What do you think?
Rate this book
The Swedish Art of Aging Exuberantly: Life Wisdom from Someone Who Will (Probably) Die Before You
From New York Times bestselling author of The Gentle Art of Swedish Death Cleaning— now a TV series developed by Amy Poehler and Scout Productions—a book of humorous and charming advice for embracing life and aging joyfully .
In her international bestseller The Gentle Art of Swedish Death Cleaning Margareta Magnusson introduced the world to the Swedish tradition of döstädning , or “death cleaning”—clearing out your unnecessary belongings so others don’t have to do it for you. Now, unburdened by (literal and emotional) baggage, Magnusson is able to focus on what makes each day worth living. In her new book she reveals her discoveries about aging—some difficult to accept, many rather wondrous. She reflects on her idyllic childhood on the west coast of Sweden, the fullness of her life with her husband and five children, and learning how to live alone. Throughout, she offers advice on how to age gracefully, such wear stripes, don’t resist new technology, let go of what doesn’t matter, and more.
As with death cleaning, it’s never too early to begin. The Swedish Art of Aging Exuberantly shows all readers how to prepare for and understand the process of growing older and the joys and sorrows it can bring. While Magnusson still recommends decluttering (your loved ones will thank you!), her ultimate message is that we should not live in fear of death but rather focus on appreciating beauty, connecting with our loved ones, and enjoying our time together.
Wise, funny, and eminently practical, The Swedish Art of Aging Exuberantly is a gentle and welcome reminder that, no matter your age, there are always fresh discoveries ahead, and pleasures both new and familiar to be encountered every day.
In her international bestseller The Gentle Art of Swedish Death Cleaning Margareta Magnusson introduced the world to the Swedish tradition of döstädning , or “death cleaning”—clearing out your unnecessary belongings so others don’t have to do it for you. Now, unburdened by (literal and emotional) baggage, Magnusson is able to focus on what makes each day worth living. In her new book she reveals her discoveries about aging—some difficult to accept, many rather wondrous. She reflects on her idyllic childhood on the west coast of Sweden, the fullness of her life with her husband and five children, and learning how to live alone. Throughout, she offers advice on how to age gracefully, such wear stripes, don’t resist new technology, let go of what doesn’t matter, and more.
As with death cleaning, it’s never too early to begin. The Swedish Art of Aging Exuberantly shows all readers how to prepare for and understand the process of growing older and the joys and sorrows it can bring. While Magnusson still recommends decluttering (your loved ones will thank you!), her ultimate message is that we should not live in fear of death but rather focus on appreciating beauty, connecting with our loved ones, and enjoying our time together.
Wise, funny, and eminently practical, The Swedish Art of Aging Exuberantly is a gentle and welcome reminder that, no matter your age, there are always fresh discoveries ahead, and pleasures both new and familiar to be encountered every day.
Audiobook
First published December 27, 2022
1011 people are currently reading
8961 people want to read
About the author
Margareta Magnusson
6 books252 followersMargareta Magnusson is, in her own words, aged between 80 and 100. Born in Sweden, she has lived all over the world. Margareta graduated from Beckman's College of Design and her art has been exhibited in galleries from Hong Kong to Singapore. She has five children and lives in Stockholm. The Gentle Art of Swedish Death Cleaning is her first book.
(from publisher's website at http://www.simonandschuster.com/autho...)
(from publisher's website at http://www.simonandschuster.com/autho...)
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 890 reviews
January 26, 2024
What a gentle story written by a lovely lady in her 80's. The author tells us so much about her life, the way she raised her children and her philosophy behind 'death cleaning' - downsizing in your later years to take the burden off those left behind. Your family may not appreciate your 'stuff', whereas if you can organise yourself, your belongings and your home while you can, you can enjoy the process of reconnecting with your goods before giving away, recycling, handing on to others.
She gives advice to younger people with older parents, to suggest they themselves might like items, how to do do this sensitively if their parents are not ready.
The author has embraced her walker after a fall (she previously judged friends who used one before realising the benefits), she had removed rugs (another item to clean) making it easier. Attaching a basket to her walker enabling her to go room to room with the goodies that she needed.
She discusses travelling from country to country with her young family, for her husbands work, and the way times have changed. Included are funny anecdotes from times gone by, her experience with Covid and losing her husband, and to embrace a smaller and easier to manage home.
Embracing change, having good connections with young people, and maintaining connection with friends are among the simple life lessons she imparts.
I am certainly interested in the author's other book The Gentle Art of Swedish Death Cleaning: How to Free Yourself and Your Family from a Lifetime of Clutter as decluttering makes me feel good, regardless of my age.
This was a well written and enaging book, I enjoyed learning the experiences of a person older than me that has led a very different life than I have. I found her to be honest, fun, straight forward, quirky and fun. Self deprecating, up front and just a little off beat. In a good way.
With my thanks to @Scribepub and Marina for my physical copy which I thoroughly enjoyed, opening my eyes to something new!
Extremely readable, this was a quick and enjoyable read.
She gives advice to younger people with older parents, to suggest they themselves might like items, how to do do this sensitively if their parents are not ready.
The author has embraced her walker after a fall (she previously judged friends who used one before realising the benefits), she had removed rugs (another item to clean) making it easier. Attaching a basket to her walker enabling her to go room to room with the goodies that she needed.
She discusses travelling from country to country with her young family, for her husbands work, and the way times have changed. Included are funny anecdotes from times gone by, her experience with Covid and losing her husband, and to embrace a smaller and easier to manage home.
Embracing change, having good connections with young people, and maintaining connection with friends are among the simple life lessons she imparts.
