Dear Karen,

My sister was recently married and moved out of the country. As a hostess gift she gave me (and several other participants in her wedding) a book which I believe was intended to help guide us to the type of joy and happiness which she is now experiencing. When my boyfriend saw this book, he took offense at the title and threw it down a long hallway in my apartment.

I don't want to get rid of this book because (1) I do believe that the information in it is very important for me to study and (2) it was a lovely gift from my sister who not only wrote a beautiful inscription to me inside, but also had signed by the author. However, every time I read the book, I see the "scars" (bent corner pages) and I get furious when I recall the incident. Do you have any suggestions on how I can best handle this item?

- V.P.

Karen's reply:

If it is not possible to resolve the difference in values with your boyfriend then it seems to be a clear choice of clutter clearing the book or clutter clearing him from your life. The incident itself is not the problem - it is simply highlighting the real underlying problems in your relationship.