The Little Book of Hygge: Danish Secrets to Happy Living (The Happiness Institute Series): Wiking, Meik: 9780062658807: Amazon.com: Books

The Little Book of Hygge: Danish Secrets to Happy Living (The Happiness Institute Series) Hardcover – Illustrated, January 17, 2017

by Meik Wiking (Author)

4.6 out of 5 stars 8,029 ratings

Part of: The Happiness Institute Series (3 books)

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New York Times Bestseller

Embrace Hygge (pronounced hoo-ga) and become happier with this definitive guide to the Danish philosophy of comfort, togetherness, and well-being.

Why are Danes the happiest people in the world? The answer, says Meik Wiking, CEO of the Happiness Research Institute in Copenhagen, is Hygge. Loosely translated, Hygge―pronounced Hoo-ga―is a sense of comfort, togetherness, and well-being. "Hygge is about an atmosphere and an experience," Wiking explains. "It is about being with the people we love. A feeling of home. A feeling that we are safe."

Hygge is the sensation you get when you’re cuddled up on a sofa, in cozy socks under a soft throw, during a storm. It’s that feeling when you’re sharing comfort food and easy conversation with loved ones at a candlelit table. It is the warmth of morning light shining just right on a crisp blue-sky day.

The Little Book of Hygge introduces you to this cornerstone of Danish life, and offers advice and ideas on incorporating it into your own life, such as:

Get comfy. Take a break.

Be here now. Turn off the phones.

Turn down the lights. Bring out the candles.

Build relationships. Spend time with your tribe.

Give yourself a break from the demands of healthy living. Cake is most definitely Hygge.

Live life today, like there is no coffee tomorrow.

From picking the right lighting to organizing a Hygge get-together to dressing hygge, Wiking shows you how to experience more joy and contentment the Danish way.

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Print length

240 pages

Language

English

Publisher

William Morrow

Publication date

January 17, 2017

Dimensions

5 x 0.85 x 7.12 inches

ISBN-10

0062658808

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Popular Highlights in this book

What are popular highlights?

We are not paying taxes, we are investing in our society. We are purchasing quality of life. The key to understanding the high levels of well-being in Denmark is the welfare model’s ability to reduce risk, uncertainty, and anxiety among its citizens and to prevent extreme unhappiness.

Highlighted by 1,499 Kindle readers

Hygge is about giving your responsible, stressed-out achiever adult a break. Relax. Just for a little while. It is about experiencing happiness in simple pleasures and knowing that everything is going to be okay.

Highlighted by 1,383 Kindle readers

Editorial Reviews

Review

“The Little Book of Hygge, which is already a best seller in Britain… is the most engaging of what is becoming a full-fledged lifestyle category.” -- New York Times

“Infectiously positive... the best beginner’s guide.” -- Mail on Sunday

“This book explains everything you need to know about the Danish art of living well.” -- Metro

“Meik Wiking…knows the secret to happiness…[he] has written a gorgeously designed …guide to the Danish state of being that embraces coziness, sociability, thankfulness and comfort food.” -- The Times (London)

“The Little Book of Hygge… may just be your passport to bliss.” -- Real Simple

“Meik Wiking…[cites] psychological research showing that close social relationships and time spent socializing, eating, and relaxing… tend to be the greatest drivers of joy.” -- Elle

“Much has been made, as of late, of the Danish philosophy of hygge…And a new tome, The Little Book of Hygge… instructs on how to use the practice to cure the ailments of the modern world.” -- InStyle

“Denmark’s concept of supreme coziness and comfort has taken the world of interiors by storm…But the concept of hygge doesn’t just apply to your home. As I learned in the cute hygge reference book The Little Book of Hygge… you can hygge anything.” -- Vogue.com

“The world fell head over fuzzy-sock-clad-heels for the Danish concept of hygge…Meik Wiking (author and CEO of the Happiness Research Institute) breaks down the concept of hygge into a simple, 10-part manifesto.” -- Popsugar

“A charming, illustrated guide to the hygge essentials. It’s like the ultimate hygge initiation.” -- The Dallas Morning News

From the Back Cover

New York Times bestseller

Get consciously cozy.

The Danes are famously the happiest people in the world, and hygge is a cornerstone of their way of life. Hygge (pro-nounced Hoo-ga) loosely translates as a sense of comfort, togetherness, and well-being. You know hygge when you feel it. It is when you are cuddled up on a sofa with a loved one, or sharing comfort food with your closest friends. It is those crisp blue mornings when the light through your window is just right. It is about gratitude and savoring the simple pleasures in life. In short, it is the pursuit of everyday happiness.

Who better than Meik Wiking to be your guide to all things hygge? Meik is the CEO of the Happiness Research Institute in Copenhagen and has spent years studying the magic of Danish life and what makes people happy. From bringing out the candles and spending time with your tribe to giving yourself a break from the demands of healthy living (cake is most definitely hygge), Meik’s beautiful, inspiring book will help you to be more hygge.

About the Author

Meik Wiking is CEO of the Happiness Research Institute, research associate for Denmark at the World Database of Happiness, and founding member of the Latin American Network for Wellbeing and Quality of Life Policies. He and his research have been featured in more than five hundred media outlets, including The Washington Post, BBC, Huffington Post, the Times (London), The Guardian, CBS, Monocle, the Atlantic, and PBS News Hour. He has spoken at TEDx, and his books have been translated into more than fifteen languages. He lives in Copenhagen, Denmark.

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Product details

Publisher ‏ : ‎ William Morrow; Illustrated edition (January 17, 2017)

Language ‏ : ‎ English

Hardcover ‏ : ‎ 240 pages

ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0062658808

ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0062658807

Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 13.3 ounces

Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 5 x 0.85 x 7.12 inches

Best Sellers Rank: #5,094 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

#77 in Meditation (Books)

#182 in Happiness Self-Help

Customer Reviews: 4.6 out of 5 stars 8,029 ratings

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Meik Wiking

About Meik Wiking

Meik Wiking founded the world's first Happiness Research Institute in 2013, in Copenhagen, Denmark and is a New York Times and The Times Bestselling author.

Meik has been called The Indiana Jones of Smiles and probably the World´s happiest man by The Times.

Besides his work at the Happiness Research Institute, he is Research Associate for Denmark at the World Database of Happiness, and member of the policy advisory group for the Global Happiness Policy Report.

He is the author of two globally bestselling books which have sold 2 million copies worldwide: The Little Book of Hygge and The Little Book of Lykke. His upcoming book is The Art of Making Memories.

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little book easy read danish culture meik wiking highly recommend coffee table quick read well written great gift everyday research institute concept of hygge hygge life wool socks cup of tea years ago happiness research happy living magazine article ceo of the happiness

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Top reviews from the United States

Wanderer

4.0 out of 5 stars A good, honest and quick guide to get up to speed on Danish hygge

Reviewed in the United States on March 26, 2017

Having been married to a Danish national for well over a decade now, and having made many annual (and sometimes more often) trips back to her homeland, it was with equal parts curiosity and incredulity that I found myself buying this book. Curiosity because, while I've been to Denmark more often than most, especially in winter, I wanted to see what an actual Dane would write about the subject. I was also curious because said Dane works for an actual happiness think-tank, so there was undoubtedly some amount of legitimate study behind this book. On the other hand, I was incredulous to some degree, because as anyone will find with a simple search on "hygge", there is a literal plethora of tomes on the subject, even (astoundingly) a 3-volume collection! I figured if I was going to bother reading a book about a subject I already implicitly understood a lot about, it might as well be the "little book of" rather than an encyclopedia.

