The Best Books About Denmark

There is something about Denmark that is so intriguing. And the more you know about the culture of this Scandinavian country, the more you want to know. From the concept of hygge to understanding why Danes are so happy, there are countless ways to delve into Danish culture from the comforts of home. Whether you are planning a trip to Denmark or simply want to learn more about Danish culture and lifestyle, these books about Denmark are the perfect place to start. These Denmark books include books on Denmark’s history, lifestyle, and cultural books and travelogues.


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Best Books About Denmark

The Year of Living Danishly by Helen Russell

Given the opportunity to relocate to Jutland, Denmark for her husband’s job, Helen Russell uses the opportunity to embrace the Danish way of life for one year. As a journalist, Russell’s goal is to unearth what makes the people of Denmark so happy. The book is lighthearted yet equally informative. Each chapter in The Year of Living Danishly is broken up by month and showcases something new the author learned about Denmark.

Buy A Year of Living Danishly: Amazon | Bookshop

The Little Books of Hygge by Meik Wiking

The Little Book of Hygge is the perfect introduction to the wonderful world of hygge. Meik Wiking is the CEO of the Happiness Research Institute and does a great job not only explaining hygge and various examples of it but also showcasing how hygge affects the overall level of happiness of Danes.

Buy The Little Book of Hygge: Amazon | Bookshop

The Almost Nearly Perfect People by Michael Booth

In this travelogue, Michael Booth sets off to discover what makes the Scandinavian people tick. Married to a Dane, Booth has lived in Copenhagen for 10 years and wants to showcase that Scandinavian people are not as perfect as they appear. The Almost Nearly Perfect People follows Booth through various Scandinavian countries, yet starts off in Denmark.

Buy The Almost Nearly Perfect People: Amazon | Bookshop

How to be Danish by Patrick Kingsley

Part travelogue, part cultural history book, “How to be Danish” gets to the heart of what it means to be Danish. It includes aspects of life that are quintessentially Danish including Lego, architecture, design, and politics.

Buy How to be Danish: Amazon | Bookshop

The Danish Way of Parenting by Jessica Alexander and Iben Dissing Sandahl

This may seem like a peculiar book to read about Denmark, especially if you don’t have kids. But the “Danish Way of Parenting” gives so much insight into the stark contrasts of parenting between Denmark and the USA. After reading this, you will understand where that Danish woman who got arrested for leaving her baby outside in NYC was thinking.

Buy The Danish Way of Parenting: Amazon | Bookshop

Happy as a Dane by Malene Rydahl

The book “Happy as a Dane” does a great job explaining what it is that makes Danish people so happy. Each chapter is broken down into a category of things in Denmark that aid to happiness including trust, education, and work-life balance.

Buy Happy as a Dane: Amazon | Bookshop

We, The Drowned by Carsten Jensen

We, The Drowned” is a modern Danish classic that showcases Denmark’s rich seafaring history. This historical fiction book is not for the faint of heart. It is a long, epic tale, set at sea that spans a hundred years and two wars, beginning back in 1848.

Buy We, The Drowned: Amazon | Bookshop

A History of Denmark by Knud J. V. Jespersen

If you’re a history buff, one of the best things to read to learn about a destination is a history book. “A History of Denmark” is a comprehensive introduction to Danish history. This book about Denmark is the perfect place to begin learning about this Scandinavian country.

Buy A History of Denmark: Amazon | Bookshop

Bonus: Book to Read Before Visiting Denmark

Fairy Tales by Hans Christian Andersen

 While this is not a book about Denmark, you absolutely must read Hans Christian Andersen’s Fairy Tales before visiting Denmark. This famous Danish writer has written some of the most well-known fairytales including  The Little Mermaid or The Ugly Duckling. There is a lot of influence around Copenhagen and Denmark from Hans Christian Anderson, so it is important to understand his fairy tales. 

Buy Christian Andersen’s Fairy Tales: Amazon | Bookshop

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