North of Ordinary

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.

Love it

Such a pleasant and beautiful place and book wow I loved it from beginning to end.

Perseverance

This was a good, very honest memoir. Sue’s strength and insistence on living her life on her own terms was inspiring.

Amazing.

This is a beautiful and riveting story of a life well lived. I love the emotion that comes through as Sue tells her tale.

Sue is the strongest person I’ve never met!

Wow! I honestly don’t know how Sue got through all of things she had to endure - other than she had to. What else could she do other than to keep living?! I have always been a huge fan of Life Below Zero so I was excited to see this book come out.
Sue - if you’re out there reading this, Thank you. Thank you for sharing your thoughts, experiences, and your words.
Your take on life is inspiring.

Perseverance

I loved hearing Sue's story. I remember watching Life Below Zero but didnt realize she was the same person. Sue is a true wonder.