Home Comforts: The Art and Science of Keeping House by Cheryl Mendelson

This isn't a book you read all the way through - it's a reference book - but I thought I'd note that I read the intro and it's really changed my whole attitude about housework. I've cleaned out all the kitchen cabinets (wiping the shelves as well as reorganising pots and pans etc), hired someone to clean the windows and have plans to move the furniture and clean the floors beneath! This book has generally helped me come to terms with what it means to 'keep house' - it's not as bad as I thought.