Sonder Books, Second Life
As winter winds weave their way through Icelandic landscapes, a unique and heartwarming Christmas Eve tradition takes center stage – Jolabokaflod, or the Book Flood. Rooted in a love for literature, this Icelandic custom radiates coziness and togetherness, capturing the spirit of the season in the warmth of shared stories.
In Iceland, Jolabokaflod is more than just a tradition though; it’s a way of life. Statistics reveal that a staggering 93% of Icelanders read at least one book a year, making literature an integral part of their day-to-day lives. This love for reading is so deeply ingrained that Iceland has more books published per capita than any other country in the world. In fact, the island nation boasts an impressive number of published authors, a testament to the rich literary culture that thrives within its borders.
Christmas Eve is when the heart of Jolabokaflod beats strongest. Families and friends come together to exchange books as gifts, creating an atmosphere of shared excitement and anticipation. As the night unfolds, individuals of all ages cozy up with their newfound literary treasures, escaping into worlds of imagination and wonder.
At The Nature Collective, we find a kindred spirit in the Icelandic love for books. Many of our group members share a deep passion for literature, and to celebrate this shared interest, we’ve established our very own book club. Just like the Jolabokaflod tradition, our book club embodies the coziness and togetherness that comes from sharing stories.
The Nature Collective Book Club, which meets once a month, provides a virtual haven for book lovers within our community. Whether you’re a fan of fiction, non-fiction, or anything in between, our book club welcomes you to join in the joy of reading and connect with like-minded individuals who share your enthusiasm and love of books. Every book we choose revolves around nature or prominently incorporates natural elements into the narrative, ensuring an ideal reading experience for both nature enthusiasts and book lovers alike!
As the holiday season approaches, let’s take a page from the Icelandic book of togetherness. Visit our book club page to discover our current and past reads. We welcome you to leave reviews and ratings on books that you’ve read. We also invite you to visit our events page where you can learn more about our upcoming meetings. The Nature Collective Discord server is another great way to connect with fellow book lovers and the vibrant community of readers (and nature lovers) waiting to welcome you.
This Christmas Eve, let the magic of Jolabokaflod and the shared love for books bring warmth to your heart and create lasting memories of togetherness. Happy reading and happy holidays from Nature Collective!
“Nerdy for Nature” is a new blog segment by Emm Evergarden, founder of The Nature Collective SL, which highlights various nature topics and nature in the news. She hopes you enjoy all of her nerdy musings and carry the info that you might learn, within your day-to-day lives – doing your part to be a steward and caretaker of the Earth and all its inhabitants.