How to be Swedish: A Quick Guide to Swedishness - in 55 Steps Paperback – February 2, 2017

I got a real kick out of this book, which really rang true. My grandparents emigrated from Sweden to the U.S. in the late 1800s and had lots of kids, including my dad, who were all raised with these quirky characteristics. My grandparents, my dad and his siblings were all wonderful, salt of the earth, dedicated family people, but were not demonstrative to the point of near-panic when being hugged--very Swedish. I was really disappointed, however, that there was no mention in this book of lutefisk, considered a delicacy and traditionally served as Christmas dinner. You start with a hunk of dried codfish (possibly available in the U.S. only in Minnesota and the Dakotas) and reconstitute it by boiling it into a smelly, gelatinous white glob that is then served with all white accoutrements including boiled potatoes with white cream gravy, lefse (tasteless dried flatbread) and rice pudding. The author did, however, capture the essence of another type of smelly, slimey preserved fish delicacy, of which there are many disgusting varieties--so I will forgive him for omitting the lutefisk. And IKEA really does capture the essence of all things Swedish: spare, angular, practical, and no-nonsense. You can buy those little red horses there too.

My Sweedie enjoyed the book

Good information with entertaining approach.

I am a dual Swedish & American citizen. Living in the US, I must keep sharing my Swedish heritage with my kids. I bought this book for my daughter before she attended a camp in Sweden. It was an easy read and I found myself smiling as I read. Swedish traditions/customs are special and I think he covered all of them very well. My daughter is reading the book now. Thank you for creating this book!

I found this book to be a great re-introduction on moving to Sweden. I’ve traveled and lived in Scandinavia before and I remember feeling wrong-footed by all the awkwardness - I wish I’d had this primer on my first time. Yes, it will feel awkward regardless of where you came from, but that’s ok - and it’s worth it!

This book is perfect for just for those who simply love Sweden to those who are traveling and or potentially moving there . It is simply an amazing read and has great tips .

Awesome and accurate book! Fun to read as a Swede or if you have any affiliation to Sweden

A light read which walks one through a number of Swedish stereotypes which, if adhered to, promise to turn one into a real Svensson. One can tell that English is not the author's native tongue due to a few grammar/spelling errors and occasional awkward syntax; but I appreciate the author's willingness to write in English for those of us who have no fluency in Swedish and have lost much of our command of German. The author also maintains a blog about Sweden which I think I will frequent.