The Book of Hygge the Danish Art of Contentment Comfort and Connection

• Home
• My Books

Open Preview

Encounter a Trouble?

Nosotros'd love your help. Let us know what's wrong with this preview of The Book of Hygge by Louisa Thomsen Brits.

Thanks for telling us about the problem.

Friend Reviews

To come across what your friends thought of this book, please sign upwardly.

Community Reviews

 · ii,897 ratings  · 388 reviews

Start your review of The Book of Hygge: The Danish Art of Living Well

Jun 06, 2018 Jeanne marked information technology as did-not-finish

What white nonsense is this?

I'm familiar with the Norwegian koselig, and since even this volume references it when explaining hygge I assumed it would exist similar. In reality I think it is, just this volume only spends a scrap of fourth dimension on the etymology and history of the give-and-take/concept.

The residue of the book reads like a new agey arcadian and myopic view of Danish civilization. It presents families as a safe place, all problems can be solved if we just sit down down and take a cup of tea. The books seems to endeavor to

What white nonsense is this?

I'm familiar with the Norwegian koselig, and since even this book references information technology when explaining hygge I assumed it would exist similar. In reality I think it is, merely this volume only spends a chip of fourth dimension on the etymology and history of the word/concept.

The residue of the book reads like a new agey arcadian and myopic view of Danish culture. It presents families as a safe identify, all problems can be solved if we just sit and take a cup of tea. The books seems to try to package and sell this snake oil to Americans who swallow up this white fantasy land where we can all just get along, if we all are that same. 🙄

I'm non looking for an Scandinavian Eat, Prey, Love.

...more

Sep 25, 2016 Becky rated it really liked it

This is a beautiful little volume, with some gorgeous images and some lovely sentiments. Hygge is something that seems both delightful and yet likewise deeply claustraphobic. Office of me gets the feeling that the emphasis on Hygge is a reaction to a Danish past where showy, violent ane upmanship was the norm. Having read a few books virtually life in Denmark I am non sure that I could survive in a society that seems to value group cohesion and conformity higher up all things. In some ways I go the feeling tha This is a beautiful little book, with some gorgeous images and some lovely sentiments. Hygge is something that seems both delightful and yet also securely claustraphobic. Part of me gets the feeling that the emphasis on Hygge is a reaction to a Danish by where showy, violent one upmanship was the norm. Having read a few books about life in Kingdom of denmark I am not certain that I could survive in a society that seems to value group cohesion and conformity above all things. In some means I become the feeling that it is this Nordic conformity that allows all of the existent nastiness to escape in the form of their excellent but incredibly dark crime fiction. So thanks for conforming to the poin where such great writing and drama leaks out. :)
Basically part of me loves the concept of relaxing into a soporific world governed by Hygge and Jante's law, while another part thinks I could well cease up shaving my head and going all Lisbeth Salander on someone's arse!
Either manner this is substantially a great nordic take on Mindfulness and ane that I find quite a lot easier to read well-nigh without gagging!
...more

This volume was quite boring. The most interesting parts were the quotes from other writers! If anything, it fabricated me want to read their works, so I shall list them hither in case anyone wants to skip a step and just become straight to the sources. The writers she quoted are: William Morris, Sensual Home by Ilse Crawford, Annie Dillard, Gaston Bachelard, Erich Fromm, Tove Jansson, Care of the Soul: A Guide for Cultivating Depth and Sacredness in Everyday Life past Thomas Moore, and Ordinarily Sacred past Lyn This book was quite boring. The most interesting parts were the quotes from other writers! If anything, it made me want to read their works, then I shall list them here in case anyone wants to skip a step and only go straight to the sources. The writers she quoted are: William Morris, Sensual Home past Ilse Crawford, Annie Dillard, Gaston Bachelard, Erich Fromm, Tove Jansson, Care of the Soul: A Guide for Cultivating Depth and Sacredness in Everyday Life by Thomas Moore, and Usually Sacred past Lynda Sexson. ...more than

