---
title: "Jolabokaflod: Iceland’s Christmas Book Flood"
description: For many decades books have been the Christmas presents of choice throughout Iceland. In fact, the practice is so culturally ingrained that the stereotypical Icelandic Christmas eve involves each family exchanging their literary gifts and then curling up silently to read their new books.
image: https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/hubfs/Harry_Potter_and_the_Philosopher's_Stone_Book_Cover.jpg
---

us toll free:[1-800-948-5563](tel:18009485563)   international: [+1 (843) 849-0283](tel:+18438490283)   UK: [+44 (0) 1334 260018](tel:+4401334260018)

[Wish List](http://www.bookstellyouwhy.com/wish-list.php) | [My Account](http://www.bookstellyouwhy.com/myaccount.php) | [Shopping Cart](http://www.bookstellyouwhy.com/cart.php)

[![Books Tell You Why](https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/hs-fs/file-24000257-png/images/logo.png "Books Tell You Why")](http://www.bookstellyouwhy.com)

![ilab](https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/hs-fs/hub/237126/file-294270925.png) ![abaa](https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/hs-fs/hub/237126/file-293390527.png)

- [Rare Books](https://pages.bookstellyouwhy.com/rare-books) 
    - [Browse Rare Books](https://www.bookstellyouwhy.com/browse-rare-books.php)
    - [Search Rare Books](https://www.bookstellyouwhy.com/advSearch.php?search=rarebooks)
- [Signed Books](https://pages.bookstellyouwhy.com/signed-books) 
    - [Browse Signed Books](https://www.bookstellyouwhy.com/browse-signed-books.php)
    - [Search Signed Books](https://www.bookstellyouwhy.com/advSearch.php?signed=on)
- [First Editions](https://pages.bookstellyouwhy.com/first-editions) 
    - [Browse First Editions](https://www.bookstellyouwhy.com/browse-first-editions.php)
    - [Search First Editions](https://www.bookstellyouwhy.com/advSearch.php?firstEd=on)
- [Legendary Authors](https://www.bookstellyouwhy.com/legendary_authors.php) 
    - [Saul Bellow](https://www.bookstellyouwhy.com/searchResults.php?action=browse&category_id=976)
    - [Edgar Rice Burroughs](https://www.bookstellyouwhy.com/searchResults.php?action=browse&category_id=1285)
    - [Charles Dickens](https://www.bookstellyouwhy.com/searchResults.php?action=browse&category_id=946)
    - [Umberto Eco](https://www.bookstellyouwhy.com/searchResults.php?action=browse&category_id=942)
    - [Ian Fleming](https://www.bookstellyouwhy.com/searchResults.php?action=browse&category_id=947)
    - [Gabriel García Márquez](https://www.bookstellyouwhy.com/searchResults.php?action=browse&category_id=1320)
    - [Ernest Hemingway](https://www.bookstellyouwhy.com/searchResults.php?action=browse&category_id=948)
    - [Rudyard Kipling](https://www.bookstellyouwhy.com/searchResults.php?category_id=936&action=browse)
    - [Doris Lessing](https://www.bookstellyouwhy.com/searchResults.php?action=browse&category_id=1031)
    - [Arthur Miller](https://www.bookstellyouwhy.com/searchResults.php?action=browse&category_id=980)
    - [V.S Naipaul](https://www.bookstellyouwhy.com/searchResults.php?action=browse&category_id=1042)
    - [Harold Pinter](https://www.bookstellyouwhy.com/searchResults.php?action=browse&category_id=1033)
    - [Philip Pullman](https://www.bookstellyouwhy.com/searchResults.php?action=browse&category_id=940)
    - [Philip Roth](https://www.bookstellyouwhy.com/searchResults.php?action=browse&category_id=959)
    - [John Steinbeck](https://www.bookstellyouwhy.com/searchResults.php?action=browse&category_id=945)
    - [J. R. R Tolkien](https://www.bookstellyouwhy.com/searchResults.php?action=browse&category_id=944)
    - [Mark Twain](https://www.bookstellyouwhy.com/searchResults.php?action=browse&category_id=943)
    - [John Updike](https://www.bookstellyouwhy.com/searchResults.php?action=browse&category_id=983)
    - [Elie Wiesel](https://www.bookstellyouwhy.com/searchResults.php?action=browse&category_id=984)
- [Gift Ideas](https://www.bookstellyouwhy.com/gift_ideas.php) 
    - [Business Partner](https://www.bookstellyouwhy.com/searchResults.php?action=browse&category_id=844)
    - [Christmas](https://www.bookstellyouwhy.com/searchResults.php?action=browse&category_id=941)
    - [Father's Day](https://www.bookstellyouwhy.com/searchResults.php?action=browse&category_id=837)
    - [Halloween](https://www.bookstellyouwhy.com/searchResults.php?action=browse&category_id=859)
    - [Mother's Day](https://www.bookstellyouwhy.com/searchResults.php?action=browse&category_id=848)
    - [Valentine's Day](https://www.bookstellyouwhy.com/searchResults.php?action=browse&category_id=975)
- [Book Search](https://www.bookstellyouwhy.com/advSearch.php)

