The Year of Living Danishly by Helen Russell

When Helen Russell’s husband gets a job for Lego in Denmark, the high-flying London journalist has to find a way to entertain herself in rural Denmark. As well as taking up freelance writing, she embarks on a study of why Denmark show up on statistics as the happiest nation.

In the resulting book, she delves into wide-ranging aspects of the Danish lifestyle: from how many candles they burn in winter, to the tradition of burning 'witches', to Danish eating habits, and their take on feminism.

It turns out, trusting people more is key:

“[That’s] the number one reason the Danes are so damned happy,” she writes. “So try it. You’ll feel better, save yourself unnecessary stress and trusting the people around you can make them behave better, so it becomes a self-fulfilling prophecy.”

This broad examination of Danish cultures is tied in with a personal look at what it is to be a newcomer in Denmark, and includes an even more intimate dimension – her quest to become a mother.

Helen has written for The Times, the Telegraph, the Guardian, the Independent, The Daily Mail, Metro, Grazia, Stylist and Marie Claire UK among others.

Posted by Bookish Betsy

Catalogue link: The Year of Living Danishly 

Catalogue link ebook:  The Year of Living Danishly