Why everyone should adopt Jolabokaflod

What books are you giving for Christmas?

There’s a special, limited edition UK hardback of Wintering - order yours here or at your local bookshop • The Way Through Winter course • Take out or renew an annual subscription for a chance to win my special Christmas giveaway box

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Hello,

For the last few years, our Christmas has begun with Jólabókaflóð, the Icelandic ‘Yule book flood’. It dates from 1944 when, in the wake of gaining its independence from Denmark, Iceland needed to ration many different materials. Paper, however, remained plentiful, and so books were an obvious choice of gift for what would otherwise be a fairly austere Christmas. Since that time, the Icelandic publishing industry has distributed a catalogue of suitable books in November, and most people choose from there. The books are given on Christmas Eve, and are read immediately, accompanied by hot chocolate.

For years I held out against adopting Jolabokaflod in our own household, convinced that nobody else would want to settle with a book at such a transitional moment. But during the first Christmas of the pandemic, when we were unable to mix with friends or family for the entire festive period, I was desperate for anything that would add an extra beat to our days. I bought a book each for H and Bert in the hope that they might at least find it endearing that I was still trying to persuade them to read. But, strangely, they loved it, settling quietly to read The Lost Spells and Serpentine for what seemed like a long time in the middle of an impatient afternoon.

It’s now a family tradition that I wouldn’t be without; it settles us all after a lot of rush and worry. Bert always chooses a book for me, and I buy for everyone else. Over the years, I’ve realised that it’s a very particular art - here are my tips:

• For all but the most devout readers, buy books that can be assimilated quickly. Think short, simple and full of pictures.

• Poetry, cook books, children’s books (even for adults), humour and photographic collections work well. In general, avoid novels and serious non-fiction - there’s not enough time or brain-space to really absorb them.

• This is an excellent moment for books about Christmas. When else will you read them?

• Set the stage. Make sure the room has enough light to see, but keep it cosy. Lay on hot chocolate and something to nibble, and put on some low, festive music that’s not too intrusive.

• Hold this moment lightly. Children might manage fifteen minutes if you’re lucky. Even adults will struggle to read for too long on such a busy day. This is a relatively short moment of quiet togetherness, not a performance of self-discipline. Cherish it for what it is.

Please tell me in the comments about the books you’re giving this year - maybe they’re your favourites from this year, or just great gifts?

Books I’m giving for Jolabokaflod this year

For big kids, tweens and teens:

The Skull by Jon Klassen

A spooky adaptation of a beautifully illustrated folk tale, with wonderful illustrations.

Behind the Screens by Iñake Aliste Lizerralde with Neal E. Fischer

Floor plans from your tweens’ favourite sitcoms, and some of yours.

For those hankering for the Good Old Days:

A Book for Chirstmas by Selma Lagerlöf

Lovely early 20th Century festive tales from the Swedish Nobel laureate, beautifully presented.

Letters from Father Christmas by J R R Tolkein

Facisimiles of letters from Tolkein to his children, pretending to be Santa. Delightful, but it will make you feel like an inadequate parent.

For gruff relatives who think this is frivolous:

A Ukrainian Christmas by Nadiyka Gerbish and Yaroslav Hrytsak

A fascinating exploration of Ukraine’s festive traditions, with a donation to the DEC.

For recovering party animials:

The Wickedest by Caleb Femi

Incredible poetry collection that captures the delight and drama of a night out. (The cover in the photo is scuffed because I read it three times already.)

For the men in your life who maybe don’t read much:

If Nick Drake Came to My House by Mackenzie Crook

You Don’t Have to Dream by Tim Minchin

Both of these books are great to look at, easy to read, and written by people they’ll already think are cool, but they sneak in a profound midlife punch.

For new parents:

Signs, Music by Raymond Antrobus

A poetry collection exploring masculinity and fatherhood through the lens of d/Deafness. Wonderful, vulnerable, true.

For the person cooking dinner:

Advent by Anja Dunk

A gorgeous cookbook of delicious German sweet treats. They won’t have the energy to bake them, but they might manage a sigh and a quick flick between dashes to the kitchen.

For someone who finds it all a bit twee:

The Dead of Winter by Sarah Clegg

An exploration of the darker, pagan traditions of midwinter.

For the person who’ll carry on reading after everyone else has got bored:

The Apothecary’s Wife by Karen Bloom Gevirtz

A history of homespun medicine, exploring how women’s herbal expertise was co-opted and then crushed by male-dominated medicine.

It goes without saying that I wrote a book that people quite like reading at this time of year; and also a book that’s perfect for anyone who wants to live more deeply in the New Year.

Happy reading!

Katherine

P.S. Take out an annual subscription to The Clearing in December (including gift subs and the Retreat tier) for a chance to win this’s month’s bumper festive subscriber giveaway box. It includes copies of Wise Women, Enchantment, The Children of Green Knowe, Vanishing Treasures and Moominland Midwinter, plus all my writing essentials (pen, pencil, ink, notebook, handcream, lip balm, bookmarks and stickers!). We’ll enter your name into the draw automatically when you subscribe!

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