Before going any further, I do want to say that I think some people have vastly missed the point of such a book. I know it may sound elementary, but often times, actually reading the title of the book should be your first assessment of the content. In this case, we have "The little book of Hygge", so I find it both astonishing and at the same time unsurprising that a few folks have bemoaned its brevity and introductory nature. Forgive me for saying it, but if the title itself is more or less telling you that this is the quick and dirty run down on something, it seems particularly asinine to lament that it turns out not to be a dissertation on the subject. It never claimed to be, and if you thought it was, that's more an indictment of your own reading comprehension than the author's writing ability.

With that out of the way, and I'm sure a few readers' panties in a wad, the first thing I want to note is that this is definitely a quick read. I am quite certain that with a couple hours to kill, you could make it from cover to cover. The writing style is brisk, down to earth and genuinely lays out the concept of hygge in the way you might try to explain it when among friends. As I said, this is not a dissertation nor is it a chapter in an encyclopedia, but instead (and others have correctly pointed out) pretty much an extended magazine article of sorts. Is that a bad thing? Maybe if the context were different, sure, but this purports to be a quick guide and that's exactly what you get. The authenticity is there, and you can tell when you read about things like unscented candles being the status quo, and how the most popular manufacturers don't even offer scented products. If only that were true on this side of the pond, but alas, most Americans tend to be obsessed with stinky candles. Likewise, the references the ubiquitous mid-century light fixtures, advent candles and, most importantly, the predominance of wood furniture over composites or synthetics, all rings true to anyone that has spent any time in Denmark. Additionally, while many casual tourists likely skate right past, I think the regulars will appreciate the discussion of hygge in the Danish workplace as well. Spend enough time there, and you will realize that much of what is mentioned in the book is spot on. Another bit that made rang true was discussion of the Danish weather, in particular the fact that some Danes will tell you there are only the gray and green winters. If you've never heard that phrase from Danes discussing the weather with foreigners, you would be the first. All these examples speak to the authenticity of the author and the frankness with which he dispenses his brief but complete introduction to the concept of hygge.

Now, you might ask, what does my Danish wife, born and raised, have to say about this book? Believe it or not, here only real gripe was the recipes. I actually agree on this point, because while it may be a regional thing (I spend most of my time on Fyn (Funen) when in Denmark), nobody and I mean nobody I've ever met would make, much less eat, any of this stuff in order to get their hygge fix. The fact that I've never been offered any of the food or drink included in this book, after more than a decade of visiting on an at least annual basis and visiting both in the countryside and city (Odense) with the in-laws, should tell you something. Again, it may boil down to a regional bias, as I steer far clear of Copenhagen and Zealand in general, as well as Jutland (unless popping over into Germany to shop!), but if I had any axe to grind with this book, that would probably be the one and only thing.

All told, I actually think the book lives up to what it purports to be, and that's a simple, quick introduction to the subject of hygge. If that's what you're looking for, then you certainly won't be disappointed. On the other hand, if you're after some deep, PhD dissertation style treatise on the subject of hygge, from the foundations all the way to modern practices and with every aspect beaten to death for 750 pages, then no, this is not the one for you. But then again, if you expected that from something called "the little book of", you almost certainly have larger problems, reading comprehension being chief among them.

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Bob Loblaw

1.0 out of 5 stars Don't buy.

Reviewed in the United States on November 5, 2018

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Save yourself the money and do a google search on "Hygge". I thought this book would get more into the science of Hygge, but instead it just talks about wearing black clothes and buying Poul Henningsen lamps. It literally has a couple Danish recipes in it that the author claims to be Hygge food. Waste of time and money.

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Amazon Customer

4.0 out of 5 stars Illustrative and playful little book

Reviewed in the United States on August 11, 2018

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I really enjoyed flipping through this book, there were lots of little illustrations, lists, stats, and even recipes. It was a quick and easy read and at times was very repetitive when going over the core principles of hygge. But other than that it was a fun and informative book if you are interested in learning about Danish culture!

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Kit Taylor

3.0 out of 5 stars A good crash course in hygge....but the book feels very padded.

Reviewed in the United States on August 7, 2017

Hygge (pronounced hoo-gah) - the Danish art of living well - has become quite trendy these days. To find out what it's all about I read 'The Little Book of Hygge' by Meik Wiking (pronounced Mike Viking). Wiking is the CEO of 'The Happiness Research Institute' - a Danish think tank that studies satisfaction, happiness, and the quality of life.

In a nutshell, hygge is a feeling of well-being that can be engendered by pleasant surroundings, tasty food, and good company.....or whatever else makes you feel safe and content. As Wiking describes it, hygge is 'an atmosphere, an experience' - what we feel when we're with people we love in a warm and comfortable place.

Things that promote hygge are called 'hyggelig.' For instance, the following would be hyggelig: a small group of friends sitting around a fireplace in a cabin, wearing big jumpers (sweaters) and wooly socks, drinking malt wine. It would be even more hyggelig if a storm was raging outside. LOL

Danish people strive to have all their life experiences be as hyggelig as possible. They try to have hyggelig homes; go to hyggeling restaurants; entertain hyggelig visitors; play hyggelig games; work at hyggelig jobs; go on hyggelig trips; etc.

**********

A lot of creating hygge is common sense, but - if you want some pointers - Wiking provides a guide:

- Use lots of candles. The Danes place candles everywhere - in bedrooms living rooms, bathrooms, classrooms, boardrooms, etc.

- Place dim lighting in strategic locations. Wiking recommends light fixtures designed by Poul Henningsen, whose lamps provide soft, diffuse light.

- Create a feeling of togetherness with friends and relatives; togetherness is 'like a hug without touching.'

- Maintain a healthy work-life balance. Spend a lot of time with your family.

- Socilaize with friends and colleagues.

- Good food. Danish people like meat and potatoes.....and they love sweets - especially cake. A traditional feature of Danish children's birthday parties is 'Cakeman' - a pastry in the shape of a large gingerbread man, decorated with flags, sweets, and candles.

In the book, Wiking includes recipes for a few of his favorite Danish dishes. One is called Skipperlabskovs (Skipper Stew), which is brisket sitting in potato mash - served wtih pickled beets and rye bread.

- Hot beverages. Danes love coffee. If you watch Danish TV series, the characters are always making coffee, drinking coffee, and offering each other coffee.....(like tea in British TV series....LOL)

- Comfortable clothing. For professional wear, Danish men like a T-shirt or sweater under a blazer, usually in black or gray. Danes don't favor three-piece-suits. For casual wear, Danes like a comfortable jumper.....with leggings for girls or skinny jeans for boys. And Danes LOVE scarves.

- Casual hairdos. Danish hairstyles are 'wake up and go'.....or maybe a loose bun for women.

- Comfortable furnishings. Danes enjoy interior decorating, and their decor often includes wood furniture, vintage items, and an open fireplace and/or a wood-burning stove.

- Blankets and cushions. Necessary for snuggling up and getting cozy.

