I am a food and travel writer as well as a cruise ship enrichment speaker: my passion is exploring the cuisine, history, and culture of new places and writing about them here in my free bi-weekly (twice monthly) Destination Curation newsletter where I look at the intersection of history, culture, and cuisine in major destinations.
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🇮🇸 Jólabókaflóð: Iceland's Beloved Christmas Book Flood 🇮🇸
Published 30 days ago • 8 min read
November 28, 2025
Greetings!
One of Iceland's more charming holiday traditions is Jólabókaflóð, or the "Christmas Book Flood," which reflects the nation's passion for literature. Each year on Christmas Eve, Icelanders exchange books as gifts and spend the evening reading together, often while enjoying chocolate. This tradition dates back to World War II when paper was one of the few items not rationed, making books an affordable and meaningful gift. It’s a tradition I’ve incorporated into our family Christmas Eve, and these are the only gifts that we give one another, so a lot of thought has to go into the book choice.
Today, publishers release the majority of their new titles between September and November in preparation for the holiday season, and the Icelandic book market remains remarkably robust for a nation of just 370,000 people. The tradition has become so integral to Icelandic Christmas celebrations that the Bókatíðindi (Book Bulletin), a catalog of new releases, is distributed free to every household in autumn, allowing families to create their Christmas wish lists and keeping Iceland's vibrant literary scene thriving.
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If this Black Friday finds you scratching your head about which gifts to give your loved ones, or if you are just looking for a good read, consider one of the books below. They are among the better books I read in 2025: a wide range of topics, genres, and each is a gem!
Wishing you a peaceful holiday season filled with lots of time to curl up and read a great book!
Gabriel Zuchtriegal, director of Pompeii's archaeological park, offers a fresh perspective on this ancient city, moving beyond the volcanic disaster to explore daily life in one of Rome's most vibrant communities. Drawing on cutting-edge archaeological discoveries, this book reveals how Pompeii's inhabitants lived, worked, and entertained themselves. A must-read for anyone fascinated by ancient Roman civilization and the stories preserved beneath volcanic ash.
Selena Wisnom explores how ancient Mesopotamian innovations—from writing and mathematics to law and literature—laid the foundations for modern civilization. This engaging narrative demonstrates the profound influence of Sumerian, Babylonian, and Assyrian cultures on our contemporary world. Essential reading for travelers to Iraq or anyone interested in humanity's earliest urban societies.
William Dalrymple masterfully traces India's profound influence on global civilization, from the spread of Buddhism across Asia to mathematical innovations that changed human understanding. His vivid storytelling brings to life the merchants, missionaries, and scholars who traveled ancient trade routes carrying ideas that shaped the world. This book is perfect for travelers planning to visit India or anyone seeking to understand the subcontinent's global impact.
Roger Crowley recounts the high-stakes competition between European powers for control of the lucrative spice trade, focusing on the Portuguese and Dutch struggles in the East Indies. This thrilling narrative of exploration, warfare, and commerce explains how the quest for nutmeg, cloves, and pepper transformed global politics and economics. A captivating read for anyone interested in maritime history or planning to explore Southeast Asia.
Andrew Baruch Wachtel provides an accessible overview of the Balkans' complex history, moving beyond stereotypes of endless conflict to reveal the region's rich cultural exchanges and diversity. The book examines how empires, religions, and peoples have intersected in this crossroads of civilizations. Perfect preparation for travelers heading to Greece, Albania, Serbia, Croatia, or any Balkan destination.
Zeinab Badawi presents African history from an African perspective, challenging Eurocentric narratives and celebrating the continent's achievements from ancient kingdoms to independence movements. Her comprehensive survey spans millennia and covers the entire continent, giving readers context for understanding Africa's diverse cultures and nations. Essential reading for anyone planning African travels or seeking to understand humanity's birthplace.
Greg Grandin offers a sweeping reinterpretation of the Americas, examining how the hemisphere's history has been shaped by encounters between indigenous peoples, European colonizers, and African slaves. This ambitious work challenges traditional narratives and reveals unexpected connections across North and South America. A thought-provoking companion for travelers exploring the Western Hemisphere's complex heritage.
Stephen R. Brown chronicles the extraordinary life of Norwegian explorer Roald Amundsen, the first person to reach the South Pole and navigate the Northwest Passage. This biography captures the determination, strategic brilliance, and occasionally ruthless ambition that drove Amundsen's polar achievements. Perfect for armchair adventurers and those planning expeditions to polar regions.
Alistair MacLean brings his storytelling prowess to the life of Captain James Cook, whose Pacific voyages transformed European understanding of the world's largest ocean. This accessible biography examines Cook's navigational genius, his encounters with Pacific peoples, and his tragic death in Hawaii. Essential reading for anyone cruising the Pacific or visiting Australia, New Zealand, or Hawaii.
