Hygge by Maya Thoresen – Book Review

Hygge by Maya Thoresen – Book Review

Hygge by Maya Thoresen

Hygge
The Danish Secrets of Happiness

Author – Maya Thoresen
Publisher – Createspace
Pages – 46
Released – 10th August 2017
ISBN-13 – 978-1974432141
Format – ebook, paperback
Reviewer – Abby
I received a free copy of this book
Post Contains Affiliate Links

 

Have you ever stopped just for a moment, pressing pause on your busy life, asking yourself if you are truly happy? You might be satisfied and you may love your family, but there’s so much more to happiness than that.

It is something everyone is chasing, but what of an entire culture has already found the secret, and it has been under your nose the whole time?

Well, research has finally shown the happiest culture and country in the world might have the answers to a happy life. This book is meant to lead you on a path to the very beginning of that true happiness that we are all searching for, taking from the Scandinavian concept of hygge.

This concept is sweeping through the Western world because it is changing the lives of people like you. Find out why the Danish people are the happiest one in the world and how to join their ranks.

Review

Hygge – or ‘hoo-gah’ as it’s pronounced – is a concept of living that is taking over Instagram feeds across the globe. Danish for cosiness – well, sort of, there is no direct translation – hygge represents a truly Scandinavian way of life.

As Thoresen explains, ‘hygge can be used to refer to all aspects of life in the form of a noun, verb or adjective to describe someone that falls under the hygge concept’.

And that concept is one that this book goes to explore within different aspects of Western life: home, work, relationships, food and drink, and activities.

Hygge is a quick read, something that takes you through the very basics of the lifestyle, making it a great introduction to the concept for someone who has never heard of it. It’s the ideal ‘Hygge For Dummies’.

Personally, I have been interested – bordering on sceptical – in the concept of ‘hygge’ for a year or so, but have never really taken the time to find out more. Aside from scrolling through the hygge-sters’ social media feeds of taupe blankets, cups of steaming coffee and pristine IKEA-style apartments (which I like!), I have never really considered how the concept of hygge could work outside the home or how it can be embraced in family life.

Thoresen’s book is brilliant at addressing what hygge actually means and how it works on a day-to-day level. Her style of writing is clear, informative and functional – taking hygge to its very nature.

A point I found particularly (and personally) interesting is when the principles of hygge are discussed at the start of the book: ‘Choose to talk about the good things instead of voicing complaints, and look for sources of good news’. Linking back to social media, I know I can find it difficult to think positively in the sea of angry, political tweets. The reminder that we actually have some power to curate what we read is refreshing.

The book covers lots of tips to achieve a sense of hygge in even the busiest, more distracted of lifestyles. Some are easier to experience than others. The key points are ‘pleasure’ and ‘comfort’, with a real importance on spending time with those you love with the minimum of distractions, which describes my ideal Sunday.

For those who do have some knowledge of hygge, this book may not feature anything new, but it’s a speedy refresher on its principles, with so many ideas for family activities.

Reviewed by Abby

Pink four stars

Amazon.co.ukAmazon.com


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14 Responses

  1. I must admit, I’ve never heard of hygge before…so I think if I ever want to look into it, this sounds like the book for me. Great review.

  2. Jenn says:

    I’ve never heard of hygge before but it sounds really interesting. I wonder if it works.

  3. DJ Sakata says:

    excellent points!

  4. Terri A. Wilson says:

    Man, I could use a few these concepts in my life.

  5. Kathy says:

    I have this book, I just haven’t read it yet

  6. This seems so interesting! Haven’t heard of it before, but really want to look it up now!

  7. Jen says:

    I had seen this book around, but hadn’t really looked into it, sounds like something worth checking out… thank you for posting!

  8. Thank you for your comment Katie, Hygge sounds like a fab way to live.

  9. Thank you Jenn, I agree it really does.

  10. Thank you DJ, Glad you like our review.

  11. Thank you Terri I totally agree with you.

  12. Thank you Kathy for your comment, I hope you got to read it.

  13. Thank you, I hope you got to look it up and read it.

  14. Thank Jen, Glad you like the book enough to want to check it out.