THE UNITED STATES OF CRYPTIDS takes the reader on a road trip across the United States in search of monsters. J.W. Ocker is a travel writer and a fan of the bizarre, and it is clear that he enjoyed himself researching and writing this book. There is plenty of humor and sarcasm alongside the facts. Not only goes Ocker include some of the widely known cryptids (Bigfoot, Mothman, and the Jersey Devil), he also includes some lesser known ones (Albatwitch and Snallygaster). There are also countless other cryptids that could have been included but were left out. Each chapter focuses on different cryptid. Some of these cryptids are proven hoaxes; the existence of others are still up for debate. Ocker tells of initial sightings as well as subsequent encounters. He also tells of how the towns or regions have capitalized on their cryptids. There are several museums dedicated to cryptids scattered across the country. Some towns have erected plaques of monuments to their cryptids. Other towns through annual celebrations in honor of their cryptids. After reading this, I want to go on my own cryptid road trip. Overall, THE UNITED STATES OF CRYPTIDS is a fun, must read book for all cryptid fans.

Rating: 6/10

I really love cryptids and for the most part enjoyed this book. I think it's a great collection of North American cryptids with a comprehensive list of them in one book. The descriptions were a little boring to me after a while, but I think appropriate for kids in the target demographic. I think my biggest complaint would be the lack of illustrations and then the ones that do have illustrations are very lack luster. For me this book would have been elevated significantly with a full page detailed colored illustration to accompany each cryptid. The layout of the book with the headers is great though.

Thanks to netgalley for a free copy in exchange for an honest review.

I mean this was a fun romp through the world of cryptids! I always love the little guide/cryptid/occult/supernatural type books especially when it comes to the USA since that's where I'm from, so it was just an entertaining lil nonfic.

Thank you to Quirk Books and NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review!

The United States of Cryptids by J. W. Ocker is a wonderful collection of cryptids that would make the perfect gift for the monster-lover in your life. This collection is almost 300 pages describing various monsters, who saw them, when, and where. It is truly interesting reading material. According to the description, the author "uncovers the bizarre stories of these creatures and investigates the ways in which communities embrace and celebrate their local cryptids."

Overall, The United States of Cryptids is a delightful compendium of monsters that will appeal to fans of Pokemon or Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children. One highlight of this book is how thorough it is. It is over 300 pages, with each cryptid categorized according to region, and it must have taken the author an incredible amount of time to research. I did take off 1 star, because I was a bit disappointed by the illustrations. They are black-and-white, and while the full-page ones are nice, they are mostly smaller and not every cryptid was illustrated. If you're intrigued by the excerpt above, or if you enjoy reading about cryptids, I recommend that you check out this book when it comes out in September!

J.W. Ocker serves up a coffee-table book of sorts with this extensive A-Z exploration American myths and monsters.
A book full of dense details, this is the kind of reading that is perfect to dip in and out of of - with plenty of factoids to ensure there's always something new to learn (or consider).
Ocker delivers these "facts" with a great deal of personality and colour and it's easy to get swept up in his own personal enthusiasm for the subjects.
For writerly types, this is also packed full of plenty of new story ideas.

This is the perfect book to dip in and out of. It will give you endless "did you knows" to regale to your friends and colleagues. You can feel the love in the author's voice, and their enthusiasm for the weird and wonderful is infectious.
I would have loved to have seen more images throughout, I think it would have added a lot to the experience.

Did I know there is an International Cryptozoology Museum until I read the book's forward written by the museum's founder? No. Is visiting this museum now on my bucket list? Yes.

The author uses "cryptids" as a blanket term for a "creature or species whose existence is scientifically unproven." The focus of this book is as much on the culture around cryptids as the creatures themselves. We see town who celebrate (and monetize) the weird creature who makes their place unique.

"Cryptids exist: as stories, as monuments, as symbols. Maybe even as more than that. But those three ways already make them as much a part of this planet as any officially acknowledged creature in a zoology textbook."

