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Interesting Icelander for December: Jón Kalman Stefánsson

by Shaune Jonasson This month, we are profiling a contemporary Icelandic author born on 17 December 1963, Jón Kalman Stefánsson. The Icelandic Roots Book Club has had the privilege of hosting Jón Kalman as the guest author to discuss his book Summer Light, Then Comes the Night in May 2024. In January 2026, the Icelandic Roots Book Club will meet to discuss the 2024 English translation of Your Absence Is Darkness . Jón Kalman Stefánsson Photo Credit: Reykjavík Grapevine, Vi

Dec 204 min read

Interesting Icelander - Magnús R. Einarsson

Interesting Icelander for November 2025: Magnús R. Einarsson

By Phyllis Smith We never know who we are going to meet when we travel, be it near of far. Phyllis tells us of their trip to Iceland and the people they met over dinner. They were talking with someone named Magnús . Here's what she had to say about that encounter... During our last trip to Iceland, we took the ferry over to the Westman Islands to stay for a day or two. It’s worth a visit. We did a tour around the Island on a zodiac. It’s a fabulous view of the area. We toure

Nov 223 min read

Long-Haired Joe, Buffalo and Dad

By Shaune Jonasson Storytelling is as old as time itself. The progression of time has afforded us storytelling through various mediums. It is easy to lose track of time while reading a good story or listening to a talented storyteller. Summertime often gives us the opportunity to do just that: take out that book that you’ve been longing to read, or open that audiobook and plug in your earbuds. Curl up on a comfy chair in the shade and enjoy the adventure that awaits you. Th

Nov 85 min read

Interesting Icelander for October 2025: Jóhannes Sveinsson Kjarval

Interesting Icelanders Jóhannes Sveinsson Kjarval, artist

Oct 247 min read

Celebrating Bólu-Hjálmar: A Journey Through Icelandic Heritage

This month’s Interesting Icelander profiles Bólu-Hjálmar, one of Iceland’s notable folk poets, whose sharp wit and satirical views were often received with mixed reviews. He was most noted for his mastery of rimur , a short poetic narrative. He was also an accomplished woodcarver. Life for Bólu-Hjálmar was far from easy and not without strife. Despite these challenges, he lived a colorful life for 80 years. It is my privilege and honor to write this post. Whatever he was to s

Sep 2610 min read