Her advice on tossing books sparks controversy
Netflix declined to share viewership data for the new show, but it’s safe to say Kondo-mania has taken off.
A sign it’s certifiably trending: There’s already backlash.
“Do not listen to Marie Kondo or Konmari in relation to books,” tweeted author Anakana Schofield. “The woman is very misguided about books. Every human needs a v extensive library not clean, boring shelves.”
Kondo’s approach to books, in particular, sets people off. She has suggested that people cut out what they want from the book — say, a recipe, a picture, a poem — and get rid of the rest of it to pare down possessions.
But books, in particular, speak strongly to our sense of self. We might own a book because we read it in the past and have fond memories of enjoying it or of the time in our life that we read it. Books we bought but haven’t read yet represent our past self who chose to buy that book, the present self who still owns it and the future self who will read it. If you bought “Infinite Jest” a decade ago but still haven’t worked through it, getting rid of it signals that you’re giving up. You are eliminating that future self who is absolutely going to read and understand “Infinite Jest.”
Books are also physical objects that have aesthetic value in our homes and that signal to guests what kind of person you are. Maybe you haven’t read “Infinite Jest,” but having it on display signifies that you’re the kind of person who would.
But Kondo might ask whether that unread book is serving you — or whether it’s time to thank it and send it on its way.