I am certainly interested in the author's other book The Gentle Art of Swedish Death Cleaning: How to Free Yourself and Your Family from a Lifetime of Clutter as decluttering makes me feel good, regardless of my age.
This was a well written and enaging book, I enjoyed learning the experiences of a person older than me that has led a very different life than I have. I found her to be honest, fun, straight forward, quirky and fun. Self deprecating, up front and just a little off beat. In a good way.
With my thanks to @Scribepub and Marina for my physical copy which I thoroughly enjoyed, opening my eyes to something new!
Extremely readable, this was a quick and enjoyable read.
January 17, 2023
(3.5) Magnusson, who is Swedish, either wrote this in English or translated it herself for simultaneous 2022 publication in Sweden and the USA – where the title phrase is “Aging Exuberantly.” There is some quirky phrasing that a native speaker would never use, more so than in her Döstädning: The Gentle Art of Swedish Death Cleaning, which I reviewed last year, but it’s perfectly understandable.
The subtitle is “Life wisdom from someone who will (probably) die before you,” which gives a flavour of 89-year-old Magnusson’s self-deprecating sense of humour. The big 4-0 is coming up for me later this year, but I’ve been reading books about ageing and death since my twenties and find them valuable for gaining perspective and storing up wisdom.
This is not one of those “hygge” books hailing the virtues of Scandinavian culture, but rather a charming self-help memoir recounting what the author has learned about what matters in life and how to gracefully accept the ageing process. Each chapter is like a mini essay with a piece of advice as the title. Some are more serious than others: “Don’t Fall Over” and “Keep an Open Mind” vs. “Eat Chocolate” and “Wear Stripes.”
Since Magnusson was widowed, she has valued her friendships all the more, and during the pandemic cheerfully switched to video chats (G&T in hand) with her best friend since age eight. She is sweetly optimistic despite news headlines; after all, in the words of one of her chapter titles, “The World Is Always Ending” – she grew up during World War II and remembers the bad old days of the Cold War and personal near-tragedies like when the ship on which her teenage son was a deckhand temporarily disappeared in the South China Sea.
Lots of little family anecdotes like that enter into the book. Magnusson has five children and lived in Singapore and Annapolis, Maryland (my part of the world!) for a time. The open-mindedness I’ve mentioned was an attitude she cultivated towards new-to-her customs like a Chinese wedding, Christian adult baptism, and Halloween. Happy memories are her emotional support; as for physical assistance: “I call my walker Lars Harald, after my husband who is no longer with me. The walker, much like my husband was, is my support and my safety.”
Volunteering, spending lots of time with younger people, looking after another living thing (a houseplant if you can’t commit to a pet), turning daily burdens into beloved routines, and keeping your hair looking as nice as possible are some of Magnusson’s top tips for coping.
An appendix gives additional death-cleaning guidance based on Covid-era FAQs; the chapter in this book that is most reminiscent of the practical approach of Döstädning is “Don’t Leave Empty-Handed,” which might sound metaphorical but in fact is a literal mantra she learned from an acquaintance. On a small scale, it might mean tidying a room gradually by picking up at least one item each time you pass through; more generally, it could refer to a mindset of cleaning up after oneself so that the world is a better place for one’s presence.
Originally published on my blog, Bookish Beck.
The subtitle is “Life wisdom from someone who will (probably) die before you,” which gives a flavour of 89-year-old Magnusson’s self-deprecating sense of humour. The big 4-0 is coming up for me later this year, but I’ve been reading books about ageing and death since my twenties and find them valuable for gaining perspective and storing up wisdom.
This is not one of those “hygge” books hailing the virtues of Scandinavian culture, but rather a charming self-help memoir recounting what the author has learned about what matters in life and how to gracefully accept the ageing process. Each chapter is like a mini essay with a piece of advice as the title. Some are more serious than others: “Don’t Fall Over” and “Keep an Open Mind” vs. “Eat Chocolate” and “Wear Stripes.”
Since Magnusson was widowed, she has valued her friendships all the more, and during the pandemic cheerfully switched to video chats (G&T in hand) with her best friend since age eight. She is sweetly optimistic despite news headlines; after all, in the words of one of her chapter titles, “The World Is Always Ending” – she grew up during World War II and remembers the bad old days of the Cold War and personal near-tragedies like when the ship on which her teenage son was a deckhand temporarily disappeared in the South China Sea.
Lots of little family anecdotes like that enter into the book. Magnusson has five children and lived in Singapore and Annapolis, Maryland (my part of the world!) for a time. The open-mindedness I’ve mentioned was an attitude she cultivated towards new-to-her customs like a Chinese wedding, Christian adult baptism, and Halloween. Happy memories are her emotional support; as for physical assistance: “I call my walker Lars Harald, after my husband who is no longer with me. The walker, much like my husband was, is my support and my safety.”
Volunteering, spending lots of time with younger people, looking after another living thing (a houseplant if you can’t commit to a pet), turning daily burdens into beloved routines, and keeping your hair looking as nice as possible are some of Magnusson’s top tips for coping.
An appendix gives additional death-cleaning guidance based on Covid-era FAQs; the chapter in this book that is most reminiscent of the practical approach of Döstädning is “Don’t Leave Empty-Handed,” which might sound metaphorical but in fact is a literal mantra she learned from an acquaintance. On a small scale, it might mean tidying a room gradually by picking up at least one item each time you pass through; more generally, it could refer to a mindset of cleaning up after oneself so that the world is a better place for one’s presence.
Originally published on my blog, Bookish Beck.
January 5, 2025
This book came up when I was doing a library online search for another book. There was something about its title and cover that attracted me.
