggle to finish it, but I know fans of the show will see it differently. The writing quality is very poor, sentences are repeated word-for-word in multiple places, idiomatic phrases are misused, narrative style shifts constantly, it's messy. And she skates right over all sorts of things, in a way that indicates a desire to present herself in a particular way that those things wouldn't support. She says over and over that psychologists say she has the emotional development of an 8 year old, which is very apparent, and that's just not someone I enjoy reading about. Finally, I know better than anyone that the sort of traumas she describes definitely do happen. Moms abandon kids. Legal dads are cruel to their non-bio kids. Physical and emotional abuse are happening every minute of the day, so I'm not someone who thinks "how could anyone do xyz?!". But something about her narrative voice and careful selection of anecdotes makes her seem unreliable.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
What a wonderful and hair raising ride! I absolutely loved this book from start to finish. From the author's less-than-stellar beginnings that prepared her for the life of adventure that she ultimately led, to her beautifully described life in the wilds of Alaska, it was a non-stop nail biter. Who needs fictionalized thrillers, when true life memoirs like this exist? Through every chapter, I found myself jealous that this roughhewn existence wasn't mine to live, while simultaneously being grateful that I didn't have to suffer through all the trials that she routinely encountered. No spoilers, but the author and assorted grizzlies had a "difference of opinion" on who the alpha was at the camp. You'll have to read the book to find out who came out on top. In a day and age when there are so many pseudo female empowerment tomes dominating the landscape, it was so refreshing to read about a true symbol of female accomplishment, particularly in a terrain often considered "not fit for women". The author is a wonderful example of courage, resilience, triumph over fear, and self-acceptance. She knows she is flawed and has limitations, but she is absolutely determined to work within that framework to make her dreams come true, and to that end, she serves as an inspiring example to women everywhere. ** I received this ARC from NetGalley, but all views are my own.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
Susan Aiken's memoir of her aloneness, both in childhood and as an adult in remote Alaska, is a study of perseverance , stubbornness and the desire to live life on your own terms. At a time when young girls are thinking about dating, friends and their teen years Susan went to Alaska alone. With no money, no family support and no friends to take her in she managed to survive on her own. Later she fell in love and raised a family but longed for the quiet remote world in Alaska.
Taking an offer to help run a very remote camp she left her family and returned to a life that most would find unlivable. Animal attacks, freak storms, extreme isolation and then years of a being the focus of a reality series rounded out this incredible story of a human lone wolf making her den mere miles from the Arctic Circle. An amazing story of survival and trust that will appeal to adventure seekers everywhere. My thanks to the publisher for the advance copy.
Taking an offer to help run a very remote camp she left her family and returned to a life that most would find unlivable. Animal attacks, freak storms, extreme isolation and then years of a being the focus of a reality series rounded out this incredible story of a human lone wolf making her den mere miles from the Arctic Circle. An amazing story of survival and trust that will appeal to adventure seekers everywhere. My thanks to the publisher for the advance copy.
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January 1, 2026North of Ordinary is the story of Sue Aikens, a woman who calls Alaska home. Having grown up to her teens in Chicago, the move to Alaska was a stark change. When her mother abandoned her, the change became worse. But Sue took her life into her own hands and found her way. She grew up and learned the ways and still lives there today, apparently also as a star of National Geographic's Below Zero, a program I've never heard of before.
This vivid memoir is one of survival, written with lots of descriptions of Sue's life before and after her move to Alaska. It shows grit without being whitewashed. It explains her actions, what led to her survival, and more in frank terms. Those liking stories abut survival, Alaska, or nature will enjoy this book.
This review is based on a copy provided by the publisher.
This vivid memoir is one of survival, written with lots of descriptions of Sue's life before and after her move to Alaska. It shows grit without being whitewashed. It explains her actions, what led to her survival, and more in frank terms. Those liking stories abut survival, Alaska, or nature will enjoy this book.
This review is based on a copy provided by the publisher.
February 6, 2026
Sue Aiken’s life in Alaska is one of pure survival energy. Her memoir gripped me from the beginning as she recounted her story of bravery, instinct, and what it really takes to live in a place that doesn’t care if you’re comfortable or not.
Sue’s life up north is raw and unfiltered, filled with the reality of the brutal cold, real danger, and the kind of determination you only get when quitting isn’t an option. Every chapter brought to light the truth of how strong a person has to be just to make it through a single day up there.
I was even brought to tears more than a couple of times. This is Alaska with teeth, and Sue is the kind of woman who stared it down and survived on more than one “grizzly” occasion!
If you love true stories about grit, independence, and wild places that test every part of your being, this one is for you.
Sue’s life up north is raw and unfiltered, filled with the reality of the brutal cold, real danger, and the kind of determination you only get when quitting isn’t an option. Every chapter brought to light the truth of how strong a person has to be just to make it through a single day up there.
I was even brought to tears more than a couple of times. This is Alaska with teeth, and Sue is the kind of woman who stared it down and survived on more than one “grizzly” occasion!
If you love true stories about grit, independence, and wild places that test every part of your being, this one is for you.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
I loved this book! I am a longtime fan of Sue Aikens, having watched her on Life Below Zero for years since it began. She is such a source of inspiration and resilience. Read in her first person voice, the book is an excellent depiction of her life and times. It is well written and an easy read, and not at all bogged down with fame or self pity. It was heartbreaking to read about her upbringing and subsequent experiences in and out of Alaska. She has had an incredible life. Highly recommend this candid, compelling memoir!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
at first I thought this was a work of fiction. how could a mother just deliver her teenage daughter to the wildness of Alaska and then disappear leaving the daughter to figure out how to survive. then the story shifted when she grew to work traps and have a team of dogs. then then to move as far north as any residence has ever been. she is much to be admired for her grit and determination. the only thing she did not have enough grit to somehow countersue that "husband" who stole all her monies, dogs and financial life. would have liked for him to have been eaten by a grizzly.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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February 4, 2026If you have ever seen the show "Life Below Zero" you know Sue Aikens. This memoir looks back at her (messed up family) youth in Chicago, life living essentially off the grit at age 12 in Alaska and how she came to live in Kavik and become a reality tv star. Sue tells all the tales you expect - life with the neighborhood foxes, bear attacks and microburst blizzards. Very much enjoyed this memoir, it is a good read and one can see how Sue became the independent Alaskan that she is.
I received an Advanced Reader Copy via NetGalley.
I received an Advanced Reader Copy via NetGalley.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
What a life! What a story! I guess where there is a will, there is a way and the author had buckets of will, grit, drive and determination to live her life in her own, gutsy, solitary, cold way. I guess I'll have to watch "Life Below Zero" next.
The book is coming out March 10th, 2026. Thanks to the publisher for an advanced copy.
The book is coming out March 10th, 2026. Thanks to the publisher for an advanced copy.
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October 5, 2025I got this book from Edelweiss and wanted to read it because we are going to Alaska next year. It was a good autobiog. and I enjoyed her descriptions of her Alaska. I would never have been able to do all the things she did all by herself.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Educated meets Wild in North of Ordinary. This fascinating story will grab you and not let go. Besides the remarkable tenacity of Sue Aiken, there are beautiful and haunting scenes of one of the last truly wild places on earth. Do.Not. Miss. This. One!!!
Review of advance copy
Wonderful look into the amazing life of Sue Aiken. Reads like an adventure novel and so enjoy that this is SOMEONE’s life and we get to life variously through this author who is gracious to take us along to the wilderness of Alaska
Review of advance copy received from Edelweiss+
It’s hard to review bios as I want to avoid “rating” someone’s life. But - the writing just could have been better. It was still enjoyable
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