Recommendations for books about Finland and Finnish culture

I love diving into the culture and history of a country when I'm living there. Finland is one of these countries and there are a couple of great books which can help you understand Finland and its people better. All books mentioned below I have purchased and read myself.

Note: some links are affiliate links which means I get a small commission if you buy the book.

#1 How to marry a Finnish girl

This book is incredibly funny, especially if you are dating a Finn. It is a fairly small book, thus you can easily carry it around and burst out in tears in the bus. Phil Schwarzmann describes brilliantly the experience of being a foreigner in Finland. If you have lived in Finland even for a short while, you will find a lot of recognition from this book.

You can find the book via Amazon https://amzn.to/3idgGRa or check any Finnish bookstore (e.g. Suomalainen Kirjakauppa).

#2 Very Finnish Problems

101 Very Finnish problems is a very funny and easy to read little book about the Finnish culture. Writer Joel Willians is an Englishman living in Finland and is still active making funny content about Finnish culture with his social media account called 'Very Finnish Problems'. You can find the book in Suomalainen kirjakauppa, Prisma and some online platforms although sometimes the book is sold out.

#3 Xenophobe's Guide to the Finns

This book is again a book that combines insights in Finnish culture with a lot of humor. Especially when you have lived in Finland for some time, this book will let you reflect on your experience with Finnish culture. The book can be found on Amazon https://amzn.to/2XAL2VJ and also in other webstores and Finnish bookstores such as Suomalainen Kirjakauppa.

#4 The Nordic Theory of Everything

This book describes how things work in Finland and how that contrasts with the American ways of working in the areas of healthcare, education and raising kids among some other topics. Although I personally found this book a little bit Finland propaganda, it is an interesting comparison that Anu Partanen makes and after reading this book you definitely have a good idea about the best things that Finland has to offer. You can find the book in many Finnish bookstores and on Amazon https://amzn.to/3a9PfoG.