Afterall…Any of us getting on in years, certainly would want to find positive tips and charming advice on how to “age exuberantly,” right?
So…I checked it out.
And…Loved most of all that it was a short book. Only 141 pages!
When my mother and in-laws passed away, we were left with their stuff to go through. My husband and I lost our garage to all their stuff. It took so much time and emotion to go through it all, and eventually clear it so that we could have our garage back.
One of the things she mentions in her prologue is…
“The idea is that we should not leave a moment of crap behind for our loved ones to clean up when we die.”
I could definitely relate to this. It changed our perspective on having things and stuff, because we did not want to put our kids through the experience we just endured.
Yes…There may be mementos to keep.
But…A garage full? No thank you.
The author was 86 when she wrote her book and signed her prologue in 2021. The book was published in 2022. So, she had quite some interesting life experiences to share. She does it in 14 chapters with creative titles like… “Eat chocolate,” “Wear stripes,” and the “World is always ending.” Of course, there are more, but these stood out!
And…She includes an appendix on “Bonus thoughts and tips on death cleaning.” (She reiterates that our loved ones will thank us. And, I couldn’t agree more.)
I believe her intention was for this book to be humorous, with appealing advice on embracing life and aging joyfully.
In her chapter, “Eat chocolate” she shares how important chocolate was to her, to the point she needed to purchase a calorie counting book.
But…As she has aged, she reminisces…
“The hot chocolate and whipped cream of my childhood left their mark on me…more and more I long for it. And these days with no calorie counter, no visiting dietician, and no cucumber salad, my longing doesn’t last very long, I just give in to it, to my desire for that chocolate.”
She may try to be funny, sometimes successfully, but she still does speak the truth about the challenges we face as we grow older, and how we can do some attitude adjustments to appreciate that we are not dead yet.
And…Just allow ourselves the gift of growing old gracefully.
She does this by sharing her private moments of what she has learned…
Live within your means. Enjoy the moment. Don’t complain. Leave this place better than you found it. And, wear stripes. (Never!)
And…Yes, we have been-here-before. Probably written better in another book.
But…There is still something to appreciate about her elderly wisdom.
Engaging. Sweet. Fun. Familiar. Cozy. Cute.
An imperfect read, but still fun. 3.5 stars, but, I will give it a 4.
Afterall…Any of us getting on in years, certainly would want to find positive tips and charming advice on how to “age exuberantly,” right?
So…I checked it out.
And…Loved most of all that it was a short book. Only 141 pages!
When my mother and in-laws passed away, we were left with their stuff to go through. My husband and I lost our garage to all their stuff. It took so much time and emotion to go through it all, and eventually clear it so that we could have our garage back.
One of the things she mentions in her prologue is…
“The idea is that we should not leave a moment of crap behind for our loved ones to clean up when we die.”
I could definitely relate to this. It changed our perspective on having things and stuff, because we did not want to put our kids through the experience we just endured.
Yes…There may be mementos to keep.
But…A garage full? No thank you.
The author was 86 when she wrote her book and signed her prologue in 2021. The book was published in 2022. So, she had quite some interesting life experiences to share. She does it in 14 chapters with creative titles like… “Eat chocolate,” “Wear stripes,” and the “World is always ending.” Of course, there are more, but these stood out!
And…She includes an appendix on “Bonus thoughts and tips on death cleaning.” (She reiterates that our loved ones will thank us. And, I couldn’t agree more.)
I believe her intention was for this book to be humorous, with appealing advice on embracing life and aging joyfully.
In her chapter, “Eat chocolate” she shares how important chocolate was to her, to the point she needed to purchase a calorie counting book.
But…As she has aged, she reminisces…
“The hot chocolate and whipped cream of my childhood left their mark on me…more and more I long for it. And these days with no calorie counter, no visiting dietician, and no cucumber salad, my longing doesn’t last very long, I just give in to it, to my desire for that chocolate.”
She may try to be funny, sometimes successfully, but she still does speak the truth about the challenges we face as we grow older, and how we can do some attitude adjustments to appreciate that we are not dead yet.
And…Just allow ourselves the gift of growing old gracefully.
She does this by sharing her private moments of what she has learned…
Live within your means. Enjoy the moment. Don’t complain. Leave this place better than you found it. And, wear stripes. (Never!)
And…Yes, we have been-here-before. Probably written better in another book.
But…There is still something to appreciate about her elderly wisdom.
Engaging. Sweet. Fun. Familiar. Cozy. Cute.
An imperfect read, but still fun. 3.5 stars, but, I will give it a 4.
November 27, 2022
Delightful! It helps, no doubt, that I'm close in age with the author (although there's good advice here for readers of just about any age). But She tells it like it is - or should be - in a humorous, entertaining but matter-of-fact manner.
Truth is, I decided to request this one simply because her other best-selling book, The Gentle Art of Swedish Death Cleaning, sounded so right-on-the-money (I don't know about you, but my potential heirs are way less than thrilled at the thought of having to get rid of all the things my husband and I have collected over the years). To me, they're all precious memories; but to them, almost all of it is George Carlin "stuff." Anyway, I identified with the author's take on that subject, so I wanted to see what she has to say in this one.
And I certainly wasn't disappointed; she offers more practical advice for us oldies but still goodies. But this time, happily, I've already put much of it into play in my own life (well, except for the getting a walker or cane part; that one, I think, I'll resist to the very end - or at least till one of my doctors tells me that unless I get one, it's my end is likely to come sooner than I want). Like her, I'm up for "making aging itself into an art." Her creative approaches, even those I'm already doing, are a huge boost in that direction.