# <https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com>[blogis librorum. A blog about books. Rare books.](https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com)

[![Did you know? Check our Rare Books Page](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/237126/4f5afc0e-4fe1-46f6-bebb-f93fe6f22263.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/237126/4f5afc0e-4fe1-46f6-bebb-f93fe6f22263)

## [Jolabokaflod: Iceland’s Christmas Book Flood](https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/jolabokaflod-icelands-christmas-book-flood-your-blog)

By [Brian Hoey](https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/author/brian-hoey).  Dec 21, 2018. 9:00 AM.

Topics: [Christmas Books](https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/topic/christmas-books), [Rare Book Gift Ideas](https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/topic/rare-book-gift-ideas)

In the United States, there is some disagreement about when, precisely, the [Christmas](https://www.bookstellyouwhy.com/searchResults.php?category_id=784&action=browse&orderBy=relevance) season starts. Extremely conservative estimates might say it starts at the beginning of Advent, some might declare the first of December to be the official start of the season, while increasingly many of us seem to have settled on the discount-fueled pandemonium of Black Friday as our starter pistol. In Iceland, on the other hand, there is no such ambiguity. The Christmas season begins with the annual November distribution of the Bokatidindi—the catalog that lists almost all of the books that will be published in Iceland during the coming two months. 

![iceland's book flood](https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/hs-fs/hubfs/iceland's%20book%20flood.jpg?width=600&name=iceland's%20book%20flood.jpg)

At this point you might be wondering how this could possibly indicate the start of the Christmas season in such stark terms. Well, there are a few reasons, but the most important is that for many decades books have been the Christmas presents of choice throughout Iceland. In fact, the practice is so culturally ingrained that the stereotypical Icelandic Christmas Eve involves each family exchanging their literary gifts and then curling up silently to read their new books.

As a result of this tradition, almost all of Iceland’s publishing happens in the two months leading up to Christmas, with only “blockbusters” like a new [*Harry Potter*](https://www.bookstellyouwhy.com/advSearchResults.php?action=search&orderBy=relevance&category_id=0&keywordsField=harry+potter) (1997-2007) or *Twilight* (2005-2008) translation likely to be published at any other time of year. This two month period of wintry literary deluge (and the capstone gift exchange that marks its culmination) is known, affectionately, as Jolabokaflod: the Christmas book flood.

[![Harry_Potter_and_the_Philosopher's_Stone_Book_Cover](https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Harry_Potter_and_the_Philosopher's_Stone_Book_Cover.jpg?width=250&name=Harry_Potter_and_the_Philosopher's_Stone_Book_Cover.jpg)](https://www.bookstellyouwhy.com/advSearchResults.php?action=search&orderBy=relevance&category_id=0&keywordsField=harry+potter)Now, for those of you who know a thing or two about Iceland, this practice might not come as much of a surprise. The official lore tells us that the practice of giving books as Christmas gifts began during [World War II](https://www.bookstellyouwhy.com/advSearchResults.php?action=search&orderBy=relevance&category_id=0&keywordsField=world+war+2), when restrictions on paper goods were less lenient than many other wartime restrictions, meaning that books were much easier to acquire than most other giftable items.

