Going by the book

Last update: January 5, 2008 - 4:51 PM

Cheating at organizing

Supercheater Jeff Brendenberg wants you to get control of your life.

Having previously given us "How to Cheat at Cleaning," he's back with "How to Cheat at Organizing: Quick, Clutter-Clobbering Ways to Simplify Your Life" (Taunton Press, $14.95).

This comprehensive book isn't just about corralling your 600 CDs or that chaos you call a hall closet. Brendenberg shows how to organize your living space, wardrobe, even your eating habits.

For those of us suffering from postholiday materialism hangovers, Brendenberg's wisdom is welcome indeed: "Celebrate getting rid of stuff instead of acquiring." After reading his book, you may want to go forth and organize - and cheat with impunity.

Organized in a year

In her new book, professional organizer Regina Leeds makes a wager: "Getting organized is an achievable goal for everyone," she writes. "Give me one year of your life. I'll prove it to you!"

For the slobs among us who can't afford a personal assistant, Leeds will do just fine, thank you.

In "One Year to an Organized Life: From Your Closets to Your Finances, the Week-by-Week Guide to Getting Completely Organized for Good" (Da Capo Press, $16.95) she not only shows us the importance of organization, she takes us week-by-week through the chaos of our lives and tells us how to get it together, from schedules to scrapbooks to celebrating holidays.

And even though Leeds (who was named Best Organizer in Los Angeles by LA magazine) is asking for a year of your life, there are no blood pacts or strange offerings required.

L.K. HANSON