image courtesy of TizzleBDizzle via pixabay.com
A few years ago, I learned about the Icelandic tradition of Jolabokaflod, The Yule Book Flood.
What I didn’t know until I read it on ReadItForward.com was that, the Iceland Publishers Association delivers a catalogue of all the books published that year to every household.
People give each other books on Christmas Eve and settle in to read.
We’ve been doing that my entire life in my house, although I didn’t realize it was a tradition. I love Iceland, their bookshops, and their commitment to literacy. So it feels right to continue the tradition.
We open the bulk of our gifts on Christmas Eve anyway, European-style, and have stockings on Christmas Day. There are always books involved in the giving — both under the tree, and, the next morning, a paperback tucked into the stocking.
But it’s always been the tradition to unwrap the gifts, enjoy them, and then curl up with one of the new books. I’ve done that ever since I can remember.
A few years ago, on social media, I also saw the “Book Advent Calendar” — meant for kids, but good for anyone — where 24 books are wrapped, with tags, at the beginning of December. You unwrap the book for the day each morning. I have not yet gotten my act together to do that, but I would like to start that tradition, too.
I don’t know which book I will unwrap tonight and curl up with. I do know that it will fill me with a sense of peace and well-being.
Have a lovely holiday.
A Biblio Paradise 