Jólabókaflóð: Merry Christmas, book lovers! Xoxo, Iceland
December 16, 2017 1:30 PM Subscribe
Jólabókaflóð ("Yule flood of books") is a delightful holiday tradition from one of the most book-loving nations in the world:
Literary Iceland Revels in its Annual Christmas Book Flood
Every year since 1944, the Icelandic book trade has published a catalogue...sent to every household in the country in mid-November during the Reykjavik Book Fair. People use the catalogue to order books to give friends and family for Christmas. During the festive season, gifts are opened on 24 December and, by tradition, everyone reads the books they have been given straight away, often while drinking hot chocolate or alcohol-free Christmas ale called jólabland.
Literary Iceland Revels in its Annual Christmas Book Flood
So how does one make this happen. I'm thinking maybe do it Christmas Day instead since we celebrate Christmas Eve and I'm always bored to tears on Christmas Day when everyone else is busy, everything is closed, and there's nothing to do.
posted by If only I had a penguin... at 1:53 PM on December 16, 2017
posted by If only I had a penguin... at 1:53 PM on December 16, 2017
Wait, Christmas Day would be hard to do it with kids because they'll want to play with the toys they opened on Christmas Eve. I will keep thinking on this.
posted by If only I had a penguin... at 1:53 PM on December 16, 2017
posted by If only I had a penguin... at 1:53 PM on December 16, 2017
More of this sort of thing, please.
posted by lagomorphius at 2:18 PM on December 16, 2017
posted by lagomorphius at 2:18 PM on December 16, 2017
So bloody civilized. Hearty approval.
posted by Splunge at 2:32 PM on December 16, 2017 [3 favorites]
posted by Splunge at 2:32 PM on December 16, 2017 [3 favorites]
We had already decided to start doing this, starting this year.
It sounds wonderful and I’m looking forward to it so much!
posted by kyrademon at 2:34 PM on December 16, 2017 [2 favorites]
It sounds wonderful and I’m looking forward to it so much!
posted by kyrademon at 2:34 PM on December 16, 2017 [2 favorites]
For a while, since it was just me and my Mom for Christmas and neither of us are very materialistic, we used to give each other library books for Christmas. So we had all the fun of "shopping", finding books the other might find amusing or interesting, and a stack of presents to open and exclaim over, and then spend the rest of the day cozily reading, and then eventually take all the books back to the library.
posted by The otter lady at 2:38 PM on December 16, 2017 [77 favorites]
posted by The otter lady at 2:38 PM on December 16, 2017 [77 favorites]
In case others are curious about the jólabland, I did the leg work for you. It is a mixture of orange soda and malt soda, so US types can fake it with Orange Fanta or Slice plus Malta Goya. 50/50 or to taste. However, the tipplers among us can try Guinness in place of the Malta Goya. So there you go...
posted by 1f2frfbf at 2:59 PM on December 16, 2017 [7 favorites]
posted by 1f2frfbf at 2:59 PM on December 16, 2017 [7 favorites]
http://fibut.is/bokatidindi
Looks like you can read the Bókatíðindi here!
posted by reductiondesign at 3:11 PM on December 16, 2017
Looks like you can read the Bókatíðindi here!
posted by reductiondesign at 3:11 PM on December 16, 2017
"Two years ago one of the surprise best-sellers was a pictorial overview of the history of tractors in Iceland."
As it happens earlier today I watched the last episode (sigh) of The Detectorists, and now, after reading this little gem... I’m picturing an Icelandic version where Terry’s book on "Common Buttons of North West Essex" actually does become a bestseller. Imagine the excitement!
posted by bitteschoen at 3:40 PM on December 16, 2017 [6 favorites]
As it happens earlier today I watched the last episode (sigh) of The Detectorists, and now, after reading this little gem... I’m picturing an Icelandic version where Terry’s book on "Common Buttons of North West Essex" actually does become a bestseller. Imagine the excitement!
posted by bitteschoen at 3:40 PM on December 16, 2017 [6 favorites]
I think once or twice I tried to make this happen when I was a kid, except on Christmas morning.
It sort of happens in my house now, with my partner, except we're usually traveling on Christmas Day and it seems silly to haul gifts we got for each other back and forth, so we end up exchanging gifts on some random day before we leave or after we get back.
If we can make this happen with our child, I'll know we raised him right.
posted by madcaptenor at 4:03 PM on December 16, 2017
It sort of happens in my house now, with my partner, except we're usually traveling on Christmas Day and it seems silly to haul gifts we got for each other back and forth, so we end up exchanging gifts on some random day before we leave or after we get back.