Of course, I can't get too specific without spilling too many beans, but I'll mention a couple of personal favorites: First, if you bring something new into the house, take something else out. Nobody wants to clean up your stash after you're gone. Second, surround yourself with younger people. You'll stay in touch with what's going on around you and learn a lot; but as the author points out, they also provide a way to "stay in tune" with the young person you used to be.
The book concludes with a few more tips on "death cleaning" - which I heartily recommend as well (even if at this point it's more of a do-as-she-says than do-as-I-really do issue). Bottom line? Love the book; it's great for older folks like me, but there's plenty of good advice here for younger generations as well. Thanks to the publisher, via NetGalley, for allowing me to read and review a pre-release copy.
Truth is, I decided to request this one simply because her other best-selling book, The Gentle Art of Swedish Death Cleaning, sounded so right-on-the-money (I don't know about you, but my potential heirs are way less than thrilled at the thought of having to get rid of all the things my husband and I have collected over the years). To me, they're all precious memories; but to them, almost all of it is George Carlin "stuff." Anyway, I identified with the author's take on that subject, so I wanted to see what she has to say in this one.
And I certainly wasn't disappointed; she offers more practical advice for us oldies but still goodies. But this time, happily, I've already put much of it into play in my own life (well, except for the getting a walker or cane part; that one, I think, I'll resist to the very end - or at least till one of my doctors tells me that unless I get one, it's my end is likely to come sooner than I want). Like her, I'm up for "making aging itself into an art." Her creative approaches, even those I'm already doing, are a huge boost in that direction.
Of course, I can't get too specific without spilling too many beans, but I'll mention a couple of personal favorites: First, if you bring something new into the house, take something else out. Nobody wants to clean up your stash after you're gone. Second, surround yourself with younger people. You'll stay in touch with what's going on around you and learn a lot; but as the author points out, they also provide a way to "stay in tune" with the young person you used to be.
The book concludes with a few more tips on "death cleaning" - which I heartily recommend as well (even if at this point it's more of a do-as-she-says than do-as-I-really do issue). Bottom line? Love the book; it's great for older folks like me, but there's plenty of good advice here for younger generations as well. Thanks to the publisher, via NetGalley, for allowing me to read and review a pre-release copy.
December 22, 2024
This is Magusson's second book, and I love them both! I love that she started a new career as a writer in her 80s. Her views on living are funny and wise, and her views on death cleaning are so practical and loving. I am trying really hard to get my headspace into that death cleaning for next year when I have to move and have a great opportunity to declutter, especially since it's a BIG move overseas and I really want my next phase of life to be new in as many ways as I can. But...as mentioned in the review for her prior book (The Gentle Art of Swedish Death Cleaning), it's not really who I am, naturally.
I can definitely get on board with all her advice on aging, though. I feel like I do a lot of it already (my favorite is hanging out with young people). Certainly, there are other things I can still learn and try out practice.
Her stories of cross-cultural snafus are hysterical, by the way. I really enjoyed how she invited the reader to join in laughing about them together. She's lovely. I hope she writes a third book. I'm a fan! Rounding up to 4.
I can definitely get on board with all her advice on aging, though. I feel like I do a lot of it already (my favorite is hanging out with young people). Certainly, there are other things I can still learn and try out practice.
Her stories of cross-cultural snafus are hysterical, by the way. I really enjoyed how she invited the reader to join in laughing about them together. She's lovely. I hope she writes a third book. I'm a fan! Rounding up to 4.
September 17, 2023
9/16/23 Currently listening with Simon as we go about our chores. It is both fascinating and soothing!
9/17/23 At 3 hours 40 minutes it's not a lengthy audiobook, however there was a lot of practical wisdom from a life well-lived, seasoned with humor. We thoroughly enjoyed listening while we worked.
From my favorite passage, which is about Margareta's family adapting to life in America:
"They use items we had never seen in Sweden, a plastic tomato holder from the supermarket became a toy bed. Things that seemed like trash to a normal American family were treasures to the girls."
"The fuzz from the clothes dryer filter was something new and fantastic. We had never seen a clothes dryer before, and the girls made all kinds of amazing toy stuff from that lint: mattresses, cushions, wigs, anything."
9/17/23 At 3 hours 40 minutes it's not a lengthy audiobook, however there was a lot of practical wisdom from a life well-lived, seasoned with humor. We thoroughly enjoyed listening while we worked.
From my favorite passage, which is about Margareta's family adapting to life in America:
"They use items we had never seen in Sweden, a plastic tomato holder from the supermarket became a toy bed. Things that seemed like trash to a normal American family were treasures to the girls."
"The fuzz from the clothes dryer filter was something new and fantastic. We had never seen a clothes dryer before, and the girls made all kinds of amazing toy stuff from that lint: mattresses, cushions, wigs, anything."
dnf
January 8, 2023This was not what I was expecting! I was expecting a practical guide of sorts. Alas it is really 14 statements bolstered by a personal story (or two) to serve as an example. The idea "keep an open mind" doesn't require an explanation.
Something about the writing style didn't work for me. When I read her first book, either the writing was different, or I was in a different frame of mind.
No doubt that this is a sweet book, but it didn't grab or hold my interest. And 2023 is the year of DNF-ing anything that feels like a chore to read. I'm not in university. My reading is for pleasure, not to fulfill syllabus requirements.
Something about the writing style didn't work for me. When I read her first book, either the writing was different, or I was in a different frame of mind.
No doubt that this is a sweet book, but it didn't grab or hold my interest. And 2023 is the year of DNF-ing anything that feels like a chore to read. I'm not in university. My reading is for pleasure, not to fulfill syllabus requirements.
