Lagom: The Swedish Secret of Living Well

Having Swedish ancestry and a grand-father who was from Sweden, I was intrigued by this book, but really it is for everyone. Just this summer, while visiting Sweden and my relatives for the first time, they mentioned ‘lagom’ is very important to Swedes. Lola reviews Lagom in various facets of Swedish culture from food (eating healthy and ethically) to fashion and interior design (simple and not standing out), quiet but to the point in speech, practicality in money matters, health/relaxation and being able to say ‘no.’ Lagom covers recycling and reuse, spending time outdoors, being self-sufficient and not relying on others (even in relationships), being team players, not bragging or acting better than others (jante), sharing power, and being environmentally conscious. All of these things relate to ‘lagom.’Lagom is a bit ‘Buddhist’ in the view of living simple and ‘not too much, not too little.’ Lagom teaches to always try to improve and better oneself, declutter, and simplify. Lola sums up each chapter with things we can do in our own lives to practice ‘lagom’ in whatever culture we live in. Lagom is a balance between individuality and society responsibility. As well as tips, Lola includes lovely color photographs of Swedish society. Highly recommended.

Lagom offers an in-depth story of that which lies at the heart of Swedish culture. Having lived in this country for over ten years, I recognized much of what Lola describes and had a good chuckle whenever social aspects of culture came up. I admire the way in which she was able to find a red thread and identify variations of lagom in every aspect of life. At times, it may seem a little forced (when did 1,2 kg of candy / week for a family of four become lagom, even when consumed on Saturdays only...), but overall her analysis is sharp and to-the-point. The "Time out" sections are great life application pointers, no matter where in the world you live. The text is well-written and easy to read. A fun book for anyone interested in Swedish culture, or simply interested in balancing life in a way that suits you better.

Lagom: The Swedish Secret of Living Well is chock-full of insights about how to live a more balanced life. The author explains this Swedish cultural concept and how it plays out in society in ways both good and bad. Equal parts inspiration, information and food for thought, Lola shares what she has learned about living well thanks to her years of living in Sweden.Each chapter ends with reflections about how different aspects of lagom can be incorporated into your life. And the author's photos that are scattered throughout the book add a nice personal touch.

Interesting, inspiring, easy to read but profound at the same time. A good overview on Lagom with non judgmental approach. Definitely recommended!

Lagom is a deep-set part of Swedish culture, it cultivates a clean, intelligent way of living inside and out. This sense of balance and sustainability is concisely explained in this book as well as its context in Swedish society and beyond into the wider world.The presentation of this succinct work is sharp, clear, and colourful throughout sprinkled with plenty of illustrations and some great photos of both scenery, food and everything in between. It truly makes the reader yearn for a visit to Sweden to soak it all in and go hiking.There is a comprehensive look at the different ways in which Lagom is invested in many lifestyle choices including; food, health, fashion, work, money and nature, to name a few. It shows that unlike for other countries – my own included – this is not just a trend but an ingrained way of living. There is no bad weather, there are only bad clothesAlthough interesting, I’m still not convinced about Lagom. I like the ideas about sustainability and working within one’s means but really that is common sense and as such isn’t original to Swedish culture but can be seen as far back as ancient Greece.It is however an interesting look into the social and conscious personality of the Swedes so is rewarding in that aspect. It makes one wonder how the increasing wave of immigrants will affect this balance especially as some choose not to integrate in their new country’s ways. Time will tell of course and this interesting and informative read did surprise me with what I got out of it, which is perhaps the best thing we can get out of a book.

A wonderful book about the deep roots of Swedish culture that drive their everyday decisions and social interactions. As a US citizen living in Sweden, this book provided many "aha!" moments and the photographs by Lola are absolutely beautiful. Lola is a talented writer and amazing photographer. This little book on Sweden is the perfect embodiment of lagom—not too big and not too little.

This book is an awesome read as it gives a holistic explanation of what Lagom truly means. Lagom is not just a catchy word but truly a way of approaching life. The author's writing style is also quite easy to digest, making the book an easy read. I'm giving this book 5 stars as I foresee it will become a Swedish cultural reference guide and collector's item for years to come.

In a world too often filled with excess, noise, and self-centeredness, we could all learn something from this practical, lovely book. Sprinkled with the award-winning Stockholm-based photo-journalist's personal stories, Swedish proverbs, own photographs, and helpful insights on a more balanced life Swedish-style, LAGOM is a compelling and enjoyable read. Highly recommended!

Great understanding to the culture of Swedish life. The author has good knowledge with living in Stockholm. Good to read the Swedes point of view in a modern world. Nice to know that they are very grounded and are so appreciative of one another. Highly recommend

A fascinating insightful into a way of life. Thought provoking not just style oriented. A really enjoyable and easy read.

Delightful book. Very charming and full of useful tips for all aspects of your life. I bought it for myself but I think it would make a perfect gift also.