In this follow-up to The Swedish Art of Death Cleaning, Margareta Magnusson provides sage advice on how to enjoy and successfully navigate the retirement years by prioritizing people over things. A short book of warm wisdom, the author provides gentle reminders about how to be happily engaged and make the most of life. After finishing the book, I immediately bought myself a striped blouse, which I LOVE. Who knew?! As Ms. Magnusson recommends: Stripes look good on everybody, and always bring joy!

A very sweet book with insight into the Swedish way of life. I liked the anecdotes but perhaps it was just a bit too sweet for me.

I thought this was a very sweet book. It was kind of like talking with a grandma. I loved all of the stories from different countries and perspectives, since I am American and havent thought too much about it in that way. I did feel like it could have been organized a little bit better. It sometimes felt like the author switch topics suddenly when maybe smaller chapters would have been more organized. While I also enjoyed the anecdotes I don't necessarily feel like I got life lessons from the book either.

Another excellent book on aging well by Margareta Magnusson. Written with humor and painting a realistic picture of aging, the book is filled with practical advice on finding joy in everyday moments, continuing to grow rather than stagnating, and letting go of what no longer serves one. I especially liked her personal stories -- such an interesting life! It's a lovely, optimistic book.

What a beautiful book. The Swedish Art of Aging Exuberantly is a quick read full of stories and practical advice. This truly feels like your grandma sitting beside you telling you about the lessons she learned throughout her life. It is written in such a conversational way, that it honestly just took an afternoon to read. I could feel the personality of the author coming through the pages, and their genuine language and advice as if I were chatting with them.

There are a wide array of topics in this book, truly touching on every area of your life. Topics like volunteering, nurturing your friendships, taking care of your body, and doing what is correct for you no matter what others say, really round out the book as a solid collection of life lessons for anyone at any age.

Thank you to NetGalley and the published for the advanced copy of this book!

The Swedish Art of Aging Well is a delightful read full of humor and practical advice. Margareta Magnusson's writing style is engaging and lighthearted, making for an enjoyable and easy read. Her tips on aging gracefully are useful and easy to implement, such as focusing on what brings joy, letting go of what doesn't matter, and don't be afraid to try new things. The book is also interspersed with personal stories from Margareta's life which add a lovely touch.

Her tips for aging gracefully are spot-on, and her wisdom about letting go of what doesn't matter is invaluable. This book is sure to bring a smile to your face and fill you with hope for the future. Overall, this is a wonderful book for anyone interested in aging well and living a joyful life. Highly recommended!

Received as a free copy from NetGalley.

I loved the the book The Swedish Art of Death Cleaning, but liked this book less. It just felt meh and I didn't find myself reaching for the book to finish it. I loved the author's writing style, , the author's wit, and the author's ideas. I loved some of the ideas the author's suggests such as eating chocolate and spending time with young kids. The young children are able to carry on a conversation, but you just never know what is going to come out of their mouth. The book also highlights some of the cultural differences between America and Sweden and encourages us to slow down and enjoy life around us.

The author of this title wrote a first book about “Swedish Death Cleaning.” In essence, this means that we should be responsible for our “stuff” and not leave it for others to take care of for us once we are no longer alive. Now, she has a book of reflections on growing older.

Ms. Magnusson is a delightful guide in this book which is filled with her own line drawings. She writes essays about many aspects of getting older. For example, in the very first chapter, she writes about the joys of keeping up with friends whether virtually or in real time. One of my favorite writings was the one called “The World is Always Ending;” readers are reminded that it often feels this way and yet we keep going. Examples from the author’s life include her experiences during WWII, a time when her son might have been lost at sea and more. She acknowledges our resilience during the worst of times even now with Covid.

Other chapters have to do with everything from being a volunteer to taking care of one’s hair. Another piece that I liked was titled”Don’t Fall Over and Other Practices.”

The author is certainly aware of her age as she continues to live her life, just as she feels that we all need to do. She offers much wisdom to readers as we consider how to best live our lives.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Scribner for this title. All opinions are my own.

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.

A light hearted and witty little book that is a quick joy to read. Margareta is wise and clever, and knows how to word things to make you laugh and think at the same time. Such a good read!

I love all advice by the Swedish! I absolutely love this book. The insight and knowledge it amazing. I’ll definitely be using this book frequently. Self-care and beauty! Love it!

Thank you to net galley and the publisher for the eARC of this lovely book! This book felt like I was listening to my grandmother chat about life. I didn’t know if I should be smiling or crying over some of the tidbits of advice in this book but I found it touching

After reading The Gentle Art of Swedish Death Cleaning, I was very excited to read Margareta Magnusson's The Swedish Art of Aging Exuberantly. The author is in her 80's and this book is basically a bunch of recommendations from her life towards younger people so they can "age exuberantly". I love these kinds of books, because I do truly feel that people who are in their twilight years have a lot to share with younger people, however this book seemed less like life advice and more like "I did this, and I'm old now and it worked for me so you should probably do that too". It's not a criticism, but just the way the book is structured. She shares many anecdotes including "wear stripes" as she feels stripes makes you look and feel younger, and "kärt besvär" which loosely translated means beloved sorrow. This one in particular was interesting as she explains it as something that can be a burden (paying bills. looking after a sick loved one, etc.) that is a burden but can also make your life better. I had never heard this type of advice and it will probably be the thing I take away the most from this book.

Oh, how I love Margaret’s Magnusson’s books! She has an uncanny ability to remind readers what really matters about our day to day existence, She’s a master of noting the existential in the ordinary. Magnusson’s sly observations ground readers in the present while nodding gently to fond memories of her past. It’s a comforting read that still manages to challenge the reader to live their best life at any age.

I really enjoyed this book! It was the perfect read for me, as I have just retired. I am going to seek out the author's book on Swedish Death Cleaning, too, as downsizing is top on my list, when I'm not reading. This book has a lovely warmth about it, as the author shares her life experiences and the wisdom she has gained from them. It's like having a coffee with your granny and getting her tips on living the best life. The author shares reality tips, practical tips, fun tips and self-care tips. Do all the things that people have always told you you "should not" do. And most of all, eat that chocolate!

Thank you so much to NetGalley, the publisher and the author for a free e-book in exchange for my honest opinion of The Swedish Art of Aging Exuberantly.

A follow up to The Gentle Art of Swedish Death Cleaning. Like its predecessor, this book is 2/3 scattered memoir and 1/3 instructional/self help. Magnusson has a pleasant, friendly narrative style so her stories (which are dealt with very swiftly) are enjoyable, but you're never quite sure why you're hearing them (or why you're hearing so many back to back). There is very good advice in there, but the chapter titles and their pithy subtitles pretty much convey the lesson to be learned on their own.

Thank you to NetGalley and all for an ARC copy in return for an honest review.
This was a book for random thoughts and pieces of wisdom. It was a very relaxing read and I enjoyed it.

Quick, whimsical and fun read. I liked the author's anecdotal stories sprinkled throughout. Lots of great, practical advice but nothing life altering.

This is a really enjoyable book to read from an author who I would love to sit and have a coffee with. There are not any new words of wisdom that Margareta imparts to the reader, but coming from what reads as a less of a researcher and more of a friend, I am more apt to listen to her advice. If you are looking for an easy, but potentially impactful read, I would suggest this book for sure.

I received a free e-arc through Netgalley.
I really like this author's writing style. She writes like a friend telling you about her life. I do think it would be better classified as a memoir than life advice. I think if she wrote a memoir, it would be quite interesting as life can be with 5 children and living on several different continents.