Iceland, that far northern climate where nights are long and days are short, publishes more books than any other nation in the world. Their special Jolabokaflod event, (literally “Jule book flood”) is what they call their Christmas Eve exchange of new books when recipients stay up all night reading and eating chocolate. (What a fun custom!) It also celebrates the late-year release of new books, as most new titles are published in the weeks leading up to Christmas.
How many of you love to give or receive books at Christmas? In Junior High, I received a much-desired poetry collection and spent most of that day piled on my grandparents’ guest bed in the chilly guest room buried under warm coats to read to my heart’s content. That book was a winner. I hear its beautiful word rhythms to this day.
What’s the best book you’ve ever received?
What was your favorite book to give? What was the receiver’s response? Have you ever hand-written (or typed) a small book for someone yourself? If you hurry, you still have time to dash out and buy (or create) a perfect book gift now!
Have a wonderful and blessed Christmas and New Year!
I love this idea; I’d heard they did the book exchange in Denmark, too. My most memorable book gift as a girl was a hardback of “On the Banks of Plum Creek” by Laura Ingalls Wilder.