But even without this backstory, it’s easy to imagine this tradition developing in one of the world’s most bookish and literary countries. Though Icelandic as a language is essentially limited in use to the island-nation’s population, UNESCO recognizes Reykjavík, its capital, as a City of Literature. According to NPR: “Iceland has a long literary history dating to medieval times. Landmarks of world literature, including the Sagas of the Icelanders and the Poetic Edda, are still widely read and translated there, according to the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization.”

In 2012, Iceland published more than 800 different books. With a population just around 300,000, that number represents a books per capita more than double that of the United States, and higher than every country except the U.K. And those books aren’t languishing on the shelves, either. A recent study showed that half of Icelanders read at least eight books a year, and more than ninety percent of the population will read at least one book in a given year. Compare this to the U.S., where most of the book buying comes from a relatively small number of individual buyers. Books are such vaunted objects that it was only fairly recently that softcover books started to gain some ground on pricier and more enduring hardbacks (eBooks are virtually unheard of). And this is before we even consider library books. Reykjavík’s City Library loaned out more than 1 million volumes in 2009, which is an average of five books per year for each of the city’s 200,000 residents.

[![night_before_christmas](https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/hs-fs/hubfs/night_before_christmas.jpg?width=261&name=night_before_christmas.jpg)](https://www.bookstellyouwhy.com/advSearchResults.php?action=search&orderBy=relevance&category_id=0&keywordsField=night+before+christmas)

Whether it’s because of long centuries of literary tradition, or a thriving contemporary publishing industry, the annual publishing catalog (which is distributed to every household in the country for free) remains a marquee event, one that residents anticipate and discuss as the autumn nights lengthen into near-constant darkness. The holidays become a season not just of family and overeating, but of serious literary conversation.

Here at the [Books Tell You Why](https://www.bookstellyouwhy.com/legendary_authors.php) blog, we can hardly think of anything better. In fact, we really can't think of anything better than giving books as gifts (after all, they say you should treat others the way you want to be treated). Hopefully Iceland’s Jolabokaflod tradition becomes more widely known in the U.S. and elsewhere. We'd love to hear of more and more people curled up with a new book on Christmas Eve, leisurely flipping through fire-lit pages.

P.S. If you're wondering how to accurately pronounce *Jolabokaflod*, [click here](https://forvo.com/word/j%C3%B3lab%C3%B3kafl%C3%B3%C3%B0/#is).

[![Browse Our Christmas Collection](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/237126/7ef56f18-dc91-4fb0-8d61-b6aac1307dff.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/237126/7ef56f18-dc91-4fb0-8d61-b6aac1307dff)

![](https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/hs-fs/hub/237126/file-1850204945.jpg?width=80&name=file-1850204945.jpg) 

[Brian Hoey](https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/author/brian-hoey)

Writer and all around book nerd, Brian puts his English degree to good use turning words into magic. A great lover of beer, baseball, and books, he can write on Baltic Porter and Katherine Anne Porter with equal ease.

 

Please enable JavaScript to view the [comments powered by Disqus.](http://disqus.com/?ref_noscript) [comments powered by Disqus](http://disqus.com)

 

|  |
| --- |

This is a search field with an auto-suggest feature attached.

- There are no suggestions because the search field is empty.

### About this blog

 How can I identify a first edition? Where do I learn about caring for books? How should I start collecting? Hear from librarians about amazing collections, learn about historic bindings or printing techniques, get to know other collectors. Whether you are just starting or looking for expert advice, chances are, you'll find something of interest on blogis librorum.

