Every December, as darkness settles over the North Atlantic and snow begins to soften the streets of Reykjavík and small coastal towns alike, Iceland prepares for one of its most cherished cultural rituals: Jólabókaflóðið, literally “the Christmas Book Flood.” The tradition is simple, intimate, and deeply Icelandic: books are exchanged as Christmas gifts, and the evening of 24 December is spent reading—often in bed, accompanied by a cup of hot chocolate, tea, or coffee.
A tradition born of history
Jólabókaflóðið dates back to the Second World War. While many consumer goods were scarce or heavily restricted, paper was one of the few resources still widely available in Iceland. Publishers turned this constraint into an opportunity, releasing the majority of new titles just before Christmas. What began as a practical solution soon evolved into a cultural institution. Today, the custom is so ingrained that it feels timeless.
Books at the heart of Icelandic identity
Iceland consistently ranks among the countries with the highest number of books published per capita in the world. Writing, reading, and storytelling have always been central to national identity—from medieval sagas to contemporary crime fiction and poetry. Each autumn, households receive the Bókatíðindi, a catalogue listing all new book releases for the season. Browsing it is almost a ritual in itself, helping families choose the perfect titles for Christmas Eve.
In Iceland, giving a book is not a fallback gift—it is a statement of care and cultural belonging.
Christmas Eve: silence, pages, and cocoa
Unlike many countries where Christmas morning steals the spotlight, Christmas Eve is the emotional core of the holiday in Iceland. Gifts are opened after dinner, and once books are unwrapped, the country seems to slow down. Phones are set aside. Televisions go quiet. People read. Children, parents, grandparents—each immersed in their own story, yet sharing the same moment.
A living tradition in the digital age
Despite e-books, audiobooks, and streaming platforms, Jólabókaflóðið remains remarkably resilient. Physical books still dominate Christmas sales, and independent bookstores thrive during the season. For Icelanders, reading is not nostalgia—it is continuity.
Why Jólabókaflóðið resonates beyond Iceland
In a fast, hyper-connected world, Jólabókaflóðið represents something increasingly rare: a collective pause. It is about presence, reflection, and the quiet joy of stories shared across generations. That may be why this uniquely Icelandic tradition has begun to inspire readers far beyond the island itself. As Iceland likes to remind the world each December:
sometimes, the best gift is simply a good book—and the time to read it.
The books suggested in this article are linked to Bookshop.org, an online bookstore whose mission is to financially support local, independent bookstores in the US and UK: we at ATN believe that indie bookstores are essential to a healthy culture. When you buy through these links, a small percentage of the (unchanged) price helps us keeping All Things Nordic free for all users
