Lifestyle superstar Marie Kondo moves to Bonnier for ‘most personal book yet’

The bestselling author, Netflix hitmaker and “queen of clean” Marie Kondo, has jumped to Bonnier Books UK’s wellbeing imprint Lagom for two books, the first of which is a look at the customs and traditions of Japan, and how these have shaped her life.

Carole Tonkinson, editor-at-large, inked UK & Commonwealth rights to Letter from Japan–and a second title–from Neil Gudovitz at Gudovitz & Company.

Kondo is, of course, the author of the worldwide decluttering and organising sensation, published in the UK in 2014 as The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying by Ebury imprint Vermilion. It, and its follow-ups featuring the trademarked KonMari method, have sold over 400,000 copies in the UK, boosted five years after the first book’s original publication by the 2019 Netflix hit series, “Tidying Up with Marie Kondo”. Worldwide, her titles have shifted over 13 million units and have been sold into 44 book markets.  

Lagom said the genesis for Kondo’s newest is taken from building interest in Kondo herself from her books and streaming series, including “compelling questions from media and readers alike all around the globe [about] Marie Kondo’s Japanese perspective. Readers and viewers were fascinated by what they learned of Marie’s upbringing, her family, her early professional career and her experiences with Shintoism”.

Kondo said: “Letter From Japan is my most personal book yet. I remember that when I was first getting to know my international readers in 2014, everywhere I went I was asked so many questions about my life in Japan and about Japanese customs and daily practices. I’ve always wanted to take the time to reflect on elements of Japanese tradition which have influenced me and which I want to share with the world.”

The author added another motivation for writing the book: “My husband Takumi and I have three children, and with the unpredictability and rapid pace of change in our world today, I wanted to document and preserve these elements of Japanese culture and customs for them. They will grow to learn and understand more than I ever have, but with this book I seek to ensure that these foundations of Japanese life are included in their understanding of the world around them.”

Tonkinson said: “[Kondo’s] ability to distil the wisdom of Japanese traditions into insights and practices for people around the world is unique. Her authenticity and wish to share Japanese culture with us all in a meaningful way is precious. Letter from Japan is simply beautiful.”

Letter for Japan is scheduled for a September 2025 release.