### Get blog notifications per email:

[![Download the James Bond Dossier ](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/237126/639676e5-ddf3-45f7-be51-d4bcbf6fa6b8.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/237126/639676e5-ddf3-45f7-be51-d4bcbf6fa6b8)

### Recent Posts

[![Book Glossary](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/237126/edd00eb4-b601-4ee2-b639-b62ddf28ed93.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/237126/edd00eb4-b601-4ee2-b639-b62ddf28ed93)

### Posts by Topic

- [American History (123)](https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/topic/american-history)
- [American Literature (259)](https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/topic/american-literature)
- [Art (11)](https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/topic/art)
- [Awarded Books (118)](https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/topic/awarded-books)
- [Baseball (1)](https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/topic/baseball)
- [Biographies (47)](https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/topic/biographies)
- [Bond Dossier (1)](https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/topic/bond-dossier)
- [Book Care (34)](https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/topic/book-care)
- [Book Collecting (419)](https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/topic/book-collecting)
- [Book History (84)](https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/topic/book-history)
- [Book Making (42)](https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/topic/book-making)
- [Book News (85)](https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/topic/book-news)
- [Books collecting (7)](https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/topic/books-collecting)
- [Caldecott Medal (84)](https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/topic/caldecott-medal)
- [Charles Dickens (19)](https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/topic/charles-dickens)
- [Children's Books (282)](https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/topic/childrens-books)
- [Christmas Books (30)](https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/topic/christmas-books)
- [Civil War (3)](https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/topic/civil-war)
- [Collecting guide (10)](https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/topic/collecting-guide)
- [collectors (4)](https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/topic/collectors)
- [Condition (1)](https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/topic/condition)
- [Drama (41)](https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/topic/drama)
- [Dust Jackets (9)](https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/topic/dust-jackets)
- [Fine Press (54)](https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/topic/fine-press)
- [First Editions (5)](https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/topic/first-editions)
- [Fishing (12)](https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/topic/fishing)
- [Food (1)](https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/topic/food)
- [History (154)](https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/topic/history)
- [Horror (43)](https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/topic/horror)
- [illustrations (4)](https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/topic/illustrations)
- [Interviews (17)](https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/topic/interviews)
- [J. R. R. Tolkien (24)](https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/topic/j-r-r-tolkien)
- [James Bond (62)](https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/topic/james-bond)
- [Learn About Books (38)](https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/topic/learn-about-books)
- [Legendary Authors (399)](https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/topic/legendary-authors)
- [Legendary Illustrators (59)](https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/topic/legendary-illustrators)
- [Libraries (7)](https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/topic/libraries)
- [Libraries & Special Collections (73)](https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/topic/libraries-special-collections)
- [Literary travel (86)](https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/topic/literary-travel)
- [Literature (480)](https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/topic/literature)
- [Magical Realism (1)](https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/topic/magical-realism)
- [Mario Vargas Llosa (1)](https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/topic/mario-vargas-llosa)
- [Mark Twain (26)](https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/topic/mark-twain)
- [Modern First Editions (81)](https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/topic/modern-first-editions)
- [Movie Tie-Ins (148)](https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/topic/movie-tie-ins)
- [Music (3)](https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/topic/music)
- [Mystery, Suspense & Crime (49)](https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/topic/mystery-suspense-crime)
- [Newbery Award (39)](https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/topic/newbery-award)
- [Nobel Prize Winners (197)](https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/topic/nobel-prize-winners)
- [Poetry (149)](https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/topic/poetry)
- [Pulitzer Prize (67)](https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/topic/pulitzer-prize)
- [Quizzes (9)](https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/topic/quizzes)
- [Rare Book Gift Ideas (48)](https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/topic/rare-book-gift-ideas)
- [Rare Books (179)](https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/topic/rare-books)
- [Science (37)](https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/topic/science)
- [Science Fiction (51)](https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/topic/science-fiction)
- [Thomas Harris (1)](https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/topic/thomas-harris)
- [travel guides (1)](https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/topic/travel-guides)
- [Umberto Eco (14)](https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/topic/umberto-eco)

[![Get your free Guide to Book Care ](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/237126/73b09407-0389-43d3-8221-0b8358f11602.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/237126/73b09407-0389-43d3-8221-0b8358f11602)

