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Add a little 'Jolabokaflod' to your holidays
Icelanders have a Christmas Eve tradition that is gaining popularity around the world. Jolabokaflod, which means “Christmas book flood,” is the custom of giving books as gifts on Christmas Eve then spending the evening reading. This tradition began during WWII, when other items were in short supply. Paper was not rationed so books became popular gifts.
Like most booklovers, this is a tradition I’m happy to adopt. Books are always on my Christmas wish list, as well as time to enjoy them. Right now, I’m reading a lot of romantic suspense as “research” for my Impossible Mission series. Anything by Toni Anderson, Cristin Harber or Katie Reus would go to the top of my TBR pile. If I find a quiet afternoon to curl up with a book for the pleasure of reading, Lisa Kleypas’ A Wallflower Christmas is my first choice for a holiday story.
Are books part of your holiday gift-giving traditions? If not, here are five ways to start a new bookish tradition.
- Pick a theme and have family members exchange book gifts related to the theme.
- Commemorate the 12 Days of Christmas with a new, gift-wrapped book awaiting the recipient every morning.
- Encourage your family to take a break from the holiday frenzy by sharing a story together. Disconnect from technology, make hot cocoa for all and listen while a chapter or scene is read aloud.
- Start a book collection you can contribute to every year. This might be signed print copies, the collected works of a favorite author or classics that can be enjoyed over and over again.
- Choose a book relevant to the recipient’s current life events and handwrite a heartfelt message. It might be an advice guide for a young person going off to college, a cookbook with recipes related to an exotic vacation destination or business advice for an entrepreneur.
For more information about this Icelandic tradition, visit Jolabokaflod.org.
You're invited to a Facebook Event...Now What?
The holiday season is officially underway and that means parties. House parties, work parties and Facebook parties. I’m guest hosting a few celebrations during the upcoming weeks, and I’d love to see you there!
Some people find Facebook events confusing so here are some tips to make the experience more enjoyable for you.
More and more authors are hosting events in their groups, although some still create Event pages.
If the event is hosted in a group, you must join the group to participate. After you join the group, click the NOTIFICATIONS button under the group banner and select “All Posts”. You can change the setting after the party if you no longer want to receive all posts from a group.
If you’ve been invited to an event, you RSVP by clicking “Going” at the INTERESTED button under the event title.
Facebook parties are a great way to discover new authors. Many give away copies of their books or offer free downloads. Take advantage of these opportunities! Authors frequently include invitations to subscribe to their newsletters, connect on social media or follow them on sites such as Bookbub or Goodreads. If you don’t want to clutter up your email with newsletters, opt to connect via one of these other methods to learn about new releases and sale alerts.
Like giveaways? Attend Facebook parties! Authors and readers have fun with games, challenges, get-to-know-you trivia and Q&As. Sometimes the only thing you need to do for a chance to win is comment on a post!
Can’t attend the actual event? That’s okay. Many events remain open 24 hours, including giveaway opportunities, so people can pop in and out or scroll through the posts at a time that is convenient for them.
Are you ready to party? Join The Tea Room Facebook Group and join me on December 12 from 5 to 7:30 p.m. EST to celebrate NINE LORDS FOR CHRISTMAS. Check out all their other holiday season fun as well!
My final tip for enjoying yourself at Facebook parties is to get comfy in your PJs or lounging-at-home outfit before logging on. Curl up in your favorite corner and have a blast!
Still have questions? Post a comment or email me at Jacki@JackiDelecki.com!
The Health Benefits of a Gratitude Attitude…and 5 Tips to become more Grateful
Everyone knows that managing stress is important for your physical and mental wellness. Many people follow advice such as working out, getting enough sleep, practicing relaxation techniques, and spending time with family and friends. Cultivating an attitude of gratitude is another way to manage stress.
There are seven scientifically proven benefits of gratitude, according to researchers, including improved physical and psychological health, better sleep patterns and increased mental strength. Other sources report grateful people eat healthier, have more energy and have stronger immune systems.
It’s not always easy to be grateful. Here are five strategies to develop a “gratitude attitude.”
- Keep a gratitude journal. Be specific when you write down what you’re grateful for. Reading back through your journal is a good way to remember your blessings when you’re going through tough times.
- Be appreciative of others. Make a practice of saying thank you and expressing appreciation towards others. This makes you and the other person feel good.
- Be mindful. When you’re tempted to complain or fret, take a moment to look for the positive aspects of the situation. For example, if you’re involved in a minor car accident, be grateful no one was injured instead of focusing on the damage and inconvenience.
- Help others. Volunteering creates a sense of gratitude through giving to those who are less fortunate or in need, and reminds us of the things we take for granted.
- Express yourself. Look for opportunities to express your gratitude for what matters in life. Tell friends and family what you love about them. Acknowledge positives such as the ability to get out and enjoy a walk through the neighborhood on a pleasant day or a healthy, flavorful meal your spouse prepared.
One thing I’m grateful for is my readers. I had an opportunity to meet new and familiar faces at the recent Passport to Romance Reader Appreciation Event. I’m also grateful for hot cover models who turn out to be just as nice in person as they are to look at.
What are you grateful for? Share your thoughts and let me know.
Happy Thanksgiving!
Seattle International Film Festival
One of my favorite cultural events is the Annual Seattle International Film Festival. This is the 44th year, and attendees have the opportunity to experience more than 400 films from 90 countries.
I went to opening night and saw The Bookshop and Blindspotting. Also on my “watch” list is Catwalk: Tales from the Cat Show Circuit and Pick of the Litter.
These films represent all genres, ranging from feature films and shorts to documentaries and archival works. The subject matter ranges from contemporary issues like racial dynamics int he workplace to training Labrador puppies as service dogs. The talent behind these films includes award-winning directors, producers and actors, and aspiring film students.
The Annual Seattle International Film Festival, running May 17 to June 10, largest and most highly-attended film festival in the United States. I’m so glad this event is in my hometown!
Top 5 Military-themed Shows to Binge-watch
It’s the weekend – yeah! With inclement weather continuing throughout the country, it might be a good weekend to binge-watch something on Netflix or Hulu or Amazon Prime or any of the other on-demand streaming services.
The proliferation of military-themed shows has made it easy for me to binge-watch my favorite type of hero: The Warrior. It’s the complex mix of characteristics that make these heroes so compelling: disciplined yet daring, stoic yet passionate, strong yet vulnerable.
Here is my list of top 5 military-themed shows to binge-watch — all in the name of research for my contemporary romantic suspense books, of course!
SEAL Team – The lives of the elite Navy S.E.A.L.s as they train, plan and execute the most dangerous, high-stakes missions our country can ask.
The Brave – The complex world of our bravest military heroes who make personal sacrifices while executing the most challenging and dangerous missions behind enemy lines.
Valor – The boundaries between military discipline and human desire are tested on a U.S. Army base that houses an elite unit of helicopter pilots trained to perform clandestine international and domestic missions. The drama unfolds in the present as well as in flashbacks to a failed mission involving one of the first female pilots in the unit, ultimately uncovering layers of personal and government/military secrets and leading to a season-long plan to rescue a group of MIA soldiers.
The Last Ship – After a global viral pandemic wipes out over 80% of the world’s population, the crew (consisting of 218 people) of a lone unaffected U.S. Navy Arleigh Burke-class guided missile destroyer, the fictional USS Nathan James (DDG-151), must try to find a cure, stop the virus, and save humanity.
Six – Navy SEAL Team Six attempt to eliminate a Taliban leader in Afghanistan when they discover an American citizen working with the enemy.
What’s your favorite military-themed show to binge watch?
