With around 330.000 inhabitants, Iceland is certainly one of the smallest book markets in the world. Nevertheless, it boasts one of the highest rates of books per capita (3.5 books every 1,000 inhabitants!) and Icelanders are famous as a nation of bookworms. According to a study conducted by Bifröst University in 2013, 50% of them read at least 8 books per year, while an impressive 93% of them read at least one. What is more, according to BBC Magazine, one in ten Icelanders will publish a book in their life!

Despite its small size, Iceland can pride itself of a long-standing literary tradition, dating back to the 13th-century sagas, which represent a stronghold of Icelandic national identity. In more recent times, Icelandic literature came under the international spotlight when novelist Halldór Laxness was awarded the Nobel prize (1955). Nowadays, many Icelandic authors enjoy great success abroad and some of them are widely translated into other languages. Some examples are the crime authors Arnaldur Indriðason, Yrsa Sigurðardóttir, and Ragnar Jónasson – to mention but a few.

The culture of giving books as presents is very deeply rooted in how families perceive Christmas as a holiday. This tradition began during World War II once Iceland had gained its independence for Denmark in 1944. Paper was one of the few commodities not rationed during the war, so Icelanders shared their love of books even more as other types of gifts were short supply. This increase in giving books as presents reinforced Iceland’s culture as a nation of bookaholics. Normally, Icelanders  give the presents on the night of the 24th and people spend the night reading and munching!

A study conducted by Bifröst University in 2013 found that half the country’s population read at least eight books a year. Many Icelanders will publish a piece of writing in one form or another during their lifetime (a book, a newspaper article, a poetry collection, etc.), and they also read more books per capita than any other people in the world. With 330.000 inhabitants Iceland is one of the smallest book markets in the world. Nevertheless, they boost one of the highest rates of books per capita (3.5 books every 1,000 inhabitants!)