I've been really curious about why the Danes are believed to be the happiest nation in the world. Having read Meik Wiking's book Hygge a few years ago, I picked up his new book that promised to satisfy my curiosity.

This was a great and quick read with lots of selfdeprecating humor, fun facts and great advice on reducing stress, increasing productivity, and in general finding joy in what you do. I was happy to discover one perfect nugget of wisdom in this read - exactly what I was looking for: while we are often encouraged to look for work/life balance, the Danes are perfecting the art of work/life BLEND. It's really such a simple but cool concept. It was fun to read about how it works in real world and what are the best ways to archive it.

If you're looking for an entertaining non-fiction read that will enlighten you about Danish culture, I highly recommend this book. The audiobook narration was fantastic and easy to listen to.

Meik Wiking has a way of making happiness feel both achievable and practical, and The Art of Danish Living is no exception. This book takes a deep dive into what makes Danish work culture so fulfilling and why job satisfaction is so high in Denmark. It’s not just about shorter workweeks or cozy coffee breaks—it’s about finding purpose in what you do.

One of my biggest takeaways was the idea that work becomes more enjoyable when it feels meaningful. It’s a simple concept but one that can be easy to lose sight of, especially in a culture that often values productivity over personal fulfillment. The book offers small, actionable ways to shift your mindset and improve your daily work life, whether by fostering better relationships with colleagues, setting boundaries, or reframing tasks to align with what matters to you.

It’s not a groundbreaking read, and some parts felt like common sense, but it’s still a refreshing and inspiring reminder that work doesn’t have to be soul-sucking. If you’re feeling burned out or just looking for ways to make your work life a little more enjoyable, this book might give you a few ideas worth trying.

I TRULY enjoyed listening to this audiobook during my daily commute to/from work. There is so many small impactful insights that flip the script on some commonly accepted practices, especially when it comes to workplaces in the US.

I would definitely recommend this book and look forward to more from #meikwiking.

Engaging, accessible, and well-narrated. A recommended purchase for collections where self-help and lifestyle titles are popular.

I really enjoyed "The Art of Danish Living" and it delivered even more than I expected. As the CEO of the Happiness Institute, Meik Wiking has seen a lot of research, talked to a lot of people, and had a lot of experiences that he combines into this short little book about finding happiness at work. There's a good balance of supportable facts with real-life stories, humour and actionable steps.

The narrator is great, but it is actually a book I would like to have in physical copy so I could refer to it again in the future.

Book: The Art of Danish Living
Author: Meik Wiking
Format: Audiobook
Genre: Nonfiction, Self-Help, Leadership
Places Featured: Denmark
Review Score: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️1/2 (rounded down)

This is a well-researched book about applying the concept of Hygge in the workplace. I found it quite interesting to learn how differently Danes think about work than Americans. It gave me numerous ideas on how to shape some aspects of work to be more enjoyable (or at least tolerable!)
My thanks to NetGalley and Tantor Audio for allowing access to an early audio copy in response to my request.

Loved this! I’m always fascinated and love the Scandinavian culture. We are from Denmark and went to Iceland several years ago and try to follow their way of life. Which feels like a breath of fresh air living in America. I would definitely recommend this book to freinds

I have always admired the Danes, the Nordics and Scandinavians and how they mastered the art of work - life integration.

Although this is a quick read, I believe it would be beneficial for anyone looking for professional development, particularly those in management and leadership roles, to engage with it.

Packed with research and I thoroughly enjoyed the anecdotes and quotes that are sprinkled throughout.

Audiobook is great, but I want to get my hands on a hard copy!

If you needed a book to convince you to find ways to love your job, this is it. I mean it only makes sense--work makes up a huge chunk of our waking moments after all.

I've read Meik Wiking's other books and he just has a way of making you ruminate over how you could inject more positivity in your life--how to strategize on making your life cozier, full of happiness, and overall enjoyable.

For this specific book, I listened to the audiobook version of it, and I would love to get a hold of a physical copy when it's released, because in the past his books are chock full colorful diagrams that make digesting dry research into easily consumable and memorable concepts that enrich your everyday life by changing your outlook on what to prioritize.

If you're interested in light reading on how to live a happy life, I recommend picking up Wiking's books, including this one that focuses specifically on your life at work.

