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The Finnish Guide to Happiness

By: Melanie Dower
Narrated by: Saskia Maarleveld
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Publisher's summary

Year after year, Finland is named the "Happiest Country on Earth". What's their secret?

If you ask a Finn, they will likely be as baffled as you are. That’s why Melanie Dower, an expat who has been living in Finland for the past decade, has taken up the charge. Her vantage as an outsider entrenched in Finnish culture uniquely positions her to identify the keys to Finnish happiness that elude the rest of the world and that Finns take for granted. From sauna to strong social safety nets, Finnish life is made up of a constellation of habits and structures that leave its residents relaxed, healthy, and fulfilled.

In this short guide, Melanie lays out the surprisingly simple and often accessible steps to living as the Finns do.

©2024 Melanie Dower (P)2024 Audible Originals, LLC.

About the Creator and Performer

Originally from Aotearoa New Zealand, Melanie Dower now calls Helsinki, Finland home. Since relocating in 2014 with her husband and young son, she has immersed herself in local culture, enjoying pastimes such as sauna and ice swimming and spending summers at her tiny cabin on an island in the Baltic Sea. Her first book, Helsinki: People Make the City, was co-created with concept designer and photographer Laura Iisalo and features interviews with local creatives alongside tips on how to enjoy the best features of Nordic life. As her day job, she supports new arrivals to Finland to acclimatize to life in the north as they too come to appreciate all this unique country has to offer.

What listeners say about The Finnish Guide to Happiness

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Insightful!

A fresh wonderful perspective! I wish all of America and the world actually could live more this way.

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Humility contentment preparedness

That they knit with real wool and are quiet but can and will help you. Their grit but I forgot their word for it. The islands and beautiful forests sounds amazing with cabins etc…

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Finland sounds like heaven!

I wish that each American could hear this story of Finland. There are so many ideas that we can take from it to accomplish positive changes that would make a difference.

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A Gift of a Book!

It warms the heart to learn that somewhere in the world there is a country with such a great set of values. Melanie Dower does an amazing job of capturing the spirit of Finnish culture, economy, and education. She writes in a concise and yet heart-warming style. Saskia Maarleveld is marvelous narrator that enhances the way one receives this information. Many-many thanks for this gift of a book!

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Such a calm soothing narrator

Not anything! I’m ready to move to Finland! Now to convince my husband - that will be the trick!

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the voice

the reader was excellent. I enjoyed the sound of her voice. it was a good listen.

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Finland sounds Wonderful !

Learning about Finland was eye opening; I am envious and wish I was young enough to consider moving away from the unpleasantness that the USA has become.

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