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Are you planning to visit Iceland?
Why not prepare for your trip to Iceland by reading some of the fantastic novels set in this stunningly beautiful country!
In this selection I include some of the best Iceland books – fiction and non-fiction – about Iceland to help prepare you for your visit. Elf stories, Viking dramas, and murder mysteries.
Iceland has a very strong literary and story telling culture. It is traditional to give books as gifts at Christmas and every Icelander receives at least one book under the Christmas tree. Iceland also publishes more books per capita than any other country in the world. The majority of books are published and sold in the 2 months running up to Christmas. This is called the jólabókaflóð or the Christmas book flood!
This love of story telling is reflected in Icelandic culture. The famous Icelandic Sagas appeared in written form in the 13th century. During the long dark winters in Iceland a tradition built of communal reading and story telling. What better way to get through the harsh cold conditions then sitting round a warm fire listening to tales, poetry and stories? So not only are they amazing story tellers but they also have a beautiful yet brooding landscape to set them in!
BEST ICELAND BOOKS
FICTION | NON-FICTION
ICELANDIC COOKERY | CHILDREN’S BOOKS
THE BEST ICELAND BOOKS: FICTION
BURIAL RITES by Hannah Kent
A fantastic literary debut. This book is inspired by a true story about the final days about a woman accused of murder in Iceland in 1829.
THE SAGAS OF ICELANDERS
This volume includes ten sagas and seven shorter tales set around the turn of the last millennium. If your interest is in Viking Sagas this book is for you!
DARK ICELAND SERIES : SNOW-BLIND by Ragnar Jonasson
Set in a quiet fishing village in northern Iceland this brilliant debut novel from Ragnar Jonasson will keep you enthralled until the very last terrifying page. Introducing Ari Thor the central character across The Dark Iceland Series
INDEPENDENT PEOPLE by Halldor Laxness
A true masterpiece of Icelandic fiction Independent People is a deeply rewarding novel. Written by Nobel prize winning author Halldor Laxness Iceland’s most prolific author.
THE LITTLE BOOK OF THE HIDDEN PEOPLE
A fabulous book about Icelandic folklore. A folklore that is rife with tales of elves and hidden people that inhabited hills and rocks in the landscape. If you read this before you go you will know exactly what to look out for!
THE FISH CAN SING by Halldor Laxness
Another choice written by Iceland’s most well know author Halldor Laxness. He was awarded the Nobel Prize for literature in 1955.
This novel gives a great introduction to Iceland and in particular Reykjavik in the early 20th century.
THE BEST ICELAND BOOKS: NON-FICTION
RICK STEVES ICELAND
THE LITTLE BOOK OF TOURISTS IN ICELAND
Iceland is in the middle of a tourist boom and it if we are visiting we need to do it responsibly or we will end up destroying what is so special about it.
THE LITTLE BOOK OF ICELANDIC
Icelandic is one of the oldest languages in the world! This book will introduce you to its complexities and more (sections on slang and curse-words!) If you are interested in Icelandic culture and their language this is a must-read!
THE LITTLE BOOK OF THE ICELANDERS
A collection of 50 mini essays all about Icelanders – learn all about their quirks and foibles before you go!
THE LITTLE BOOK OF THE ICELANDERS IN THE OLD DAYS
A light and humorous look at life in Iceland over the centuries!
ICELAND 101
Packed full of tips to ensure your trip to Iceland is as smooth as possible – written by Icelanders who should know what they are talking about!
THE BEST ICELAND BOOKS: CUISINE
HOMESTYLE ICELANDIC COOKING FOR AMERICAN KITCHENS
NORTH – THE NEW NORDIC CUISINE OF ICELAND
FIRE AND ICE – CLASSIC NORDIC COOKING
THE BEST ICELAND BOOKS: CHILDREN’S BOOKS
THE SMART KIDS GUIDE TO ICELAND
MY TRIP TO ICELAND
Kids can record their own travel adventures and make a treasured memory book for their trip to Iceland!
HAVE FUN IN ICELAND
Explore Iceland with your favourite characters including Donald Duck!
LIFE ON SURTSEY
THE GUARDIANS OF ICELAND
Children and adults alike will love these short stories all about trolls, elves and the hidden people! Contains 25 short stories!
KINDLE UNLIMITED FROM AMAZON
If you read a lot of books why not consider signing up to Amazon’s Kindle Unlimited program? For only $9.99/ £7.99 you get access to unlimited ebooks, audiobooks, magazines for any device. It really is a great program and if you click on the link you get your first 30 days is absolutely FREE!!
PREFER AUDIO BOOKS?
Audible, an Amazon company, offers the world’s largest selection of digital audiobooks and spoken word content. With Audible, customers can listen anytime and anywhere to professionally-narrated audiobooks across a wide range of genres.
WHY NOT MAKE YOUR OWN ICELAND THEMED BOOK?
PIN FOR LATER – The Best Iceland Books to Read
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Author: Tracy
Tracy has lived and worked in 7 countries on 4 continents and travelled to over 50 more. A qualified school teacher with an interest in history, reading, photography, nature and wildlife she is always planning her next trip (preferably by train)
With a lifetime of travel experience, and a network of friends all over the world, she is also able to share genuine insider guides, recommended best book lists and train journey inspiration to help you travel authentically to some of the most beautiful places on earth.
Come and join me as I travel the world one country (and train journey) at a time!
This post may contain compensated links. Please read our disclaimer for additional information.
Ohh love a good book list. Thanks! Did you see the latest season of Black Mirror? There was one episode filmed in Iceland. The landscape was captivating. #farawayfiles
Oooh no i will have to check that out!
Ooh thanks for this Tracy. I loved Burial Rites and I think I’d like to read Independent People next. Bookmarking (ahem!) these recommendations for later. Thanks for sharing on #FarawayFiles
I would be particularly interested in reading the books on how tourism is impacting the environment there! I really want to visit Iceland but don’t want to contribute to its demise! Pinned! #FarawayFiles
I love crime stories written by Icelanders. They are so moody and nature is described in details so that I almost feel like traveling this amazing wild place. I’ve yet to visit myself and hope that I’ll be able to read some of your suggested books before.
Thanks Marcelle!
Aw i love reading books of places im about to visit!! Gives you a feel of the place. #farawayfiles
I agree – great to be prepared and know about your destination!
Interesting post. Must say I am guilty not reading many books, but it is something I want to change. Great recommendations here. I visited Iceland in the summer, but want to return in the winter as well to see a different side if the country.
I would love to visit in winter and summer too! Hope I have inspired you to read one or two!
I’ve always wanted to visit Iceland and this has made me want to visit even more
Yes its high on my wish list!
Ooh I love this post! I love reading books set in places that I’m going to travel to. I was thinking about writing a blog post this summer for Hawaii – but I have to get to researching and reading those books ASAP!
sounds like a great idea Sarah – I am always on the look out for good books too!
That cover photo is amazing!!!!!
It is – I didn’t take it unfortunately – wish I had!
Your fiction picks seem really interesting! Thanks for the inspiration, I’ve been meaning to discover some new authors and books to read but wasn’t really finding something that seemed to click.
Hope there is something in the selection that you like the look of! My husband has already decided he is reading Burial Rites next!
OMG!!!! Awesome posting. I am a big fan of your writing and traveling 🙂 last year I visited Iceland with my travel group.
Thanks Kim! Did you enjoy Iceland?
Iceland one of my favourite! Like all about it. Tracy, Thank you!