Book Nook
Books can be a crackerjack supplement to personal growth and therapy. The Book Nook is an ever-growing hub for all my mental health-related favourites.
(Books are now linked to independent booksellers; Willow Tree Counselling receives no financial remuneration for purchases made through these links. Please consider supporting local indie bookstores - many of which are fighting to stay open.)
Organizing Solutions for People with ADHD (3rd Ed.): Tips and Tools to Help You Take Charge of Your Life and Get Organized
by Susan Pinsky (2023)
If you can get past the dated photos and, at times, language, this book stands out as different from other organizing books that promise instant and long-lasting organizational peace if you follow symmetrical, (often complex) systems designed for neurotypical brains. The author focuses instead on principles like divesting of unneeded items, integrating accessibility/usability and having systems that are “good enough”–functional, orderly and practical. If aesthetics is more important to you than function, this will likely not be your book but if you want to be able to consistently know what you own and be able to find things when you need them, there are some great suggestions here. I recommend it!
The Gentle Art of Swedish Death Cleaning: How to Free Yourself and Your Family
by Margareta Magnusson (2018)
I’ll admit that I was intrigued when I received this book as a gift but also simultaneously reluctant to dive deeper into this cleaning practice and how it related to my own mortality. But, the book is not at all depressing, and I had nothing to worry about. It’s a succinct book that may have the most appeal to those who are interested in the meaning and purpose of this practice, much of which results in removing burden from surviving loved ones, while also helping to facilitate a life review and a deeper practice of letting go.
How to Break Up With Your Phone: The 30-Day Digital Detox Plan
by Catherine Price (2025)
It wasn’t until after I read this book (2018 edition) that I discovered that there is a new edition, updated for 2025. I love this book, which blends mindfulness and practical habit management strategies to help those of us who would like to de-centre phones in our everyday lives.
How To Keep House While Drowning: A Gentle Approach to Cleaning and Organizing
by KC Davis (2022)
While Marie Kondo taught me to let go of a lot, KC Davis helped me to forgive myself, no matter the state of my home. A boon to neurodivergent folks, those struggling with mental health issues, or anyone else who is overwhelmed by life, therapist KC Davis, offers practical, forgiving strategies and care tasks that we can all use. Highly recommended.
The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up: The Japanese Art of Decluttering and Organizing
by Marie Kondo (2014)
This bestseller, translated from the original Japanese, breaks away from traditional ‘clear the clutter’ manuals, asking us to reflect on our relationship with objects, keeping only those things which spark joy. While I can’t say that I subscribe to all its principles, this book helped and continues to help me let go of belongings that are not serving me anymore.