January 1, 2007
Veteran "organizational consultant," TV show host and author Walsh (How to Organize (Just About) Everything) has more ideas in his latest book on clutter management than the spare closet has junk, and, even better, it's organized, in-depth and entirely user-friendly. Part One examines the "Clutter Problem": how it happens, how it hampers and how to face it without excuses or discouragement. Part Two presents a step-by-step approach to "Putting Clutter in its Place," which begins with "surface clutter" and developing a household plan before moving on to the bulk of the book, a walkthrough of each room in the home. Also included are ideas for involving other family members, letters Walsh has received from viewers of his TLC show "Clean Sweep," vignettes illustrating how real people deal with common organizational challenges and plenty of charts, checklists and sidebars ("Clutter Quiz," "Yard Sale Planning") for added utility. Walsh is upbeat and funny throughout, treating the task at hand like "a thrilling archeological dig," a "positive and exciting" way to unlock your "ideal home" and "unearth those things that are most important in your life." Entertaining and instructive, this is one guidebook readers should place in their "keep" pile.
January 1, 2007
While books on clutter control abound, these two offerings delve into the emotional factors that prevent people from parting with their possessions. Library patrons might recognize Walsh ("How To Organize (Just About) Everything") as the organizational guru of The Learning Channel's "Clean Sweep". In a book geared to busy families, he draws on his experiences tackling family clutter issues to help readers assess the emotional cost of their clutter and their excuses for hanging on to things. He then provides a household assessment for determining each room's function and the items necessary for optimal use. There are also handy guidelines for holding a garage sale and selling items online.
Print and broadcast journalist Ware's book is aimed at those baby boomers making the transition to smaller quarters because of age, lifestyle, or illness. Through a seven-step program, she helps readers take account of their future finances and family situations to make a successful downsizing plan. She concentrates on the emotional factors that can interfere with the process, such as nostalgic partners, overattachment to possessions, and reluctant children. A particularly helpful section addresses an elderly parent's move to assisted-living quarters, a rarely covered topic. Both books offer valuable suggestions and are recommended for public libraries. If one must choose, however, Ware's is preferred because of the gap it fills in books about aging, though Walsh's high media profile may spark demand.
Copyright 2007 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.