### Blog Archive

- [July 2024 (1)](https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/archive/2024/07)
- [June 2024 (3)](https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/archive/2024/06)
- [May 2024 (4)](https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/archive/2024/05)
- [April 2024 (3)](https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/archive/2024/04)
- [March 2024 (1)](https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/archive/2024/03)
- [February 2024 (4)](https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/archive/2024/02)
- [January 2024 (3)](https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/archive/2024/01)
- [December 2023 (3)](https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/archive/2023/12)
- [November 2023 (3)](https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/archive/2023/11)
- [October 2023 (5)](https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/archive/2023/10)
- [September 2023 (4)](https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/archive/2023/09)
- [August 2023 (3)](https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/archive/2023/08)
- [July 2023 (1)](https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/archive/2023/07)
- [June 2023 (4)](https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/archive/2023/06)
- [May 2023 (4)](https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/archive/2023/05)
- [April 2023 (5)](https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/archive/2023/04)
- [March 2023 (6)](https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/archive/2023/03)
- [February 2023 (7)](https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/archive/2023/02)
- [January 2023 (9)](https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/archive/2023/01)
- [December 2022 (4)](https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/archive/2022/12)
- [November 2022 (3)](https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/archive/2022/11)
- [September 2022 (1)](https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/archive/2022/09)
- [June 2022 (2)](https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/archive/2022/06)
- [March 2022 (1)](https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/archive/2022/03)
- [February 2022 (2)](https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/archive/2022/02)
- [January 2022 (3)](https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/archive/2022/01)
- [October 2021 (1)](https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/archive/2021/10)
- [September 2021 (1)](https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/archive/2021/09)
- [July 2021 (1)](https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/archive/2021/07)
- [May 2021 (1)](https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/archive/2021/05)
- [April 2021 (2)](https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/archive/2021/04)
- [March 2021 (1)](https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/archive/2021/03)
- [February 2021 (5)](https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/archive/2021/02)
- [January 2021 (8)](https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/archive/2021/01)
- [December 2020 (9)](https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/archive/2020/12)
- [November 2020 (6)](https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/archive/2020/11)
- [October 2020 (9)](https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/archive/2020/10)
- [September 2020 (9)](https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/archive/2020/09)
- [August 2020 (10)](https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/archive/2020/08)
- [July 2020 (3)](https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/archive/2020/07)
- [June 2020 (3)](https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/archive/2020/06)
- [May 2020 (6)](https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/archive/2020/05)
- [April 2020 (16)](https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/archive/2020/04)
- [March 2020 (16)](https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/archive/2020/03)
- [February 2020 (16)](https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/archive/2020/02)
- [January 2020 (16)](https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/archive/2020/01)
- [December 2019 (16)](https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/archive/2019/12)
- [November 2019 (15)](https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/archive/2019/11)
- [October 2019 (17)](https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/archive/2019/10)
- [September 2019 (16)](https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/archive/2019/09)
- [August 2019 (15)](https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/archive/2019/08)
- [July 2019 (20)](https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/archive/2019/07)
- [June 2019 (16)](https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/archive/2019/06)
- [May 2019 (18)](https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/archive/2019/05)
- [April 2019 (16)](https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/archive/2019/04)
- [March 2019 (16)](https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/archive/2019/03)
- [February 2019 (14)](https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/archive/2019/02)
- [January 2019 (18)](https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/archive/2019/01)
- [December 2018 (18)](https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/archive/2018/12)
- [November 2018 (18)](https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/archive/2018/11)
- [October 2018 (16)](https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/archive/2018/10)
- [September 2018 (15)](https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/archive/2018/09)
- [August 2018 (16)](https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/archive/2018/08)
- [July 2018 (16)](https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/archive/2018/07)
- [June 2018 (15)](https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/archive/2018/06)
- [May 2018 (17)](https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/archive/2018/05)
- [April 2018 (16)](https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/archive/2018/04)
- [March 2018 (17)](https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/archive/2018/03)
- [February 2018 (15)](https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/archive/2018/02)
- [January 2018 (14)](https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/archive/2018/01)
- [December 2017 (18)](https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/archive/2017/12)
- [November 2017 (21)](https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/archive/2017/11)
- [October 2017 (21)](https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/archive/2017/10)
- [September 2017 (23)](https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/archive/2017/09)
- [August 2017 (20)](https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/archive/2017/08)
- [July 2017 (22)](https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/archive/2017/07)
- [June 2017 (21)](https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/archive/2017/06)
- [May 2017 (23)](https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/archive/2017/05)
- [April 2017 (23)](https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/archive/2017/04)
