The Danish concept of ‘hygge’ is about to wash over us this autumn and what better place than Meik Wiking’s (no, he’s not a cartoon character, he’s the head of the Danish think-tank The Happiness Research Institute) book The Little Book of Hygge to find out? Wiking defines this wonderful concept which encompasses cosiness, creating intimacy, drinking coca in front of the fireplace, lighting lots of candles on a dark autumn evening and much more.

The Danes consistently rank high in happiness surveys and Wiking, who has been trying to find out why, is convinced that it boils down to hygge. 285 pages might might be stretching it when it comes to defining an idea, but the beautiful illustrations, the photos of mouth-watering cinnamon swirls or cosy Scandi living rooms complete with wooden floors and sheep skin covered designer chairs make up for it. A sure hit for Christmas!

Read The Bookseller’s interview with Meik Wiking

The Little Book of Hygge is published by Penguin Life, 285 pages.