CARYBOKAFLOÐ

A Celebration of Cozy Reading!

Wednesday, December 14, 2022 at 6:30-8:30 PM

Take a break from busy schedules and enjoy an evening of calm renewal at Cary Library.

Stop by the library, find a book, grab a chair and read! To help you power down, we'll have hot chocolate and cookies, crafts for all ages, giveaways, and recommendations for what to read next.  

What is CARYBOKAFLOÐ?

Inspired by Jolabokafloð, an Icelandic holiday tradition, Carybokafloð [Cary-bo-kah-flawed] celebrates all things cozy, seasonal and book-related. Warm and relaxing activities for all will be on the main floor of the library and in the Children’s and Teen rooms.

A Short History of Jolabokafloð & Carybokafloð

Cary Library was motivated by the warm ambiance of the Icelandic tradition of Jolabokafloð, [YO-la-BO-kah-flawed], Yule book flood, to create our own winter tradition in Lexington.

During November, each Icelandic household receives a catalog of book titles published that year. It’s a time of selecting and giving books to family and friends, attending book readings and listening to author interviews. Then comes cozying up with warm drinks and appealing foods, perhaps by a fire, for hours of comfy reading.

This tradition dates to World War II, when many items were rationed or in short supply. But not paper! Book writing and book reading flourished, and today 1 in 10 Icelanders publishes their own book.

Cary Library takes this beloved tradition and makes it into something unique among our many celebrations. As the weather grows cold and the darkness lengthens, come to the library and enjoy an evening of calm renewal. Hot chocolate, crafts for all ages, music, flickering candlelight, and of course, book reading, book recommendations, and book talk!