Aug 08, 2016 Angela Groves rated it really liked it

The primary thing I took away from this beautiful fiddling book, was to appreciate the pocket-sized things in life. This may seem really obvious, but in reality information technology is something that can be quite difficult to recall to do with a busy lifestyle. It is certainly something at this moment in fourth dimension I demand reminding of. The volume encourages y'all to really examine the relationships you have with the people and surround in your life, to capeesh and cultivate them into something that makes you happy. To create The master thing I took abroad from this beautiful fiddling book, was to appreciate the small things in life. This may seem really obvious, but in reality it is something that can be quite hard to remember to practise with a decorated lifestyle. It is certainly something at this moment in fourth dimension I need reminding of. The book encourages you to really examine the relationships yous have with the people and surroundings in your life, to appreciate and cultivate them into something that makes y'all happy. To create relaxing environments, taking fourth dimension to enjoy what you have. Blankets are mentioned a lot, I'm guessing because it's generally colder in Denmark...

This is a really beautiful little book, lovely photographs and a wonderful layout. A perfect gift book.

...more

A nice calm read, rwally pleasant. But nothing new.

It's beautiful, no dubiety. Information technology'southward vaguely inspiring. Information technology besides meanders around the topic with no articulate direction and a host of imperceptible pleasantries.

However, points for including first-class quotations from other writers.

It's beautiful, no doubt. It's vaguely inspiring. It too meanders around the topic with no articulate direction and a host of ephemeral pleasantries.

However, points for including excellent quotations from other writers.

...more

Dec 04, 2017 Annie ⚜️ rated it information technology was amazing

A deeper, more spiritual delve into the hygge theory than I've read elsewhere. Enjoyable. Thoroughly. And proficient for the soul. Beautiful pics too. A deeper, more spiritual delve into the hygge theory than I've read elsewhere. Enjoyable. Thoroughly. And good for the soul. Cute pics as well. ...more

With Spring but around the corner, I'k kind of over the whole "allow'due south get cozy in front of the fire with hot cocoa and fuzzy slipper-socks" thing. Cabin fever has set in with a vengence. Probably not the nearly optimal fourth dimension to read a book well-nigh Hygge.

Withal, it was all right. Much more accessible than other Hygge books I've read. For example, this Hygge book didn't endeavour to sell me candles...or encourage unhealthy eating habits, like binge-eating cakes and pies and such. This volume also didn't suggest

With Spring just around the corner, I'm kind of over the whole "let's get cozy in front of the fire with hot cocoa and fuzzy slipper-socks" thing. Motel fever has ready in with a vengence. Probably not the about optimal time to read a book virtually Hygge.

Still, information technology was all right. Much more accessible than other Hygge books I've read. For example, this Hygge volume didn't try to sell me candles...or encourage unhealthy eating habits, like binge-eating cakes and pies and such. This volume also didn't advise that Hygge was something sectional to Danes and no i else could actually attain it (I know...how pretentious, right?).

Rather, this Hygge book talked about the bodily elements of Hygge. Like condolement, coziness, togetherness, and happiness through simple pleasures (HA! I KNEW it wasn't well-nigh buying 1,001 candles!!). Kind of common noesis. I didn't larn anything new I didn't already know from observing my cats, who are both Grand Masters of Hygge.

AH-HA! At present In that location'Due south a volume I should write: "All I Demand to Know About Hygge I Learned From My Cats."

p.southward. What's up with the random photos, though? They're like something a compress would prove you ("Describe how this photo makes you lot feel about your mother") when they're trying to get inside your caput.

...more

December 15, 2016 Kirsty rated it actually liked information technology

I won Louisa Thomsen Brits' The Book of Hygge from a Books Are My Purse contest on Twitter, and couldn't have been happier with my prize. As an object, the book is cute; it is a sturdy yet compact hardback, which has been filled with the most lovely and calming photographic accompaniments, some of them double paged spreads.

Thomsen Brits' volume is essentially a manual on hygge, and she demonstrates how to notice the little moments and take pleasure in everything. Hygge is a big thing in my

I won Louisa Thomsen Brits' The Volume of Hygge from a Books Are My Bag competition on Twitter, and couldn't have been happier with my prize. Every bit an object, the book is beautiful; it is a sturdy however meaty hardback, which has been filled with the well-nigh lovely and calming photographic accompaniments, some of them double paged spreads.

