Bloom Again Climate Fiction and Among Wolves Nonfiction Books: Nature Writer Marybeth Holleman in Alaska

In this 50-minute podcast, we talk polar bears, wolves, women, climate activists, and Denali wolf advocacy, through the tales of award-winning nature writer Marybeth Holleman whose new book is the eco-climate fiction novel “Bloom Again” a tale of two women in midlife -- estranged childhood friends -- Astrid a paleo-botanist in Raleigh, North Carolina at UNC and Elyse, a painter in Anchorage, Alaska, who both eventually reunite while experiencing major life changes, in their attempts to mitigate the climate crisis and take some risks in their careers, and through them we realize the road to climate solutions relies on a marriage of art and science. Polar bears play a central role in the plot of Bloom Again (Marybeth and I read some book passages on a polar bear, Binky, in the Anchorage zoo).

I really enjoyed reading Bloom Again, as I liked how the narrative pivoted back and forth between Astrid’s dramas in NC and India and then Elyse’s dramas in Alaska and Siberia, but with some connections between the two women and their friends and the shared environmental crisis we all face.

In this show recorded in October 2025, I also talk to Marybeth about an important 2013 nonfiction book of hers called “Among Wolves,” co-authored with the late Denali National Park wolf researcher and staunch wolf advocate Gordon Haber, who tragically died when his small research plane crashed when he was out monitoring the wolves in the park in 2009.  Marybeth co-authored the Among Wolves book with Gordon after his death, using his field notes and telling his passionate story with Alaska’s wolves, and their dramas, family joys, as well as their abuse at the hands of some brutal human hunters and trappers. Gordon provides solutions for fairer, smarter, and more humane wolf policies (as individuals not "packs" of interchangeable wolves).

Both books, Bloom Again, and Among Wolves, will affect you deeply. They are published by University of Alaska Press, as Marybeth resides in Anchorage, Alaska. Her website that links to all her writing is https://www.marybethholleman.com/

"In Tune to Nature" is a weekly hour-long radio show airing Wednesdays at 6pm Eastern Time on 89.3FM-Atlanta radio and streaming worldwide on wrfg.org (Radio Free Georgia, a nonprofit indie station) hosted by me, Carrie Freeman, or friend Melody Paris. The show's website and my contact info can be found at https://wrfg.org/intunetonature/  While there, consider donating to Radio Free Georgia, a 50+ year old progressive, non-commercial, indie radio station, run largely by volunteers like me.

Take care of yourself and others, including other animals like polar bears and wolves.

Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed on In Tune to Nature do not necessarily reflect those of WRFG, its board, staff or volunteers.

Photo Credit: Rick Steiner took this photo of spouse Marybeth Holleman with dog Xena at Arctic Valley in Alaska