- [March 2017 (23)](https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/archive/2017/03)
- [February 2017 (20)](https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/archive/2017/02)
- [January 2017 (21)](https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/archive/2017/01)
- [December 2016 (23)](https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/archive/2016/12)
- [November 2016 (22)](https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/archive/2016/11)
- [October 2016 (23)](https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/archive/2016/10)
- [September 2016 (22)](https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/archive/2016/09)
- [August 2016 (23)](https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/archive/2016/08)
- [July 2016 (22)](https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/archive/2016/07)
- [June 2016 (22)](https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/archive/2016/06)
- [May 2016 (23)](https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/archive/2016/05)
- [April 2016 (30)](https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/archive/2016/04)
- [March 2016 (32)](https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/archive/2016/03)
- [February 2016 (29)](https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/archive/2016/02)
- [January 2016 (29)](https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/archive/2016/01)
- [December 2015 (29)](https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/archive/2015/12)
- [November 2015 (27)](https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/archive/2015/11)
- [October 2015 (30)](https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/archive/2015/10)
- [September 2015 (29)](https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/archive/2015/09)
- [August 2015 (31)](https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/archive/2015/08)
- [July 2015 (29)](https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/archive/2015/07)
- [June 2015 (29)](https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/archive/2015/06)
- [May 2015 (32)](https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/archive/2015/05)
- [April 2015 (30)](https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/archive/2015/04)
- [March 2015 (29)](https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/archive/2015/03)
- [February 2015 (25)](https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/archive/2015/02)
- [January 2015 (31)](https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/archive/2015/01)
- [December 2014 (27)](https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/archive/2014/12)
- [November 2014 (26)](https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/archive/2014/11)
- [October 2014 (28)](https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/archive/2014/10)
- [September 2014 (27)](https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/archive/2014/09)
- [August 2014 (25)](https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/archive/2014/08)
- [July 2014 (24)](https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/archive/2014/07)
- [June 2014 (27)](https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/archive/2014/06)
- [May 2014 (25)](https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/archive/2014/05)
- [April 2014 (21)](https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/archive/2014/04)
- [March 2014 (18)](https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/archive/2014/03)
- [February 2014 (18)](https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/archive/2014/02)
- [January 2014 (26)](https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/archive/2014/01)
- [December 2013 (22)](https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/archive/2013/12)
- [November 2013 (22)](https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/archive/2013/11)
- [October 2013 (26)](https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/archive/2013/10)
- [September 2013 (8)](https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/archive/2013/09)
- [August 2013 (9)](https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/archive/2013/08)
- [July 2013 (9)](https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/archive/2013/07)
- [June 2013 (8)](https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/archive/2013/06)
- [May 2013 (13)](https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/archive/2013/05)
- [April 2013 (10)](https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/archive/2013/04)
- [March 2013 (9)](https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/archive/2013/03)
- [February 2013 (6)](https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/archive/2013/02)
- [January 2013 (4)](https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/archive/2013/01)
- [December 2012 (6)](https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/archive/2012/12)
- [November 2012 (6)](https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/archive/2012/11)
- [October 2012 (8)](https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/archive/2012/10)
- [September 2012 (7)](https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/archive/2012/09)
- [August 2012 (7)](https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/archive/2012/08)
- [July 2012 (7)](https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/archive/2012/07)
- [June 2012 (5)](https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/archive/2012/06)
- [May 2012 (7)](https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/archive/2012/05)
- [April 2012 (7)](https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/archive/2012/04)
- [March 2012 (4)](https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/archive/2012/03)
- [February 2012 (3)](https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/archive/2012/02)
- [January 2012 (4)](https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/archive/2012/01)
- [December 2011 (2)](https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/archive/2011/12)
- [November 2011 (4)](https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/archive/2011/11)
- [October 2011 (2)](https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/archive/2011/10)
- [August 2011 (4)](https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/archive/2011/08)
- [July 2011 (2)](https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/archive/2011/07)
- [June 2011 (3)](https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/archive/2011/06)
- [May 2011 (4)](https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/archive/2011/05)
- [April 2011 (4)](https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/archive/2011/04)
- [March 2011 (1)](https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/archive/2011/03)
- [October 2010 (1)](https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/archive/2010/10)
- [September 2010 (2)](https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/archive/2010/09)
- [June 2010 (4)](https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/archive/2010/06)
- [May 2010 (2)](https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/archive/2010/05)
- [April 2010 (6)](https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/archive/2010/04)
- [March 2010 (8)](https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/archive/2010/03)
- [February 2010 (5)](https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/archive/2010/02)
- [January 2010 (15)](https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/archive/2010/01)