**********

After providing this overview of hygge, Wiking goes on to talk about how to be hyggelig outside the home; during every month of the year - from January to December; and during every season of the year. Wiking also describes various hyggelig experiences he's had with his friends, and writes about his happiness research.

Wiking's suggestions for hyggelig pastimes include things like: spend a weekend in a cabin; have a cooking party with your friends; go out on a rowboat and bring a picnic basket; put couches in your office; have a movie night - with popcorn; go to a hyggelig restaurant and order pickled herring and schnapps; buy confections at a bakery; enjoy exhibitions of Christmas lights; have smorrebrod (an open sandwich on rye bread) with beer or schnapps; read a good book; and so on.

You can probably think up hundreds of 'hyggelig' activities yourself. For example, here's one: invite a couple of friends over; watch Netlfix; bring in Mexican food; drink sangria....and later on - have chocolate eclairs for dessert. If you have some hygge suggestions, feel free to comment below.

Wiking sums up his treatise on hygge by noting that a complete hygge experience includes 'taste, sound, smell, and texture.'

- Hyggelig tastes are familiar and sweet.

= Hyggelig sounds might be: the crackling of burning wood; the pitter patter of raindrops; and trees waving in the breeze.

- Hyggelig smells could be aromas that trigger fond memories.

- Hyggeling textures might be wooden surfaces; smooth ceramic cups; and reindeer fur.

I feel like I gained a pretty good understanding of hygge from Wiking's book. However, Wiking's numerous suggestions for 'hyggelig experiences' got very repetitive.....and after awhile, it seemed like a lot of padding to have enough words for an entire book.

Still, if you're curious about hygge, this is a good crash course.

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lori scheufler

3.0 out of 5 stars While this book shed insight to being happy and content it really didn’t tell me things I ...

Reviewed in the United States on February 7, 2018

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While this book shed insight to being happy and content it really didn’t tell me things I didn’t know other than being happy in Denmark is a heck of a lot easier than being happy in the USA. Maybe I should move there. The content of the book is very repetitive. Within the first chapter I know fireplaces, candles, hot beverages are a major part of Hygge. But I still had to read about it through each successive chapter.

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Tyler

5.0 out of 5 stars Will help you relax and enjoy life 💙

Reviewed in the United States on April 7, 2019

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This little book is filled with cool concepts that will bring joy to your heart ❤ I'm so happy I bought it. It has really helped me relax and be more aware of enjoying life . its an easy read

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Robbo

1.0 out of 5 stars Hygge = Cosy

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on October 3, 2018

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Replace the word Hygge with Cosy, you don't need to read the book. Ever appreciated being indoors when it's raining and you're comfy? You don't need to read this book. The key to Danish happiness is that they're confident that they're right about everything and what they do is right. That's the real secret.

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Garima

5.0 out of 5 stars Great book

Reviewed in India on December 10, 2019

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I think this book is stunning. The hard cover and quality of pages maje a great impression on readers and this book deserves 10/10 on that. Images are explanatory and soothing, colour selection is really wise. I enjoyed reading it as far as I have reached.

As indians, some things would seem out of context as we can't relate to it due to cultural differences. But it is worth reading and learning.

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Kindle Customer

3.0 out of 5 stars Not to say it's a bad thing, its just

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on December 21, 2017

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Compared to 'The Cosy Life by Pia Edberg', it pales in comparison. Pia's book is mostly about how to implement Hygge into your life where as this is more about trickles of suggestions here and there. It goes way too much into the meaning of hygge. Not to say it's a bad thing, its just, personally, I was looking for more suggestions.

In conclusion, not bad :)

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Rebecca Carter

4.0 out of 5 stars A great Autumn read

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on October 16, 2018

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I realise I'm probably the last person in the world to read this! It's been sat on my kindle for two years just waiting to be picked up and read. But as the book includes pictures, I wanted to read it on my iPad rather than a kindle. I've picked it up now and then to read, but I've generally then forgotten about it until the middle of summer, when reading a book about cozyness feels wrong! :)

Seeing as it's now the Northern Hemispheres autumn, I'm making sure I get it read while it seems the perfect time of year to read a book about Hygge and snuggly blankets, flickering candles, crackling fires and warm comfy fluffy socks...

The Little Book of Hygge is such a cute little book! The cover just sums up everything the book is about - it's just so lovely. It's kind of an explanation as to what Hygge is - a Danish word that is kind of all about the essence of feeling cozy, warm and safe and snuggly - and how to incorporate it into your life. Basically, buy all the candles you can grab at IKEA and make yourself a cozy reading nook with a pile of blankets and cushions... I adored the recipes that were included, such a nice little surprise. They look fairly simple to make - even for a not particular natural cook like myself - and I can imagine the smell they would create on a cold and frosty day would be absolutely scrumptious.

This is kind of the perfect book to read in the hectic mad busy rush leading up to Christmas and new year. You can easily read a chapter, or a few pages, get distracted by some present wrapping or a Chrimbo movie, and not forget where you're up to or lose your way in a plot. I would suggest it's best read during autumn/winter - so you can Hygge up your house - which wouldn't feel right in spring or summer.

Highly recommended to anyone who wants to learn more about Danish customs, or even just to learn some fab little tips on how to make your home extra cosy and comfy during the colder months of the year. The only reason I didn't give it 5* was because I thought it became a bit repetitive at times with the number of lists.

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yogibear

5.0 out of 5 stars First book in a while I've read cover to cover in one go

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on June 25, 2017

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This book explains exactly why I love rainy days, the buildup to Christmas, winter days, cosy days in, that feeling of getting in out the rain, snuggled on the sofa with a blanket and cuppa watching an old movie. Gotta love a bit of hygge.

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===

The Little Book of Hygge: The Danish Way to Live Well

by Meik Wiking

3.76 · Rating details · 87,354 ratings · 7,858 reviews

Denmark is often said to be the happiest country in the world. That's down to one thing: hygge.

'Hygge has been translated as everything from the art of creating intimacy to cosiness of the soul to taking pleasure from the presence of soothing things. My personal favourite is cocoa by candlelight...'

You know hygge when you feel it. It is when you are cuddled up on a sofa with a loved one, or sharing comfort food with your closest friends. It is those crisp blue mornings when the light through your window is just right.

Who better than Meik Wiking to be your guide to all things hygge? Meik is CEO of the Happiness Research Institute in Copenhagen and has spent years studying the magic of Danish life. In this beautiful, inspiring book he will help you be more hygge: from picking the right lighting and planning a dinner party through to creating an emergency hygge kit and even how to dress.

Meik Wiking is the CEO of the Happiness Research Institute in Copenhagen. He is committed to finding out what makes people happy and has concluded that hygge is the magic ingredient that makes Danes the happiest nation in the world. (less)

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Hardcover, 289 pages

Published September 1st 2016 by Penguin Life

Original TitleThe Little Book of Hygge: The Danish Way to Live Well

ISBN0241283914 (ISBN13: 9780241283912)

Edition LanguageEnglishSettingDenmark

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The Little Book of Hygge: Danish Secrets to Happy Living

The Little Book of Hygge: The Danish Way to Live Well

Mica enciclopedie Hygge. Rețeta daneză a fericirii

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Why on earth would I need this in my life when I have Nietzsche to refer to?

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MT Because Nietzsche is best read by candlelight, under a cozy Nordic weave blanket, with hot chocolate steaming on a rustic side table.