January 10, 2023
I picked up this book because I was a fan of “The Gentle Art of Swedish Death Cleaning”. It was such a fun and quirky twist on the decluttering book trend and I loved the unique voice of the author. It had a pretty repetitive message (get rid of your junk so your loved ones don’t have to deal with it), mixed in with enough light humour and anecdotes about her life that you didn’t mind.
This book has more of the same with each chapter providing a tip for aging and bunch of stories loosely related to that tip. It came off more like a memoir with anecdotes forced into (often odd) themes. While in the first book I enjoyed hearing the small details of her family and the death cleaning she has done while dealing with loss, I found most of her stories raising her large and very privileged family (sailing, horseback riding lessons, transcontinental trips and moves) difficult to relate to and uninteresting.
It made me think that perhaps this book is part of her own death cleaning; to pass these stories that mean something to her down to her children and grandchildren. For a casual reader who enjoyed the first book, it’s all boring personal details, a bit of humour, and no real substance. I was going to give it one star or stop reading, but I kept going for the promise of some more quirky tips and question answered on death cleaning which she promises in the prologue.
In the Appendix and “bonus thoughts” at the end, she delivers:
“You could be dead tomorrow. We all could - but should you really make others suffer because you were too lazy to sort your stuff, even during weeks of months of a quarantine? If you didn’t death clean during the virus - what is your excuse?”
I know it’s more of the same, but this kind of no-nonsense writing is what I came for and redeems the book a bit in my eyes. I definitely won’t be reading this book again, but it ended up a high note.
This book has more of the same with each chapter providing a tip for aging and bunch of stories loosely related to that tip. It came off more like a memoir with anecdotes forced into (often odd) themes. While in the first book I enjoyed hearing the small details of her family and the death cleaning she has done while dealing with loss, I found most of her stories raising her large and very privileged family (sailing, horseback riding lessons, transcontinental trips and moves) difficult to relate to and uninteresting.
It made me think that perhaps this book is part of her own death cleaning; to pass these stories that mean something to her down to her children and grandchildren. For a casual reader who enjoyed the first book, it’s all boring personal details, a bit of humour, and no real substance. I was going to give it one star or stop reading, but I kept going for the promise of some more quirky tips and question answered on death cleaning which she promises in the prologue.
In the Appendix and “bonus thoughts” at the end, she delivers:
“You could be dead tomorrow. We all could - but should you really make others suffer because you were too lazy to sort your stuff, even during weeks of months of a quarantine? If you didn’t death clean during the virus - what is your excuse?”
I know it’s more of the same, but this kind of no-nonsense writing is what I came for and redeems the book a bit in my eyes. I definitely won’t be reading this book again, but it ended up a high note.
February 17, 2023
I checked this audiobook out on BorrowBox without really reading the blurb so I’m not sure what I was expecting but I honestly loved this.
The author is in her eighties and has a open, some might define as blunt way of speaking about life and death. She describes herself as typically Swedish - blunt, I wonder if maybe I have some Swedish in me somewhere.
The book is a collection of wisdoms interwoven with stories and anecdotes from the author’s long life beautifully read by Natasha McElhone which was like listening to a friend chatting and sharing their life experiences. So calming and relaxing but also engaging. I feel like I need to get the physical book to turn to in times of feeling overwhelmed or low.
Highly recommended.
The author is in her eighties and has a open, some might define as blunt way of speaking about life and death. She describes herself as typically Swedish - blunt, I wonder if maybe I have some Swedish in me somewhere.
The book is a collection of wisdoms interwoven with stories and anecdotes from the author’s long life beautifully read by Natasha McElhone which was like listening to a friend chatting and sharing their life experiences. So calming and relaxing but also engaging. I feel like I need to get the physical book to turn to in times of feeling overwhelmed or low.
Highly recommended.
March 4, 2022
ARC provided by NetGalley, thank you.
Super charming mix of advice about living well and aging well. I laughed a ton and enjoyed it immensely.
The author, Margareta Magnusson, recounts stories from her life and ties them back to larger pieces of wisdom relevant to living well as you get older. She covers the serious (death, xenophobia) and the light (eating chocolate, wearing stripes) and the ridiculous (pirates!). The stories and anecdotes are concise, often humorous and relevant to the larger point in each chapter. In this sense, it’s more memoir than other research-laden non-fiction books on aging. It was just really fun to read, in part because the author’s sense of humor works so well for me. It’s hard to overstate how much I laughed out loud.
One element I particularly appreciate is that the advice doesn’t assume you stop aging at a particular point in time. Instead, there is a good amount of advice for people over 80, which is something I rarely see in comparable books on the topic. Octogenarian is still a long way off for me, but it’s useful to know what 80 looks like for some people. It gives a sense that there’s still time to course correct.
A thoroughly enjoyable read, and one I will gladly return to in the future.
Super charming mix of advice about living well and aging well. I laughed a ton and enjoyed it immensely.
The author, Margareta Magnusson, recounts stories from her life and ties them back to larger pieces of wisdom relevant to living well as you get older. She covers the serious (death, xenophobia) and the light (eating chocolate, wearing stripes) and the ridiculous (pirates!). The stories and anecdotes are concise, often humorous and relevant to the larger point in each chapter. In this sense, it’s more memoir than other research-laden non-fiction books on aging. It was just really fun to read, in part because the author’s sense of humor works so well for me. It’s hard to overstate how much I laughed out loud.
One element I particularly appreciate is that the advice doesn’t assume you stop aging at a particular point in time. Instead, there is a good amount of advice for people over 80, which is something I rarely see in comparable books on the topic. Octogenarian is still a long way off for me, but it’s useful to know what 80 looks like for some people. It gives a sense that there’s still time to course correct.
