Whoever doesn’t live in poetry cannot survive here on earth.
Halldór Laxness
My first trip to Iceland in 2016 was incidentally my first-ever international trip, as well. I was terrified, electrified, and absolutely head-over-heels in love with Iceland before I even arrived. Imagine the delight of a destination exceeding your expectations beyond your wildest dreams! It was also before travel bloggers were really huge in the industry, so information was minimal, and I was armed with a credit card that had no international fees and a few books about Iceland.
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Guide Books About Iceland
Lonely Planet’s guide to Iceland
This guide helped me prepare and feel confident in my first-ever international trip. I was also well-versed in locations around the country and had a really great idea of the geography of the country. I highly recommend this Lonely Planet guide!
Books About Iceland By Alda Sigmundsdóttir
Alda has a small series of books out that are super helpful depending on the tourist perspective you’re going for.
A collection of essays regarding the impact of tourism and what Icelanders really think of you: The Little Book Of Tourists In Iceland.
A collection of mini essays regarding the many quirks of Icelanders and their culture: The Little Book Of The Icelanders.
Icelandic is one of the oldest and complicated languages out there. The Little Book Of Icelandic.
Books About Icelandic Folktales
A Traveller’s Guide To Icelandic Folktales, Jón R. Hjálmarsson
This was a non-regretted in Iceland purchase on one of my many adventures back to the country. I used it as a folkloric road trip guide and it made me see the landscape in a new way. Some of the tales really help paint a picture for the Icelandic culture and the inspiration the land provides.
The Little Book Of The Hidden People, Alda Sigmundsdóttir
The Hidden People, also known as elves and trolls, are part of a belief system in Iceland. Not everyone believes they’re real…but not everyone denies their existence, either.
Non-Fiction Books About Iceland
The history of iceland, Gunnar Karlsson
This guy is a bit hard to find, but I saw them easily accessible once in Iceland. If you’re looking for some good old fashioned history of vikings, you’ll find it in this book.
Names For the Sea: Strangers In Iceland, Sarah Moss
Sarah applied for a job at the University of Iceland on a whim and found herself in a brand new life that she had dreamed of doing since she visited the country when she was a teenager. Now in a life with two young children, she talks about her year of living in Reykjavik.
How Iceland Changed The World, Egill Bjarnason
This history goes beyond Iceland and discusses the large impact this small nation has had on other moments in history, such as the French Revolution.
Viking Age Iceland, Jesse Byock
Vikings – best known for their warlords, clans, and violent resolutions – have a bit of a different twist when it comes to their history in Iceland. Byock explores how the Vikings of Iceland were more like a republic than a country of separated sects.
Fiction Books About Iceland
The Blue Fox, Sjón
Sjón was recommended to me when I returned from Iceland, and there is just something about his writing that is really unique. During an Icelandic winter, an elusive fox sets a hunter on a quest he wasn’t expecting.
Independent People, Halldór Laxness
Bjartur has lived in servitude for 18 years and wants nothing more than to live on his own farm and take care of his own flock, independent of any man. His daughter feels the same way about him. In an emotional tale set in early twentieth century Iceland, it’s a battle of independence across the board.
Burial Rites, Hannah Kent
Agnes is sent to live on an isolate farm while she awaits her execution after being charged with murder. She seeks out a priest who tries to help and understand her, and the family she lives with slowly warms up to her and realize there may be more to Agnes’s story than what they’ve heard.
Woman at 1,000 Degrees, Hallgrímur Helgason
80 year-old Herra has booked her cremation and is making do with an old hand grenade, her laptop and facebook friends, and, of course, her cigarettes. Herra, as the narrator, recounts moments from her life as the granddaughter of Iceland’s first president, to war-torn Iceland during WWII – a dark comedy absolutely worth the read, friends!
The Hitman’s Guide to Housecleaning, Hallgrímur Helgason
Toxic, a flawless hitman, accidentally kills the wrong guy and makes his way to Reykjavik under the guise of American televangelist Father Friendly. As he waits out his mistakes, he has to face his past and re-evaluate his future.
The Fish Can Sing, Halldór Laxness
The orphan Alfgrimur has dreams of becoming a fisherman until he meets one of Iceland’s opera singing celebrities, Gardar Holms. No one in Iceland has ever heard Gardar sing, but he takes an interest in young Alfgrimur to help him with his budding musical talent. They help each other see there is more to situations than meet the eye in this dark comedy.
A Fist Or A Heart, Kristín Eiríksdóttir
Winner of the Icelandic Literary Prize, A Fist Or A Heart involves a young playwright and an old prop maker as they navigate their way through childhood trauma, maternal instincts, and creative expression.
What Are Your Favorite Books About Iceland?
Have you read any of these titles? I’d love to know what’s on your TBR list and what you’ve conquered. If you’re looking for any other reading inspiration, you can find more book lists HERE.
Want to photograph the Northern Lights on your next trip to Iceland? Get all the tips you need HERE.
Never Miss An Adventure.