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Will this book help if someone is suffering a loss?

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Meg Gallagher The book is not about bereavement, but I just read it after losing My dad and it helped me a lot to find appreciation in things that I often take for …more

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Lily

Oct 31, 2016Lily rated it did not like it

Lifecycle of an idea:

1) hear about it on NPR

2) identify with it. tell friends about it.

3) buy book about it.

4) begin reading book.

5) realise there are suddenly *a lot* of books on this topic.

6) start to suspect book is just a big advertisement put out by one of those agencies that determines what will be trendy for next season.

7) book seems to really want you to buy woolen socks.

8) book is poorly written and repeats itself.

9) see a new twee danish crap store in your big mall.

10) reach peak despair.

11) burn book. the crackling fire, you are told, is very hygge.

12) find peace with the ease with which the corporate world manipulates your interests and desires.

13) write a goodreads review. (less)

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Elena May

Jan 10, 2020Elena May rated it liked it

Shelves: what-did-i-get-myself-into, bad-research

I recently, very spontaneously, decided to become a Viking move to Denmark. And now, I need to prepare!

And this means, on top of improving my knowledge of Danish history, geography, language, culture and pop-culture, I need to do some reading on Danish lifestyle. I thought The Little Book of Hygge must be the third best book on the topic, after Asterix and the Great Crossing and Asterix and the Normans

Let’s see what I got myself into!

The obsession with lighting comes from the lack of contact with it in the natural world… the only resource Denmark has in abundance is darkness

Oh…

I mean, I kind of knew that already, but seeing it on paper makes me want to cry.

And if it wasn’t bad enough that winters are dark and cold and summers are short, Denmark also has 179 days of rain per year.

Come ooon. Are you kidding me?

The closest you will ever come to seeing vampires burnt by daylight is by inviting a group of Danes for a hygge dinner and then placing them under a 5,000K fluorescent light tube

This explains a lot. I just got my new apartment in Copenhagen, and one thing I’ve been missing is light. I thought the living room was a bit dark, with no lamp on the ceiling, but looks like it’s supposed to be like that:

several smaller lamps around the room create a more hyggeligt light than one big lamp set in the ceiling

If you say so… though I’d really would have liked my ceiling lamp when the sun goes down at 4 PM!!!

Visit a student on a shoestring budget and you may still encounter a €1,000 Verner Panton lamp in the corner of her thirty-two-square-metre flat.

What…

Also, I don’t think this guy knows what “a shoestring budget” means.

But what’s a Verner Panton lamp anyway?

Wait…

Waaaaaaait…

It’s apparently this one:

But that’s the lamp I have in my future apartment! And… the one my landlord left for me is apparently of the €2,000 variety.

What.

Seriously.

What.

I mean, €2,000 for a lamp??? That’s my grandparents combined yearly income. And though I’ve been working in the West and earning a very decent salary for a while… WHAT. Who would do that? Why? Whyyyyyyy?

And it’s not like my landlord is crazy rich. He’s an ordinary guy who initially furnished the flat for himself, but then realized he had other plans. So these lamps are common among regular people.

Okay, I get design, and high quality, and it’s art, but, what? I kind of get it if it was an original artwork, but it’s a mass-produced lamp. And I would kiiind of, somewhat partially get it if the light was amazing, but I honestly think it’s not bright enough (though I guess that’s the idea)

Okay, I have to say it’s a VERY pretty lamp, but… but… BUT

I think I’m not Danish at all

Also, please don’t come stealing my lamp now.

I probably sound like a barbarian to Danish people right now, but could I just get a nice, ridiculously bright, 5-Euro ceiling lamp? Pleeeease!

The chapter on light is over. Let’s see if things get more hopeful later….

To foreigners, Danish sounds like someone speaking German with a hot potato in their mouth.

Hmmm… I always thought Danish sounds like someone’s reading German as if it’s French. It’s really strange, the words on paper actually look like German and are pretty understandable, but then only about 30% of the letters are pronounced, and the ones that are pronounced are assigned random sounds.

Some interesting stuff on languages follows and apparently in Finnish there is a single word for “a large horde of reindeer.” Makes sense.

Some have described the Danish workplace as something like the opening credits of The Flintstones. Come five o’clock, everyone has left before you can say ‘Yabba dabba doo!’

NOW WE’RE TALKING!

People with children usually leave at four; those without, at five.

Hmm. Are you saying I should start thinking about kids now? :O

Hygge is also a situation where there is a lot of relaxed thoughtfulness. Nobody takes centre stage or dominates the conversation

I really like this one. It’s one of the reasons I wanted to move to Denmark. Sadly, I work in a field where aggressiveness and arrogance are common and are not only tolerated but encouraged. And while I like the mathematical part of my work, I don’t enjoy the environment. Although I’m staying in the same industry, I though in Denmark the culture should be better since the hygge factor should offset the rest.

But in recent years I have also come to realize that there is a severe drawback to a social landscape like this: it doesn’t readily admit newcomers

Nooooooo

I guess it must be great for people who grew up there, but how are new immigrants supposed to integrate???

Food chapter!

While a dish consisting of live shrimp covered in ants may make the headlines, it is relatively far from everyday Danish cuisine

I’d certainly hope so.

Traditional Danish lunch includes a budget version of smørrebrød (open-faced sandwiches) on rye bread with pickled herring

I haven’t moved yet, and I’m already sick of pickled herring.

Once you get out of Copenhagen airport, you may think you have walked on to the set of a ninja movie. In Denmark, everyone wears black... In the summertime, you are allowed to go for a wider range of colours, even something crazily flamboyant like grey

Oooopsie…

I mean, that’s my usual winter look:

I’m happy I’m using a penname on Goodreads. I might get banned from the country for being criminally un-Danish.

The Danish hairstyle is casual to the point of being borderline lazy. Wake up and go

That’s probably the only Danish thing about me.

Danes do love design, and walking into many Danish homes can be like walking into the pages of an interior design magazine

True. My landlord initially furnished my new apartment for himself, and you can see that. It’s full of designed furniture (which I would have never known was designer if I hadn’t googled it)

Danes therefore tend to put a lot of effort and money into making their homes hyggelige. They enjoy the most living space per capita in all of Europe

What?

What.

WHAT

Did he just claim Danish people have the most living space in Europe?

I don’t know about the countryside, but Copenhagen apartments are TINY. My new apartment is much smaller than the one I had in Berlin and is three times the price, no kidding. Even my London apartment wasn’t that small, and that says a lot.

Oh, and then the author presents some crazy statistic that in Denmark, people have an average of 51 sq.m. per resident, while in Germany it’s 40. While at a first glance this looks like fantasy, I kind of get how this nonsense was derived.

To understand these stats, one must know how living space is measured in different countries, something our dear author seems to have no clue about.

My old apartment in Berlin was 56 sqm. It was huge. I could literally do jogging inside and often welcomed a large number of guests with no problems. My new apartment in Copenhagen is 58 sqm. I can barely fit inside. A single guest for more than a night would be a challenge.

How does that work? It’s simple!

How is living space measured in Germany?

The quoted square meters cover actual living space. Living rooms, bedrooms, bathrooms, kitchens, inside corridor. Nothing else. Areas inside the apartment covered by walls are not counted.

How is living space measured in Denmark?

