Yule Book Flood for Newbies
[This article first appeared in the November/December 2024 issue of Writer’s Digest.]
You deck the halls. You fill the stockings. You bake the snowman-shaped sugar cookies. You even write a witty year-in-review to tuck inside cards after addressing and stuffing countless envelopes. Eventually, you catch your breath, scratch your head, and wonder why the very best of the season seemed to fly by. There must be a better way to slow down and invite the unique beauty and magic of Christmas into our homes and lives, right?
Welcome, bookworms, to what may soon become one of your most beloved holiday celebrations. Not long ago, my better half caught wind of an intriguing Icelandic tradition called Jólabókaflóðið (pronounced yo-la-bok-a-flot), which roughly translates into “Christmas Book Flood,” and suggested our family try it. In short, it involves swapping books with loved ones and reading those gifts, often with other pleasant elements, like a crackling fire or hot drink, built into the experience.
“Jólabókaflóðið is a cherished Icelandic tradition where the joy of giving and receiving books is intertwined with the celebration of Christmas,” says Stella Jóhannesdóttir, managing director of the Reykjavík International Literary Festival and senior rights agent at the Reykjavík Literary Agency. “On Christmas Eve, it is customary for Icelanders to exchange books and spend the night reading, creating a cozy atmosphere at home.” The tradition underscores the nation’s literary culture and “brings families together in a peaceful, shared experience of storytelling during the long winter nights.”
Even though we call the United States home and have never stepped foot in “the land of fire and ice,” our family quickly embraced this literary fun. Why have we come to treasure it so much? According to the kiddos, at least part of the joy comes from the tasty treats, like hot chocolate, savored right along with the reading. My wife says she especially appreciates the calm and cozy vibe that enters our home. Me? I’ve come to believe it may have something to do with all the presence. Lots and lots of presence.
Book Flood Beginnings
Strange as it may seem, this lovely cultural tradition found its origins amidst the harsh economic realities of war. In Iceland, paper was one of the few commodities not rationed during World War II, explains Heiðar Ingi Svansson, managing director of IDNU publishing house and president of the Icelandic Publishers Association. Since many other items were in short supply, the country’s people turned to books as their go-to gift—and the tradition stuck.
In doing so, Iceland only reinforced its cultural identity as a nation of book lovers, adds Svansson, who also serves as an Icelandic Literature Center board member. Because the country’s population was not necessarily big enough to support a year-round industry, publishers would essentially flood the market with new releases around Christmastime. To this day, most new titles published in Iceland are released in the last several months of the year.
Holiday Hubbub, Bookish Bliss
Iceland’s rich literary tradition can be traced all the way back to ancient sagas and found in well-known sayings like “ad ganga med bok I maganum,” or “everyone has a book in their stomach.” The literary atmosphere becomes especially vibrant during the holiday season, which is perhaps most evident in the capital.
“It is no exaggeration to say that in Reykjavík, the time from early October until Christmas is dedicated to books in a massive way,” notes a site devoted to the UNESCO Cities of Literature. “Books are the single most popular Christmas gift item in Iceland, and this is the time of year when books are quite literally the talk of the town.”
Jólabókaflóðið begins with the publication of the first books in the fall and the subsequent publication of the Bókatíðindi, a book catalog traditionally mailed out to households across the country that allows everyone to pick and choose from recently published titles. The catalog continues to be printed each year, although copies are now picked up in settings like libraries, grocery stores, and swimming pools in addition to its online availability.
It’s always fun to page through this catalog, according to Hildur Björgvinsdóttir, a project manager of events and education at the Reykjavík City Library. “Family members go through it and put their names next to the books they are interested in reading,” she says.
The seasonal surge in publishing means new books can be found in venues ranging from cafés and bars to schools and workplaces. And the folks behind their creation tend to get in on the action, too, as authors deliver readings to enthusiastic crowds. Some writers throw publishing parties, Björgvinsdóttir says, and because this is a small country with a small population, it is not uncommon for Icelanders to personally know someone celebrating a book birthday.
