Christmas Book Flood on tap in Sisters this month

Sisters’ independent bookstore is expecting a flood this holiday season —in fact, they’re causing it.

“We’re big fans of the Icelandic tradition of Jolabokaflod, or the ‘Christmas Book Flood,’ in which books are given as gifts in the days leading up to Christmas and friends and family sit around, read, and enjoy each other’s company,” said Lane Jacobson, owner of Paulina Springs Books. “So much so, in fact, that we’re going to put on our own version this year, which we are dubbing the PSB Solstice Book Flood — and we’re extending an invite to you, your friends, and the rest of our community! We’re excited for an evening full of book talk - and an excuse for us to gather, which we’ve so missed doing with y’all over the last few years.”

The event is set for Tuesday, December 20, 6 to 7:30 p.m.

Here’s how the Christmas Book Flood works:

Pick out one of your favorite paperback books that you’ll be exchanging for the Book Flood. Fiction, nonfiction, a classic, or a recent release — doesn’t matter as long as it’s a book that you’re excited to put into someone else’s hands. It can be a used copy of your own that you’re ready to share with someone else or it can be a new copy that you purchase from Paulina Springs or another indie bookstore.

“You’ll get 10 percent off on any book that you order from PSB for the book exchange, but order soon so it’s here in time,” Jacobson said.

“Try to pick out a book that you feel passionate about but that will also have some sort of broad appeal. Specific, but not too specific.”

On the evening of the exchange, be prepared to write a few sentences about the book and why you love it.

“You can exchange up to three books, but keep in mind that this is intended as an opportunity for us to share the books that we love most, not as an avenue for offloading books that you no longer want,” Jacobson said.

The evening will open at 6 p.m. with some brief readings and reflections on the changing season. Notecards will be passed out so that everyone can write their own recommendation or blurb for the book that they brought. All books and notecards will be collected and arranged on a table. Everyone will have an opportunity to browse the books and pick out one that speaks to them.

“If someone else snags a book that you were excited about, we’ll be offering 10 percent off of any books that were part of the exchange,” Jacobson said.

Light snacks and refreshments will be available.

“And if you are joining us at the last minute and don’t have a book to exchange, that’s okay,” Jacobson said. “Just come in a little early and purchase a book off the shelf that seems like a good fit to use in the exchange. More than anything, this is an evening intended for sharing in our love of books and for enjoying each other’s company during the holiday season. We’ll also be showing off our new events

space, though it is still a bit of a work in progress. The more the merrier, so we encourage you to bring along any friends and family that you think will have fun.”

Paulina Springs Books is located at 252 W. Hood Ave.