If we can make this happen with our child, I'll know we raised him right.
posted by madcaptenor at 4:03 PM on December 16, 2017
Nancy L. Palmer, you and I are in agreement. If I could only get all my kids to follow me, I'd ship out for Iceland in a heartbeat!
I've always felt that books and experiences are the best things to give. Unfortunately, Mr. BlueHorse always felt that presents, especially lots of pretty wrap over plastic crap, was what kids wanted. So Grandma gave the books that were ignored Christmas Day in favor of toys, but Grandma's revenge is that the toys are long gone now that the brats are teens, and the books are still on the shelves and well-loved.
madcaptenor, Traveling? Isn't that what ebooks are for?
posted by BlueHorse at 5:08 PM on December 16, 2017 [2 favorites]
I've always felt that books and experiences are the best things to give. Unfortunately, Mr. BlueHorse always felt that presents, especially lots of pretty wrap over plastic crap, was what kids wanted. So Grandma gave the books that were ignored Christmas Day in favor of toys, but Grandma's revenge is that the toys are long gone now that the brats are teens, and the books are still on the shelves and well-loved.
madcaptenor, Traveling? Isn't that what ebooks are for?
posted by BlueHorse at 5:08 PM on December 16, 2017 [2 favorites]
Traveling? Isn't that what ebooks are for?
My partner doesn't do e-books. My reading is probably about half e-book, half print these days, but I find that part of the fun of gifts is that you can unwrap them.
So I bring a Kindle when traveling, but we still put off exchanging gifts between us (or, if impatient, open them before we set off to visit far-flung family). Sometimes we just say they're New Year's gifts instead.
posted by madcaptenor at 5:32 PM on December 16, 2017
My partner doesn't do e-books. My reading is probably about half e-book, half print these days, but I find that part of the fun of gifts is that you can unwrap them.
So I bring a Kindle when traveling, but we still put off exchanging gifts between us (or, if impatient, open them before we set off to visit far-flung family). Sometimes we just say they're New Year's gifts instead.
posted by madcaptenor at 5:32 PM on December 16, 2017
We are starting the book giving thing this Christmas. One book that we asked for and one book that is a surprise. Im SO excited! I think its the lovliest idea.
posted by WalkerWestridge at 9:29 PM on December 16, 2017 [3 favorites]
posted by WalkerWestridge at 9:29 PM on December 16, 2017 [3 favorites]
Of all the random aspects of Icelandic culture that have been picked up on by the wider world, the Christmas book flood is my favorite. I wrote a piece in English about Jólabókaflóðið for the Reykjavík Grapevine a few years ago.
I worked as a bookseller both in Iceland and in the US. It's a nice job for people who love books, but the difference is that in the last couple of months before Christmas bookstores in Iceland become really central parts of the culture, with people coming in to ask about new books and what booksellers have heard or know about them. Then during the last few days before Christmas Eve the stores are slammed with customers. It's a real rush for a bookseller, with an attendant comedown in January.
It’s also really nice to take part as an author. I've been a bit on the periphery because my book was published in the spring, but I've read at a few events and been the host of some others. What's so special is that everyone involved has new books out which they and others are excited about and interested in. For instance, yesterday I MC’d a three hour reading of 20 poets, all reading from new books. It was a bit chaotic, because people had to change their place in the order because they had been booked elsewhere, and some had to cancel, and others were added at the last minute, but only one poet left in a huff, which is actually quite unusual in Iceland, because even though writers are stressed out this time of year there's almost always quite good fellow-feeling among authors. But yes, even though I’m on the periphery I’ve been asked to sign copies of my novel which will go under the Christmas tree, and I honestly can’t think of a lovelier thing for an author than to know that somewhere on Christmas Eve someone will be unwrapping my book.
posted by Kattullus at 2:17 AM on December 17, 2017 [33 favorites]
I worked as a bookseller both in Iceland and in the US. It's a nice job for people who love books, but the difference is that in the last couple of months before Christmas bookstores in Iceland become really central parts of the culture, with people coming in to ask about new books and what booksellers have heard or know about them. Then during the last few days before Christmas Eve the stores are slammed with customers. It's a real rush for a bookseller, with an attendant comedown in January.
