The Gentle Art of Swedish Death Cleaning by Margareta Magnusson

Hi my fellow bookworms!

(c) Scribner, 2018

Earlier this year, I read The Gentle Art of Swedish Death Cleaning: How to Free Yourself and Your Family from a Lifetime of Clutter by Margareta Magnusson. I was under the impression it would help motivate me to clean up my home, similar to reading or watching Marie Kondo. Instead, the book took a more solemn approach to cleaning - one that cleans not only for yourself, but to rid yourself of items that your descendants (or others) will not want or have to clean up after you pass on. What a sad topic!

While an interesting, yet kind of depressing read, I did take note, however, that in the book was mentioned a tradition in Stockholm that takes place on the 14th of August. Annually, there is a large book sale that takes place in the center of the city, featuring street-wide tables with books that people want to pass onto new owners. I love this idea! A great way to offload books that no longer spark joy to you or have relevance in your life, and also a great way to find more books that interest you! 

(c) Visit Stockholm, 2023

I looked more into the festival and am not sure if this is a resident-only event, but there is an annual Book Weekend called Stockholm's Bookmässa. According to the International League of Ancient Libraries, the tradition of an annual antiquarian book fair dates back to the late 1950's, hosted in the halls of the Academy of Arts. The Instagram for the City Stockholm states that this annual, long-awaited national literary tradition occurs in late February to early March. If you plan to visit Stockholm to browse their book sale, plan to go around then, as it looks like it is a blast!

If you are interested in reading this self-help / motivational book, find it at your local library, bookstore, or online. It recently became a TV show hosted on Peacock last year, if you are interested in giving it a watch after (or before - I won't judge) reading it. She also wrote a sequel, titled The Swedish Art of Aging Exuberantly. While I enjoyed the first book, I'm not sure if I will visit the sequel any time soon. (I am craving happier reads as we near the fall season.)

What have you been up to? Any fun, new reads to share?

Until next time - Happy Reading! :)

(c) Margareta Magnusson,2022

About the Author: Margareta Magnusson

Margareta 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. She is the author of The Gentle Art of Swedish Death Cleaning and The Swedish Art of Aging Exuberantly.