Reviews

The Book of Hygge: The Danish Art of Living Well by Louisa Thomsen Brits

jillyfay's review against another edition

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1.0

I listened to the audiobook so didn’t see any of the images everyone else has mentioned. However, I’m underwhelmed by it. Basically it’s saying to keep intimate moments, be thoughtful with others, enjoy the simple and quiet moments, and take care of yourself and others. Ummmm.....okay. Basically be a good human and enjoy life’s simplicity. Got it!

Oh, and I got it after the first few chapters. It was so repetitive - same ideas shifted to different ways of implementing.

indigospin's review against another edition

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4.0

This is a gentle book that reminds me to appreciate small gestures and experiences. Slowing down to take a breath, I can actually see life and my world. It is such a contrast to most of the world around me which glorifies busy-ness.
The book itself is slow and can be repetitive, like watching the shore go by when I'm canoeing. With so much of my daily life a fast paced scrolling news crawl on top of split screen images, my brain needs the space to adjust before it is willing to let in the calm. This is that reminder and space.

kwoolery08's review against another edition

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1.0

There is a difference between understanding a concept and being able to fully express is meaning. I'm not sure that Brits was able to accomplish the latter. The book is lovely, but it would have been better served as an article than a full text. Instead, we're given repetitive, extraneous passages that serve little purpose to furthering her message. In other worse, she talks a lot, but she doesn't say much.

sarahnaomars's review against another edition

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4.0

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

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

chiara_casoli's review against another edition

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1.0

Questo libro sembra scritto apposta per recare noia e fastidio in chiunque cerchi di fare il contrario: avvicinarsi all'appagante modo hygge di vivere le cose. Il libro dei misteri mentre fai la cacca ha obiettivamente offerto spunti migliori.

molldollriv's review against another edition

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3.0

A book that explains the Danish concept of "hygge," a feeling of belonging and warmth, a moment of comfort and contentment. While most other books on this subject focus on ways to experience hygge, this focuses more on the philosophy behind it. Each chapter focuses on a different component of this philosophy: belonging, shelter, comfort, well being, simplicity, and observance. What I feel it all boils down to is appreciating the small things of every day life, being in the present moment and taking comfort in what you have. While it can be repetitive at times, it is a nice, soothing read.

thecky's review against another edition

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informative reflective medium-paced

3.75

katiecski's review against another edition

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4.0

I enjoyed The Book of Hygge. I liked that it was more about hygge itself than precisely how to hygge like so many other books are. An interesting little read that was very cozy in and of itself. Hygge is all around, whether you live in a snuggled up cabin in the winter woods or in a condo on the beach. All one has to do is find and cultivate it. #thebookofhygge #bookish #bookstagram #bookworm

carroq's review against another edition

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hopeful lighthearted

2.5

gadrake's review against another edition

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4.0

From the back cover: "Hygge (hoo-ga) is a Danish word but a universal feeling of being warm, safe, comforted, and sheltered-an experience of belonging to the moment and to each other. Hygge anchors us, reminding us to dwell and savor rather than rush and spend. When you acknowledge the sacred in the secular, or focus on people rather than things, or when you express love through small gestures, that is hygge."

Thought these paragraphs express very well the philosophical way of life that is hygge, a concept that interests me a great deal. This is a lovely small book divided into six topics: belonging, shelter, comfort, well-being, simplicity, and observance. The author invites her audience into Danish culture and offers many examples for bringing hygge into one's life. This has a soft, gentle tone and is the type of work that can be read in small segments before moving forward.

Only tiny disqualifier is that it seems to suggest that 99% of Danes embrace this beatific lifestyle, and as much as I might want to believe that, we are all only human after all.