All of the above, plus balconies, basements, common corridors outside the flat, staircases and other common areas. Looking at some square meter quotes, I sometimes think they also include the gardens, the street, the canal, and half of Sweden (Danish people can’t seem to accept Sweden is not theirs anymore.)

So that claim that Danes have the most living space is poor research at best, and blatant lies at worst.

It’s not the first time I read some fake “facts” in this book. It’s a pity because there is a lot of interesting info, but bits like this make me wonder if I should be fact-checking everything.

One December, while I was a student… I spent the entire salary I earned that month from carrying, sawing, hammering, chopping and selling trees on a chair

What.

I think I just lost any ability to relate to this guy.

The Kähler vase was an anniversary piece that was sold in a limited edition … More than 16,000 Danes tried to buy it online that day – most in vain, as the vase quickly sold out. The website crashed and people queued in long lines outside the stores that were stocking the vase; in many respects, the shoppers looked more like teenage girls fighting over tickets for a One Direction concert

Yes, let’s make fun of teenage girls, this never gets old. Looks like the more apt comparison in the future would be “looked like Danes fighting over a vase.”

The one thing that every home needs is a hyggekrog… I’ve put some cushions, a blanket, and a reindeer hide there, and I also sit there to work in the evenings

Ah, animal hides. When I decided to move to Copenhagen, I was looking for furnished apartments, and 90% of what I saw had cow hides on the floor.

Be sure to smother those benches, chairs and windowsills in sheepskin to give them an extra layer of hygge. You may alternate between sheep and reindeer, while keeping cow skins for the floor.

I wonder how vegans live in this country.

With the Danes’ love of candles and wooden and other flammable things, it is no surprise that Copenhagen has been burnt to the ground on several occasions.

some say Denmark has two winters, one grey and one green

Come. Ooon.

one of the most consistent patterns in happiness research is how little difference money makes

Yeah I guess, provided that you have enough not to worry about paying rent and putting food on the table. Which I guess is the case for most Danes, whose lives are super secure from the moment they are born. I mean, not only is education free, but they are paid to go to university. But for us, mere mortals, money does make a difference since it’s harder to hygge if we’re worried!

Hygge is an atmosphere which is not only unimproved by spending more money on it, but rather, in some ways, the opposite

BUT THEN WHY ARE YOU BUYING 2000 EURO LAMPS TO HYGGE, I DON’T GET IT!

So gather a group of people and head for the hills

What hills? Denmark is flat as a pancake.

In addition to hygge, Hans Christian Andersen, Lego and Danish design, Denmark is known for its love of bikes

I’m really NOT looking forward to that. Last time I biked was 13 years ago, and I had an accident and couldn’t move my arm for 2 months after. Sadly, Copenhagen public transport is not the greatest, and biking is really the best way to get around.

A comprehensive study…found that people who bike to work are happier than those who drive or use public transport

Yeah, if you have a crappy public transport. But if you have a nice, comfortable, not overcrowded train, where you can get a seat and read a book or watch the scenery, it’s much better than any bike. Especially if you’re in Berlin where it’s customary to have a beer on the train.

I guess I’m in the second stage of culture shock now, comparing everything to Berlin and complaining. Oh well, everyone has to go through that.

dark, natural colours are hyggelige. The sight of a bright, sterile hospital…is not

Strange. I’ve been looking at many apartments while searching for a place to stay, and the vast majority of Danish kitchens are white, looking exactly like a sterile hospital. Nothing wooden, nothing colorful. And the famous Danish design operates largely in black and white and is overall very sterile.

Maybe I’m missing something, but I see a lot of contradictions in this book.

And what I’ve seen of Copenhagen so far doesn’t fit the definition of hygge. I have to say Berlin fits the description much better. It’s green, it’s natural, it’s unassuming, it’s human. In contrast, Copenhagen is not just richer and more expensive. It’s fancy. It’s posh. It’s artificial. It’s everything this book keeps telling us is un-hygge.

And when I say it’s artificial, I mean these guys built a ski-run over plastic tracks on top of a waste-processing factory. My apartment building is currently surrounded by constructions sites because they are building fake canals in between the buildings to create fake islands. It’s pretty cool, but it’s not what this book would call hygge. It’s the European Dubai.

This soft ð is one of the most difficult Danish sounds. The closest it comes to English is th, but with your tongue extended a little further

Great. I never properly pronounced the English th either, so good luck with this soft ð thingy.

I finished this book when I arrived in Copenhagen, this time to move in permanently. And guess what greeted me at the airport? Shelves and shelves loaded with this book only staring at me from every store! “Overhyped” doesn’t begin to describe it.

I’m supposed to be writing a review, you say? Fine, let’s do this:

If we ignore some fake news, what remains is an informative, witty book, full of self-depreciating humor. Or at least I hope it’s self-depreciating humor and the guy isn’t serious, or else I’m doomed. (less)

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Barry

Jan 03, 2017Barry rated it it was ok

Shelves: self-development

I think someone else may have pinched the title but I think this book could be called 'The Little Book of Bollocks'.

We start of with a Danish concept of Hygge (I think it is pronounced hoo-gah or something). Essentially it seems to be the notion of having comfortable spaces at home and work, feeling happy and safe and at peace. All good so far? Well yes of course, it doesn't take a genus to work out that having a favourite blanket is comforting. It makes the obvious connection that having a good home / work balance and having a strong social network is good for you. Yep, still with you.

But what underpins this is a load of consumerist crap - pages and pages of what expensive lighting, candles and furniture you should buy. Lots of stating the bloody obvious - if you are cold put some nice woollen socks on. The book is terribly middle class - it reeks of 'get away to your cabin at the weekend and enjoy some hygge'. Yes, millions of us have weekend retreats on tap...

I get that you can do hygge on the cheap and I agree totally that allowing yourself in the modern world to make time for your self and to do 'special' things and have comfort in your life is good. I don't buy that eating lots of cake is hygge or lighting a candle will transform your life. My problem with this book is that it takes some pretty universal notions and translates them into a 'lifestyle' or a 'fashion'.

This book gets two stars because it is actually very pretty and beautiful to flick through and I did have a hygge moment cuddling my 3 year old daughter whilst reading the book. She them shit herself unfortunately and ruined the moment ha ha! It annoyed me as a vegan that seemingly to get a 'hygge' moment you had to inflict pain on other creatures, there are lots of recipes in here for meat heavy dishes, you get told you may be lucky to see a pig roast in one section and them espouses the hygge of hunting and fishing - how comforting to witness the slow charring of a once happy pig!

I think I would be more happy if I sat down with the TV off and read more, I love being warm in my home and eating nice food - unfortunately life has it's stresses too and my kids are hardly the quietest. The book does make it clear that stress won't go away, it's about creating hygge to counter it and I suppose there is some truth in this - there is a good message which is 'be kind to yourself'.

What isn't good in this book is that despite it being written by a social science the actual evidence for hygge is exceptionally tenuous. There are some giant leaps from studies that suggest Danes are happy, glosses over the socio-political elements and attributes happiness to hygge - it's not the most compelling argument for spending a month's salary on a vase... (less)

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Vanessa

Jan 08, 2017Vanessa rated it really liked it

4.5 stars.

