Vagabond Vicky

There's a tradition in Iceland called #Jolabokaflod, the Yule book flood, celebrated on 24th December. Folk gather together to exchange gifts of books, then settling down to read in cosy companionship through the rest of the dark afternoon and evening.

Pyjamas on, a wee drink mixed, candles lit, and a new book ready to begin. A wonderful way to start the festive holidays. What are you reading?

#ChristmasEve #Christmas #WinterSolstice #Winter #FestiveSeason #Books #AmReading

Dec 24, 2022 at 7:36pmWeb
Show threadTim FearnsideDec 24, 2022
@vickyinglis13 “40” by Alan Heathcock.
Show threadDewey Ritten Dec 24, 2022

@vickyinglis13

@arri we need to celebrate this next year :)

Show threadArri Blais Dec 24, 2022
@deweyritten @vickyinglis13 ooooo I asked for a few books so I might be getting some.
Show threadSimon VarwellDec 24, 2022
@vickyinglis13 that sounds lovely. And rings a vague bell. Here, it’s Line by Niall O’Rourke, a dystopian science fiction story. Nice and cherry for Christmas.
Show threadDewey Ritten Dec 24, 2022

@vickyinglis13

Right now I'm reading #Loveless by #AliceOsman about one woman's journey into understanding and accepting her own #ACE #asexual #aromantic identity.

It's ok, to be honest I'm not really a big YA fan, but I love that this community is getting more visibility and representation in fiction and media.

Show threadMark HancockDec 24, 2022
@vickyinglis13 enjoy! Doing the same after a nap on the beach...
Show threadintovintageDec 24, 2022
@vickyinglis13 I love this tradition! My friend Erla introduced me to it.
Show threadGraceTooDec 24, 2022
@vickyinglis13 this is a lovely tradition. Currently reading Jennifer Paxton's England: From the Fall of Rome to the Norman Conquest.
Show threadVagabond VickyDec 24, 2022
@AndGraceToo I prefer a history or travelogue to reading fiction
Show threadFearless FriendDec 24, 2022
@vickyinglis13 thank you. I am trying to complete Barbara Kingsolver’s “Demon Copperhead” (2022). Still a way to go. It’s a very good read
Show threadVagabond VickyDec 24, 2022
@Digital_Archivist ooh, I loved the Poisonwood Bible. I'll have to look out for this.
Show threadNatashaDec 24, 2022
@vickyinglis13 Reading Strange Growth, 9 weird tales, by Niko Kristic. Can’t remember who recommended it, but fits for a wintry cosy in.
Show threadAJ Lauer, EdDDec 24, 2022
@vickyinglis13 I've been plowing through the Wild Irish series this week. 🔥
And When Things Fall Apart by Pema Chodron (much more thoughtfully)
Show threadJoan Combs DursoDec 25, 2022
@Ayjaylauer @vickyinglis13 oh, thanks! Haven’t read Tricia O’Malley. Will start reading thru them like Christmas candy!
Show threadAJ Lauer, EdDDec 25, 2022
@econoprof @vickyinglis13 her stuff is fun 😄 enjoy!
Show threadJoan Combs DursoDec 29, 2022
@Ayjaylauer @vickyinglis13 Darn you, AJ! I read the first one. Now I have to keep going to see what happens with Margaret when she comes home. Thanks, I think! One book gobbled, eleven to go!
Show threadAJ Lauer, EdDDec 29, 2022
@econoprof @vickyinglis13 so good!
Show threadthesweetcheatDec 24, 2022
@vickyinglis13 this evening, The Wombles by Elisabeth Beresford.
Show threadVagabond VickyDec 24, 2022
@thesweetcheat oh how wonderful
Show threadDr. Zalka Csenge VirágDec 24, 2022
@vickyinglis13 The Collected Enchantments by Theodora Goss. It's a magical book. 😊
Show threadDee LancasterDec 24, 2022
@vickyinglis13 I love this idea
Show threadFélicia M.Dec 24, 2022
@vickyinglis13 A wonderful tradition. 📘
Show thread🏰Christophe S.❄IceEnchanter🦢Dec 24, 2022

@vickyinglis13 Wow, I would fit perfectly in that Jolabokaflod, happy to hear about it :)

Currently, in my (very) recent reading bag : history about the viking (well, nordic history to say it properly), celtic and "gaulois" history, a book about neuropsychology (that has a part about language), books about language (that has a part about neuropsy :D), and language styles. (I am very newbie to most of this, that’s why they are in the bag ;).

And rulebooks for games "Dragons" (RPG) and Saga :)

Show threadJulie growsDec 24, 2022
@vickyinglis13 midnight library... Perfect.
Show threadHilary DuffieldDec 24, 2022
@vickyinglis13
Sounds like an excellent idea. I am reading bits of Philip Pullman's His Dark Materials trilogy for the umpteenth time, + Toby Hemenway's permaculture books.
Show threadVagabond VickyDec 24, 2022
@HilaryD have you been watching the BBC adaptation? Second episode of season 3 was on earlier this evening
Show threadnicoleDec 24, 2022
@vickyinglis13 this is literally all I’ve asked for every Christmas from childhood to today. 😂
Show threadVagabond VickyDec 24, 2022
@nicole haha same. I discovered this a couple of years ago, and it kept me going through the winter lockdown a couple of years ago
Show threadTrc451Dec 24, 2022
@vickyinglis13 I love this! I pick a book every year to read over Xmas eve and Xmas! This year: Chokepoint Capitalism! I’ve been waiting a few months for this! #corydoctorow
Show threadMadisonDec 24, 2022
@vickyinglis13 This is so lovely! I'm jealous.
Show threadPomvoxDec 24, 2022
@vickyinglis13 what a nice tradition ! Reading art is Life by Jerry Saltz
Show threadKim Campbell ThorntonDec 24, 2022
@vickyinglis13 I'm ready, although I haven't decided what to read yet.
Show threadVagabond VickyDec 24, 2022
@kkcthornton the most exciting time of all! I hope you find one that's worth savouring
Show threadElizabeth KentDec 24, 2022
@vickyinglis13 Small Game by Blair Braverman which I've been saving particularly for this tradition and this night - because I expect to be up all night reading it!
Show threadArdentArchivistDec 24, 2022
@vickyinglis13
I actually had heard of this - one more reason to love the Icelanders!
Show threadWoodyDec 24, 2022
@vickyinglis13 reading ‘Between Two Kingdoms’ by Suleika Jaouad. A gift to all who enter.
Show threadDuncan WaldronDec 25, 2022
@vickyinglis13 Thanks for reminding me of that wonderful tradition. I'm about to put the phone down, and get back to this.
Show threadBushbarkDec 25, 2022
@vickyinglis13 wonderful tradition. I have a new Stephen King novel. Have been saving it for the holidays.
Show threadBjörnDec 25, 2022

@vickyinglis13 The jólabókaflóð refers to the flood of books published before Christmas because books are popular gifts when gifts are exchanged on Christmas Eve.
Here is a good article about what is and isn't accurate in the stories about it

https://www.smithsonianmag.com/travel/icelands-christmas-book-flood-is-a-force-of-nature-180981293/

Iceland's Christmas Book Flood Is a Force of Nature

The nation’s seasonal publishing and gifting tradition nourishes its unique literary culture

Smithsonian Magazine
Show threadVagabond VickyDec 25, 2022
@bjorn Gleðileg jól! And thanks for sharing.
Show threadBjörnDec 25, 2022
@vickyinglis13 Gleðileg jól!
Show threadRoland SiegloffDec 25, 2022
@vickyinglis13 "Zur See" by Dörte Hansen