Jolabokaflod.

As the sun sets low in the sky, and our days grow short and cold, we all crave a respite. We celebrate traditions and each other in the warm glow of lights.

As all of us book worms tend to do in the winter months, we settle in. We gather around the heat of a fire, perfectly dimmed lights, dive a bit more under our softest blankets and escape to far away places.

On Christmas Eve, Iceland has perfected this art. So much so, that they now make it a tradition with their family. The celebration of Jolabokaflod (Yoh-la-boka-flod) or "Christmas Book Flood". Starting in September, the flood gates are opened with the release of the yearly Bokatidindi. A catalogue of new book releases that is sent in the mail for free to every household.

This marvelous Christmas celebration started during WWII. When most items were being rationed in Iceland, paper was not one of those items. Books, then, became the preferred gift.

To this day, the country is still obsessed with books as a result of this blossoming tradition. Reading is a national sport in Iceland. To give an idea of how much Icelanders love reading...the capital of Iceland, Reykjavik, was designated a UNESCO City of Literature and the country publishes the most books in the world. According to current figures published by the Icelandic Literature Center, a third of the nation has read five or more books in just the past month! Sixty-eight percent of the country has gifted a book in the past year!

How would one participate in this Christmas flood of books, Jolabokaflod? Friends and families gift each other with a book, opening them on Christmas Eve. They then proceed to read their new books with each other, gathered around a fire or in the coziest reading nook with a cup of hot cocoa. This is how you will spot most Icelanders gathered on December 24th. Gathered with the ones they love, quietly reading together.

Could you not imagine a lovelier way to spend the holidays with those you love?

Neither could we.

Happiest of Holidays, Patrons, with much love.