Gem, just read your personal favourites. You'll be most at ease with those.
In Icelandic news, I just got back from my favourite watering hole; Akureyri Backpackers. I like going there early in the evening, for the cheapest happy hour, to work out story ideas while downing two or three beers. It's also the place to occasionally get into a conversation with interesting people, and this time it happened again.
I got to know a young New Yorker couple, and a trio of middle-aged Canadians of Icelandic descent (Western Icelanders). One of the Canadians was here to gain a deeper understanding of her origins, and WHY her ancestor had decided to emigrate (hint: volcanic devastation).
We discussed various subjects, shared some cultural insights (I informed them that there is in fact no separate American/Canadian accent), and they bought me an extra beer. I then served as their tour guide for a little bit, and directed them to a still-open but good restaurant. They offered to buy me a meal, but I'd already eaten and settle for a milkshake.
The trend continues: Every single American I've ever met in the flesh had been very affable.
Now, if I could just learn to get along this well with some actual locals, I'd be set...