The Little Book of Hygge Book Summary - The Little Book of Hygge Book explained in key points
Listen to the Intro
00:00

The Little Book of Hygge summary

The Danish Way to Live Well

4.4 (152 ratings)
13 mins

Brief summary

The Little Book of Hygge by Meik Wiking explores the Danish concept of coziness and happiness. It offers tips and insights on how to create a cozy atmosphere and find joy in the simple things in life.

Table of Contents

    The Little Book of Hygge
    Summary of 5 key ideas

    Audio & text in the Blinkist app
    Key idea 1 of 5

    Hygge is a key but difficult-to-translate concept for understanding the Danish way of life.

    If you look up hygge in a Danish-English dictionary, the definition you’re most likely to find is “coziness.” The word conjures up ideas of intimacy or images of candlelight or hot cocoa by the fire. But it means a whole lot more than that.

    Lately, hygge has gotten some hype. But what’s caused this?

    Well, Denmark is regularly ranked among the happiest nations in the world. In 2013 and 2016, it ranked first in the World Happiness Report and, in 2015, it came in third.

    To outsiders this seems very odd. Denmark’s weather is predominantly gray and its taxes are phenomenally high. There aren’t even any vast expanses of wilderness where you can escape to.

    So why is it such a content and happy country? There are two explanations. The first is obvious: those high taxes pay for a generous welfare state. The second is less so, and it hinges on that amorphous concept – hygge.

    The word first appears in written Danish in the early 1800s. It’s a word imported from Norwegian originally meaning “well-being.”

    But this definition gets us only so far. Nor does the modern translation of “coziness” quite do the trick. Hygge has to be experienced. It is, in short, a feeling.

    There are similar concepts in other countries, too. The Germans have Gemütlichkeit, the Dutch gezelligheid and the Canadians hominess – each term an encapsulation of a sort of hearthside at-homeness. But no culture goes so far as the Danes. For them, hygge is central to the conception of self.

    The notion is so embedded in Danish culture that they even have an adjective – hyggelig – to describe something that either has hygge or can nurture hygge. Imagine a particularly snug café. It doesn’t matter that the coffee is less than decent or that you have to go out of your way to get there; you like the place because it’s hyggelig.

    There’s even a verb! If you were planning to spend an afternoon at this café, you might invite a friend to come and hygge with you.

    So how can you co-opt this defining feature of Danish identity and culture?

    Want to see all full key ideas from The Little Book of Hygge?

    Key ideas in The Little Book of Hygge

    More knowledge in less time
    Read or listen
    Read or listen
    Get the key ideas from nonfiction bestsellers in minutes, not hours.
    Find your next read
    Find your next read
    Get book lists curated by experts and personalized recommendations.
    Shortcasts
    Shortcasts New
    We’ve teamed up with podcast creators to bring you key insights from podcasts.

    What is The Little Book of Hygge about?

    Different countries, like different people, have different personalities. Some are more upbeat; some are more downcast. Out of all the countries in the world, Denmark is often rated as the happiest. And that’s because Denmark has hygge. The Little Book of Hygge (2016) explains this concept in full and offers tips on how you can achieve it, too – wherever you live.

    The Little Book of Hygge Review

    The Little Book of Hygge (2016) is a delightful exploration of the Danish concept of hygge, which promotes coziness, comfort, and a sense of well-being. Here's why this book is worth reading:

    • With practical suggestions for creating a cozy atmosphere, it offers a blueprint for cultivating happiness and contentment in everyday life.
    • Through inspiring anecdotes and cultural insights, the book provides a window into the Danish way of life and its emphasis on simple pleasures.
    • By embracing hygge principles, readers can learn to slow down, appreciate the present moment, and find joy in the little things, making it far from boring.

    Who should read The Little Book of Hygge?

    • Happiness seekers who want to appreciate the simple things in life
    • Readers interested in cultural differences and similarities
    • Anyone looking for ways to stay happy when it’s raining outside

    About the Author

    Meik Wiking is CEO of the Happiness Research Institute, in Copenhagen. After studying politics and business, he became interested in well-being and quality of life. He has written several books and gives public lectures around the world on these topics.

    Categories with The Little Book of Hygge

    Book summaries like The Little Book of Hygge

    People ❤️ Blinkist 
    Sven O.

    It's highly addictive to get core insights on personally relevant topics without repetition or triviality. Added to that the apps ability to suggest kindred interests opens up a foundation of knowledge.

    Thi Viet Quynh N.

    Great app. Good selection of book summaries you can read or listen to while commuting. Instead of scrolling through your social media news feed, this is a much better way to spend your spare time in my opinion.

    Jonathan A.

    Life changing. The concept of being able to grasp a book's main point in such a short time truly opens multiple opportunities to grow every area of your life at a faster rate.

    Renee D.

    Great app. Addicting. Perfect for wait times, morning coffee, evening before bed. Extremely well written, thorough, easy to use.

    People also liked these summaries

    4.7 Stars
    Average ratings on iOS and Google Play
    33 Million
    Downloads on all platforms
    10+ years
    Experience igniting personal growth
    Powerful ideas from top nonfiction

    Try Blinkist to get the key ideas from 7,500+ bestselling nonfiction titles and podcasts. Listen or read in just 15 minutes.

    Start your free trial

    The Little Book of Hygge FAQs 

    What is the main message of The Little Book of Hygge?

    Find comfort, coziness, and happiness in everyday moments.

    How long does it take to read The Little Book of Hygge?

    The reading time for The Little Book of Hygge varies. However, the Blinkist summary can be read in just 15 minutes.

    Is The Little Book of Hygge a good book? Is it worth reading?

    The Little Book of Hygge is a delightful read. Experience the Danish way of living, filled with warmth and contentment.

    Who is the author of The Little Book of Hygge?

    The author of The Little Book of Hygge is Meik Wiking.

    What to read after The Little Book of Hygge?

    If you're wondering what to read next after The Little Book of Hygge, here are some recommendations we suggest:
    • The New Corner Office by Laura Vanderkam
    • How to Break Up with Your Phone by Catherine Price
    • The Joy of Missing Out by Tanya Dalton
    • The Things You Can See Only When You Slow Down by Haemin Sunim
    • The Year of Living Danishly by Helen Russell
    • The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up by Marie Kondo
    • Stop Checking Your Likes by Susie Moore
    • The Geography of Bliss by Eric Weiner
    • Digital Minimalism by Cal Newport
    • The Daily Stoic by Ryan Holiday & Stephen Hanselman