Outer Order, Inner Calm

Starred review from February 15, 2019
Clutter is a serious word these days, what with many baby boomers trying to downsize and the ever-encroaching no-space dilemma. Author-thinker Rubin (The Happiness Project, 2010; Happier at Home, 2012) prompts readers to quickly consider the five steps to an organized home: make choices, create order, know yourself and others, cultivate helpful habits, and add beauty. Almost every one of her recommendations is a gem, from using photographs to evaluate clutter and remembering that soap and water remove most stains to reconsidering gift giving and keeping no more than five extra hangers in any closet. Even better, her explanations (and rationales, if necessary) are short, personal, humorous, and occasionally pointed. Here's just one example: ask yourself, If I ran into my ex on the street, would I be happy if I were wearing this? Why this instead of what's become the iconic decluttering tome, Marie Kondo's The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up (2014)? There's no guilt attached. And if minimalism isn't a goal, that's fine, too. Appended with the top 10 tips for creating outer order and suggestions for further reading.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2019, American Library Association.)

March 1, 2019

Rubin (Better Than Before) maintains that people feel more in control of their lives in general when they are in of control of their stuff. To that end, the author delivers more than 150 clutter-clearing ideas to get one's possessions in order. The benefits of achieving organization are many, including fostering peace within relationships and a sense of possibility. Tips for decluttering consist of assigning each day a task, using hooks instead of hangers, and being cautious of promotional giveaways. The beauty of this book is its brevity and practicality. Readers can easily pick and choose methods that make sense to them, while preventing unnecessary items from accumulating in the future. VERDICT Rubin's many fans will flock to this title, as will anyone seeking a quick and easy fix to the persistent problem of clutter.

Copyright 2019 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.