The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up: The Japanese Art of Decluttering and Organizing (Thorndike Press Large Print Peer Picks) Hardcover – Large Print, 9 Dec. 2015

Throw away what you don’t need or love. When you use something, put it back where it belongs afterwards. There, in 2 lines I have told you all the advice this book has to offer. Honestly don’t waste your money, it’s a con.

I was both delighted and maddened by this book: delighted by very clear and practical instructions on how to go about de-cluttering, and maddened by the author's approach towards inanimate objects (thanking your handbag for its service, for instance, and allowing it to rest). However, I still give the book five stars because the de-cluttering advice actually works! I was in the middle of clearing out drawers and cupboards when I started reading the book and tried to apply some of Marie's advice straight away. I found the question 'Does this object spark joy?' as good a way as any to decide what to keep and what to get rid of. The book has stayed with me and I am trying to keep to Marie's principles. There is real satisfaction in knowing where everything is. The other thing I would say is that house lay-out and attitudes towards possessions may be different in Marie's native Japan, and not every idea may work in smaller properties in Britain. However, overall this is a wonderful book which puts you back in control of your own living space and I know I will refer to it again in the future to keep me on the right track.

I had been recommended this book over a year ago by a friend and after using the kon Marie method of packing for a holiday using my new packing cubes (also recommended by another friend who knows how anxious packing makes me) I downloaded the book. I have read it cover to cover in 24 hours reading it both on the plane to Bali and lying by the pool. Whilst not wishing my first 2 week holiday in over a decade away I can’t wait to get home and get my house in order. I have a week off at home and see it as my challenge to get it sorted before I start my new job!

The best book I have read by far! I received a special offer from Amazon and thought....cover looks nice, I'll maybe read it at some point. Few weeks later I was bored and decided to give it a go. Well, I haven't put it down, my house is now exceptionally tidier and logically organised making me feel more confident, happy and focused. Even whilst in work I'm finding myself more productive as I'm clearing my workspace, carrying less items and feeling focused. I get things done more quickly, after all there are less items to clean, my house fees brighter and practical. I've told everyone I know about the book and they didn't believe me until they too read the book. I would recommend this if you are looking to develop a respectful relationship with items or have difficulty letting things go and it changes your cleaning , organising and tidying perspective. I no longer feel any guilt donating items that no longer make me happy. If you've landed on this book, chances are you are curious, but it, it's amazing.

Hello socks, good job today, let me roll you up and stand you vertically in my drawer. New clothes? Be sure to cut the umbilical cord from the shop (aka the price tag) so that they truly belong. Kitchen utensils rattling around in a drawer? Use a shoe box lid, shoe box lids are great for almost anything. Handbags, empty out every night and let them rest, they derserve a break. Stand everything vertically, oh sorry did I already mention that. Roll your tights up and stand them vertically in a swirl , much like the socks I mention fifty pages ago oh yes and don’t forget, bin everything and recycle nothing. Throw it all away, you don’t need it. Terrible book, that doesn’t quite describe how bad it is, you almost have to buy it to believe it!

I used it to do our whole house 15 bags for recycling and 13 for charity and 3 bin bags. My family was supportive and we have found it has given us more time to do things as everything has its place and gets put back.

She obviously has some form of psychological disorder. However, it has changed my wardrobe, if not my whole life. And makes packing for holidays (I use "Lug" packing cubes) so easy.

I loved this book. It makes you think about why you keep things and encourages you to examine what you actually need. Simple things such as folding clothes on end in a draw enables you to identify what you've got whereas if you pile things, you miss what's hidden at the bottom of the pile. I thought I was quite tidy and organised but it's made me realise I was just keeping stuff I don't want or need because that's much easier than getting rid of it. I've started tidying and folding my clothes by the Kondo method and am actually looking forward to moving through all the other stuff in the recommended order. I've got rid of quite a lot of clothes and have also started wearing things I had completely forgotten about. I was astonished at how many towels I had when I came to sort out the linen pile. I also think it's saved me money as I have resisted buying things that are 'in the sale' as I'm more aware of what I've got and even though some things are quite old, they are fully functional and don't need replacing. I've bought several more copies of the book to give as Christmas presents.