Plano Reads: Getting Organized in a New Year

January is National Get Organized Month, and here are several guidebooks to help us all get started. And we have included two novels, too, to read after our work is done for the day!

Nonfiction

The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People: Powerful Lessons in Personal Change – 30^th Anniversary Edition by Stephen R. Covey – Stephen Covey spent his long and storied career inspiring millions of individuals to make their lives more effective, compassionate, and meaningful. One of the most inspiring and significant books ever written, The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People has captivated readers for nearly three decades. Now, this 2020 edition of the timeless classic is enhanced with additional material by Stephen’s son Sean Covey. Print 

The Gentle Art of Swedish Death Cleaning: How to Free Yourself and Your Family from a Lifetime of Clutter by Margareta Magnusson – In Sweden there is a kind of decluttering called döstädning, dö meaning “death” and städning meaning “cleaning.” This surprising and invigorating process of clearing out unnecessary belongings can be undertaken at any age or life stage but should be done before others have to do it for you. Artist Margareta Magnusson, with Scandinavian humor and wisdom, instructs readers to embrace minimalism. Her radical and joyous method for putting things in order helps families broach sensitive conversations, and makes the process uplifting rather than overwhelming. Print |eBook |CD/Play |Spanish 

Home Sweet Organized Home: Declutter and Organize Your Busy Family by Jessica Litman – A step-by-step guide to organizing your home to maintain order and calm, with tangible strategies from Jessica Litman, mother, organizer, and creator of the popular blog The Organized Mama.  Print 

In Case You Get Hit by a Bus: How to Organize Your Life Now For When You’re Not Around Later by Abby Schneiderman – A step-by-step program for getting your life in order, so you’re prepared for the unexpected. Even the most disorganized among us can take control of our on- and off-line details so our loved ones won’t have to scramble later. Essential and easy to follow! |Print| eBook

Keep the Memories, Lose the Stuff: Declutter, Downsize, and Move Forward with Your Life by Matt Paxton – Your boxes of photos, family’s china, and even the kids’ height charts aren’t just stuff; they’re attached to a lifetime of memories–and letting them go can be scary. With empathy, expertise, and humor, Matt Paxton helps you sift through years of clutter, let go of what no longer serves you, and identify the items worth keeping so that you can focus on living in your present. His book includes pages of resources for selling, donating, or tossing your “treasures.” Print

Love Your Home Again: Organize Your Space and Uncover the Home of Your Dreams by Ann Lightfoot and Kate Pawlowski – This talented mother-daughter team asks the questions we all need to help us reclaim the homes of our dreams. The authors share their personal organizing techniques and stories of their celebrity clients, offering gentle guidance and good humor along the way. Print

Own Your Past, Change Your Future: a Not-So-Complicated Approach to Relationships, Mental Health, and Wellness by John Deloney – We’re the most technologically advanced society in history, but we’ve never been more stressed, medicated, or lonely. In this new book, John Deloney offers a clear, five-step path to wellness. You’ll laugh, you’ll cry, and you’ll be challenged, but you can also succeed in moving forward in a positive and healthy way. Print

The Prepared Home: How to Stock, Organize, and Edit Your Home to Thrive in Comfort, Safety, and Style by Melissa George – When your home is ready for the many surprises life can bring, your whole family can enjoy everyday moments and stay at their best. Whether there’s a power outage, the Wi-Fi goes out, or you need to shelter at home, this book is designed to help you prepare a plan and organize smart supplies that will help you thrive without letting them take over your space and your life. It’s your full-color guide to a stylish home that feels like a sanctuary in normal and challenging times. Print

Fiction

The Keeper of Lost Things by Ruth Hogan – Anthony Peardew, the “keeper of lost things,” meets and hires lonely Laura. When he leaves her the collection of lost objects he has gathered in memory of his fiancee, Laura is determined to return all of them to their rightful owners, no matter how difficult that might be. A charming novel about the ways in which cherished objects lend magic and meaning to our lives. Print |eBook |eAudiobook 

The Messy Lives of Book People by Phaedra Patrick – Liv Green lands a job as a housecleaner to her favorite author.  When her employer dies unexpectedly Liv must fulfill her final wish. Print |eBook