A thoroughly enjoyable read, and one I will gladly return to in the future.
February 1, 2023
Title:
The Swedish Art of Aging Exuberantly: Life Wisdom from Someone Who Will (Probably) Due Before You
Author: Margareta Magnusson
Genre: Self-help
Rating: 2.00
Pub Date: December 27, 2022
T H R E E • W O R D S
Laidback • Biographical • Insignificant
📖 S Y N O P S I S
Margareta Magnusson reveals her discoveries about aging—some difficult to accept, many rather wondrous. She reflects on her idyllic childhood on the west coast of Sweden, the fullness of her life with her husband and five children, and learning how to live alone. The Swedish Art of Aging Exuberantly explore the process of growing older and the joys and sorrows it can bring. It is a reminder of embracing life and the time we have.
💭 T H O U G H T S
I'd heard of this author's hugely successful The Gentle Art of Swedish Death Cleaning: How to Free Yourself and Your Family from a Lifetime of Clutter (though I hadn't read it), so when this latest release became available through my library I thought I'd give it a shot. Unfortunately, I was left very underwhelmed.
I was expecting tidbits of practical advice from someone with more life experience, however, this book is more a collection of simple statements paired with stories and memories from the author's life. There's no a whole lot of depth or substance, and I honestly am not quite sure what the point of the book was. It felt like something she wrote for herself more than for general consumption. That's not to say there aren't wise words sprinkled throughout, I was just expecting more of guide.
The Swedish Art of Aging Exuberantly reads more like a memoir than a self-help book, and in my opinion it didn't offer me a whole lot. I think I'll still be interested in reading this author's previous work, but cannot say if I'd pick up any future works based on this one.
📚 R E C O M M E N D • T O
• older readers
⚠️ CW: death, death of partner
🔖 F A V O U R I T E • Q U O T E S
"It is never too late to do anything unless it really is too late and you are dead. The moment you start thinking it is too late, then you begin to die. I will keep going and do all I want to do."
Author: Margareta Magnusson
Genre: Self-help
Rating: 2.00
Pub Date: December 27, 2022
T H R E E • W O R D S
Laidback • Biographical • Insignificant
📖 S Y N O P S I S
Margareta Magnusson reveals her discoveries about aging—some difficult to accept, many rather wondrous. She reflects on her idyllic childhood on the west coast of Sweden, the fullness of her life with her husband and five children, and learning how to live alone. The Swedish Art of Aging Exuberantly explore the process of growing older and the joys and sorrows it can bring. It is a reminder of embracing life and the time we have.
💭 T H O U G H T S
I'd heard of this author's hugely successful The Gentle Art of Swedish Death Cleaning: How to Free Yourself and Your Family from a Lifetime of Clutter (though I hadn't read it), so when this latest release became available through my library I thought I'd give it a shot. Unfortunately, I was left very underwhelmed.
I was expecting tidbits of practical advice from someone with more life experience, however, this book is more a collection of simple statements paired with stories and memories from the author's life. There's no a whole lot of depth or substance, and I honestly am not quite sure what the point of the book was. It felt like something she wrote for herself more than for general consumption. That's not to say there aren't wise words sprinkled throughout, I was just expecting more of guide.
The Swedish Art of Aging Exuberantly reads more like a memoir than a self-help book, and in my opinion it didn't offer me a whole lot. I think I'll still be interested in reading this author's previous work, but cannot say if I'd pick up any future works based on this one.
📚 R E C O M M E N D • T O
• older readers
⚠️ CW: death, death of partner
🔖 F A V O U R I T E • Q U O T E S
"It is never too late to do anything unless it really is too late and you are dead. The moment you start thinking it is too late, then you begin to die. I will keep going and do all I want to do."
September 16, 2025
*** 9/15/25 *** I finished this while traveling this summer and all I could think was wow, this lady became an author in her 80's; you better get moving! I read her first book about Swedish death cleaning and really really feel strongly that people should prepare themselves, their paperwork, their homes, etc., for their eventual passing. And I know how hard it would be for my kids to go through everything because it is so very hard for me to do it myself! So I fully subscribe to her philosophies, and while this book was a short and sweet book without deep messages, I still really enjoyed it. And, I'm Swedish by ancestry and have a life long obsession with stripes lol!! I never knew it was a Swedish thing! I love to see people doing cool things and telling their stories in a motivational way in their 3rd act or whatever you want to call it when you get older. 5-stars
January 15, 2024
The Swedish Art of Aging Exuberantly is an entertaining read for those new to the concept of hygge. It will not offer a lot that is new to those well versed in the subject.
December 24, 2022
Thanks to NetGalley and Scribner for the ARC in exchange for a honest review.
One of the funniest most charming books I’ve read in a long time. This book is more of a memoir rather than a self help type of book. The 86 year old author does however offer tips and wisdom on how to age gracefully, such as: wear stripes, eat chocolate and don’t leave empty-handed. Her advice isn’t really even Swedish, but the manner in which she tells her story is. Her advice is “Swedish” in that as a nationality Swedes tend to be quite blunt, clear-eyed and unsentimental. As a result, I felt as if I was taking fika at the kitchen table with my mormor.
Towards the end of the book I was left with one thought, aging is often difficult but doesn’t have to be if you approach it in a way that isn’t too drama filled.
One of the funniest most charming books I’ve read in a long time. This book is more of a memoir rather than a self help type of book. The 86 year old author does however offer tips and wisdom on how to age gracefully, such as: wear stripes, eat chocolate and don’t leave empty-handed. Her advice isn’t really even Swedish, but the manner in which she tells her story is. Her advice is “Swedish” in that as a nationality Swedes tend to be quite blunt, clear-eyed and unsentimental. As a result, I felt as if I was taking fika at the kitchen table with my mormor.
