Judging a Book by its CoverTitle: Home ComfortsCover art: Pretty bad. I’m uncomfortable just looking at the overstuffed chair, Pottery Barn circa 1995. Author: Cheryl MendelsonLength: 2 1/2 inches The low-down: Harvard Law School graduate pens a book about the right way to do everything you’re too lazy to even do the sloppy way. Topics include folding a fitted sheet, keeping the piano in tune, and clearing surfaces of food pathogens. Applying art and science to keeping house makes chores a bit more intriguing, but this book is anything but modern. It is after all a book. Worth a read? Consider this an Encyclopedia of housekeeping, akin to the dusty old Britannicas you find at tag sales for pennies. Use it to settle arguments over the true meaning of hospital corners. — Ashley

Judging a Book by its Cover

Title: Home Comforts

Cover art: Pretty bad. I’m uncomfortable just looking at the overstuffed chair, Pottery Barn circa 1995.

Author: Cheryl Mendelson

Length: 2 1/2 inches

The low-down:
Harvard Law School graduate pens a book about the right way to do everything you’re too lazy to even do the sloppy way. Topics include folding a fitted sheet, keeping the piano in tune, and clearing surfaces of food pathogens. Applying art and science to keeping house makes chores a bit more intriguing, but this book is anything but modern. It is after all a book.

Worth a read? Consider this an Encyclopedia of housekeeping, akin to the dusty old Britannicas you find at tag sales for pennies. Use it to settle arguments over the true meaning of hospital corners.

— Ashley