It’s also really nice to take part as an author. I've been a bit on the periphery because my book was published in the spring, but I've read at a few events and been the host of some others. What's so special is that everyone involved has new books out which they and others are excited about and interested in. For instance, yesterday I MC’d a three hour reading of 20 poets, all reading from new books. It was a bit chaotic, because people had to change their place in the order because they had been booked elsewhere, and some had to cancel, and others were added at the last minute, but only one poet left in a huff, which is actually quite unusual in Iceland, because even though writers are stressed out this time of year there's almost always quite good fellow-feeling among authors. But yes, even though I’m on the periphery I’ve been asked to sign copies of my novel which will go under the Christmas tree, and I honestly can’t think of a lovelier thing for an author than to know that somewhere on Christmas Eve someone will be unwrapping my book.
posted by Kattullus at 2:17 AM on December 17, 2017 [33 favorites]
The way this worked in my (non-icelandic) family is we kids opened one present of choice on christmas eve, and if it was a book, we could read it until midnight and then from 4 am until waking the parents up at 5:30 or whatever. So we mostly picked books.
posted by joeyh at 7:37 AM on December 17, 2017 [3 favorites]
posted by joeyh at 7:37 AM on December 17, 2017 [3 favorites]
All of you are optimists. What if someone gives you a lousy book?
[that said, I would love a book about the history of tractors]
posted by acrasis at 7:50 AM on December 17, 2017 [2 favorites]
[that said, I would love a book about the history of tractors]
posted by acrasis at 7:50 AM on December 17, 2017 [2 favorites]
acrasis: Well, ideally you would have received so many books, at least one would have to be a winner!
Some of my favourite childhood Christmas memories are of becoming completely immersed in my new books--my parents knew exactly what to give me. I would have to be pried away from the books to go visit extended family.
We tend to give our nieces and nephews (and other kids in our life) books for Christmas. So far we've got lots of little avid readers, and it's nice to see the traditions continuing.
posted by hurdy gurdy girl at 11:06 AM on December 17, 2017 [2 favorites]
Some of my favourite childhood Christmas memories are of becoming completely immersed in my new books--my parents knew exactly what to give me. I would have to be pried away from the books to go visit extended family.
We tend to give our nieces and nephews (and other kids in our life) books for Christmas. So far we've got lots of little avid readers, and it's nice to see the traditions continuing.
posted by hurdy gurdy girl at 11:06 AM on December 17, 2017 [2 favorites]
That's it. THAT IS IT. From here on out, I am giving my entire family books on Christmas Eve.
Unlike "fetch" and "streets ahead" I am going to make Yule Book Flood HAPPEN.
posted by Major Matt Mason Dixon at 12:34 PM on December 17, 2017 [5 favorites]
Unlike "fetch" and "streets ahead" I am going to make Yule Book Flood HAPPEN.
posted by Major Matt Mason Dixon at 12:34 PM on December 17, 2017 [5 favorites]
acrasis: What if someone gives you a lousy book?
Then you can exchange it at a bookstore for a book you want. Everybody wins!
posted by Kattullus at 1:49 PM on December 17, 2017 [2 favorites]
Then you can exchange it at a bookstore for a book you want. Everybody wins!
posted by Kattullus at 1:49 PM on December 17, 2017 [2 favorites]
oh man i knew there was a reason i've always had a crush on iceland but i didn't realize this might be why.
ya i know that doesn't really make sense but neither does thinking at random moments 'i dunno, maybe i should move to iceland.'
posted by ecourbanist at 6:24 PM on December 17, 2017 [2 favorites]
ya i know that doesn't really make sense but neither does thinking at random moments 'i dunno, maybe i should move to iceland.'
posted by ecourbanist at 6:24 PM on December 17, 2017 [2 favorites]
Everything about this is charming!
(I never knew my mom was Icelandic all those years giving us books so we'd shut the heck up and go to bed on Christmas Eve!)
posted by Eyebrows McGee at 6:54 PM on December 17, 2017 [2 favorites]
(I never knew my mom was Icelandic all those years giving us books so we'd shut the heck up and go to bed on Christmas Eve!)
posted by Eyebrows McGee at 6:54 PM on December 17, 2017 [2 favorites]
Neat.
It did seem odd that NPR couldn't be bothered to use proper letters or diacritical marks.
posted by Chrysostom at 8:29 PM on December 17, 2017
It did seem odd that NPR couldn't be bothered to use proper letters or diacritical marks.
posted by Chrysostom at 8:29 PM on December 17, 2017
Forget about the books (okay not really), what interests me is this Jólabland. Not willing to shell out for international shipping I passed on the Malt og Appelsín and made my own with some Vita Malt and Orange Cream Soda. It's really quite good.
posted by zinon at 11:32 AM on December 27, 2017
posted by zinon at 11:32 AM on December 27, 2017
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In all seriousness, I am going to lobby to have my family institute this tradition. It's kind of what I do myself, anyway. My mother-in-law instituted a rule years ago: during their Italian Christmas Eve gift-opening celebration, anybody giving me a book has to go LAST ... otherwise "we've lost Nancy for the evening!" I never realized that the trick would be to indoctrinate them all!
posted by Nancy_LockIsLit_Palmer at 1:44 PM on December 16, 2017 [23 favorites]