I’ve always found great comfort in reading for pleasure. Just curling up with a book . . . makes me relax and breathe a little easier. I’ve never found that I prefer reading in one season of the year to another, but I have discovered I like reading certain types of books in the different seasons. (I tend to read classics and memoirs in the summer, for example. Not exclusively, but I’ve discovered that’s a tendency I have. In the winter months, I prefer comfort-books or mysteries for some reason.)
I’ve also always loved receiving books as gifts. When I was a little girl, we didn’t own a lot of books in our family (we were big on weekly trips to the library instead). Books-of-my-own were prized, and very special to me.
So imagine my delight when I learned about the Icelandic Christmas Eve tradition of Jólabókaflóð, or “Christmas Eve Book Flood.” This lovely cultural practice officially started in 1944, and is deeply rooted in Iceland’s love of literature and storytelling. Here’s what happens: On Christmas Eve, Icelanders exchange books as gifts and then spend the evening in the company of their loved ones, reading together and sharing stories. (I hear the book exchange is accompanied by special treats like hot cocoa, Icelandic chocolates, and special beer, too!)
Wouldn’t it be fun . . . to celebrate the dark days of winter with a “Book Flood”?
When the days are busy and . . . short, I really do enjoy some comfort-reading. Nothing too heavy, and definitely not a “chewy” choice. Something . . . a little bit fun. Or adventurous. Maybe even a thriller!
Last December, I listened to Rosamunde Pilcher’s lovely book, Winter Solstice, and found it to be the perfect book to light up a busy month. It’s a gentle read – comforting and comfortable. Sure, I could see the ending coming from a mile away . . . but I just didn’t care! It was a fun ride to get there. The characters are delightful, the setting is charming, and there is plenty of the hope, love, and connection we all crave — especially during the dark days of December. Maybe you would enjoy it, too?
Reading is wonderful anytime . . . but there’s something extra-special about reading in the dark days of winter!
(I wish we could all celebrate a “Book Flood” together.)
“Books are a uniquely portable magic.”
— Stephen King
If you’re wondering what this “advent calendar” is all about, you can read my “intro” post here.
I read Winter Solstice last year as well and enjoyed it so much as well! I will begin Katherine May’s Wintering again later today! And I think a Book Flood sounds like the best kind of flood ever! 🙂
When I was a kid I read fiction till the cows came home. But as an adult I rarely do, being drawn to non-fiction instead. Except if I discover a particular story-telling author. Then I run their books down to the ground. Who knows why? We humans can be a mysterious lot. I love all your book suggestions and have occasionally been drawn to some of them. Love your Advent offerings!
I tried to get my extended family interested in doing something similar, but not many of them are readers so they thought I was inflicting some kind of punishment on them. So I “book flood” myself and am quite happy to do it!
My church bookclub had our holiday party last night – the “book flood” sounded lovely to all of us. I read Perestroika in Paris by Jane Smiley over the weekend and think it’s a perfect book for a cozy evening. I’m planning to re-read Small Things Like These this month, along with A Christmas Carol. Both are definite cozy December reads for me.
I, too, read Winter Solstice last winter. Yes, the ending was predictable, but it was such a fun ride getting there.
My family has always been big on books and I love this idea! Perhaps I will suggest that we spend Christmas Eve reading this year in Florida (though I’m not sure what my husband will do, unless he can find a business book to read!).
I love the idea of a book flood! My family always exchanges books for Christmas and birthdays, but we have never spent a day reading together. I read Winter Solstice last year and loved it! I have a collection of winter and Christmas books, some are childhood favorites, that I like to dip into and read at this time of year.
I have a group of friends who have practiced this tradition for about 8 years. We draw names and give hints to our likes and dislikes. We have great fun with it and the joy is real when you get a book from someone who knows you. This year I’m giving The Comfort of Crows. Perfect, yes?
With my reader children — Andrew and Amanda — so far away and with their postal and UPS service so unreliable, I despair of flooding them on Christmas eve. My non-reader son is closer — Minneapolis — but figuring out a book for him is a real challenge. But I am willing to accept the challenge!