I enjoyed this book! I have heard of the Danish practice of hygge. I liked how the author applied it the workplace. I loved learning of the people of the Danish people, their satisfaction at work, and how we in the US can apply that on our jobs or lives. Nikolas Salmon did a great job as narrator.

I enjoyed this book, but the audiobook felt a little slow and dry in the first quarter. I up the speed to 2x, which worked much better for me. I found the discussion contained in this book interesting, and I took some time to consider how I could apply some of it to my every day life. In particular, the discussion regarding creating a Freedom Fund and the percentages to consider had me thinking about what I could do to increase my “fund.” A useful read.

A great look into loving what you do. It has great insight into how to love your job and what to tweak so that you enjoy what you do and get satisfaction from your profession. Not everything is for everyone in the book, but it has some great tips and advice.

This was a really well researched book that managed to present the research in a way that was engaging and meaningful! I was happy that the book addressed how employers can structure the workplace in a way to promote happiness, but also included tips for what every person can do to make their own work life more enjoyable regardless of their position within the organization. And advice on when it may be time to look for a new job.
Thank you to #NetGalley and #TantorAudio for an audio ARC of this title.

I read The Little Book of Hygge back in 2021 and really resonated with overall message of the book. I was curious to see that same logic applied to the workforce.

My husband listened with me occasionally and while we found value in most of the book, some parts were a bit outlandish. The author is speaking from a place of privilege when he mentions having a big FU fund. Some people will never be able to save any money with costs of living increasing and big responsibilities such a children or aging parents.

All that being said, if you want to get a different perspective on finding balance between work and personal life, check it out! The narrator, Nikolas Salmon, has an upbeat, positive voice that works well with the content.

Thank you NetGalley, Meik Wiking, Nikolas Salmon, and Tantor Audio for the opportunity to read The Art of Danish Living. I have written this review voluntarily and honestly!

This is the third book I have read from this author and it did not disappoint. I love how he blends scientific studies, personal anecdotes, and humor into his explanations about happiness. Nothing in this book was revolutionary for me simply because I have already listened to many podcasts on the subject. For someone new to this topic, the book presents great points to ponder. It’s clear to see how you could apply these ideas to your own life to improve your happiness at work. The book is the perfect length and depth within each point so that you feel like you have a good taste of the concept, without being drowned in minutia. Overall, another great cozy book from Meik and I would recommend it to a friend.

The Little Book of Hygge changed my life, so I was thrilled to see Meik Wiking was coming out with another book. While this book isn’t quite as “every day practical” as The Little Book of Hygge, it is very insightful. It was fascinating to learn how different Nordic countries think about work compared to the US. As usual, it wasn’t surprising to learn how lacking the US is in job happiness, and fulfillment overall. I loved the studies included in this book, and I will most definitely be purchasing a physical copy in the near future. However, the audiobook was absolutely phenomenal and was so easy to get into. It kept me engaged the entire time!

Thank you so much to NetGalley and Tantor Audio for my copy of The Art of Danish Living How the World’s Happiest People Find Joy at Work by Meik Wiking Narrated by Nikolas Salmon in exchange for an honest review. It publishes December 31, 2024.
First off, the narration was very well-done.
I initially requested this book, because I love reading books about Danish culture, and especially have loved other books by this author. I found this book to be exciting and inspiring, and I think you could translate a lot of this book to any form of “work” in your life!

I found this to be so fascinating! As an American and a healthcare worker, I find happiness at work to be rare lately-especially since the pandemic. I loved all the research that was conducted for this book. It’s really eye opening and it makes me want to look into new ways to enjoy my work life as well as find a better work/life balance.

I liked this book. It’s good for people who are trying to find a good work-life balance, but I also think this would be good for managers to read. Perhaps even a professional development group could discuss this one…

3.5 stars.

Meik Wiking’s books are so enjoyable and educational. There are always stats I find shocking and make me wish I could magically implement some of the Nordic policies he mentions in my locale. I recognize not all suggestions work for all people, but this book (like many others from Wiking) does seem to focus on those in more urban centers who have readily available public transit or where biking/walking to work is an easy option. All in all, I got a handful of ideas to utilize in my current job.
Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC!