Winter Bookish Traditions Around the World

Settle in with Traci and January for a cozy literary journey around the world as we explore real winter reading traditions that make this season perfect for stories, candles, and long nights with a good book.

In this episode, we travel through:

🕯️ Sweden’s mysiga stunder — the art of creating “cozy moments,” where winter reading becomes a slow, intentional ritual surrounded by warmth, candles, and comfort.

📚 Iceland’s Jólabókaflóð — the beloved “Christmas Book Flood,” when families exchange books on December 24 and spend the night reading with cocoa or jólaöl.

🌙 Iran’s Yalda Night — the ancient winter solstice celebration marked by poetry recitation, especially Hafez, as families gather to welcome the longest night with stories and light.

🎄 Germany’s Advent Reading Nights — including chapter-a-day Advent books and Adventslesungen hosted in libraries and homes throughout December.

📖 Japan’s fuyu no dokusho — the nationwide “winter reading season,” supported by seasonal book lists, school reading weeks, and library programs.

🍃 Scotland’s Winter Storytelling Tradition — rooted in Celtic folklore, long nights, and oral storytelling gatherings that continue today through community events and library programs.

Plus: a look at why winter becomes the natural global reading season — psychologically, culturally, and historically.

Grab a warm drink, wrap up in a blanket, and join us for a tour of winter bookish traditions from across the world.

The Library-ish Podcast delves into libraries & librarianship within the context of culture and community.

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