This book, by Louisa Thomsen Brits, is one of many titles on ‘hygge’ and the Danish way of living. But hygge has a dark side – what if the price of ‘cosiness’ isn’t worth paying?

It's hard to measure happiness, especially in Ireland where people love nothing better than a good moan. In Denmark, things are more straightforward. In 2013, the World Happiness Report declared Denmark the happiest country in the world and the Happiness Research Institute was founded in Copenhagen that same year.

The changing of seasons is a special time, and it must be celebrated with food

It’s untranslatable, a bit like cosy, but in this calm, Danish, soothing way the British just don’t get

‘For instant hygge, all you have to do is light a candle. You may also want to switch on a lamp. But not one from Ikea’

With nine (nine!) books about it this year, the concept of ‘hygge’ is Denmark’s biggest export since Lego. But is it really why Danes are so happy?