Chatty Rooms
About this ebook
NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLING AUTHORS, GENKI KAWAMURA and MARIE KONDO
What if the objects in your home could tell their stories? In Chatty Rooms, Genki Kawamura and Marie Kondo reimagine the art of tidying through seven enchanting, illustrated tales where everyday items come to life—and reveal the emotions we’ve attached to them.
Miko is a professional tidier with an extraordinary gift: when she enters a room, she can hear the voices of the objects inside. As she helps her clients sort through clothing, books, photographs, and forgotten keepsakes, each item unlocks memories, relationships, and long-buried feelings. What begins as a simple act of decluttering becomes a deeply personal journey toward letting go, reconnecting, and choosing what truly sparks joy.
Blending magical realism with gentle wisdom, this beautifully illustrated collection transforms Marie Kondo’s philosophy into a warm, imaginative reading experience—inviting you to see your belongings, and your life, in a new way.
- Seven illustrated stories exploring the emotional lives of everyday objects
- A magical realism approach to decluttering, memory, and self-discovery
- Full-color artwork throughout, bringing each story and space to life
- A fresh, story-driven take on the KonMari method and “spark joy” philosophy
- A feel-good, reflective read for fans of light novels, manga, and mindful living
Let go of what no longer serves you—and rediscover the joy waiting in the spaces you create.
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About the author
Bestselling novelist Genki Kawamura is also Japan's hottest filmmaker, whose credits include screenwriter, director, creative director, and showrunner. In 2022 he won the prestigious Best Director Award at the 70th San Sebastián Film Festival for Hyakka (A Hundred Flowers) which he adapted from his novel. His debut novel, If Cats Disappeared from the World has been published in over 30 languages. The book has sold over 3 million copies. His other novels include April Come She Will and Million-Dollar Man. He has two forthcoming novels: The Horse and I and Exit 8 which has been adapted into a film. He is currently producing for Paramount Studios alongside JJ Abrams the Hollywood live-action adaptation of Makoto Shinkai's Your Name with Eric Heisserer (Arrival) as a screenwriter and Marc Webb (500 Days of Summer) as director.
Marie Kondo is an internationally bestselling author, having sold over 14 million books, including Letter from Japan and the bestseller The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying. She also starred in the Emmy nominated Netflix show, Tidying Up with Marie Kondo. Marie's simple yet revolutionary approach to living more joyfully has transformed countless lives and homes. Marie has been featured in the New York Times and the Guardian. She has also been named one of Time magazine's 100 Most Influential People in the world.
Yosuke Omomo is a Japanese illustrator, animation artist, and picture‐book creator born in Chiba Prefecture. He studied design at the Tokyo University of the Arts, where he also completed graduate work before beginning a freelance career producing animation for NHK E‐Tele programs including Okasan to Issho, Minna no Uta, and 2355. He began creating picture books and illustrations around 2018, publishing his debut picture book Our Town Come On in 2020. His work is known for warm, colorful scenes inspired by everyday life and community.
