HOW TO LIVE ICELANDIC

by Nina Björk Jónsdóttir and Edda Magnus

White Lion Publishing, 2021

ISBN 978-0-7112-6737-4

Be warned: the table of contents of this charming, funny book works as an index for you if all you want is instant information, but whatever you look up to read, you’ll keep on reading, and laughing. The authors have been friends since they were schoolgirls and though each has travelled and worked abroad and Edda lives in Geneva with her husband and two children, they are still close. They are godmothers to each others’ first borns, and together they have written this book. It’s a labour of love. They thank their friends for advice and information and also for being so photogenic.

Actually, the table of contents really will work well as an index/guide to a subsequent book. Each category—chapter?— deals separately with labelled sections, so it will be easy to update one or two without rewriting them all. For example, in the chapter on Holidays and Celebrations, the section, Rotten Fish—an Icelandic Festive Favourite—perhaps hints that the custom may not last much longer.

“…some people may think of it as a delicacy. Others don’t consider it food at all. The flavour is quite unique but it could be likened to a cheese that is so strong that it brings tears to your eyes and melts the mucous membrane in your mouth!”

It is a guidebook with reliable information. I guess the writers can’t help it that a lot about Iceland is funny. Also impressive, awesome, intriguing and unique. You have to be there.

LIVE!

And read the book .