Iditareads: Books with Danger, Determination, and Doggos

Published on March 11, 2025

By Allie

’Tis the season of the Iditarod: dozens of mushers, hundreds of sled dogs, and one thousand miles of snow-covered tundra, mountains, and forest.

Though the race officially formed in 1973, the trail itself carries an expansive history from Alaska’s First Peoples to the arrival of new settlers, trades, and technology. 

But today, we’re talking about the dogs.

When most people think of sled dogs, they think of the mega-floofs: breeds like Siberian Huskies and Malamutes. But there are more. Also common are Samoyeds, Chinoooks, and a mixed breed known as Alaskan Huskies.

Regardless of their floofiness level, each of these breeds is well-suited for pulling a sled in plunging temperatures—and looking cute while doing so.

Dogsledding is believed to have been around for thousands of years—and it’s still around today. Besides Alaska, the practice can also be found in regions of Canada, Russia, Greenland, and the contiguous United States.

If you can’t make it up north to experience dogsledding firsthand, you can always try the next best thing: dogsledding books.

Dogs on the Trail by Blair Braverman

Whether you want to learn more about dogsledding or you just love adorable dogs, this is the book for you. Author and musher Blair Braverman takes her readers on a photographic journey through a year in the life of her dogsled team. With fun facts, inspiring stories, and dogs galore, this book is guaranteed to make your day. 

If you like Braverman’s writing, check out her memoir about her adventures and perils in some of the harshest terrains on earth.

This Much Country by Kristin Knight Pace

Kristin Knight Pace is one of the few women to have completed both the Iditarod and the Yukon Quest. After a devastating divorce, Kristin’s life changed forever—even more so when she moved to an Alaskan cabin, earning her keep by taking care of sled dogs. With every fear she faces, she learns what it takes to survive in unpredictable landscapes and life chapters.

Winterdance: The Fine Madness of Running the Iditarod by Gary Paulsen

Known for hundreds of wilderness novels like Hatchet, author Gary Paulsen stepped into his own adventure when he ran the Iditarod in 1983. Over 17 days, he and his canine team confronted a myriad of dangers: snowstorms, frostbite, moose attacks, sleeplessness, and hallucinations. Readers praise Paulsen’s account of his journey for its hilarity, suspense, and inspiration for adventurers.

If you make it this far on the trail, here are even more Iditareads to enjoy.