Wanted: Books From North of the 60th Parallel

Travel Blog  •  Eva Holland  •  04.29.09 | 3:07 PM ET

Photo by Noel Zia Lee via Flickr (Creative Commons)

Growing up, I was fascinated by the idea of the Arctic. I can remember trying out some of the strange place names of the North—Whitehorse and Yellowknife, Great Slave Lake, Tuktoyaktuk—and reading Jack London or reciting The Cremation of Sam McGee in school.

Now, finally, I’m headed “north of 60” (that is, beyond the 60th parallel that divides Canada’s provinces from our northern territories) to spend part of the summer in the Yukon, and it occurs to me: I know almost nothing about the North in the present day.

I’ve read some of the old classics, early tales of the frontier days and the Klondike gold rush and the odd, more modern book, too—I shared a few of my favorites in this post a while back. But whether through my own history-geek tendencies or an overwhelming publishing emphasis on the North’s early days, I realize that I’ve never read anything that deals purely (or even primarily) with the contemporary North.

So how about it? Anyone have a killer book recommendation for me, fiction or non, dealing with any aspect of life in Alaska or the Canadian North in the past couple of decades?

What’s your favorite Northern read?

Tags: History Travel, Literature, North America, Canada, United States, Alaska, Literary Travel

Eva Holland is co-editor of World Hum. She is a former associate editor at Up Here and Up Here Business magazines, and a contributor to Vela. She's based in Canada's Yukon territory.


4 Comments for Wanted: Books From North of the 60th Parallel

Grizzly Bear Mom 04.30.09 | 11:36 AM ET

I’m presently reading “In a Far County-the true story of a mssion, a marraige, a murder and the remarkable reindeer rescue of 1898,” where Tom Lopp, a “heathenized Christian” missionary and some native Alaskans attempt to save 200 whales stranded at the top of Alaska when the get snowed in.  It is fabulous.

Mara Feeney 05.05.09 | 10:24 AM ET

I lived and worked in the Canadian Arctic for some years after getting my Anthropology degree. Best time of my life. I recently wrote a novel that is getting good reviews—“Rankin INlet.” I think this book is just what you are looking for. It opens in 1970 and ends in 1999, with the founding of the new Nunavut Territory. But along the way it describes the remarkable social, economic, cultural, and political changes that the Inuit people adapted to over the course of the twentieth century. It is a fictionalized account (part love story, part family saga) but it is based on lots of accurate facts, as well, so hopefully it is both entertaining and educational. Good luck!  I hope you read the book. I’d love to know what you think of it.
It is available through Amazon, but you can get a signed copy through the publisher’s website (above).

Cheers!  Mara

kerry dexter 05.27.09 | 11:04 AM ET

Dana Stabenow has written two series of mysteries set in Alaska which are fairly atmospheric small town stuff. Sue Henry haStates-Japan cassasatts also written mysteries set in Aalaksa, including one about the Iditarod.

looking forward to stories from your trip.

Amy Cockerham 06.09.09 | 3:29 PM ET

From the Alaska side of the border, three classics are “Coming Into the Country,” by John McPhee, “Going to Extremes,” by Joe McGinnis and “Alaska” by James Michener. When you’re reading these northern narratives, however, you’re wise to avoid the parachute-in journalist account. (My examples aside.) Another great book is “Good Time Girls” by Lael Morgan, which tells the story of the Gold Rush through the eyes of the working girls of the north - fascinating.

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