If stories rooted in wild places and tales about the resilience of the human spirit speak to your soul, we have exciting news! We’re launching the Nat Hab Book Club, a brand-new webinar series that celebrates books inspired by nature—and the powerful ways wilderness shapes our lives.
We’re thrilled to announce our inaugural event: a conversation with bestselling author Kristin Hannah, whose acclaimed 2017 novel, The Great Alone, transports readers to the rugged frontier of 1970s Alaska.
Kristin Hannah joined us to talk all things Alaska and literature, along with longtime Nat Hab Alaska Bear Camp manager Caprice Stoner and webinar host Brooke Mitchell. Watch the recording of their conversation below—no need to have read the book (though you might be inspired to afterward)!
A New Way to Connect Stories & the Wild
With the new Nat Hab Book Club, we’re inviting you into the heart of the wild through stories that explore our connection to nature and the wonder of the world around us. Each session will bring authors, adventurers and Nat Hab travelers together to explore narratives that reflect the beauty, complexity and fragility of our natural world.
There’s no better way to launch this new series than with a story that is deeply intertwined with one of the wildest places we explore: Alaska.
A brown bear walks past Nat Hab’s Alaska Bear Camp © Brad Josephs
Explore the Real Alaska Behind The Great Alone
The Great Alone tells the story of the Allbright family, who move to Alaska in search of a fresh start, only to confront the harsh realities of surviving in the unforgiving wilderness. Set against a backdrop of soaring mountains, glacial rivers and endless solitude, the novel is a gripping tale of love, endurance and the indomitable human spirit.
But what makes this story even more remarkable is that it’s inspired in part by a real place: the area in and around our Alaska Bear Camp, located on the edge of Chinitna Bay in Lake Clark National Park. Accessible only by bush plane or boat, Bear Camp is one of the world’s premier brown bear-viewing destinations—and it once belonged to Kristin’s family.
In this special event, Kristin shared personal stories about her family’s time in Alaska and how these wild experiences shaped the themes and characters in The Great Alone. She also reflected on the power of place in her writing, how nature offers both beauty and challenge, and why she keeps returning to the wilderness for inspiration.
Coming Home to Nat Hab’s Alaska Bear Camp
Alaska Bear Camp has long been a treasured place for those who seek raw beauty and intimate wildlife encounters. In 2022, Natural Habitat Adventures acquired Bear Camp from Kristin’s family, continuing its legacy of immersive, conservation-focused travel.
No one knows the soul of this special place better than Caprice Stoner, who has managed Bear Camp since 2006. During the webinar, Caprice shared behind-the-scenes insights and stories of daily life among the bears and described what it’s like to care for a camp in one of the most remote regions of North America.
Watch the Recording of Our Live Book Club with Kristin Hannah
The Nat Hab Book Club is for everyone—avid readers, nature lovers, travelers and dreamers alike. You don’t need to have read The Great Alone to enjoy this event (though we highly recommend it!). Whether you’re a longtime fan of Kristin Hannah’s work (The Nightingale, The Women, Firefly Lane) or you’re just discovering her for the first time, this webinar promises a heartfelt and inspiring conversation.
Come away with a deeper appreciation for the natural world, insight into the writing process, and maybe even a few behind-the-scenes secrets from the wilds of Alaska!
Watch the recording here.
More Nat Hab Book Club Webinars to Come!
Whether you’re drawn to the raw beauty of the wild, captivated by powerful storytelling, or simply looking for new ways to connect with nature and fellow adventurers, we can’t wait to welcome you to more installments of the Nat Hab Book Club!
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Let the adventure begin—one book at a time.
