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How to be Norwegian
How to Be A Humorous and Heartfelt Book About Norway, Its People, and Its CultureNew release – Summer 2025
#2 Amazon Bestseller in Scandinavian Literature
Bestseller in Norway – June 2025
Looking for a book about Norway that’s as insightful as it is funny?
In How to Be Norwegian, bestselling author Lorelou Desjardins (A Frog in the One Year in Norway) takes readers on a warm, witty journey into Norwegian life, culture, and traditions — perfect for anyone curious about their Norwegian roots or planning a trip to Norway.
“For anyone looking to learn more about how to truly understand Norwegians — why they say what they do and act the way they do — Desjardins’ book is an informative and funny read.”
— The Norwegian American
Drawing from over fifteen years of living in Norway, Desjardins reveals the unwritten rules that shape the country’s unique way of life — from modesty and equality (Janteloven) to the love of nature, coffee, and quiet company.
Why Norwegians prefer hiking boots to high heels
The meaning behind friluftsliv — the Norwegian love of the outdoors
How humor, humility, and independence define this northern nation
Whether you’re a Norwegian American woman reconnecting with your ancestry, a traveler searching for authentic cultural insight, or simply looking for a funny book about Scandinavia, How to Be Norwegian is your perfect companion.
A delightful blend of humor, heritage, and cultural wisdom, this Scandinavian culture book will make you laugh, learn, and feel a little more Norwegian with every page.
#2 Amazon Bestseller in Scandinavian Literature
Bestseller in Norway – June 2025
Looking for a book about Norway that’s as insightful as it is funny?
In How to Be Norwegian, bestselling author Lorelou Desjardins (A Frog in the One Year in Norway) takes readers on a warm, witty journey into Norwegian life, culture, and traditions — perfect for anyone curious about their Norwegian roots or planning a trip to Norway.
“For anyone looking to learn more about how to truly understand Norwegians — why they say what they do and act the way they do — Desjardins’ book is an informative and funny read.”
— The Norwegian American
Drawing from over fifteen years of living in Norway, Desjardins reveals the unwritten rules that shape the country’s unique way of life — from modesty and equality (Janteloven) to the love of nature, coffee, and quiet company.
Why Norwegians prefer hiking boots to high heels
The meaning behind friluftsliv — the Norwegian love of the outdoors
How humor, humility, and independence define this northern nation
Whether you’re a Norwegian American woman reconnecting with your ancestry, a traveler searching for authentic cultural insight, or simply looking for a funny book about Scandinavia, How to Be Norwegian is your perfect companion.
A delightful blend of humor, heritage, and cultural wisdom, this Scandinavian culture book will make you laugh, learn, and feel a little more Norwegian with every page.
- GenresTravel
175 pages, Kindle Edition
Published May 29, 2025
22 people are currently reading
108 people want to read
About the author
Lorelou Desjardins
5 books28 followersLorelou is French and has been living in Norway for 12 years. She writes a blog about the quirkiness of Norwegian culture on www.afroginthefjord.com and has published one book about integrating in Norway, published in English and Norwegian. She writes in a witty way about serious topics, from Norwegian food to politics or even working culture. Before moving to Norway she lived in 7 countries and has much experience in adapting to new lifestyles and cultures. She is also a columnist in Norway's most read newspaper Verdens gang, and has been featured in CNN, Elle Great Britain, and more.
In her daily life Lorelou studied international law and South East Asian Studies. She works on plastic pollution reduction worldwide. She speaks fluently French, Norwegian, English and Indonesian and hopes to learn herself a few more languages. She lives in Oslo, Norway.
In her daily life Lorelou studied international law and South East Asian Studies. She works on plastic pollution reduction worldwide. She speaks fluently French, Norwegian, English and Indonesian and hopes to learn herself a few more languages. She lives in Oslo, Norway.
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
July 13, 2025
If "A Frog in the Fjord" was an easy read, this was a walk in the park that lasted about an hour.
Once again. Lorelou gives us a glimpse of what norwegian culture and lifestyle is all about. Unlike the first book, it's not as personal (obviously), providing a lighthearted and general observation of norwegian habits for a beginner (should I say, a tourist, so it really is the perfect book to buy if you come to Norway for travelling). However, if you've read the first book, this one will feel very repetitive, more like a summary of what you've already read before.
Once again. Lorelou gives us a glimpse of what norwegian culture and lifestyle is all about. Unlike the first book, it's not as personal (obviously), providing a lighthearted and general observation of norwegian habits for a beginner (should I say, a tourist, so it really is the perfect book to buy if you come to Norway for travelling). However, if you've read the first book, this one will feel very repetitive, more like a summary of what you've already read before.
