by Clelia Sweeney

It’s getting to be that time of year again. Winter holidays are here, the air is cold, night falls fast. People are spending more time inside, and coziness is a must. There is no better season to get some serious reading done.

The Icelanders have Jolabokaflod, a winter holiday tradition where people give books as gifts and spend Christmas Eve reading, hot beverage in hand. This practice originated during World War II because paper was one of the few goods not rationed for the war effort. Books became the default holiday gift and the trend has persisted. Although we don’t have a national holiday for it, enjoying time reading indoors during winter is a universal pastime.

We have two reading challenges going on now to help you get started. The first, the IditaRead Challenge, runs from December 1 – January 31. The rules are simple: count every day you read, for any length of time, until you reach 30 days. The prizes are also suitably cozy: for adults, a ceramic soup mug with spoon or a coffee mug. Children and teens can pick out a free book as their prize. To participate, sign up online at www.amespubliclibrary.beanstack.com or pick up a paper tracking sheet at one of our service desks or the Bookmobile. These are also available to print from our website.

12 to Try is our year-long reading challenge, designed to help you shake up your shelf and try something new. Each month features a different theme/category of book to read, but you can complete them at your own pace in any order you like. The halfway prize for reading 6 of the categories is a vinyl sticker, and the final prize is an ombre metal water bottle.

If you need ideas, we are always happy to provide recommendations. The theme in January is to read a debut book written by a BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, or Person of Color) author. Lots of great options there. I would recommend Your Driver is Waiting by Priya Guns, Black Cake by Charmaine Wilkerson, or Go Tell It on the Mountain by James Baldwin.

For more information, visit www.amespubliclibrary.org/12toTry. You can track your progress online with the Beanstack website or app, or use a paper tracking sheet.

Enjoy Jolabokaflod!