This book made me so incredibly happy while reading it. The phenomenon and idea of hygge is something that appeals to my very soul, and it is something that I want to try and implement far more in my life than I already am. As my main resolution for this year is to stay happy, it seems inevitable that I would work towards the hygge lifestyle.

This book is much better than the previous hygge book that I read last year - it is written by Meik Wiking who is the CEO of the Happiness Research Institute in Copenhagen, so it feels inevitable that he would know exactly what he is talking about. An element of this book that really made me geek out and fall in love were all the statistics from various surveys that the Institute had carried out, which showed people's general opinions on various aspects of hygge. I liked seeing the evidence of people's feelings and how they implemented hygge in their lives.

The book itself is absolutely beautiful, full of gorgeous photographs and illustrations, and is a joy to read through. I felt a genuine sense of happiness and cosiness as I read through this, curled up on my sofa with plenty of cushions and a mug of tea by my side. I tried to space out my reading and savour the book, but unfortunately I was far too involved to do so!

My only issue with this book, and thus the reason I knocked it down a half star, is because I felt that at times it was a little too focused on activities that were accessible to Danish people. Of course hygge is a Danish phenomenon, and I loved finding out the statistics on many things (for example how many candles Danish people burn weekly!), but at times I felt like the tips on how to implement hygge elements in my life were just out of reach, based on where I live. However, it was only a slight qualm, and there is plenty in this book for me to try and experience, with numerous recipes, ideas for social occasions, and other such things that I can try out.

Overall I thought this was a great book, and as I received it as a present I would also say this would make a great gift to anyone who likes the cosier, quieter side of live and wants to implement more hygge in their lifestyle. A wonderful reading experience. (less)

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Dr. Appu Sasidharan

May 26, 2021Dr. Appu Sasidharan rated it really liked it

(Throwback Review) This book tells us how the Danish people truly love each other and stay happy. I want to share a personal experience before going into the review of this book. The match between Denmark and Finland in the Euro Cup 2020 once again proved why the Danish way of living is the best and why they are considered one of the happiest people in the world according to the world happiness index of the UN. When one of their players, Christian Eriksen, fainted on the field and was fighting for his life his teammates and physio and team doctors quickly ran towards him without even losing a second to save his life. We could see the love, compassion, and care that Danish people have for each other from the tears of every Denmark player who huddled against him and prayed for him. They showed us that love and care would help you to stay happy and also save the lives of your dear ones. I never in my wildest dreams thought that I would cry watching a soccer (football) match. That too due to medical reasons. I think that is what we call the power of love. Every member of the Denmark team was a winner, a true hero to the whole world.

According to Meik Wiking, Hygge is the reason behind the happiness of Denmark. This is one of the prettiest books I read in recent times. The printing, the photos, the layout are all excellent. Reading this book in a calm holiday will give you a soothing idyllic experience.

What I learned from this book

1) What is Hygge?

Hygge (pronounced hoo-ga) has been translated as everything from the art of creating intimacy to the coziness of the soul to taking pleasure from the presence of soothing things. In simple terms, the word Hygge means coziness.

"Hygge is about an atmosphere and an experience, rather than about things. It is about being with the people we love. A feeling of home. A feeling that we are safe, that we are shielded from the world and allow ourselves to let our guard down."

2) What is one of the easiest ways to find happiness in your life?

The author, who is also the CEO of the Happiness Research Institute in Copenhagen, says that's the easiest way to find happiness in our life is by trying to find happiness in small, simple things in our life. It won't be easy to stay happy if you try to focus only on big achievements and moments in your life. Small acts of gratitude and compassion are equally important.

“Happiness consists more in small conveniences or pleasures that occur every day, than in great pieces of good fortune that happens but seldom- Benjamin Franklin”

3) The Hygge Manifesto

The author tells us about Hygge manifesto in this book. All the ten things included in it will be helpful to everyone who tries to follow it.

“1. ATMOSPHERE Turn down the lights.

2. PRESENCE Be here now. Turn off the phones.

3. PLEASURE Coffee, chocolate, cookies, cakes, candy. Gimme! Gimme! Gimme!

4. EQUALITY "We" over "me." Share the tasks and the airtime.

5. GRATITUDE Take it in. This might be as good as it gets.

6. HARMONY It's not a competition. We already like you. There is no need to brag about your achievements.

7. COMFORT Get comfy. Take a break. It's all about relaxation.

8. TRUCE No drama. Let's discuss politics another day.

9. TOGETHERNESS Build relationships and narratives. "Do you remember the time we . . . ?"

10. SHELTER This is your tribe. This is a place of peace and security."

4) The Hygge Wishlist

If you are planning to practice Hygge the author is also providing us a wishlist of 10 things we should try to buy to make our house a Hygeligg.

“ 1. A HYGGEKROG.

2. A FIREPLACE

3. CANDLES

4. THINGS MADE OUT OF WOOD

5. NATURE

6. BOOKS

7. CERAMICS

8. THINK TACTILE

9. VINTAGE

10. BLANKETS AND CUSHIONS”

5) Books and Hygge

Reading books is an inevitable part of Hygge. The author tells us which all books are the best options for Hygge.

"All books are hyggelig, but classics written by authors such as Jane Austen, Charlotte Bronte, Leo Tolstoy, and Charles Dickens have a special place on the bookshelf. At the right age, your kids may also love to cuddle up with you in the hyggekrog and have you read to them. Probably not Tolstoy."

My favourite three lines from this book

“You cannot buy the right atmosphere or a sense of togetherness. You cannot hygge if you are in a hurry or stressed out, and the art of creating intimacy cannot be bought by anything but time, interest and engagement in the people around you."

“It doesn’t cost money to light a room correctly—but it does require culture”

“The best predictor of whether we are happy or not is our social relationships.”

What could have been better?

There is a probability that you will be incensed if you expect too many revolutionary ideas that will change your life from this book. The secret behind the success of many people is that there is no secret behind it. The winning horse differs from other horses by the slightest of margins, but the rewards are exponential. Similarly, the concept of Hygge is also something we all practice in our life. The only difference is that Danes give more focus to it in a slightly different yet intransigent manner.

If you are a strict vegan who doesn't like to read about non-vegetarian food, you should skip this book. The author should have also thought about many vegans who will read his book while writing the non-veg recipes. Sometimes, we will feel that the author is more inclined to buy consumerist products than natural ones.

Rating

4/5 Most of you might have impetuously purchased this book from a bookshop, just like me seeing its wonderful layout and presentation. This will be a perfect choice for a relaxing Sunday morning. (less)

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Christina - Recipe & a Read

Jan 06, 2019Christina - Recipe & a Read rated it it was amazing

5, NBD just making my house hygge AF right now stars!!!

Full review featured on my blog Recipe & a Read!

So, what even is hygge (pronounced hoo-ga)? Well, it’s not something that can be completely translated into the English language but the most laymen definition of it is coziness. However, that doesn’t really capture the essence of what hygge means to the Danish culture. It’s a integral part of the way they live and one of the many reasons why the Danish top the charts on the UN’s happiest countries list. Hygge is also deeply personal, and anything that brings you quiet contentment can likely fall into the realm of hygge.

Hygge is about an atmosphere and an experience, rather than about things. It is about being with the people we love. A feeling of home. A feeling that we are safe, that we are shielded from the world and allow ourselves to let our guard down.