July 21, 2025
Loved this book 📕 so much !! If you have Norwegian heritage this book is so fun and helpful to know some of the traditions of Norwegian culture.
August 27, 2025
Just like others mentioned before me, if you read Frog in a Fjord (which was fabulous and entertaining in my opinion), this book felt like a summary.
I decided to buy this book instead of waiting my turn from the library. And given the fact that i loved the Frog in a Fjord, i was up for the purchase.
But i was disappointed how the book looked and felt. First of all - a hard cover? But why?! It makes me want to take a highlighter and color the pictures and highlight sentences. It was very quick read, often blank pages were included. So the 193 pages would be maybe 70 pages if typed as usual book. Font was also too large and gaps too frequent.
That being put aside, if you get a chance to read this book as an ebook, or a free loaner from a library or a friend, i highly recommend it.
Entertaining as expected. Informative.
Maybe every time a friend comes to visit me in Norway, i can give them this book to read (can easily be done in 2hrs) so they know what the social expectations and norms are in my new home :)
I say, go read, but don’t bother paying money for this short lived excitement.
I decided to buy this book instead of waiting my turn from the library. And given the fact that i loved the Frog in a Fjord, i was up for the purchase.
But i was disappointed how the book looked and felt. First of all - a hard cover? But why?! It makes me want to take a highlighter and color the pictures and highlight sentences. It was very quick read, often blank pages were included. So the 193 pages would be maybe 70 pages if typed as usual book. Font was also too large and gaps too frequent.
That being put aside, if you get a chance to read this book as an ebook, or a free loaner from a library or a friend, i highly recommend it.
Entertaining as expected. Informative.
Maybe every time a friend comes to visit me in Norway, i can give them this book to read (can easily be done in 2hrs) so they know what the social expectations and norms are in my new home :)
I say, go read, but don’t bother paying money for this short lived excitement.
January 30, 2026
A brilliant, insightful and often very funny little book. I bought it because I've booked a holiday in Norway this summer and I really don't want to be a typical tourist who knows next to nothing about their host nation's culture. The short chapters are easily digestible and cover everything from Norway's history to child rearing. As a future visitor rather, than a potential resident, I'm not sure how much will be 'useful' but if any Norwegian actually wants to have a conversation with me, I'll have a lot of questions to ask them and a huge amount of respect for their country. And I'm sure I'll remember to say 'hei' when I pass fellow hikers on a mountain. And for me, usefulness isn't really my main criteria for judging this book. Insightfulness, however, certainly is and it's been a very important part of my preparation for my visit.
Overall, I feel it packs an awful lot into a small package and it will almost certainly end up in my hand luggage this summer.
Overall, I feel it packs an awful lot into a small package and it will almost certainly end up in my hand luggage this summer.
July 3, 2025
Having been traveling to Norway, Bergen to be specific, for the last 20 years I found this book humorous and very spot on. I just finished another visit with family in Bergen and also spent a few days in sunny Kristiansand and nearly all the topics in this book came up on my two week visit. This gave me some chuckles. I attended my first Norwegian wedding which should be an entire chapter in a revised version of this book. For those unaware of Norwegian wedding customs they are quite unique to those of us from abroad in the states. Would make a great chapter. Just a suggestion. Fun read. Recommend for anyone who loves Norway as I do or planning a trip to this wonderful country.
November 9, 2025
“A charming, insightful, and witty read!”
How to Be Norwegian perfectly captures the humor, heart, and subtle quirks of Norwegian culture. The author balances warmth and wit, making you feel both educated and entertained from the first page to the last. Every chapter feels like a cozy conversation over coffee, full of sharp observations and genuine affection for Norway’s way of life. It’s the kind of book that leaves you smiling—and maybe a little bit more Norwegian yourself.
How to Be Norwegian perfectly captures the humor, heart, and subtle quirks of Norwegian culture. The author balances warmth and wit, making you feel both educated and entertained from the first page to the last. Every chapter feels like a cozy conversation over coffee, full of sharp observations and genuine affection for Norway’s way of life. It’s the kind of book that leaves you smiling—and maybe a little bit more Norwegian yourself.
September 26, 2025
This is essentially a condensed version of A Frog in the Fjord, which I enjoyed and thought was pretty humorous. Because it lacks the narrative element of Frog, it is less engaging. I do think it would make a decent gift for someone moving/travelling to Norway or an English-speaker with Norwegian heritage.
December 28, 2025
This book is delightful—witty and engaging—while still being full of information about the Norwegian culture.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews