Spark Joy

Ep 57 | KonMari Books Category: Building a Library of Joy


Listen Later

Books form the second signature KonMari Method category. We discuss sorting, organizing, and discarding books and all the challenges and joy along the way.

If you are just starting out, or want a refresher on how categories work in the KonMari Method, listen to: Episode 1: KonMari 101 and: Episode 9: Tidying by Location is a Fatal Mistake These two episodes of the Spark Joy podcast will give you the background you need, in addition to reading Marie Kondo’s book, The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up , to tackle the books category.

Books are special and cherished items for many people, but there’s no denying the fact that physical books can take up a lot of room. Plus, in many cases, once the book is read, the actual book is placed on a shelf and is never used or read again. How can you approach books in such a way that honors the contents, respects the value and importance of books but also enables you to surround yourself with only the things that spark joy?

We want to hear from you! Tell us your burning tidying questions or share stories about how KonMari has impacted your life. Find us at www.sparkjoypodcast.com and click “Ask Spark Joy” to leave a question or comment for a chance to be featured on next week’s show.

While you’re there, sign-up to join our Spark Joy podcast community and get notified when each episode airs. You can also join the Spark Joy podcast community on Facebook, Instagram or Twitter at the handle @sparkjoypodcast.

In this episode, you’ll enjoy:

Joy Checks:

Karin: I practiced KonMari gift giving for my 5th wedding anniversary! I got my husband a returnable gift, in case it doesn't bring him joy...and it's something that is designed to honor books, which totally bring him joy!

Kristyn: I was invited to The Jam TV morning show in Chicago to talk about the KonMari paper category.

Tips from For the Love of Tidy on How to Cut Down Paper

  • Book Subcategories:

  • -General Books
    -Practical Books
    -Visual Books
    -Religious Books
    -Sentimental Books

  • How to sort books you have already read.

  • How to sort books you haven't started or started, but haven't finished

  • The challenges involved in letting go of books:

  • -Our attachments to books
    -Our desire to honor the contents of books
    -Our attraction to the beauty of books as objects
    -Concerns about discarding them properly
    --Listen to Spark Joy Episode 21 on this issue: Book Review: The Gentle Art of Swedish Death Cleaning

  • Options for disposing of books properly:

  • -donations
    -selling
    -recycle

  • Summer Brennan's blog post on the challenges of letting go of books: On the Heartbreaking Difficulty of Getting Rid of Books

  • Gems:

    “Do I really need to take all these books down from their shelves?”

    “You should use subcategories to view each book in relationship to other similar books, but remember you are evaluating each book on its own merits.”

    “The goal is not to overwhelm you with the piling part of KonMari…”

    “Who are you keeping these books for?”

    “It’s important to honor your books with joy, keep them visible, especially those that are being kept to read 'someday.'”

    You can find Karin Socci at The Serene Home

    You can find Kristyn Ivey at For the Love of Tidy

    ...more
    View all episodesView all episodes
    Download on the App Store

    Spark JoyBy Kristyn Ivey and Karin Socci

    • 4.6
    • 4.6
    • 4.6
    • 4.6
    • 4.6

    4.6

    329 ratings


    More shows like Spark Joy

    View all
    A Slob Comes Clean by Dana K. White: A Slob Comes Clean

    A Slob Comes Clean

    2,438 Listeners

    Happier with Gretchen Rubin by Gretchen Rubin / The Onward Project

    Happier with Gretchen Rubin

    12,906 Listeners

    ClutterBug - Organize, Clean and Transform your Home & Life by Clutterbug

    ClutterBug - Organize, Clean and Transform your Home & Life

    1,995 Listeners

    The Lazy Genius Podcast by Kendra, The Lazy Genius

    The Lazy Genius Podcast

    6,484 Listeners

    This Organized Life: Decluttering Tips for Moms, Entrepreneurs and Professional Organizers by Laurie Palau

    This Organized Life: Decluttering Tips for Moms, Entrepreneurs and Professional Organizers

    277 Listeners

    Millennial Minimalists by Kelly & Lauren

    Millennial Minimalists

    310 Listeners

    Minimal-ish: Minimalism, Intentional Living, Motherhood by Cloud10

    Minimal-ish: Minimalism, Intentional Living, Motherhood

    994 Listeners

    Clean With Me by Raani Starnes

    Clean With Me

    752 Listeners

    Wannabe Clutter Free | Declutter, Organize, Calm the Chaos by Deanna Yates | Professional Organizer, Decluttering Coach, Wannabe Minimalist

    Wannabe Clutter Free | Declutter, Organize, Calm the Chaos

    376 Listeners

    Money Rehab with Nicole Lapin by Money News Network

    Money Rehab with Nicole Lapin

    1,736 Listeners

    Dear Gabby by Gabby Bernstein

    Dear Gabby

    6,073 Listeners

    We Can Do Hard Things by Glennon Doyle and Audacy

    We Can Do Hard Things

    41,311 Listeners

    Declutter Your Chaos - Minimalism, Decluttering, Home Organization by Amber Cammidge, Decluttering Coach, Professional Organizer

    Declutter Your Chaos - Minimalism, Decluttering, Home Organization

    289 Listeners

    The Mel Robbins Podcast by Mel Robbins

    The Mel Robbins Podcast

    20,349 Listeners

    The Art of Decluttering by Amy Revell

    The Art of Decluttering

    89 Listeners