This book is an investigation into the Danish concept of hygge which doesn't have a direct translation into English - and hence a book length explanation.
The Danes are a curious people as they get some of the gloomiest weather in Europe, and yet somehow manage to be one of the happiest. How is this? The author makes a strong case for hygge being directly related to their improved levels of happiness (although other factors such as a strong and well funded welfare state may help to provide a ceiling on
unhappiness levels).
Hygge seems to be wrapped up in a sense of the cosy nostalgic relaxed feeling you get when either physically hugged and metaphysically hugged (whether by doing something together with a small group of friends, eating familiar comfort food which you've slowly prepared, and/or being physical spaces that help you tap into these feelings).
There is also balance to it. For Christmas to be hygge - it is OK for it to be a rush in the lead up to it (anti-hygge) and can actually enhance it through the contrast. I liked this as it taps into something a friend once said about buying a house. You don't do it very often so treat it like an adventure rather a mountain of obstacles and stress.
There are also some amusingly quirky tips in the book. To decorate in a hygge style - one must think like a Viking squirrel, bring the forest inside and furnish the room accordingly! Then add plenty of cushions, blankets and candle-like lighting.
Another key hygge insight is that it works well for introverted people. It's a non-draining way of socialising due to its focus on small groups (optimum is 3-4 people), low stimuli and general feeling of cosiness to ensure it remains relaxing.
Lastly, I appreciated the
Happy Money style tip for getting the most out of future and past trips. Anticipate future ones by experiencing it from afar in your own home e.g. if you're going to Spain, watch Spanish movies, eat tapas, has flash cards on plates etc. You can also relive previous ones in the same way.
In summary, this was a joyful comforting read which certainly made me think about how I could create more opportunities for hygge in my own life.
Another short read at only around 60 pages, Watkins has produced an accessible and well written guide to some of the area's iconic stories, most of which I was unfamiliar with.
Johns' succinct self-published guide was originally meant for his teenage daughter on her eighteenth birthday. It contains his accumulated wisdom on the topic of life and how to live it. It's straightforwardly written and touches on most of the major topics you'd expect it to:
Hygge seems to be wrapped up in a sense of the cosy nostalgic relaxed feeling you get when either physically hugged and metaphysically hugged (whether by doing something together with a small group of friends, eating familiar comfort food which you've slowly prepared, and/or being physical spaces that help you tap into these feelings).
Spookily dystopian sci-fi based in an internet company with its tendrils into every part of our lives.
Mildly amusing satire on the leadership of the war in Afghanistan. Pitt plays the cigar chomping general (who for health reasons doesn't actually smoke) put in charge of leading the coalition forces against an insurgency which effectively gets stronger with every enemy combatant and civilian killed. 
Entertaining series of parables on the theme of prudence and wealth set in ancient Babylon written in the early part of the twentieth century.
