Grand Marais, MN, September 9, 2025— The story of Helen Hoover—the Chicago scientist turned beloved Minnesota nature writer—comes to life at Grand Marais Public Library on Wednesday, September 24 at 6 PM, when author David Hakensen shares his new biography with the community. This event is free to the public and made possible through a partnership with Drury Lane Books, who will have copies of Her Place in the Woods available for purchase in-store, online, and at the library during the event.
From her beginnings as a metallurgical researcher in Chicago to her rustic years in a cabin on Gunflint Lake, Hoover built an extraordinary life as a writer who defied convention. Self-taught and without an academic degree, she earned a patent for her work at International Harvester before leaving city life behind. Together with her husband, Adrian, Hoover embarked on the uncharted adventure of living off the grid in northern Minnesota.
Hoover’s vivid essays and bestselling books—including The Gift of the Deer and A Place in the Woods—captivated millions of readers and earned her a place alongside nature writers such as Sigurd Olson, Rachel Carson, Sally Carrighar, and Calvin Rutstrum. In his new biography, Her Place in the Woods, Hakensen brings Helen Hoover’s remarkable journey to life, highlighting her resilience, fiery personality, and lasting contributions to American nature writing.
Join us for this opportunity to learn more about the life of a writer who made the North Woods her home—and gave generations of readers a new way to see the natural world.
For more information about upcoming events and job opportunities at the Grand Marais Public Library, visit grandmaraislibrary.org or call 218- 387-1140. To connect with Drury Lane Books, call 218-387-3370, or visit online at drurylanebooks.com.