Now look, if that quote alone doesn’t get you going and feeling all the feels about life and joy, then I’m not sure this book is going to be the one for you. However, if connection, ambiance and the simple joys of being with people you love, who love you in return is something that makes you happy – I can’t suggest this book enough. Many of the principles laid out here are things that once you read will likely make you say ‘duh’ or ‘oh, there’s a word for what I’ve been trying to do this whole time’ and I found this incredibly refreshing.

Time spent with others creates an atmosphere that is warm, relaxed, friendly, down-to-earth, close, comfortable, snug and welcoming. In many ways, it is like a good hug, but without the physical contact, It is in this situation that you can be completely relaxed and yourself. The art of hygge is therefore also the art of expanding your comfort zone to include other people.

So while things like candles, fireplaces, lighting in general, warm socks, comfy clothes, items made of wood, and incorporating nature into your space are all outlined as important aspects of hygge, the most important is togetherness. Being with those that truly see you for who you are and care for you. Hygge, is that comfortable silence with those you love.

There’s an anecdote in the book about the first hour after you come back from skiing – all your friends are exhausted, everyone is still in their ski gear, your feet are aching and you’re sitting on your patio looking out at the sheer beauty of the mountains. Your friends or family trickle outside, you can hear the sound of Grand Marnier pouring in the background while coffee is brewing. As you all sit, quietly observing the exhaustion in your limbs, the beautiful day and the time you spent together – this is the epitome of hygge.

We are social creatures, and the importance of this is clearly seen when one compares the satisfaction people feel in relationships with their overall satisfaction with life. The most important social relationships are close relationships in which you experience things together with others, and experience being understood; where you share thoughts and feelings, and both give and receive support. In one word: hygge.

In the end, I’ll be putting this on my list of books to give as a gift moving forward. I think everyone can learn lessons from this and I just felt absolutely tickled the whole time I read this. Putting our efforts into health, fitness, mental well-being are all important, but something that falls to the wayside as we age is helping our current social relationships and new relationships flourish. I really can’t suggest this book enough, it was a funny, light-hearted and general joy to read and I am already implementing things I’ve learned into my day to day life! (less)

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Helene Jeppesen

Nov 20, 2016Helene Jeppesen rated it it was amazing

This "Little Book of Hygge", written by the CEO of the Happiness Research Institute in Copenhagen, sets out to explore the Danish phenomenon 'hygge': What it is and how you can achieve it. It's always fascinating to read about your own people, but to me this petite book was even more fascinating because it explores something that I consider a constant and a necessity in my everyday life.

The question is: Do I agree with everything in this book? Does it give you an honest impression of Danes' lives, happiness and how we 'hygge'? The answer is: Yes! I couldn't find any faults with this book, and I was so impressed with how it defined 'hygge' spot-on that I've been inspired to do a video on just this phenomenon.

If you desire to know more about how to create a 'hyggelig' atmosphere in your home or around people, definitely read this book. It speaks the truth and encaptures the real spirit of 'Hygge', and it doesn't hurt that the book is beautifully designed and comes with gorgeous pictures. (less)

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Hilary

Nov 22, 2016Hilary rated it it was ok

Shelves: books-that-state-the-obvious, wouldn-t-read-again

This book is beautifully presented, nice cover, quality paper, modern typeface, and beautiful photography. Looks like cross between an Ikea catalogue and a Waitrose food magazine. I found the content fluffy, repetitive and patronising. I'm not danish and have not previously heard of Hygge but am aware that candles, real fires, friends and sharing food you have cooked yourself is good fun and makes you happy. I thought the book was going to let me in on some secrets of Danish happiness, I was disappointed to find it stated the obvious, but lots of people seem to really like it. (less)

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Sheri

Feb 10, 2017Sheri rated it really liked it

Shelves: 2017, scandinavian

Everything you need to know to about hygge and how to experience more in your life. Inspires you to look for the small, simple things that bring joy to your life.

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Inge

Feb 02, 2017Inge rated it it was amazing

Shelves: non-fiction

The Little Book of Hygge is a small collection of everything that is right in the world. Hygge is a term that doesn't have a literal translation in many languages, but it is a concept that everyone is familiar with: that sense of warmth, comfort, cosiness, belonging, safety. Something which the Danish have turned into a proper art form. In this little book, you will discover everything about hygge. How to hygge in summer, in winter, on a budget, in Copenhagen. Hygge is a reading nook by the fireplace with a good book and a comfortable blanket. Hygge is a cup of hot chocolate. Hygge is an intimate dinner party with board games. We should all learn how to incorporate hygge into our lives - there is a reason why the Danish are among the happiest people in the world.

As someone with anxiety and depression, I made it my personal mission to learn more about happiness and positivity. Because these things don't come naturally to me anymore, but I can train myself. I keep a gratitude journal (apparently this is very hygge). I read books about happiness. I spend a lot of time on self-care, even the unpleasant aspects of it (e.g. doctor's appointments). So when I found out about hygge, I was more than excited to learn more about it. I ordered a Buddy Box, which is a self-care subscription box. The Little Book of Hygge came with it, which was so perfect.

I read this book in my reading nook, with cups of tea, cookies, and several blankets. I learned about candles, discovered recipes, and smiled at beautiful pictures. This book was certainly very hyggelig. (less)

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marta (sezon literacki)

Feb 11, 2017marta (sezon literacki) rated it it was ok · review of another edition

The whole idea of Hygge is really lovely. Actually, I think that everybody follows it, having no idea that it has a name. Well, who doesn’t enjoy the winter evening with a cup of cocoa or the fragnance of just baked cake? It is quite a nice book in terms of appreciating life’s little pleasures, but it lacks actual content. The majority of the book is filled with photographs or some really boring statistics and the author doesn’t say anything insightful. I mean, we all have been there, done that. Just didn’t realise it has a fancy, Danish name. Nice graphic design, poor content. (less)

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Susan Budd

Jan 15, 2018Susan Budd rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: danish-literature

I should begin my review of The Little Book of Hygge with a confession: I hate winter. I hate everything about winter. I hate the snow. I hate the cold. I hate coats and hats and mittens. The months of January and February could be wiped off the calendar for all I care. I’ll take a double dose of July and August in their place. So the concept of hygge, originating from a people accustomed to cold weather, is not one that easily resonates with me. At least, not until I read Meik Wiking’s explanation of hyggekrog.

As I was reading, I spontaneously remembered my very first apartment. It was a two room apartment above a store in the heart of the village of Westbury. I furnished it with an assortment of hand-me-downs from my parents’ apartment. Appropriately enough, it was mostly the Danish Modern furniture that was so popular at midcentury.

Since the kitchen was the larger of the two rooms (the second room being the bedroom), there was ample space for a comfy old easy chair with worn orange upholstery. It fit perfectly in a corner with an equally battered end table, a ginger jar table lamp, and a three shelf bookcase that held my then-tiny library. It became my special reading nook.

The apartment faced the street, so I could sit almost anywhere and look out at the main road of the village anytime I wanted. This was especially pleasant to do during the Christmas season when strings of lights adorned the lamp posts and store windows. This was a time before chain stores dominated the village landscape, when the stores were still all Mom & Pop stores, each with its unique personality. There was a local movie theater, a pizzeria, a delicatessen, and next door to me a card & gift shop that played Christmas carols from a speaker outside.

