Clean-up diva and author Cobb (Talking Dirty with the Queen of Clean, etc.) here focuses on organizing a home and eliminating the unnecessary. Cobb begins by explaining that being a Peaceful Pauline is preferable to being a Harried Harriet. The latter is always running behind schedule, paying overdue video fines and having nothing to eat. "Conquering clutter really does pay off—you'll be pleasantly surprised to find how enjoyable conquering clutter and getting organized can be. You can relax in your own home, find things when you need them, enjoy your day-to-day activities, and feel in control of your life," says Cobb. The author takes the reader from room to room, discussing what can be immediately thrown out, cleaned and put elsewhere or re-configured. Some of the advice isn't original—such as leaving daily items near the door—but Cobb's spin is amusing and sometimes pretty clever. Family bulletin boards, for example, are helpful, but Cobb says not to use a chalk or pen board because the writing utensils inevitably disappear. The section on organizing the kitchen is helpful, particularly with the list of how long foods can safely be stored. Cobb's discussion of what items can and cannot be safely stored in attics and basements is also informative. People unwilling to face the clutter throughout their whole house can still benefit by skimming selected chapters. Readers willing to spend just an hour or two with this book will easily regain that time after they've followed Cobb's advice. (Dec.)
