Where to Start with Blair Braverman
Blair Braverman has carved out a unique space in modern literature, bridging the worlds of extreme outdoor adventure, deep introspection, and engaging fiction. Because her bibliography is select but diverse, deciding where to start depends entirely on what kind of reading experience you are looking for. Here are the three primary paths you can take to enter her frozen, beautiful, and sometimes harrowing world.
Path 1: The Non-Fiction and Mushing Enthusiast
If you are drawn to the real-life grit of dogsledding, survival in extreme environments, and personal growth, you should begin with her debut memoir, Welcome to the Goddamn Ice Cube (2016). It is a beautifully written, raw, and sometimes painful account of her journey to find her footing as a dogsledder in Norway and Alaska. For a much lighter, family-friendly, and visual companion, follow it with Dogs on the Trail (2021), a stunning photo-book co-authored with her husband, Quince Mountain, detailing a year in the life of their sled dog team.
Path 2: The Fiction and Suspense Lover
If you prefer fast-paced psychological suspense and survival thrillers, your best starting point is her debut novel, Small Game (2022). Set in the dense northern wilds, it follows a group of strangers on a reality television show who find themselves abandoned when the crew goes missing. It is a brilliant study of human nature under pressure, heavily informed by Braverman's own experiences in extreme environments and reality television.
Path 3: The Young Reader and Picture Book route
For parents, teachers, or younger readers, the ideal starting point is The Day Leap Soared (2025). This picture book, beautifully illustrated by Olivia When, introduces children to the concepts of individuality, teamwork, and finding one's place within a group, all based on Braverman's actual team of sled dogs.
Blair Braverman Books in Publication Order
Because Braverman's books are standalone works rather than parts of a chronological series, publication order is a natural and rewarding way to read her catalog. Reading them in this order lets you see how her early memoirs and mushing logs laid the narrative foundation for her later fiction and children's writing.
- Welcome to the Goddamn Ice Cube: Chasing Fear and Finding Home in the Great White North (2016) — Memoir / Non-Fiction
- Dogs on the Trail: A Year in the Life of a Sled Dog Team (2021) — Illustrated Non-Fiction (Co-authored with Quince Mountain)
- Small Game (2022) — Standalone Novel / Fiction
- The Day Leap Soared (2025) — Children's Picture Book
Deep Dive into Blair Braverman's Works
Welcome to the Goddamn Ice Cube (2016)
This landmark memoir is far from a standard outdoor adventure story. It is a coming-of-age memoir that chronicles Braverman’s journey from a self-described anxious girl in California to a tough, resilient woman operating dogsleds in the extreme cold of Norway and the glaciers of Alaska. The book doesn't shy away from the dark side of these male-dominated spaces, dealing honestly with sexism, isolation, and emotional vulnerability. It reads like a feminist response to classical survival literature, focusing as much on internal resilience as external survival.
Dogs on the Trail (2021)
Co-authored with her husband, Quince Mountain, this book serves as an intimate window into their life in Wisconsin with their working sled dog team. Known to their large social media following as the 'ugly dogs' (a term of pure endearment), the dogs are the true stars of this volume. Filled with stunning photography, the book documents the seasons, the personalities of individual dogs, and the immense trust required between a musher and their team. It functions as a perfect companion piece to Braverman's online accounts of training and racing.
Small Game (2022)
Drawing on her actual experience as a contestant on the survival reality TV show Naked and Afraid, Braverman's first novel is a gripping thriller. The protagonist, Mara, is a survival instructor who joins a reality show called Civilization alongside a quirky cast of characters. When the production crew inexplicably disappears and the environment grows increasingly hostile, the contestants must figure out how to survive without the safety net of a television crew. The novel stands out for its realistic portrayal of survival tasks—reminding readers that survival isn't just about fighting off wild animals, but dealing with bugs, hunger, boredom, and interpersonal friction.
The Day Leap Soared (2025)
Written by Braverman and illustrated by Olivia When, this heartwarming children's book centers on a real-life dog from Braverman’s sled team named Leap. Leap is a single puppy who grows up surrounded by adult dogs, wondering what her special strength will be as she watches her teammates excel in speed, bravery, and intelligence. When the team gets stranded by breaking ice, Leap discovers her unique ability and helps save the day. The book contains a special author's note at the end with real photos of Leap and the rest of the sled team.
What to Know Before You Start
Before diving into Blair Braverman’s books, there are a few contextual details that can enhance your appreciation of her writing style and themes:
- Real Mushing Expertise: Braverman is a professional dogsled racer who completed the grueling 1,000-mile Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race in 2019, finishing 36th. Her deep understanding of cold climates and canine behavior infuses every page of her work with unmatched realism.
- Collaborations and Community: Braverman frequently works with her husband, Quince Mountain. Together, they founded the independent bookstore Honest Dog Books in Bayfield, Wisconsin, named after the mushing concept of 'honest dogs'—dogs that work hard, pull their weight, and never give up.
- Tone and Advice: For years, Braverman wrote the popular 'Tough Love' column for Outside magazine, offering empathetic, clear-eyed advice to readers navigating relationships, grief, and outdoor adventures. This same friendly, direct, and human tone translates directly into her memoirs and fiction, making even her most intense survival stories feel deeply accessible.