Thomsen Brits' book is substantially a manual on hygge, and she demonstrates how to notice the little moments and have pleasure in everything. Hygge is a big thing in my life, although I must acknowledge that I didn't know that in that location was a precise word for it until a couple of years ago! The Book of Hygge is a comforting and nicely written read, which really makes yous take note of what is around you, and the little moments which you lot should never take for granted. Information technology is a particularly perfect tome to coil upwardly with in front of a roaring fire on a winter'south twenty-four hour period - there's a wonderful hygge moment for you right there.

...more

Mar 22, 2017 Nina rated it it was ok

While the book is not hard to read in just i afternoon, I recollect the author is repeating herself a lot in this footling volume. That made me often recollect, that I was reading the same folio or chapter.

What I liked in this volume were the cute pictures.

Oct 23, 2016 Sarah Marsden rated it really liked it

A scrap on the heavy side - more of a philosophical/historical guide to hygge.

It'southward worth noting that the writer is making a donation to a homeless clemency for a every re-create that is bought.

A chip on the heavy side - more than of a philosophical/historical guide to hygge.

Information technology's worth noting that the author is making a donation to a homeless charity for a every copy that is bought.

...more

Mar 10, 2017 Cindy rated information technology information technology was ok

Yes. A beautiful little volume that says the same thing over and over and over again. 2 stars instead of 1 considering it has good photos and design.

January 19, 2018 Krystal rated information technology did non like information technology

Repeat later me for the 100th time: Danish are some of the happiest people on Earth.

The volume simply repeats itself in various categories, but they all say the same matter. Get cozy, be present, be intimate, be warm, eat well, etc. I lost my page in one case and it took nigh xv minutes to find information technology over again because every page sounded like where I had left off. The pictures are nice but nobody's house looks similar that, or is having a bathtub out in the woods practical. I empathize it'due south the concept, simply it go

Repeat later me for the 100th time: Danish are some of the happiest people on World.

The book only repeats itself in various categories, but they all say the same thing. Get cozy, be present, be intimate, be warm, eat well, etc. I lost my page once and it took nearly 15 minutes to observe it again because every page sounded like where I had left off. The pictures are squeamish just nobody'southward house looks like that, or is having a bathtub out in the forest practical. I empathize it's the concept, but it gets sometime after beating a dead horse for 200 pages.

And then maybe read the first few chapters and telephone call it a day.

...more

these hygge books seem privileged and surprisingly bitchy.

I like the idea of this book, it's more than of a tedious down and smell the roses theory. Alive in the moment, take joy in the small things and apply your "special" dishes every day.
I like the idea of this book, it's more of a irksome down and smell the roses theory. Live in the moment, have joy in the small-scale things and apply your "special" dishes every day.
...more

This was a warm footling volume, interspersed with relevant quotes in large type (I like that!).
The entire book is about the essence of hygge; I was hoping for a niggling more teaching but what the author did was kindly impart, in friendly details, all you'd ever want to know about hygge. She's Danish so I trust her POV. While the volume isn't quite what I expected, she does a prissy job. For me, the photos within and the quotes are the best parts. Truly beautiful. This was a warm picayune book, interspersed with relevant quotes in large type (I like that!).
The entire book is about the essence of hygge; I was hoping for a little more instruction but what the writer did was kindly impart, in friendly details, all yous'd ever desire to know most hygge. She's Danish so I trust her POV. While the volume isn't quite what I expected, she does a nice chore. For me, the photos inside and the quotes are the all-time parts. Truly beautiful. ...more than

April 26, 2021 yenni 1000 rated it liked it

I can imagine such a hygge-filled life (in my current time-location) as slightly blind and delirious perhaps. Snap my fingers to a Danish life and the world would (beautifully) disappear.

Equal parts dream and clocking-out. Yeah, I'd be alright with that.

Presence, softness, warmth, simplicity. I support/desire that.

I can imagine such a hygge-filled life (in my electric current time-location) equally slightly blind and delirious perhaps. Snap my fingers to a Danish life and the world would (beautifully) disappear.

Equal parts dream and clocking-out. Yeah, I'd be alright with that.

Presence, softness, warmth, simplicity. I support/desire that.

...more than

This is the manner that I live my life since I was 16 or so it was coming Neutral from inside myself. I love the style to live hygge. And find a volume that describe my life was so glad and satisfied give thanks y'all. So I would recommend this really.

