Practical Tidiness: How to Clear Your Clutter and Make Space for the Important Things in Life: A Room by Room Guide

Journalist Roberts dispenses nonjudgmental guidance on tidying up in this appealing debut. Roberts doesn’t present a philosophy or an approach that will change one’s outlook and life; instead, she offers plenty of doable suggestions on how to start the process of tidying and to keep things neat, whether one is a minimalist, maximalist, or somewhere in between. (All are okay with the author.) A checklist is provided to figure one’s type and to demonstrate how tidiness can look different to each individual. Roberts explores what contributes to messiness, including nostalgia and having other people in one’s household. After this scan of the big picture, each room of the home is tackled, starting with the bathroom since that is the least “emotional” space. Tips for tidying one’s car and garden are also included, as well as discussions of types of organizing systems and recommendations for where to store items. Unfortunately, the same formulas (“sorting cards” labeled giveaway, recycle, and bin) and posed questions (“do I really need it”) for each room can make the reading repetitive. While Roberts doesn’t tread new ground, this is a soothing, helpful place to start for readers looking to straighten up their homes. (June)