> see older posts

[![A Guide to Historic Libraries Part I](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/237126/4a376006-1872-4939-a6e6-bf7cd379d53e.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/237126/4a376006-1872-4939-a6e6-bf7cd379d53e)

- [Rare Books](https://pages.bookstellyouwhy.com/rare-books)
- [Signed Books](https://www.bookstellyouwhy.com/signed-books.php)
- [First Editions](https://www.bookstellyouwhy.com/first-edition-books.php)
- [New Arrivals](https://www.bookstellyouwhy.com/new-arrivals.php)
- [Featured Books](https://www.bookstellyouwhy.com/featured.php)
- [Key Categories](https://www.bookstellyouwhy.com/categories.php)
- [Advanced Search](https://www.bookstellyouwhy.com/advSearch.php)
- [Job Opportunities](https://pages.bookstellyouwhy.com/job-opportunities)

- [Our Story](https://www.bookstellyouwhy.com/our_story.php)
- [Contact Us](https://www.bookstellyouwhy.com/contact.php)
- [Events](https://www.bookstellyouwhy.com/events.php)
- [Selling Books](https://www.bookstellyouwhy.com/selling_books.php)
- [Autographs & Signatures](https://www.bookstellyouwhy.com/autographs_signatures.php)
- [Collector's Resources](https://www.bookstellyouwhy.com/collector_resources.php)
- [Glossary](https://www.bookstellyouwhy.com/glossary.php)

- [Our Blog](https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com)
- [Shopping Cart](https://www.bookstellyouwhy.com/cart.php)
- [My Account](https://www.bookstellyouwhy.com/myaccount.php)
- [Create an Account](https://www.bookstellyouwhy.com/createAccount.php)
- [Store Policies](https://www.bookstellyouwhy.com/policies.php)
- [Privacy Policy](https://www.bookstellyouwhy.com/privacy.php)
- [Loyalty and Rewards](https://www.bookstellyouwhy.com/loyalty.php)
- [Scholarships](https://pages.bookstellyouwhy.com/rare-book-school-scholarship-information)

- Phone: [+1 (843) 849-0283](tel:+1%20(843)%20849-0283)
- [Books@BooksTellYouWhy.com](mailto:books@bookstellyouwhy.com)

- © 2008 -  Books Tell You Why, Inc. All rights reserved. | [Site by Bibliopolis](http://www.bibliopolis.com)
- [Content Marketing](https://aspiration.marketing/topics/content-marketing) by [Aspiration Marketing](http://www.aspiration.marketing)

```json
{
  "@context" : "https://schema.org",
  "@type" : "BlogPosting",
  "author" : {
    "@type" : "Person",
    "name" : "Brian Hoey",
    "url" : "https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/author/brian-hoey"
  },
  "dateModified" : "2018-12-21T14:00:10.437Z",
  "datePublished" : "2018-12-21T14:00:00.000Z",
  "headline" : "Jolabokaflod: Iceland’s Christmas Book Flood",
  "image" : [ "https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/hubfs/Harry_Potter_and_the_Philosopher's_Stone_Book_Cover.jpg" ],
  "mainEntityOfPage" : {
    "@id" : "https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/jolabokaflod-icelands-christmas-book-flood-your-blog",
    "@type" : "WebPage"
  },
  "publisher" : {
    "@type" : "Organization",
    "logo" : {
      "@type" : "ImageObject",
      "url" : "https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/hs-fs/hub/237126/file-1623254079.jpg"
    },
    "name" : "Aspiration Marketing Canada, Inc."
  }
}
```