The West Fargo Public Library in partnership with the Fargo and Moorhead public libraries, Concordia College’s Carl B. Ylvisaker Library, Minnesota State University Moorhead’s Livingston Lord Library, North Dakota State University Libraries and the Historical and Cultural Society of Clay County, have selected Natalie Warren’s book “Hudson Bay Bound: Two Women, One Dog, Two Thousand Miles to the Arctic” as the 2023 One Book, One Community selection.

       

The book tells the remarkable 85-day journey of the first women to canoe the 2,000-mile route from Minneapolis to Hudson Bay. Following the route made famous by Eric Sevareid in his 1935 classic “Canoeing with the Cree,” Natalie Warren and Ann Raiho faced unexpected trials, some harrowing and some simply odd. Along the way, the two friends encounter occasional pitfalls that test character and friendship. Warren’s account retraces the women’s journey from inspiration to Arctic waters, giving readers an insider view from the practicalities of planning a three-month canoe expedition to the successful accomplishment of the adventure of a lifetime. The book follows these modern women (and their dog) as they recreate this historic trip, including the pleasures and perils, the sexism, the social and environmental implications and the enduring wonder of the wilderness.

 

A Minnesota author, scholar and public speaker on environmental issues, Warren canoed the length of the Mississippi River and won first place in the Yukon River Quest in the women’s voyageur division, paddling 450 miles in 53 hours. A contributing writer to outdoor publications, she has worked with Bancroft Arnesen Explore, St. Croix River Association and River Management Society, and started a nonprofit to present urban rivers as natural, dynamic classrooms for youth.

 

This year’s One Book, One Community reading project launches in August and features a variety of events including book discussions, presentations, films and other programs. The event series includes an author visit on Oct. 19 at the Knutson Campus Center Centrum at Concordia College. Further details about the author visit will be announced at a later date.

       

Copies of the book will be available for checkout in several formats at each of the participating libraries. For a list of related events and resources, visit www.1book1community.org after July 15.

In its 12th year, the One Book, One Community reading project centers on the community-wide reading of a single book and is dedicated to creating a shared conversation along with a range of related events and activities for residents of all ages.

       

All One Book, One Community events are free and open to the public. This project is made possible in part with funding from the Minnesota Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund and supported by Concordia Cultural Events, Friends of the Fargo Public Library, Friends of the West Fargo Public Library and the Friends of the Moorhead Library.