Towards the end of the book I was left with one thought, aging is often difficult but doesn’t have to be if you approach it in a way that isn’t too drama filled.
April 12, 2022
Thanks to NetGalley and Scribner for my ARC in exchange for my honest review. This book will be published January 23, 2023.
Not at all what I was expecting. The 86-year-old Swedish author tries to share some tips for aging well but this book is more memoir than self-help and more humorous than practical. Her advice isn’t even really Swedish. For example, wear stripes?!?! Eat chocolate?!?!
Not at all what I was expecting. The 86-year-old Swedish author tries to share some tips for aging well but this book is more memoir than self-help and more humorous than practical. Her advice isn’t even really Swedish. For example, wear stripes?!?! Eat chocolate?!?!
March 7, 2022
You don't need to have read Magnusson's first book, The Gentle Art of Swedish Death Cleaning, to enjoy The Swedish Art of Aging Well--you'd simply enjoy it even more. Magnusson is a storyteller, and this second book is less a how-to book, than a series of anecdotes and conclusions about her own full life. She writes with witty candor about dozens of subjects: from trying not to fall down (an obvious concern for anyone elderly), to maintaining friendships despite lockdowns, keeping an open mind, the positive effects of eating chocolate, to the utter pleasure she finds in wearing stripes. Many of her best stories are about the joys and vagaries of having children, spending time interacting with and being kind to younger people (as she points out, being 80-something means nearly everyone is younger), and staying young by honoring the youthful spirit inside you. The memories she shares are deep and sharp, and often laugh out loud silly, One moment she's extolling the virtues of her shag-covered, 1970s sunken living room, and the next, she's touting the incredible improvements in feminine hygiene, or trying to convince her free-spirited five-year-old daughter to keep her bathing suit on. There are a few stories of regret, and difficult memories, too. But there is never hopelessness.
Reading The Swedish Art of Aging Well is like sitting down with a wise and earthy old friend who respects you enough to speak the truth. It's particularly a comfort to those of us of a certain age who are looking at the future and wondering how we can possibly face it. The final chapter is about Swedish Death Cleaning--a kind of condensed version of her first book. Both books are about treasuring the journeys of life. On the subject of death cleaning, Magnusson reminds us that touching each object, and planning a new home for it is an opportunity to savor (0r even ignore) the memories attached to it. Also, that it's a kindness to not leave your family burdened with all of your stuff when you die. On aging well, she fills the pages with tales of a life well-lived, and sound and gentle advice on staying present for every moment of the days we are given.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Reading The Swedish Art of Aging Well is like sitting down with a wise and earthy old friend who respects you enough to speak the truth. It's particularly a comfort to those of us of a certain age who are looking at the future and wondering how we can possibly face it. The final chapter is about Swedish Death Cleaning--a kind of condensed version of her first book. Both books are about treasuring the journeys of life. On the subject of death cleaning, Magnusson reminds us that touching each object, and planning a new home for it is an opportunity to savor (0r even ignore) the memories attached to it. Also, that it's a kindness to not leave your family burdened with all of your stuff when you die. On aging well, she fills the pages with tales of a life well-lived, and sound and gentle advice on staying present for every moment of the days we are given.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
January 10, 2023
Quick little read - and very sweet. My favorite quote - and I want to remember it, is; "I have to admit, I have not been open minded all the time. I just wish I had been."
January 28, 2023
I have to say I was disappointed with this book, a nice ramble through her life with a few key points but nothing that hasn’t been said before.
February 16, 2023
Totally charmed!
February 27, 2022
Rather than true life advice, this book seems more like random musings on life and her past with a few moral lessons sprinkled in. It’s more of a short autobiography with stories told out of order, and it feels like she sometimes goes off on tangents. While a few stories made me laugh, I more often than not found myself wondering where it was going and even forgetting what the chapter was about to begin with.
The morals didn’t feel particularly Swedish or foreign at all for that matter, a lot of this advice already given to me by my own elders. At one point she even admits that none of these activities are extraordinary and she knows everyone is expecting Swedish secrets. Some advice is random and very specific, like suggesting you should wear stripes.
This book seems like something she wrote during the pandemic just to fill her time and as though it was written more out of nostalgia than for a general audience. I don’t think it is well or logically ordered. Thankfully it was a short read.
If you are looking for something like this that is funnier, more heartwarming and gives a lot more practical advice, I suggest Stupid Things I Won't Do When I Get Old.
Thank you NetGalley and Scribner for providing this ARC in exchange for my honest review.
The morals didn’t feel particularly Swedish or foreign at all for that matter, a lot of this advice already given to me by my own elders. At one point she even admits that none of these activities are extraordinary and she knows everyone is expecting Swedish secrets. Some advice is random and very specific, like suggesting you should wear stripes.
This book seems like something she wrote during the pandemic just to fill her time and as though it was written more out of nostalgia than for a general audience. I don’t think it is well or logically ordered. Thankfully it was a short read.
If you are looking for something like this that is funnier, more heartwarming and gives a lot more practical advice, I suggest Stupid Things I Won't Do When I Get Old.
Thank you NetGalley and Scribner for providing this ARC in exchange for my honest review.
January 21, 2023
This is the book I read in the mornings on the treadmill. It's great company, food for thought, and often made me laugh out loud. I just love Margareta Magnusson's view on life. I am so glad she wrote another book.
January 15, 2025
The first chapter is about enjoying gin and tonics with friends, which is advice I can get behind. Practical and delightful.