Patrick Leigh Fermor recounts his legendary 1933 walk from Holland to Constantinople as an 18-year-old, capturing a vanished pre-war Europe with lyrical prose and keen observation. His encounters with aristocrats, peasants, and everyone in between paint an unforgettable portrait of Central European culture. A travel writing masterpiece that inspires wanderlust and rewards readers with some of the finest descriptive writing in English.
Olivia Manning's semi-autobiographical trilogy follows a young English couple in Bucharest, Athens, and Cairo as World War II engulfs the Balkans and Eastern Mediterranean. Her vivid portrayal of expatriate life amid political upheaval offers both compelling drama and sharp social observation. A rich fictional companion for travelers exploring Romania, Greece, and the Eastern Mediterranean.
Michael King's comprehensive history traces New Zealand from Māori settlement through European colonization to modern multicultural society. His balanced narrative addresses both triumphs and tragedies, including the Treaty of Waitangi and ongoing efforts at reconciliation. Essential background for anyone visiting Aotearoa New Zealand.
Christina Thompson explores one of humanity's greatest maritime achievements: the Polynesian settlement of the Pacific's vast island realm. Blending science, history, and anthropology, she examines how ancient navigators crossed thousands of miles of open ocean using only stars, waves, and birds. A fascinating read for anyone cruising the South Pacific or visiting Hawaii, Tahiti, or Easter Island.
Alistair Moffat tells Edinburgh's story from prehistoric times to the present, revealing how Scotland's capital evolved from a volcanic fortress to a UNESCO World Heritage site. His engaging narrative brings to life the city's literary giants, political dramas, and architectural splendors. Perfect preparation for visitors to Scotland's enchanting capital.
Anna Ansari traces culinary traditions along the historic Silk Roads, offering recipes and stories that connect diverse cultures from Azerbaijan to China. Her beautifully photographed cookbook celebrates how spices, techniques, and ingredients traveled ancient trade routes, creating fusion cuisines long before the term existed. A delicious companion for food-focused travelers exploring Central Asia and beyond.
The great-grandchildren of founder Joel Russ chronicle their family's iconic New York appetizing shop, which has served smoked fish, bagels, and Jewish delicacies on the Lower East Side since 1914. This delightful book combines family history, immigrant stories, and mouthwatering recipes that preserve Eastern European Jewish culinary traditions. A must-read for food lovers visiting New York or anyone interested in American immigrant cuisine.
Olia Hercules weaves together personal memoir, Ukrainian history, and recipes that celebrate her homeland's rich culinary heritage. Written with particular poignancy given recent events, this book reveals Ukraine's distinct cultural identity through its diverse regional cuisines. An essential read for understanding Ukrainian culture and a treasure trove of recipes for adventurous home cooks.
Nobel Prize-winning neuroscientist Eric Kandel explores how fin-de-siècle Vienna became a crucible for revolutionary ideas about the human mind, bringing together artists like Klimt and Schiele with thinkers like Freud. His interdisciplinary approach illuminates how Viennese modernism anticipated contemporary neuroscience's understanding of perception and emotion. A brilliant companion for visitors to Vienna's museums and a fascinating exploration of art's relationship to the brain.
Mimi Thorisson invites readers into her beautifully restored Tuscan mill house, sharing seasonal Italian recipes and gorgeous photography of family life in the Italian countryside. Her approach emphasizes simple, authentic Italian cooking that celebrates local ingredients and traditional techniques. This visually stunning book inspires both armchair travel and hands-on cooking for anyone dreaming of la dolce vita.
Kyung Moon Hwang provides an accessible overview of Korean history from ancient kingdoms to the present, helping readers understand the peninsula's division and South Korea's remarkable transformation. His balanced narrative explains how Korean culture developed its distinct identity despite powerful neighbors. Essential background for travelers to Seoul, Busan, or the DMZ.
Kaya Genç offers an insider's perspective on contemporary Turkey through literature, music, and personal encounters, revealing a complex nation navigating between tradition and modernity. His lyrical prose captures Istanbul's creative energy and the contradictions of Turkish society today. A valuable companion for travelers seeking to understand Turkey beyond tourist sites.
Herbert P. Bix's Pulitzer Prize-winning biography examines Emperor Hirohito's role in Japan's militaristic expansion and his surprising survival and reinvention after World War II. This meticulously researched work challenges myths about the emperor's wartime passivity and explores his influence on modern Japan. Essential reading for understanding 20th-century Japanese history and the complexities of imperial power.
Be sure to check in with the Destination Resources Reading Lists, which I update regularly with new books, podcasts, TV and film, and other resources designed to make your travel meaningful. I did a big update recently, changing the format to make it easier to navigate. Visit via this link!
Safe onward travels and Happy Holidays! I'm very grateful to this wonderful community of curious travelers: thank you for helping me do a job I love!
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I am a food and travel writer as well as a cruise ship enrichment speaker: my passion is exploring the cuisine, history, and culture of new places and writing about them here in my free bi-weekly (twice monthly) Destination Curation newsletter where I look at the intersection of history, culture, and cuisine in major destinations.
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