Stuff: Compulsive Hoarding and the Meaning of Things by Randy O. Frost and Gail Steketee is a fascinating look at compulsive hoarding and the disorder that affects millions of people.  Learn all about the psychology behind this compulsion and follow the stories of several sufferers as they slowly learn how to modify their behavior and live without obsessing about their stuff.  Drs Frost and Steketee have studied the hoarding phenomenon for over 15 years and they include children in their studies.  It is interesting to see how these problems arise in youngsters and how families handle this behavior.  A very readable psychological story it is recommended to anyone interested in the human mind, obsessive compulsive disorders or hoarding. SG

Letting go

Lucy Bloom, the main character in Jill Smolinski's novel Objects of My Affection, is broke, been dumped by her boyfriend, and has sold her house to pay for her son's rehab. This turn of events explains why she has taken a job to work for a difficult and eccentric artist, Marva, who needs help clearing a houseful of objects. As the two women forge an uneasy friendship she discovers a secret Marva is keeping as well as a new look at herself. There are things in life we keep, and some we need to let go. Knowing the difference is difficult. Lovely and upbeat, this is a book in the finest "chick lit" tradition. ML