A Story of the Christmas Book Flood

Here’s a picture of the first snowfall of the season in my area of New England, granted that it wasn’t much and didn’t last long. Other areas of the country have received considerably more, and we’ll likely be buried with a nor’easter before this winter is over.

I hope you have an enjoyable beginning to the holiday. I find this time of year simultaneously hectic and fun. Somewhere along the way, the season has become a time of giving gifts to those you love. And sometimes, random people we don’t know that well.

Many people have traditions around gift-giving. For example, have you heard of the Icelandic custom called the Christmas book flood? The name for it is Jólabókaflóðið.

Publishers release a flood of new books in the months before Christmas. These books are then purchased as presents to be gifted on Christmas Eve.

This custom makes books the most popular Christmas gift in that country. The practice extends into the night when Icelanders often read their new novels and drink hot chocolate.

I like it.

Soon we’ll be hearing about New Year’s resolutions. Maybe mine will be to get through the ridiculously long list of books I want to read. I figure it will take me about a hundred years. The only troublesome part of a long To Read list is deciding which book is next.

Whether you’re celebrating a family tradition or making resolutions for the new year, I wish you the best. 

May the ghost of Christmas magic (or whatever holiday you celebrate) be in your hearts throughout the year.