Iceland Summer 2015

Is it the long dark days of winter, or because sagas form the foundation of their culture? Whatever reason, the bookshops and libraries are buzzing! People are reading. It's a tradition that they give each other books at Christmas.

Here at Eymundsson's, Iceland oldest and largest bookseller, the books are arranged with as many covers out as spines - must make the the cover illustrators and designers happy!

And since the eighteenth century, language purity has prevailed. They don’t adopt foreign words for new concepts – they invent new words, or give old words new meanings. For instance, tolva means computer but is derived from 'number prophetess'. I love it! Would love to be a fly on the wall when these committees have their discussions.