This year we hosted a Jolabokaflod party, and it will be the genesis for future traditions!

We put together a brunch, invited friends, and gave them the rules:

• bring an anonymously wrapped book
• the book must be something you loved yourself, or that you feel more people need to know about
• We’ll all take a number
• Lowest number goes first and chooses a book
• Subsequent numbers can either ‘steal’ a previously unwrapped book, or choose a new one
• Books can only be swapped three times

It was fabulous!

My book was Alfred Bester’s The Stars My Destination, the one I ended up with was the novel The Art of Racing in the Rain. I made sure the kids got their own books: Madeleine for S. and the Nutshell Library for L.

Our menu was wonderful:

• Sliced ham
• Baked eggs
• Panettone
• Cinnamon rolls
• Baked oatmeal
• Biscuits
• Fresh fruit
• Coffee (of course)
• Assorted juices (orange, grapefruit, and pomegranate-blueberry)

Not much cooking to do, and loads of yummy — a perfect party combo. We spent a few hours talking, eating, and playing the game. Everyone went home to a book to enjoy one way or another. This is officially a keeper for the future.

Note: In the future, LJ recommended that we put a note on the book that describes it so as to help people make choices.