Whether you have an avid obsession or passing interest in monsters, this book is worth a read. So often we think of the Loch Ness monster or Yetis when we think of mysterious creatures, but the USA has more than a few of its own.

This starts out interesting, describing the stories of various cryptids across the US, but it starts to get a bit repetitive once you've read a handful of them. The author's excited about it, but the simple 3-4 pages of description of each monster don't inspire much, in the end.

Ocker is by and large the most interesting person writing right now. He knows the subject matter, finds the niche book needed at the time and knocks it out of the park. He crafts his nonfiction books like this one with as much depth and imagination as his spectacular fiction. I cannot recommend this book enough.

A grand tour of North America, investigating the stories behind the panoply of supernatural creatures that stalk the myths and legends of small town Americana.

Huge thanks to Quirk Books and Netgalley for an early release copy of The United States of Cryptids for my honest review!

This was so much fun! I took my time to read this one. A couple of chapters every night before bed or in the afternoon. I really liked that Ocker split the book up into sections starting with the East Coast and heading West. It allowed for some stories to cross over into each region, but it never felt like as a reader we got stuck on a specific cryptid. Because there is so much Bigfoot, everywhere. It also made the story feel like a journey, a road trip as we stopped to learn about each of these monsters.

Normally I'm not a big notetaker while I read. Occasionally I highlight a funny line, or a quick though so I don't forget for the review. But, with this book, I took down so many notes and thoughts as I read along. I think part of it has to do with the fact I love Ocker's narration throughout the book, never taking themselves too seriously just enjoying what their writing. It was just random thought that popped while I was reading that I felt I needed to jot down, and the app I read this had a note-taking funtion.

On top of taking notes, I did a lot of Googling as I read. The artwork found throughout the book is great because not all of these cryptids have normal forms So it was great to get an of what people thought they saw, and a lovely little shock to just scroll down and a strange creature was looking at you. But, a handful of these stories had footage involved with their stories. So I would Google that after the chapter, or look up the photos that were taken. Which was fun, mostly creepy, but fun.

I did get to thinking with this book about the biggest time period of people seeing these cryptids, and it left me with some thoughts. That maybe we don't see so many cryptids encounters these days because of the advancements in technology and TV Shows. The world doesn't seem too big and vast these days, and so many people are quick with the need to debunk stories attached to cryptids. Personally, I liked the idea that these things are out there somewhere. Like there's still a bit of magic in the world, and only a lucky, frightened, few have gotten to see it. Maybe it's silly because a part of me can definitely sit down and rationalize what those people probably saw.

But, where's the fun in that. I like the idea of the monster under the bed or these cases mostly in the woods.

What makes this book stand out is how much fun Ocker seemed to have as they wrote it. This was something shared with Ocker's family, well researched, and never taking itself too seriously. Even stories that had proven a hoax were included in this book. Because they're still a good story, a good legend to be told around a campfire. It was fun to read because it felt like Ocker had a blast researching for it. And, I don't think there was a part that didn't enjoy.

No that's a lie, my least favorite story was the grey aliens. Only that doesn't have anything to with Ocker and everything to with the fact the idea of grey aliens creeps me right out. Not a fan. My favorite story was Sinkhole Sam, but I grew up on stories of Sam since I was born and raised in Kansas. So I was beyond thrilled to him make the pages of this work. The Thunderbird is also a favorite of mine. And, the weirdest story by a mile was the Slide-Rock Bolter. I had to read that story twice to make sure what I thought I read, was what I actually read. Because what?!

This book was great and I cannot thank Quirk Books enough for letting me snag it early! This will definitely be one I buy to add to my shelves! The Unitest States of Cryptids: A Tour of American Myths and Monsters will go on sale on September 27 of this year!