“The cold and dark winter months lend themselves to indoor activities, and reading is a favorite,” Jóhannesdóttir points out. “Literary discussions and readings can be found in cozy book cafés, bookstores, and libraries, fostering a communal sense of literary engagement.” The nation’s literature is known for its “evocative descriptions of nature and exploration of human resilience and isolation,” which “resonates well during this introspective time of year.”
She adds that the holiday season “intertwines the festive spirit with a profound cultural celebration of literature, making it a unique aspect of Icelandic life where books are not just gifts but a fundamental part of the holiday celebration.” Come Christmas Eve, all the buzz and excitement winds down into a mellow state of bookish bliss as many devote the night to reading—a practice Jóhannesdóttir says “highlights the deep cultural appreciation for literature and storytelling that is embedded in Icelandic society.”
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Global Phenomenon
The appeal of this tradition is catching on far beyond Iceland’s borders. In recent years, Svansson says he has noticed significant growth in worldwide awareness and interest. Celebrating the Christmas Book Flood “can be a delightful addition to your holiday traditions, regardless of where you live,” adds Jóhannesdóttir.
When asked why she thinks this tradition has gained international attention, Emily Kilgore, the Minnesota-based author of The Christmas Book Flood (Farrar, Straus and Giroux, 2022), highlights our tendency to gravitate toward customs that are “easy to implement and foster a bit of self-care.” She adds that giving books to loved ones and reading while sipping hot chocolate “sounds idyllic in our fast-paced society.”
How to Embark on Your First Flood
For those of you curious enough to give this tradition a try, Kilgore says there are really only a few simple guidelines to follow. First, find a book to give to another person. Next, wrap that book and save it until December 24. Then, on Christmas Eve, give it to a person you love and begin to appreciate the gift you receive in return, preferably with a hot drink in hand. Read on if you’d like a few additional ideas to consider while initiating this fun for the first time.
Start Small
Ease into this rather than going overboard from the get-go and feeling frazzled by the end of it all. That could mean that just you and your best friend or significant other exchange a gift. Or maybe just your household, kiddos included, seems like a nice way to kick things off. If all goes well, you can always expand your efforts next time to include more friends, more family, or even your entire book club.
Do Your Homework
“During Jólabókaflóðið, we keep up with the news about which authors will be launching their books this fall,” says Jóhannesdóttir. “We visit bookstores and read excerpts, making notes about whom to gift these books to and which ones we’d love to read on Christmas Eve.”
Make a Wish
If you’d like, you can come up with wish lists to help plan the gift-giving. “Mimic the Icelandic tradition by creating a personal or family book catalog,” Jóhannesdóttir suggests. “You can compile a list of books that each family member would like to read and exchange this list among each other to pick the perfect book to gift.”
Think Outside the Box
If you’re looking for kid-friendly options, you might explore more creative, interactive, or nontraditional “reading” experiences. Some possibilities include coloring books, reverse coloring books, and sticker doodle books, to name a few.
Build Memories
Keep in mind you can add personalized touches to your gifts, like writing a short note on the book jacket, to help memorialize this moment in time. Kilgore writes the word Jólabókaflóðið along with the year, for example, so that her family will eventually have a collection of these books.
Consider the Alternatives
If circumstances make it difficult to purchase a new book or books this year, Kilgore suggests picking out and wrapping one you already have at home or stopping by the local library.
Create Coziness
Whether you round up your warmest PJs, slippers, and blankets, light a few extra candles, or pour everyone a steaming mug of deliciousness, setting the stage for your reading time can lead to even greater levels of relaxation and delight.
Ditch the Distractions
Close your laptop. Turn off the TV. And shut down your cell phone if you can. What else might leave you half-listening to your loved ones or only partially absorbing the words within your new book? Do yourself a favor and remove those potential disruptions, too.
Savor Your Gifts
Silent reading while cuddling or sitting near one another can be a wonderful form of togetherness. Taking turns sharing a passage or chapter aloud can be, too. Regardless of how you choose to enjoy the experience, I wish you and yours an abundance of presence.
