“Miniuk’s frank prose illuminates both the desert river and her own interior landscape…It’s a divorce memoir as much as it is a travel book, though Miniuk’s brilliant full-color photographs keep the journey from ever feeling too dark. One can’t help but finish the book wanting to embark on a wild adventure of one’s own. An inspiring tale of self-discovery and mother-daughter friendship.” ~Kirkus Reviews

“In So Said the River, life reflects the Colorado’s pure purpose, flowing in spite of all the obstacles on the journey. Hold on tight, this story is a transcendent adventure worth taking.” ~Dave Showalter, author/photographer of Living River: The Promise of the Mighty Colorado

“Exuberant, precocious Colleen Miniuk points her inflatable standup paddleboard Lir into turbulent Colorado River waters; we participate in her journey of discovery. Rigid perfectionism and control yield to new self-confidence not based on perceived societal expectations. Widely held truisms fade as she learns, by near-death helplessness, that the Universe of truth and love prevails.” ~Jeanne Falk Adams, The Ansel Adams Gallery, Yosemite National Park

“Standup paddleboarding on wild waters provides a fitting metaphor for Colleen Miniuk's journey through unexpected loss that upends her identity. In her quest for self discovery, with each stroke of both paddle and pen, she forges through life’s headwinds and waves with determination. The descriptions of her travels — down rivers and across lakes, onto beaches and into collapsing tents — are so well written that you’ll feel the heat, the cold, the wind, and the terror. Every setback and defeat leads to introspection about what really matters in life, lessons we would all be well served to learn. So Said the River is part travelogue, part self-help manifesto, but it’s also a love letter to America’s most stunning landscape and a plea for environmental preservation, and will make you want to pick up a paddle and head to the canyons of the Southwest.” ~Beth Howard, author of Making Piece: A Memoir of Love, Loss, and Pie

"I felt so strongly about how great this book is, I bought three more copies to give to friends. This should be in everybody’s library, a very meaningful story.” ~Michael Power

“Lake Powell is a Rorschach. A travesty, a delight. A jewel, an eyesore. A dying reservoir, a resurrected canyon. For Colleen Miniuk, the reservoir is a place of life-defining challenge and adventure, but mostly a place of healing. She keeps going—through the Grand Canyon and onto Lake Mead. Her beloved Colorado River tells her, “Be the water.” She listens. In doing so, she charts both the West’s great river and her own evolving life in this charming and honest book.” ~Stephen Trimble, editor of Red Rock Stories and The Capitol Reef Reader

“A beautiful, inspiring, and powerful memoir about one woman’s journey of self-discovery and healing while paddling along the Colorado River. This book is a gorgeous hardcover filled with beautiful photography and maps…I absolutely loved reading Colleen’s story and was so moved by her journey. This is a book I know I will continue to come back to time and time again for Colleen’s beautiful, poetic wisdom, her brave story, the gorgeous pictures, and of course…the pie!” ~Steph Hockersmith, Pie Lady Books

“Miniuk has a frank writing style that grips the reader. It also flows well, just like the water she encountered when she first began paddling out from Moab. Attractive color photographs increase appeal of the book.” ~Srianthi Perera, SanTan News (see the full feature article from September 22, 2024)

“The book, which took shape over several years, offers a poignant narrative of navigating pain, hurt, and rebirth, providing hope to anyone facing similar challenges.” ~Howard Fox, host of the Outdoor Adventure Series podcast

“It is one thing to cross the length of a large topographic feature—be it a river or mountain range or a 140-some-mile reservoir—without fossil fuel as a propellant. It is something else entirely to set out to do so on a device as simple and vulnerable as an inflatable paddleboard. Colleen Miniuk may not have finished her quest as planned; but she succeeded in drawing this reader into the flow of her lucid, illustrated memoir and again into that of the Colorado itself.” ~Michael Engelhard, author of Arctic Traverse and No Walk in the Park

“So Said the River is a fantastic book that brought me to tears several times. To say that I connected with the life events and general human feelings would be an understatement. I’ve always had BIG FEELINGS about failure and this book addressed them…through somebody else’s life.” ~Rob Taylor, host of the 2TravelDads podcast

“So Said the River took me along for a wild ride alongside Colleen as she ventured on an epic journey paddleboarding across Lake Powell. It’s a story of facing one’s fears and somehow arriving on the other side; perhaps a little weathered by the experience, but in the end raising her paddle to a triumphant tale of self-discovery.” ~Suzi Minor, host of Souvenirs Podcast

"A true, life-risking river expedition survived by nature photographer Colleen Miniuk. Through narrative, photos and maps, Miniuk navigates you down the Colorado River on a paddleboard. It’s a brave, soul-searching adventure permanently preserved on paper for others to reap inspiration from." ~Kris Millgate, author of My Place Among Beasts

“Loved every page. I honestly couldn’t put it down. It was really uplifting and inspiring. Amazing work.” ~Matt Payne, adventurer, nature photographer, and host of the “F-Stop Collaborate and Listen” podcast

“If you know the Colorado River territory and its history—or not—this book is for you. If you have been on an inner healing journey—or not—this book will meet you where you are at. If you are afraid of being in large dark bodies of water—or not—this book will show you a way further into the heart of it all. Reading Colleen Miniuk’s words in So Said the River brought me into a gorgeous unexpended place of discovery.” ~Ana Lucia Cottone, accomplished Hollywood studio and network senior executive and consultant/advisor in leadership and creativity

“This was incredible! I laughed, I cried, I laughed again…Then I cried at the end again. It’ll take a while to process what a remarkable read this was and all the life… oops, I mean Life lessons it contains. The entire book was a literal thrill ride and I felt compelled to read the entire thing in one sitting because I couldn’t bear not to immediately know what happens next! I truly felt like I was along for the ride, and your mom is my new hero!” ~Lori A. Johnson, my amazing proofreader and photographer/writer

“So Said the River encourages readers to forge their own paths, much like a river carving its way through the landscape. Her story is a testament to the idea that fulfillment and success don’t always align with societal expectations, and sometimes, the most rewarding journeys are the ones we take on our own terms.” ~Suzanne Downing, ActionHub

“Colleen has become a master of the craft of writing. The care she took with every sentence is evident. The way she weaves the story together is masterful. Reading the story will be a pleasure no matter where you are in your own journey on the River.” ~Sue Penney

“Thank you for writing such a telling, thoughtful, and open account of your trials since 2015. It has inspired me to be a better person so, when I’m gone, the legacy I leave will be of kindness and support.” ~Kent Hall

“I read your book last month on a trip to Colorado. It was amazing! You are a talented writer as well as an amazing photographer! I loved the photographs that went along with the stories. I am inspired by your story, your vulnerability, and humor through hardships. And I love your relationship with your mom!” ~Susan Strawn