November 4, 2019
It’s getting a little darker and a little chillier here in Seattle, and I’m changing the foods I cook, the drinks I drink, and the way I spend my time, to match this new autumn season. (Think: less outdoor dinner parties, far less hiking, and more cozying up with a book by the fireplace). I’m not ready to say that hygge is over – I find it still really inspires me to stop and slow down and take care of myself in autumn. Here are a few of my favorite hygge books currently:
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Spirit of the North: Cocktail Recipes and Stories from Scandinavia, by Selma Slabiak (teNeues Publishing; October 2018) – Featuring inventive drink and cocktail recipes for all seasons. Cocktails include a Wildflower Negroni, a Teak cocktail, an Arctic Bramble, a Porcelain Spaniel, a drink called Odin’s Gift, Glogg, a Greenland Coffee, a Valborg’s Night cocktail, and an Elderflower Cordial. They all sound really refreshing!
American Cozy: Hygge-Inspired Ways to Create Comfort and Happiness, by Stephanie Pedersen (Sterling Publishing, October 2018) – This book teaches us ways to inspire and create calm, clear our our clutter to create cozy spaces, bring warmth into our homes, and entertain to tap into togetherness with our friends and family. There’s also a chapter on cozy cuisine and bringing comfort to your table, plus important chapters on cozy celebrations and holidays. The final two chapters involve looking your best and hygge-fying your work life (I’m not so sure I want to bother reading those last two). This book is written by a Danish-American woman and puts an American spin on the hygge concept.
The Hygge Holiday, by Rosie Blake (Sphere; October 2018) is a holiday fiction romance book, not a how-to or cookbook – I thought it might be a nice little diversion. I don’t usually care to spend my limited reading time on books like this, but found it surprisingly enjoyable (though not a page-turner).
It’s autumn in Yulethorpe and everyone is gloomy. It’s cold, drizzly and the skies are permagrey. The last shop on the high street – an adorable little toy shop – has just shut its doors. Everything is going wrong for Yulethorpe this autumn. Until Clara Kristensen arrives.
Clara is on holiday but she can see the potential in the pretty town, so she rolls up her sleeves and sets to work. Things are looking up until Joe comes to Yulethorpe to find out exactly what is going on with his mother’s shop. Joe is Very Busy and Important in the City and very sure that Clara is up to no good. Surely no one would work this hard just for the fun of it?
Can a man who answers emails at 3 a. m. learn to appreciate the slower, happier, hygge things in life – naps, candles, good friends and maybe even falling in love?
This might be a nice little gift book for a friend who enjoys holiday romances and might like a little pick-me-up or thinking-of-you gift.
The Little Swedish Kitchen, by Rachel Khoo (Penguin Random House; April 2019), doesn’t mention the concept of hygge. But I picked it up because of the seasonal chapters and intriguing dishes. (I’ll definitely focus on the Autumn section here first).
There are also extras like a section on making edible Midsummer flower crowns. I appreciated that in several recipes, vegetarian alternatives were suggested. The foods and dishes are photographed in gorgeous table settings, so it’s a pleasure to look through as well as to use as a cookbook.
Cosy: The British Art of Comfort, by Laura Weir (HarperOne, November 2019) describes coziness as “an indulgent, luxurious, yet unfussy way of creating comfort and joy.” Chapters include Tea; Cosy Clothing; The Seasons; Cosy Crafting; Cosy Feasts; Home and Hearth; Cosy and Kind; Cosy Self Care; Cosy State of Mind; Cosy Outdoors; Cosy Films; Cosy Reads; and a final chapter on Christmas. This seems like such a sweet and gentle book to keep in my guest room (after I read it first!) this holiday season.
Here’s another how-to-hygge book, Hygge: Unlock the Danish Art of Coziness and Happiness, by Barbara Hayden. It came out back in September. Contents include:
- thorough grounding in the Danish art of hygge, the lifestyle equivalent of embracing a hug from the inside out
- The eight ways to incorporate practical aspects of hygge into every part of your daily life, from hearth and home to food and crafts
- The four things you should know about nurturing happy and serene relationships with children, parents, partners, and friends
- Why living your life in a constant rush and stress – even if it feels materially lucrative – is not the path to ultimate happiness. Instead, engage with the simple things in life with gratitude and pleasure.
- How to achieve household harmony without sacrificing friends and self-care
- How to foster a sense of cozy happiness throughout the year, with simple ideas for each season and holiday
- How to do all the above, surrounded by family and friends – the hallmark of a happy life
- Learning to embrace the homemade and the found, creating thoughtful gifts and meaningful interactions in every aspect of your life
- How to do all the above in frugal, environmentally responsible – and undeniably entertaining – ways
This Hygge book by Alexandra Jessen touches on some themes I haven’t seen in the other Danish lifestyle books. She writes about the importance of music to hygge, how to employ hygge while traveling, and hygge on a budget.
The Little Book of Scandi Living, by cookbook author Bronte Aurell, comes out in February 2020. It’s a pocket guide, and because the author writes so many cookbooks, it’s chock full of recipes.
“Whether you want your apartment to look like it belongs in Copenhagen, to workout like a Norwegian or to make cinnamon buns like a Swede, this pocket edition of North is the perfect introduction to the world’s happiest countries.”
Happy reading!
-Carrie
