Happy Wednesday! I am excited to share our books from Jolabokaflod this year. This is the sixth year that I have given my family books in spirit of the Icelandic tradition of Jolabokaflod. In Iceland, books are exchanged on December 24th. After exchanging the books, people read their books with hot chocolate or a Christmas ale called jolbland. We open our books on Christmas Eve, but do not usually get to the reading with hot chocolate portion.
This is the sixth year that we have exchanged books in the spirit of Jolabokaflod. You can check out the previous years’ books here:
Jolabokaflod 2022
Jolabokaflod 2021
Jolabokaflod 2020
Jolabokaflod 2019
Jolabokaflod 2018
This year, my parents were at our house for Christmas Eve dinner. I gave Jeff’s mom and our neices and nephew on Jeff’s side their books Christmas Eve morning. I mailed my sister’s family’s books to them to open at Christmas Eve dinner.
Mom – The Second Life of Mirielle West by Amanda Skenandore & The Secret Book of Flora Lea by Patti Callahan Henry
Mirielle West has been on my list for a while and I thought my mom would love it. I was worried she’d read it already so I picked up Flora Lea, too. We met Patti Callahan Henry in October and both thought her book sounded great!
Dad and Jeff – Raven Rock by Garrett M Graff
I heard about this book in another book or podcast and thought my dad and Jeff would enjoy it. Even though it sounds a little depressing, Raven Rock sounds interesting. It is pretty close to us and we’ve heard some stories about it.
Jack – Banana Ball by Jesse Cole & The Year in Sports 2024 by Jr. James Buckley
We went to see the Savannah Bananas play years ago and it was so fun. When this book came out, Jeff said that Jack would love it. Jack has been getting the year in sports since 2015 and wanted the 2024 edition.
Luke – The Bad Guys in Open Wide and Say Arrrgh! by Aaron Blabey & Ben Yokoyama and The Cookie of Doom by Matthew Swanson and Robbi Behr
Luke has the first 14 Bad Guys books and wanted the 15th. We met Matthew Swanson and Robbi Behr in 2020 and I thought Luke would love the first book in this series.
Sister – American Royals by Katharine McGee
I loved this series and know my sister will, too!
Brother-In-Law – Incredible and True Fishing Stories by Shaun Morey
My brother-in-law is a big fisherman and likes big stories. I am hoping he enjoys this one!
Mother-In-Law – The Frozen River by Ariel Lawhorn
I heard about this book at a Publisher’s Book Talk and wanted to read it. I think my mother-in-law will love it!
12 year old niece – The Swifts by Beth Lincoln & The Bookshop of Dust and Dreams by Mindy Thompson
Middle school books are not my strength, but I asked some former students that are avid readers what they are loving and these were recommended. I think they both look so fun!
8 year old nieces – Because of Winn-Dixie by Kate DiCamillo & Cat on the Run by Aaron Blabey & Odder by Katherine Applegate & Fairest of All by Sara Mylnowski
These four books are some of my favorite stand alones and series. I think the girls are going to love them.
6 year old nephew – Home for Christmas by Jan Brett & Hey Bruce! By Ryan T. Higgins
My nephew loves books and I think these two are perfect for his funny personality!
2 year old niece – The Itty Bitty Kitty Corn by Shannon Hale & Steam Train, Dream Train by Sherri Duskey Rinker
I love both of these. I can’t keep the Kitty Corn book on the shelf in the library and Steam Train is one of my favorites!
Me – The Lost Bookshop by Evie Woods
Jeff was pretty excited to find a book about books that I haven’t read. I was, too! I just started it this week.
I love this tradition, but I will say these are some of the hardest gifts to buy. Books are such a personal thing and picking the right book for each person is tricky! My mom and mother-in-law are big readers so I don’t always know what they have and haven’t read. I haven’t read any of the books I got for my mom or mother-in-law but I’d like to. My dad has also read more than I know and has a wide interest range. I hope you enjoyed seeing our new books this year. Have you read any of them? Have a great day full of sunshine and books!
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I have such a hard time buying books for other people too! These look like some great books though I have only read the first book in the Royals.
I love reading about this tradition every year- yes- buying books for people IS challenging but one of the best gifts ever!
This is such a fun tradition, and you’re right a book is a personal gift that can be hard to pick out.
I love this tradition. You are so thoughtful with your book choices.
Hi Sarah, I’ve never commented before but have followed you for years. I have a book dilemma and am hoping for your advice. I will be a Mystery Reader for a second grade class soon. Could you suggest a short ( about a 10 minute read ) book with a Valentine theme? It’s been a long time since I had a second grader of my own! I’s really appreciate your advice on this one. Thanks in advance.
Debbie Robinson
Hi! Sorry for the delay. Cupig by Claire Tattersfield, The Biggest Valentine Ever by Steven Kroll, Valentine’s Day Jitters by Julie Danneberg, or Grumpy Monkey Valentine Gross Out by Suzanne Lang might be fun.