The Year of Living Danishly by Helen Russell

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The Secret of Hygge.  

I blew right through this book. It’s a highly interesting and entertaining insight to a foreigner in Denmark learning what gives it the designation as the happiest country despite having one of the highest taxes. 

I learned so much. 
-The Danes pay the highest taxes in exchange for a social welfare system that provides security in jobs, schooling, healthcare and general peace of mind. 
-In a country where winters are looong and dark, the Danes get cozy in their minimalistic homes, light candles, and embrace hygge (which you’ll learn all about in the book.)
-This country of 406 island embraces hobbies/clubs, porn on public TV, shorter work weeks, and a lack of political corruption. 

I could go on and on, but Helen Russell tells it best with her wry humor intermixed with statistics and personal impressions, both good and bad. 

Find out what a “Princess Stick” is and how bee stings can help during labor!  

Other non-fiction books about experiencing foreign countries:


-A Year in Provence by Peter Mayle and C’est La Vie by Suzy Gershman (France)

-French Dirt by Richard Goodman (France)

-The Reluctant Tuscan by Phil Doran and Under the Tuscan Sun by Frances Mayes (Italy)

-Notes from a Small Island by Bill Bryson (England)

-The Ridiculous Race by Steve Hely and Vali Chandrasekaran (Race Around the World)

-Eighty Days: Nellie Bly and Elizabeth Bisland’s History-Making Race Around the World by Matthew Goodman.  (Race Around the World)

Happy Reading, Happy Exploring! 
Annette

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