Thank you to NetGalley and Quirk Books for an ARC copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

I have been around the cryptid block a few times in my life as any person with a love of history and strangeness generally has been, but this book was a new adventure for me. Explaining cryptids through their cities (and their reverence for them or lack thereof) was a refreshing take on the nonfiction monster genre. I often feel like I've seen it all when it comes to books and media about cryptids both foreign and domestic, but this book somehow taught me about monsters I had never heard of before, including some in my backyard! I don't know whether it is more of a monster book or a travel book, but in either case I very much enjoyed it!

As an East coaster and listener of many spooky podcasts I had of course heard of Nain Rouge, the Jersey Devil, Mothman, Wendigos, etc, but many of the hoax creatures mentioned (including the Silver Lake Serpent) and some of the lesser known creatures were totally new to me! This book is refreshing as it doesn't take itself too seriously in the best possible way. The new knowledge I found in this book combined with the truly comedic tone made this book was an absolute winner for me.

I'd recommend this for crytid enthusiasts, anyone who was raised on a steady diet of Scooby Doo, fans of Buzzfeed Unsolved (everyone's favorite ghoul boys), and for anyone who likes to learn a little more about the strange world we live in.

Honestly, I love reading these types of nonfiction. The author clearly loves the subject but recognizes how weird it is, and now I want to travel to all of the mentioned places and find those cryptids.

This is such a fun read; sort of an A to Z of cryptids split up by their region of supposed origin. I loved how it read and you can really hear Ocker’s personal voice and excitement of these creatures while you read.

It isn’t a dense fact book full of scientific research, but a reminder that cryptozoology is a field full of mystery, what-if’s, and dedication. Each section included small anecdotes of Ocker’s trips to different museums, restaurants, monuments, etc. and how each region’s culture has been affected by reports of their pride-and-joy cryptid. Amusing, interesting, and an all-around engrossing book!

"The United States of Cryptids" is a thorough and descriptive account of cryptids throughout the United States. The book could benefit from more anecdotes about each cryptid and more visual/infographic type material to make the book less dense.

This was such a joy to read! It's more of a small coffeetable anthology than a sit-down-and-read-in-one-go book. Ocker clearly loves this topic and visited a lot of different cities and states with his daughters to research this book. The collection is not only filled with insight on cryptids itself, but on each town's views on the cryptid from the people who live there. Often times, the town uses the cryptid as a tourism vehicle, and it's so heartwarming to hear from a museum in the middle of nowhere or a children's softball team with a hairy beast as their mascot. I wish there were more pictures, and I wish that it had covered every state (even though they cover a lot of them), but all in all I recommend this collection for libraries who have a big fanbase in paranormal/true crime.

I loved this! I love anything that compiles cryptids into a sort of encyclopedia. It was fun to read and easy to consume in bite-sized chunks. Would be a really cool coffee table book, too. I loved the variety and depth for each region that the book was broken into, though I do wish there were more pictures-- it would have been the ultimate cool cryptid book! Overall, I really enjoyed this and I think you should give it a read especially if cryptids are one of your special interests like they are mine, lol.

This book is great fun, taking a look at the Crypid creatures that supposedly inhabit the United States. It is a book to dip into rather than to read in one setting and I really enjoyed it. I would have loved some more pictures though.

Such a fun book! Taking a look at different cryptids across the United States in short entries outlining the cryptid's backstory, area, and theories and if there is a town/area/museum dedicated to the cryptid. There are also some drawings of cryptids as well as some asides from the author interspersed.

The author does a great job of striking the tone between serious research and playful tone that makes the reader feel a part of the fun. I enjoyed learning about these stories (who knew Ohio was cryptid central?) and I have been sharing the stories and planning some road trips with friends already to check these places out for ourselves.

The best way to describe this book is it gives Gravity Falls' Mystery Shack vibes - not everything is real, nothing it taken too serious, but everyone's enthusiasm makes up for any dashed hopes.

I've already pre-ordered a copy for myself and I can't wait to highlight and talk about it with everyone (even more than I am now).

This is a great read to learn more about the maybe mythical, maybe real creatures that call the US their home.