BEST AUTHOR BEST : MARIE KONDO [ 2 ]

'' LETTER From Japan,'' is her latest book. Trust me you all would enjoy reading it.''

.-  What kind of reader were you as a child? Which books stick with you most?

It would have to be '' The Art of Discarding,'' which I read at the age of 15.

While Japan already had a huge number of books on tidying and organization, this was the first one that truly focused on the theme of ''letting go.''

Even for me, who had been interested in tidying since age 5 and had read countless lifestyle magazines and tidying books, '' The Art of Discarding '' was a revelation.

.-  What books are on your night stand?

The Japanese version of '' In Stitches : The Enchanted World of Coral & Tusk,'' the brand book of the embroidery company I adore.

.-  Are you still sticking to the 30-book limit you outlined in '' The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up ''?

Regarding this, the ''30-book limit '' is a mistake. The misunderstanding likely originated from my comment, where I mentioned that I personally was left with about 30 books after tidying my own collection.

This comment was exaggerated over time, and somehow turned into the idea that I had created a ''rule''  limiting books to 30.

What is important in the KonMari method is not setting a quantity limit. The main focus is always on choosing what sparks for you.

Therefore, whether the result is  30 books or 100 books, it is fine as long as you have chosen the ones that genuinely spark joy.

I actually have more than 30 books on my shelves now, partly because I now have a larger bookshelf than I did then.

.-  What's your favorite book no one else has heard of ?

'' Yamato Nadeshiko Seital Reader : The Seven Powers to Reclaim Your Body, '' a Japanese book published 20 years ago, is about how to use your body in ways that channel energy and restore balance.

It explains how improving your posture and the way you move can benefit your body. For example, it notes that traditional Japanese cleaning methods, like wiping floors by hand with a cloth, are actually very good for the body.

It's out of print, but incredibly powerful. It's one of my '' hall of fame '' books.

The World Students Society thanks The New York Times.