January 21, 2023
I “read” 2/3 of this. It came to me on CDs from the library, and even though it was a brand new release, the 2nd disc was damaged and unreadable. That said, I was not horribly upset to miss 1/3 of the content. The whole thing was “ok.” I think they purposefully titled it misleadingly, so it wasn’t really what I had hoped for, anyway.
This is a bunch of essays/remembrances from the lady who brought us the book The Gentle Art of Swedish Death Cleaning (which I really liked). The tone of this book is similar, but it’s really just misc memories about her life. There are some lessons learned, but they’re things like “make time for friends” and “volunteer, because it gives you a sense of purpose.” So I wouldn’t call these particularly new or enlightening ideas about how to age exuberantly. (In fact, I kept thinking that if a man had written this, we’d all be saying it was a book full of mansplaining.) But the little stories are fine.
There is a short section on death cleaning at the end—including how you might bring up the topic with your parents.
This is a bunch of essays/remembrances from the lady who brought us the book The Gentle Art of Swedish Death Cleaning (which I really liked). The tone of this book is similar, but it’s really just misc memories about her life. There are some lessons learned, but they’re things like “make time for friends” and “volunteer, because it gives you a sense of purpose.” So I wouldn’t call these particularly new or enlightening ideas about how to age exuberantly. (In fact, I kept thinking that if a man had written this, we’d all be saying it was a book full of mansplaining.) But the little stories are fine.
There is a short section on death cleaning at the end—including how you might bring up the topic with your parents.
February 26, 2022
Reading this book I really felt like I was talking with my Grandmother who passed on many years ago.
I was laughing so many times through out the book at Margareta's stories all while learning important life lessons. I feel if you miss your grandparents stories, this book is for you. The crazy amazing stories within the book brought me so many happy memoires of my grandmother telling me about her life. The life lessons talked about throughout the book are important and I highlighted so many different passages within the book that I will be going back to again and again.
I was laughing so many times through out the book at Margareta's stories all while learning important life lessons. I feel if you miss your grandparents stories, this book is for you. The crazy amazing stories within the book brought me so many happy memoires of my grandmother telling me about her life. The life lessons talked about throughout the book are important and I highlighted so many different passages within the book that I will be going back to again and again.
September 24, 2023
“Memory helps us retrieve events and people we want to remember, but my closest ones are always within and next to me. I don’t need to think about things we did or said. Some people just become a part of you that feels comforting.”
“Extreme horrors and the simple joys of the world can exist simultaneously…”
Just a couple of quotes I loved in this book. What an adorable, insightful cozy read. Highly recommend this very short little gem!
“Extreme horrors and the simple joys of the world can exist simultaneously…”
Just a couple of quotes I loved in this book. What an adorable, insightful cozy read. Highly recommend this very short little gem!
February 9, 2023
Sweetly written by a woman who ages herself as “between eighty and one hundred” and reminisces childhood to present, sometimes with a gin & tonic, but often with tongue in cheek. Travels and travails, family and solitude. A rich life in written philanthropy.
March 25, 2023
Short book that could have been shorter. Like a blog post.
All of her advice is great, but she tells these looooong anecdotes around the advice. Many of these anecdotes visit Tangentland with an over-the-top attention to detail.
All of her advice is great, but she tells these looooong anecdotes around the advice. Many of these anecdotes visit Tangentland with an over-the-top attention to detail.
January 17, 2024
Quick read and it felt like I was having storytime over a cup of tea with my grandmother. Some great nuggets of wisdom
January 9, 2024
I enjoyed this book, it felt more like a stream of consciousness from an 86-year-old Swedish woman who has had an interesting life and lived I feel like everywhere. I enjoyed hearing about her life and her reflections on it, not in a regretful way but in a way of this is how I lived my life and things that I believe gave it meaning, and recommend this to you. A relaxing and insightful audiobook.
August 27, 2025
3.5
This is a sweet little book. At only 3 and half hours long it didn’t take long to listen to. I liked her previous book about death cleaning and so I thought I would give this a go.
The book doesn’t really have clear points about what to do to age well but through the stories of her life (she was 86 when she wrote this) there were certainly some life lessons there. She is an advocate of spending time with younger people, she pointed out that even people in their 70’s are much younger than her and can give a new perspective on things. Eat chocolate, wear stripes, move your body as well as deep cleaning your house so that you can see and enjoy the things that are precious to you. Spend time with family and friends, even if it is on zoom. So things you already know. She pointed out that whatever age you are it always feels like the world is going to end (world war 2, cold war, global warming). But we are still here.
The lady that read this book had such a calming voice, that with the writing style felt like an older calm lady was sat talking to you.
I didn’t learn anything new but I felt warm and fuzzy listening to this and I am glad to see online that she is still alive at 91 so she is doing something right.
This is a sweet little book. At only 3 and half hours long it didn’t take long to listen to. I liked her previous book about death cleaning and so I thought I would give this a go.
The book doesn’t really have clear points about what to do to age well but through the stories of her life (she was 86 when she wrote this) there were certainly some life lessons there. She is an advocate of spending time with younger people, she pointed out that even people in their 70’s are much younger than her and can give a new perspective on things. Eat chocolate, wear stripes, move your body as well as deep cleaning your house so that you can see and enjoy the things that are precious to you. Spend time with family and friends, even if it is on zoom. So things you already know. She pointed out that whatever age you are it always feels like the world is going to end (world war 2, cold war, global warming). But we are still here.
The lady that read this book had such a calming voice, that with the writing style felt like an older calm lady was sat talking to you.
I didn’t learn anything new but I felt warm and fuzzy listening to this and I am glad to see online that she is still alive at 91 so she is doing something right.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 890 reviews