Title: The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up

Author: Marie Kondo

Publisher: Ten Speed Press 2014

Genre: Nonfiction

Pages: 213

Rating:  3/5 stars

Reading Challenges: Nonfiction Adventure (perpetual); OLW Home

Despite constant efforts to declutter your home, do papers still accumulate like snowdrifts and clothes pile up like a tangled mess of noodles?

Japanese cleaning consultant Marie Kondo takes tidying to a whole new level, promising that if you properly simplify and organize your home once, you’ll never have to do it again. Most methods advocate a room-by-room or little-by-little approach, which doom you to pick away at your piles of stuff forever. The KonMari Method, with its revolutionary category-by-category system, leads to lasting results. In fact, none of Kondo’s clients have lapsed (and she still has a three-month waiting list).

With detailed guidance for determining which items in your house “spark joy” (and which don’t), this international bestseller featuring Tokyo’s newest lifestyle phenomenon will help you clear your clutter and enjoy the unique magic of a tidy home—and the calm, motivated mindset it can inspire.

Overall, I was very disappointed in this book. I know everyone has been raving about it, but I found the writing distracting and the entire philosophy extreme and unnecessary. While I definitely have a bit of clutter in my life, I don't think getting rid of everything that doesn't spark joy is the answer. I need to examine my buying and do seasonal clean-outs. Kondo's approach may appeal to some people, but I couldn't quite get behind it. And for goodness sakes, stop telling us how successful your business is. It really got annoying after awhile.