Rating: three.5

This volume by and large focuses the philosophy behind this lifestyle. This book has a 'rich people' vibe tbh.

Rating: 3.5

This book mostly focuses the philosophy behind this lifestyle. This book has a 'rich people' vibe tbh.

...more

Dec 21, 2021 Erica rated it liked it

I want to love this book, because I practice love the idea and practice of hygge. Nevertheless, Brits basically says I just need some kind of fire or flame and a beverage to achieve this. Her insights felt far besides fantastical for my life, though maybe it's the mental place I find myself in? Stopping at a friends firm for a drinking glass of wine on the balcony on my walk home from piece of work sounds lovely, but not practical. Practice they Danes however dance around christmas trees lit with candles, located in the center of thei I want to love this book, because I do love the idea and practice of hygge. Nevertheless, Brits basically says I just need some kind of burn or flame and a beverage to achieve this. Her insights felt far too fantastical for my life, though maybe it's the mental place I discover myself in? Stopping at a friends house for a drinking glass of wine on the balustrade on my walk habitation from work sounds lovely, only not practical. Do they Danes withal dance around christmas trees lit with candles, located in the middle of their living rooms?

Is Hygge supposed to be practical? or whimsical? or whimsically practical? IDK. I'thousand still going to work on figuring out Hygge for me, but this volume wasn't the most inspiring.

...more than

This is a Buzzfeed listicle stretched out to 200 pages of give-and-take salad.

Jul 02, 2017 Amy rated it liked it

I'one thousand partway through, and I'm glad I stuck with it! It's very repetitive, simply there are gems subconscious inside.

I'll cease it, but honestly, a shorter volume with more pictures like it has would take been ameliorate.

I'm partway through, and I'm glad I stuck with it! It's very repetitive, but there are gems hidden inside.

I'll finish it, merely honestly, a shorter book with more pictures like it has would have been improve.

...more than

January 31, 2022 Farid Medleg rated it did non similar it

I feel bad for what I am about to say because the author seems very passionate about the topic and is making a donation to those who are under-housed for every copy sold. Nevertheless, here goes...

This is not a good book. Brits does a poor job of giving it a management. The subtitle ("the Danish art of living well") indicates in that location will be some exploration or explanation of what the art itself is. Even so, there is no existent historical exploration relieve for a few early paragraphs that don't practise the southward

I feel bad for what I am near to say because the author seems very passionate almost the topic and is making a donation to those who are under-housed for every copy sold. Nevertheless, here goes...

This is not a good book. Brits does a poor job of giving it a management. The subtitle ("the Danish art of living well") indicates at that place will exist some exploration or explanation of what the art itself is. However, there is no existent historical exploration salve for a few early on paragraphs that don't do the subject any justice. Early on in the first paragraph, she writes, "throughout this book, there are suggestions on how to weave Hygge into daily life." This is an understatement; in that location are so many suggestions strung together through 187 pages which robs the volume of any boundaries or focus.

I might be a salty considering Brits is not 1 to use an Oxford comma, which is specially painful when the book is chock full of lists filled with flowery linguistic communication. However, if this is where my complaints ended, I would simply state the author has a writing style that isn't for me. But... at that place'southward more.

The book, in brusque, is word salad. Brits combines words and imagery that bluntly don't make any sense. One gets the impression she is trying to inspire or uplift and it just doesn't work. For the parts where my eyes didn't glaze over, the pregnant of the sentences was more frequently than non difficult to extract.

When she does manage to avert metaphor or abstract imagery, her writing is painfully repetitive. At times information technology becomes contradictory as she tries to give examples of what Hygge is to fit a chapter. On other occasions, the championship or subtitles of a chapter are in no manner related to the writing that follows.

Unfortunately, she likewise has the habit of discussing Danes as a monolith instead of Hygge itself, painting the entire group with a broad brush that makes Kingdom of denmark's citizens seem like automatons of cosiness.

The volume does accept some standout parts, only none of these are good:
- (p. 133) "Danes regularly express gratitude and satisfaction without lacquering it in mawkish sentiment." This smacks of irony every bit this entire book is best described as "mawkish sentiment."
- (p. 145) "The naked togetherness and heat of a sauna, or bathing alone outside in warm water, enveloped by dusk, green leaves and birdsong, both dissolves our boundaries and holds us in intimacy." My starting time thought while reading this was "where can anyone bathe in warm water outdoors in Kingdom of denmark?" She answered my question by placing a flick of a bathtub in the middle of the wood with a fire nether it on the opposing page. I shit you a not. A bathtub. Outside. With a fire under it.
- (p.156) There is a quote on this page by Ludwig Wittgenstein which made me laugh out loud because my only thoughts conjured at the thought of him are anguish, self-flagellation, and asceticism.

This brings me to my terminal outcome: the quotes. At offset, information technology seemed all the quotes were directly related to Hygge and I establish myself thinking "Yikes, the quotes are the best reading in this volume." Still, information technology soon became articulate she was inserting quotes as long as they were even only minimally related to the topic at hand. The quoted person was often in no way related to Denmark or Hygge itself. And this, to me, is the crux of the upshot. This book is more concerned with making an artistic touch than delivering annihilation of substance. Unfortunately, it fails to do even this.

...more

This book felt warm and cozy as I read information technology. This book could have been half as long and been sufficient.

I experience like Hygge in Denmark is either exaggerated or their unions and safe cyberspace and 33 hr work week and full general cultural homogeneity is what makes this possible. This book is full of lush descriptions of how the Danes decompress and go about a seemingly relaxed way of life equally if looking relaxed and beingness relaxed at all times is life itself. At that place are many minimalist pictures of hipster things actualization in a middle of nowhere that I'g not sure Denmark actually has.

I exercise hygge on a regular bas

I feel like Hygge in Denmark is either exaggerated or their unions and safety net and 33 60 minutes piece of work week and general cultural homogeneity is what makes this possible. This volume is full of lush descriptions of how the Danes decompress and go about a seemingly relaxed fashion of life every bit if looking relaxed and beingness relaxed at all times is life itself. There are many minimalist pictures of hipster things actualization in a middle of nowhere that I'm not sure Denmark actually has.

I practice hygge on a regular ground with blankets and candles and tea with shared food and experiences when I can but it's limited in comparison to the mode this book makes hygge seem. This volume makes it seem like Danes in a abiding state of hygge at all times. So, mayhap Denmark is actually liberal hipster utopia I've been looking for. I'm not sure that the stress of 2020 fits in.

...more

Aug 18, 2016 Penelope rated it really liked it

A beautifully produced lovely little book which in itself is a little bit of Hygge. With a focus on finding the special in the everyday rituals of life, and on the importance of pausing and making the fourth dimension to appreciate what nosotros accept this is a book which makes you realise that Hygge is more than than a Scandinavian style of living but is something that we should all welcome into our lives. Brindled throughout with cute photography and thoughtful quotes this is a joy to read and a book that I will r A beautifully produced lovely piffling book which in itself is a petty bit of Hygge. With a focus on finding the special in the everyday rituals of life, and on the importance of pausing and making the fourth dimension to appreciate what we take this is a volume which makes you realise that Hygge is more than than a Scandinavian way of living but is something that we should all welcome into our lives. Peppered throughout with beautiful photography and thoughtful quotes this is a joy to read and a book that I volition return to when I demand to be reminded that happiness and contentment is oftentimes found in the ordinary and not the extraordinary. Recommended to read whilst covered in a cosy coating, drinking the hot drinkable of your choice from a favourite mug! ...more

Mar 14, 2017 April rated it it was amazing

Beautifully laid out and written. It is poetic and mindful -- full of quotes and encouragements to recognize beauty in the simple, mundane aspects of everyday life.

I enjoyed this book. Reading information technology was a pleasant experience and learning virtually Danish civilization was interesting. Even so this book became extremely repetitive and long winded.

A beautifully designed book that helps one feel hygge whilst reading information technology. A much more philosophical expect at this concept than many of the other books currently available.

Related Articles

New year, new you! Or perhaps the same you lot, but a 2.0 version? The start of a new year's day is known for resolutions, which, every bit nosotros all know,...

"Merely living isn't enough," said the butterfly, "one must take sunshine, freedom and a little blossom." -Hans Christian Anderson" — 52 likes

"Attention is the rarest and purest grade of generosity. -Simone Weil" — 12 likes

More quotes…

Welcome back. Just a moment while we sign you in to your Goodreads account.