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3.66 AVERAGE
3.66 AVERAGE
I think reading this was aptly timed on my part, as I've been trying to find things that bring me joy. I don't think there's anything particularly groundbreaking about the content of this book, but it's a wonderful collection of cozy. As someone who values comfort and coziness, and often feels guilty for not going out more (and launching myself into environments where I would easily be overstimulated), reading about hygge was extremely validating.
This is a great coffee table book that I want to keep in mind when I'm furnishing my home and creating my space. So many of the hygge elements are things that I have or want to incorporate into my life, so if I'm ever out of ideas I think I could easily reference this for inspiration.
I wasn't too into the writing. I don't know if I'm taking everything too personally, but the writing style felt kind of forced casual in a way that came off as a bit pretentious. There was also a section header titled "Tourette's Syndrome" that I didn't appreciate. The section was simply about the prevalence of the usage of "hygge" in the Danish language, and that it's so often used that to foreigners it may seem as if Danes have Tourette's. I didn't feel comfortable with the use of Tourette's Syndrome in this analogy. (I cannot speak for those who have Tourette's Syndrome, but here's how it comes across to me (with a health condition that I do have): It feels like a writer comparing laughing so hard you can't breathe to having asthma. Yes, maybe there's same momentary discomfort of not being able to breathe, but not an enduring and health-threatening way as with asthma.)
I would give this book 3.5 stars solely for its content, and a bonus .5 for the book's design (I'm obsessed).
This is a great coffee table book that I want to keep in mind when I'm furnishing my home and creating my space. So many of the hygge elements are things that I have or want to incorporate into my life, so if I'm ever out of ideas I think I could easily reference this for inspiration.
I wasn't too into the writing. I don't know if I'm taking everything too personally, but the writing style felt kind of forced casual in a way that came off as a bit pretentious. There was also a section header titled "Tourette's Syndrome" that I didn't appreciate. The section was simply about the prevalence of the usage of "hygge" in the Danish language, and that it's so often used that to foreigners it may seem as if Danes have Tourette's. I didn't feel comfortable with the use of Tourette's Syndrome in this analogy. (I cannot speak for those who have Tourette's Syndrome, but here's how it comes across to me (with a health condition that I do have): It feels like a writer comparing laughing so hard you can't breathe to having asthma. Yes, maybe there's same momentary discomfort of not being able to breathe, but not an enduring and health-threatening way as with asthma.)
I would give this book 3.5 stars solely for its content, and a bonus .5 for the book's design (I'm obsessed).
I loved this little book. I think it's the perfect intro to hygge. I also learned so much about Denmark. I really want to visit now and maybe even retire there. Books, candles, and relaxing are all things I love. This book included lots of culture and even recipes.
In part I want to give this 4 stars because I am already familiar with most of the content due to having a Danish grandma, and having the opportunity to visit family there a few times. However, I give it 5 because while it is not new to me hygge is in fact everything to me, and I do truly see its influence in my life in a big, beautiful way.
funny
informative
lighthearted
fast-paced
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
medium-paced
Comforting, but is it safe?
The book doesn't mention this -- does Denmark have a high rate of house fires? Because with all the candles, fireplaces and wooden furniture that are part of hygge, I assume the whole place is highly flammable.
The book doesn't mention this -- does Denmark have a high rate of house fires? Because with all the candles, fireplaces and wooden furniture that are part of hygge, I assume the whole place is highly flammable.
The tricky part about untranslatable words is that the native speaker can try their best to describe what it is, but that native speaker has some sort of inherent sense that you feel like you’re missing.
I did appreciate that when he brought up words that are unique to certain languages, my favorite word tsundoku (books you buy but don’t read) was mentioned. Now I just make laughably long reading wish lists that I’ll never complete reading even if I stopped adding books to the wishlist. Long tangent. Not the point of the book.
The great news is they weren’t kidding when this is a “little book.” I listened to the author read the book so got to hear everything spoken in Danish. Which was a mixed bag.
Some takeaways/my attempts to grasp the concept:
1) Scary/Creepy is the antonym of hygge.
2) Your satisfaction with your social life is a direct correlation to your happiness. Danes like to have smaller groups of friends (3-4) to have maximum hygge. Hygge is more likely to appeal to introverts (sound of me perking up)
3) There’s a whole chapter of recipes, and as far as I can tell...the longer it takes to make something, the better. I’m declaring making cheesecake as hygge. Store bought cheesecake is less hygge?
4) The specific details of what it means to be hygge felt a little silly (you must wear a scarf! That recipe is so not hygge). At times it felt a little complicated for a concept that should be close to the word “homey”
Will I now try to pursue a hyggeily life? Eh. I’ll pick the pieces that I’m currently doing and declare it hygge. I will continue to wear comfortable shoes and clothes to work. I will wear comfy clothes at home. I’ll opt to stay in all the time, cuz hygge. I can’t say I’m going to get on board with spending two hours baking a complicated dish no matter what the hygge. Wouldn’t that take away time from family and friends?
I did appreciate that when he brought up words that are unique to certain languages, my favorite word tsundoku (books you buy but don’t read) was mentioned. Now I just make laughably long reading wish lists that I’ll never complete reading even if I stopped adding books to the wishlist. Long tangent. Not the point of the book.
The great news is they weren’t kidding when this is a “little book.” I listened to the author read the book so got to hear everything spoken in Danish. Which was a mixed bag.
Some takeaways/my attempts to grasp the concept:
1) Scary/Creepy is the antonym of hygge.
2) Your satisfaction with your social life is a direct correlation to your happiness. Danes like to have smaller groups of friends (3-4) to have maximum hygge. Hygge is more likely to appeal to introverts (sound of me perking up)
3) There’s a whole chapter of recipes, and as far as I can tell...the longer it takes to make something, the better. I’m declaring making cheesecake as hygge. Store bought cheesecake is less hygge?
4) The specific details of what it means to be hygge felt a little silly (you must wear a scarf! That recipe is so not hygge). At times it felt a little complicated for a concept that should be close to the word “homey”
Will I now try to pursue a hyggeily life? Eh. I’ll pick the pieces that I’m currently doing and declare it hygge. I will continue to wear comfortable shoes and clothes to work. I will wear comfy clothes at home. I’ll opt to stay in all the time, cuz hygge. I can’t say I’m going to get on board with spending two hours baking a complicated dish no matter what the hygge. Wouldn’t that take away time from family and friends?
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
fast-paced
This book has been on my TBR forever! While I‘ve read most of these concepts about hygge in articles, learning more about the nuances of this tradition, emotion, state of being from a Danish author was well worth my time.
My personal take away from this book is that hygge is for introverts who love coffee and cutting the throat of the gingerbread man. Well, maybe the American version is decapitating animal cookies. Seriously, the children's birthday tradition of cutting the throat of "cake man" gives me a new appreciation for Nordic murder mysteries. No wonder they're so dark!
This short book was easy to pick up here and there, and enjoy in short bursts.
At the end of the book, the author refers to the Danish welfare state as one of the main reasons that Denmark consistently ranks high on happiness surveys. I don't disagree. I wish more Americans would ask the question, "What do we owe one another?" as opposed to "What's in this for me?"
However, I would also like to read [b:The Almost Nearly Perfect People: Behind the Myth of the Scandinavian Utopia|18104725|The Almost Nearly Perfect People Behind the Myth of the Scandinavian Utopia|Michael Booth|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1391976004l/18104725._SY75_.jpg|25423323] just to get more information and perspective on the Danish welfare state.
My personal take away from this book is that hygge is for introverts who love coffee and cutting the throat of the gingerbread man. Well, maybe the American version is decapitating animal cookies. Seriously, the children's birthday tradition of cutting the throat of "cake man" gives me a new appreciation for Nordic murder mysteries. No wonder they're so dark!
This short book was easy to pick up here and there, and enjoy in short bursts.
At the end of the book, the author refers to the Danish welfare state as one of the main reasons that Denmark consistently ranks high on happiness surveys. I don't disagree. I wish more Americans would ask the question, "What do we owe one another?" as opposed to "What's in this for me?"
However, I would also like to read [b:The Almost Nearly Perfect People: Behind the Myth of the Scandinavian Utopia|18104725|The Almost Nearly Perfect People Behind the Myth of the Scandinavian Utopia|Michael Booth|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1391976004l/18104725._SY75_.jpg|25423323] just to get more information and perspective on the Danish welfare state.
hopeful
lighthearted
relaxing
fast-paced
Apparently, I'm already pretty good at this hygge stuff, I just need more candles.