From American Booksellers Association:
What is Jólabókaflóð?
Icelanders have a lovely tradition of gifting books to each other on December 24 and spending the rest of the evening reading and drinking hot chocolate. Ask your local booksellers for recommendations for this bookish holiday, Jólabókaflóð. Season’s Readings!
During World War II, Iceland faced shortages like the rest of the world, but paper wasn’t rationed, making books one of the few accessible gifts. The Icelandic people, who had recently gained independence from Denmark, leaned into this, gifting books and creating a treasured national tradition. The result? A country of passionate bookworms and an annual book-giving fest. ~ American Booksellers Association
How do you pronounce Jólabókaflóð?
Yo-la-bok-a-flot. In Icelandic, it roughly translates to “flood of books”!
