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North of Ordinary: How One Woman Left It All Behind for Wilderness and Wonder in Alaska's Frozen Frontier
Not yet published
Expected 10 Mar 26When 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
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 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.
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.
September 1, 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.
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
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.
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⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Read
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 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
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.
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews