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theislandwitch's review against another edition
inspiring
lighthearted
fast-paced
2.5
Nothing new here if you have been aware of any slow living trends of the past 10 years.
angiolettoliz's review against another edition
3.0
This kept me company during my early morning. Some interesting ideas and a soothing voice
thestarman's review against another edition
3.0
[A Dollar Tree find. Yes, a $1 hardcover.]
VERDICT: 3 to 3+ stars. A light read that accomplishes its goal. The comparisons between American & Swedish culture were interesting, esp. with regards towards work. I learned a few new things, but nothing life-altering.
IN SHORT: Lagom (pronounced "lah-gom", per the author): "just the right amount" as applicable to many aspects of Swedish/Norwegian culture. Similar in meaning to the American phrase "everything in moderation." Perhaps more closely: "there is virtue in moderation."
YOU ALSO GET:
* A few recipes for Swedish food.
* Lots of photos (~30% of the pages). Mostly nature, or minimalist decor. Many have nothing to do with the text.
VERDICT: 3 to 3+ stars. A light read that accomplishes its goal. The comparisons between American & Swedish culture were interesting, esp. with regards towards work. I learned a few new things, but nothing life-altering.
IN SHORT: Lagom (pronounced "lah-gom", per the author): "just the right amount" as applicable to many aspects of Swedish/Norwegian culture. Similar in meaning to the American phrase "everything in moderation." Perhaps more closely: "there is virtue in moderation."
YOU ALSO GET:
* A few recipes for Swedish food.
* Lots of photos (~30% of the pages). Mostly nature, or minimalist decor. Many have nothing to do with the text.
kathydubs's review against another edition
4.0
I really enjoyed this lagom book! I have read one other book on lagom, and while much of the information presented was the same, I loved the way that this book practically made use of the space on the page and delivered information efficiently and in a lovely, simple manner. I also loved the pages weren't muddled with "fun facts!" and endless doodles or photos. Instead, the author chose to use beautiful pictures instead, which added to the ambiance of the book. I also love the realistic tips at the end of chapters to help guide the reader with how to have a more lagom life. Loved this one!
betsygant's review against another edition
2.0
Pretty pictures and nice words. Felt like a nicely written blog. Wasn't the best lifestyle book I've read, but still some cathartic enjoyment as far as coffee table books go.
scostner's review against another edition
4.0
Anyone trying to find a way to slow down and enjoy the simple things in life could use this book as a starting point. The author draws upon her own experiences growing up with a Swedish mother and explains how the concept of lagom pertains to each aspect of life. She says that the word can be roughly translated as "just enough," a bit like what Goldilocks was looking for - not too hot, not too cold, not too hard, not too soft, just right.
Lagom can be eating in moderation, but also occasionally having a celebratory splurge on special occasions (moderation even in moderation, as it were). It could also mean looking at all the accumulated objects and possessions in your home and finding a way to weed out the unwanted, unnecessary, and unused. Eco-friendliness fits in with lagom, so the objects that leave the house should be reused or recycled elsewhere, which also helps to make sure that there is just enough for others. As Brones goes through work, home, health, and the environment, she makes practical suggestions on ways to start finding this balance and even includes a few recipes for the home/food section. Photos of scenes that evoke lagom are scattered throughout the book. They might show some branches brought inside and displayed in a re-purposed glass jar, or a wooden chair with a warm throw across the back. Whatever the scene, each one gives a sense of peace and the contentment that the author refers to.
One of the most helpful things about this book is that it does not make the reader feel compelled to go out and immediately implement every suggestion, or that there is someone sitting in judgement on the efforts made to find balance. Any small step along the way is a personal choice and contentment is left as an individual feeling, not a goal that looks exactly the same for everyone.
I received this book from Blogging for Books for this review.
Lagom can be eating in moderation, but also occasionally having a celebratory splurge on special occasions (moderation even in moderation, as it were). It could also mean looking at all the accumulated objects and possessions in your home and finding a way to weed out the unwanted, unnecessary, and unused. Eco-friendliness fits in with lagom, so the objects that leave the house should be reused or recycled elsewhere, which also helps to make sure that there is just enough for others. As Brones goes through work, home, health, and the environment, she makes practical suggestions on ways to start finding this balance and even includes a few recipes for the home/food section. Photos of scenes that evoke lagom are scattered throughout the book. They might show some branches brought inside and displayed in a re-purposed glass jar, or a wooden chair with a warm throw across the back. Whatever the scene, each one gives a sense of peace and the contentment that the author refers to.
One of the most helpful things about this book is that it does not make the reader feel compelled to go out and immediately implement every suggestion, or that there is someone sitting in judgement on the efforts made to find balance. Any small step along the way is a personal choice and contentment is left as an individual feeling, not a goal that looks exactly the same for everyone.
I received this book from Blogging for Books for this review.
look_whos_reading's review against another edition
3.0
This book was a much needed respite during these days of lockdown. It echoes a lot of the conventional sentiments that humans are going back to now.
The Swedish philosophy of Lagom is quite similar to ones from other cultures:
1. Ikigai - Japan
2. Hygge - Denmark
3. Guyub - Indonesia
4. Ho’oponopono - Hawaii
5. Fare la bella figura - Italy
6. Gezelligheid - The Netherlands
7. Buen vivir - Ecuador
8. Tachles - Israel
9. Wu wei - China
10. Pakikipagkapwa-tao - The Philippines
11. Dharma - India
...and many more, I'm sure.
What I loved was that the author starts off with a disclaimer - this philosophy of life is not something new that the Swedes (or any specific culture) have a monopoly over. It is a balanced way of life, in tune with nature and the universe, and is likely practiced across cultures under different names. It's just interesting to note and compare these applications by people from different cultures.
In this book, the author gives examples of Lagom (not too much, not too little, just right) at play in different facets of life - work, family, health and the environment. Concepts that stood out most for me were those of sustainability and passing on the most value to future generations. She talks about the three R's - Reduce, Reuse and Recycle. While most environmentally responsible people focus on Recycle, Reduce (Buying less to begin with) is actually the most effective way to sustainability.
There is conventional wisdom like "waste not, want not", "work-life balance" and "working with nature" that call out especially during these quarantine days when people around the world settle into a new normal. This pandemic actually puts into perspective all the 'excess' that we don't really need. It's a great time to cut down on the wants and just focus on the needs. Lagom, as the author rightfully points out, is not just a fancy word for minimalist living. It's a whole perspective change to life.
The reason I give this book 3 stars is because I felt that although it was well-structured, a lot of the practical tips shared could be more specific and comprehensive. I would also have liked to see the author share more personal stories and make the book more personal. All in all, though, this is a pleasant coffee-table guide to Lagom.
The Swedish philosophy of Lagom is quite similar to ones from other cultures:
1. Ikigai - Japan
2. Hygge - Denmark
3. Guyub - Indonesia
4. Ho’oponopono - Hawaii
5. Fare la bella figura - Italy
6. Gezelligheid - The Netherlands
7. Buen vivir - Ecuador
8. Tachles - Israel
9. Wu wei - China
10. Pakikipagkapwa-tao - The Philippines
11. Dharma - India
...and many more, I'm sure.
What I loved was that the author starts off with a disclaimer - this philosophy of life is not something new that the Swedes (or any specific culture) have a monopoly over. It is a balanced way of life, in tune with nature and the universe, and is likely practiced across cultures under different names. It's just interesting to note and compare these applications by people from different cultures.
In this book, the author gives examples of Lagom (not too much, not too little, just right) at play in different facets of life - work, family, health and the environment. Concepts that stood out most for me were those of sustainability and passing on the most value to future generations. She talks about the three R's - Reduce, Reuse and Recycle. While most environmentally responsible people focus on Recycle, Reduce (Buying less to begin with) is actually the most effective way to sustainability.
There is conventional wisdom like "waste not, want not", "work-life balance" and "working with nature" that call out especially during these quarantine days when people around the world settle into a new normal. This pandemic actually puts into perspective all the 'excess' that we don't really need. It's a great time to cut down on the wants and just focus on the needs. Lagom, as the author rightfully points out, is not just a fancy word for minimalist living. It's a whole perspective change to life.
The reason I give this book 3 stars is because I felt that although it was well-structured, a lot of the practical tips shared could be more specific and comprehensive. I would also have liked to see the author share more personal stories and make the book more personal. All in all, though, this is a pleasant coffee-table guide to Lagom.