One day I heard what sounded like a parade going down the street, so I went to a window to see what was going on and it was indeed a parade. A little parade going down my little street. I poured myself a cup of coffee, sat down at my kitchen table, and watched the parade. It never happened again, which just made the experience more special.

Although I only lived there for three years, and that was over thirty years ago, I still remember it fondly: the street, the stores, the sleepy village atmosphere (even though it was only forty minutes from Penn Station by LIRR), all seen from my little perch on the second floor, and most of all, my hyggekrog with its comfy chair, soft light, and favorite books.

Perhaps hygge is not such a strange concept to me after all. (less)

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Jennifer

Feb 19, 2017Jennifer rated it liked it

Shelves: 2017-books

If 2016 was all about throwing things away a la Marie Kondo (The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up: The Japanese Art of Decluttering and Organizing), then 2017 seems to be all about getting cozy.

This is a beautifully designed little book which extolls the benefits of coziness/homebodyness and good friends/good food as the way to happiness. The Danes generally rank at the top (or near top) of woldwide happiness rankings. Large social safety-net programs probably play a key role in this, but since that's not easily or quickly replicated, the author advises that happiness can be found via candles, warm drinks, fireplaces and wool socks. Now, I like all of those things as much as the next person (probably more) but I'll just say that I'm glad I checked this one out from the library instead of buying this book in order to learn these pearls of wisdom. (less)

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Barbara

Aug 06, 2017Barbara rated it liked it

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A lot of creating hygge is common sense, but - if you want some pointers - Wiking provides a guide:

- Use lots of candles. The Danes place candles everywhere - in bedrooms living rooms, bathrooms, classrooms, boardrooms, etc.

- Place dim lighting in strategic locations. Wiking recommends light fixtures designed by Poul Henningsen, whose lamps provide soft, diffuse light.

- Create a feeling of togetherness with friends and relatives; togetherness is 'like a hug without touching.'

- Maintain a healthy work-life balance. Spend a lot of time with your family.

- Socialize with friends and colleagues.

- Hot beverages. Danes love coffee. If you watch Danish TV series, the characters are always making coffee, drinking coffee, and offering each other coffee.....(like tea in British TV series....LOL)

- Casual hairdos. Danish hairstyles are 'wake up and go'.....or maybe a loose bun for women.

- Comfortable furnishings. Danes enjoy interior decorating, and their décor often includes wood furniture, vintage items, and an open fireplace and/or a wood-burning stove.

- Blankets and cushions. Necessary for snuggling up and getting cozy.

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You can probably think up hundreds of 'hyggelig' activities yourself. For example, here's one: invite a couple of friends over; watch Netflix; bring in Mexican food; drink sangria....and later on - have chocolate eclairs for dessert. If you have some hygge suggestions, feel free to comment below.

Wiking sums up his treatise on hygge by noting that a complete hygge experience includes 'taste, sound, smell, and texture.'

- Hyggelig tastes are familiar and sweet.

- Hyggelig sounds might be: the crackling of burning wood; the pitter patter of raindrops; and trees waving in the breeze.

- Hyggelig smells could be aromas that trigger fond memories.

- Hyggeling textures might be wooden surfaces; smooth ceramic cups; and reindeer fur.

Still, if you're curious about hygge, this is a good crash course.

You can follow my reviews at https://reviewsbybarbsaffer.blogspot.... (less)

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abigailscupoftea

Jan 12, 2021abigailscupoftea rated it really liked it

My dad inspired me to buy this book. He once traveled to Denmark and said that it’s true: Denmark really is one of the happiest countries in the world.

“Hygge is about making the most of what we have in abundance: the every day.” It’s the warmth of hot chocolate, the pitter patter of rain, the purring of a cat. It’s simplicity, safety, and security. It’s coziness, comfort, and connection. The Little Book of Hygge is such a cheerful and relaxing read.

Here are some emojis that symbolize Hygge to me:

🍰🌷🧦☕️🕯🥐🫖🐈 (less)

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Karina Webster

Aug 30, 2016Karina Webster rated it it was amazing

Beautifully published. Gorgeous photos, charts and drawings. The writing is funny, interesting and engaging. A really fun read! So...when are we moving to Denmark??

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Amanda

Mar 09, 2017Amanda rated it liked it

Shelves: 2017-reading-log

The Danish concept of hygge (pronounced HOO-GA) originates from a Norwegian word meaning "well-being." The closest translation for hygge in English is coziness. In a nutshell, the primary elements include candles and fireplaces, intimate gatherings, lots of cake and coffee, warm fabrics, books, and rustic settings.

The word hygge can be used as a noun or a verb. One interesting part of the book was the hygge dictionary. Variations of the word hygge include the following:

hyggehjørnet- to be in the mood for hygge

hyggekrog- sitting nook for a "hyggelig" time

hyggesnak- cozy conversation devoid of controversy

hyggestund- a moment of hygge

(And my personal favorite)

hyggebukser- that favorite comfortable pair of pants you'd never wear in public

I adore the idea that hygge is about "atmosphere and experience" rather than "things." Denmark consistently ranks at the top of happiness indices. The author attributes the happiness levels of the Danish people to the lower levels of stress because the government provides universal health coverage, free university education, and generous benefits. Other factors noted include good incomes and a real sense of community.

I'd rate this book 3.5. I always find books about happiness intriguing. It's a really quick read, and my only complaint would be that at times it felt repetitive. I enjoyed the cutesy artwork.

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David Rubenstein

Jun 28, 2018David Rubenstein rated it really liked it

Shelves: self-help, philosophy, travel, psychology

This is a delightful little book about a concept that is popular in Denmark. "Hygge" (pronounced hooga) is a concept that doesn't directly translate into English. The word might be translated as "coziness" or "happiness" or "taking pleasure from simple things." I picked up this book because I plan to go to Denmark later this summer. The country has the reputation of being the happiest place in the world. But, this is not quite true--it is really the least unhappy country, due to its extensive social programs and safety nets.

Denmark is a country where winters are long, and it rains 179 days a year. So, hygge is primarily achieved at home, on rainy days, with soft lighting, special food, and close friends and family. Lighting seems to be very important. Denmark burns two times as many candles per person than anywhere else in Europe. Fireplaces are wonderful. Electric lighting is also important, but the emphasis is on soft lighting, not blaring fluorescent tubes. And, another emphasis is on being in the company of small groups of people. This is very good for introverts. And, hot drinks are another important component of hygge.

You can read this short book in a couple of hours--at least half of it is filled with simple illustrations--reminiscent of clip art. The writing is simple, as the book explains the many facets of Danish culture that contribute to hygge. The book contains a description of ten inexpensive activities that can contribute to happiness. So, it is useful for anybody, not just those living in Denmark.

Remarkably, the author, Meik Wiking, is the CEO of an organization called the Happiness Research Institute in Copenhagen. I guess he should know a thing or two about hygge!

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Cher

Jan 22, 2017Cher rated it it was ok

Shelves: nonfiction

2.5 stars - It was alright, an average book.

An easy read about a warm and fuzzy topic, but the book became very repetitive after the first 25%. While I enjoyed the beginning, by the end I was looking forward to moving on to my next book.

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Favorite Quote: While basic living standards are essential for happiness, after the baseline has been met, happiness varies more with quality of human relationships than income.

First Sentence: I have the best job in the world.

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The Little Book of Hygge

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