The Little Book of Hygge: The Danish Way to Live Well

New York Times Bestseller

Embrace Hygge (pronounced hoo-ga) and become happier with this definitive guide to the Danish philosophy of cozy living, comfort, togetherness, and well-being.

Why are Danes the happiest people in the world? The answer, says Meik Wiking, CEO of the Happiness Research Institute in Copenhagen, is Hygge. Loosely translated, Hygge—pronounced Hoo-ga—is a sense of comfort, togetherness, and well-being. "Hygge is about an atmosphere and an experience," Wiking explains. "It is about being with the people we love. A feeling of home. A feeling that we are safe."

Hygge is the sensation you get when you’re cuddled up on a sofa, in cozy socks under a soft throw, during a storm. It’s that feeling when you’re sharing comfort food and easy conversation with loved ones at a candlelit table. It is the warmth of morning light shining just right on a crisp blue-sky day.

The Little Book of Hygge introduces you to this cornerstone of Danish life, and offers advice and ideas on incorporating mindfulness and contentment into your own life, such as:

  • Get comfy. Take a break.
  • Be here now. Turn off the phones.
  • Turn down the lights. Bring out the candles.
  • Build relationships. Spend time with your tribe.
  • Give yourself a break from the demands of healthy living. Cake is most definitely Hygge.
  • Live life today, like there is no coffee tomorrow.

From picking the right lighting to organizing a Hygge get-together to dressing hygge, Wiking shows you how to practice self-care and experience more joy and contentment the Danish way.

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Published Nov 16, 2016

288 pages

Average rating: 7.9

86 RATINGS

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Community Reviews

What Bookclubbers are saying about this book

✨ Summarized by Bookclubs AI

Readers say *The Little Book of Hygge* offers a cozy, gentle guide to embracing the Danish concept of happiness through simplicity and comfort. Many a...

chazzareads
Feb 28, 2023
10/10 stars
Since moving abroad, I'd heard of this word but didn't really understand what it meant. I came across it while looking for books on Danish and Scandi interior design, and even though that's only a very small portion of this book, it was well worth the read. The insights it contains about the keys to Danish ideals of emotional well-being and happiness are so starkly contrasted with the life I've known in America and to some degree, even here in the U.K. After reading this I feel inspired once more to pick up a craft, to indulge in quiet moments, to appreciate simplicity and to further let go of the "rat race" mentality that was so exhausting. It's a beautiful book, full of many ideas and ways to incorporate hygge into your life - in fact, even taking the time to read this book was in and of itself hyggeligt. I think I've got go to get myself some coffee and cake now...
maincharacternicki
May 18, 2026
10/10 stars
Read a little bit about Hygge in this novel written by Meik Wiking. In this book, I was able to learn about the happiest nation in the world, Denmark, and how the Danes live. Simply put, the Danes live a comfortable life and surround themselves with comfort in all ways possible. Read The Little Book of Hygge to get a taste of the life of the Danes.
LadyAmandaW
May 07, 2026
6/10 stars
The book is not by any means meant to be a pleasure reading book that keeps you gripped. It is a book designed to help guide the reader in the Danish way of “hygge”. There are some great suggestions in the book. There isn’t anything life changing but some great habits maybe worth starting.
Mo
Oct 20, 2025
8/10 stars
I listened to this as an audiobook as I got ready in the early morning, completed chores and errands, etc. This was a fun way of consuming some cozy anecdotes in regard to how Danes recognize the little joys through various moments and objects. My key takeaway: Be present, and recognize the small joys of life.

As a bit of a data nerd, this book made me more curious about what actual global happiness data and reports are available, as I will say this book does read as though the core concepts rely significantly on anecdotal evidence. However, the book does recognize the subjectivity of the subject matter, and appropriately compares it to how we study experiences of anxiety and depression. Fair enough!
Josie the book goblin
Aug 22, 2025
6/10 stars
So I've seen this book a few times and keep telling myself I'll read it. My boyfriend is from Denmark and it looks cozy/cute (is it corny to say hygge?) so i figured it's a win win.

Between my boyfriend and all my friends in denmark, when asked the the true meaning of hygge no one can give me a true definition. I've been told its more of a feeling. With that being said most of the information Ive had heard in the past but it was still interesting to expand my knowledge in the practices and further understand Hygge.

This feels more like a little guide book that had a lot of repetition in many places, but instead of feeling annoying it was still intriguing.

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