Member Reviews
I have received this ARC from NetGalley and the publisher. So thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this opportunity!
Beautiful cover and a fun read!
I was intrigued because of this stunningly adorable cover and this had something interesting ideas and opinions in it.
Take it with a grain of salt though.
3/5
**I received an electronic ARC from the publisher through NetGalley.**
Goblin Mode Guide to Life is presented by Chartwell Books. The book is part guide part workbook to the trend of "goblin mode". This book provides definitions and examples of goblincore as well as providing space for the reader to write out their thoughts and perform thought exercises about.how goblin mode might benefit or be incorporated into their life.
My first criticism of this book is that goblin mode tends to lean heavily into the goblincore aesthetic, but the overall design of this book leans toward cottagecore or a very clean infographic style of presentation which made for a lot of cognitive dissonance for me. If we ignore the lack of alignment, the information is presented in a way that is very accessible and readable.
I would hazard readers to take the content of this book with a grain of salt. I understand this is very much an introduction to goblin mode to life and the book does mention a need for balance in all things. However, pages like the "what's worse" sections have readers choose between very black and white options that could present a false comparison. Realistically, most people will go for a middle ground, but this set up has potential for some pretty negative extremes.
Overall, this book is mostly just fine and introductory. I imagine this book will appeal to people fond of self-help, but I can't see anyone actually in "goblin mode" wanting to go through the trouble.
Goblin Mode is a delightful guide to reflecting on what it means to be in goblin mode. I loved the cute illustrations of forest creatures! The book contains many questions and spaces to reflect, quizzes, and helpful tips. Goblin Mode is perfect for people who have never heard of the phrase to people who have already fully embraced it! I would definitely recommend you pick up a copy for yourself or as a gift.
Thank you to Editors of Chartwell Books, Quarto Publishing Group, and Netgalley for a free ARC in exchange for an honest review.
For publisher: My review will be posted on Instagram, Goodreads, Amazon, Storygraph, and Barnes & Noble etc
I just got done reading the Goblin Mode Guide to Life and I'm so impressed! It's such an interesting and interactive workbook that really helps you embrace your feral side and thrive in imperfection. I definitely recommend it to anyone looking to get in touch with their wild side.
This was cute and enjoyable! It had fun cottagecore elements and some helpful, sweet information and advice for self-care. I did expect it to have a little bit more of a cottagecore, woodland feel constantly throughout the book, but some of the design elements felt a little too modern and didn’t entirely fit the vibe I thought this was going for. All and all, I had a good time reading it.
Fun and interactive book that helps you let your inner goblin free! In a world where everything is so fast-paced, this book teaches you to take a step back and enjoy your me time. I think it would make a great gift. I enjoyed it very much.
A fun workbook about "goblin mode," that focuses on self-reflective behavior to cut down on stress and perfectionism, to focus on self-care and becoming comfortable in your skin. A useful guide for people looking for self-help.
Let go, embrace your imperfections, and reject unrealistic standards with this accessible workbook full of prompts, quizzes, quotes, and tips to inspire your inner goblin.
This was a fun and interesting book. Completely out of my usual genre, but I enjoyed it.
Goblin mode is a funny, cute, and beautifully illustrated book. It has so many pages for reflection. It's more of a workbook than I would have thought so it's the only reason our library wouldn't likely purchase it.
A fun new different workbook that I haven’t seen before and definitely one that would have caught my eye on a store shelf. As someone who labels themselves as a goblin and going into goblin mode often this was super helpful. I enjoy that the book doesn’t describe being a goblin means you’re messy or gross but more being comfortable, eccentric or a maximalist.
The prompts were all very fun and some were especially helpful going into the fall season. The goblin mode tests and questionnaires were I think one of the funnest parts of this workbook. I will definitely be taking some of these prompts and using them in the future when needed. The art in the book was cute, stilly and perfect and the bonus doodle pages were a chefs kiss.
Thank you NetGalley and Chartwell Books for this ARC!
This is a book about dealing with internalised shame over not having a picture perfect insta ready home.
I adored the graphical style of the book, the illustrations, the worksheets and journalling prompts.
I found it really helpful to have space to reflect on what my values are and small actions I can commit to, in order to not descend into a feral sub-goblin. I will certainly be implementing some of these in my day to day life.
I think this would also be a great resource for neurodivergent goblins.
This is a very lovely book, with lots of tips, ideas, questions to answer and reflect on. It’s also beautifully laid out, colourful, and agreeable to look at.
I would have liked to see a little bit more of DIY ideas, though, just like with the terrarium.
Also, I noticed a few typos on some pages.
But overall it was really nice to read!
I thought this was a lovely book that could be given as an excellent gift for someone who enjoys fantasy or folklore.
Goblin Mode Guide to Life is a beautifully written and designed book to help you remember that being imperfect is perfect. It’s a self help book that reminds you, it’s okay to be exactly as you are without trying to fit in to society or other’s standards for you.
The book itself is full of practical exercises to help you achieve your self awareness and curb or at least recognize the criticism you feel about ourselves. We have practices to work on setting healthy boundaries and habits. I truly see the value and importance within this book.
The cover is gorgeous and what initially caught my attention!
I want to thank NetGalley and Chartwell Books for the ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
This was a really sweet, thoughtful workbook for anyone interested in exploring a slower, "messier" pace of living. Filled with adorable illustrations, questionnaires, quotes, empty space for doodles and lines for journaling.
Coyle covers all the bases in her approach to discussing goblincore: she talks about some of the historically racist stereotypes that have been attached to goblins and other "unsavory" creatures, as well as the difference between letting go of unsustainable social pressures and depression.
Readers are given space to write their thoughts out about a goblin's approach to most parts of life: work, clothing, spending time with friends, romantic relationships, and cleaning.
A very whimsical, unique way of tackling western society's obsession with perfection and "photoready", this workbook packages some very deep and thought provoking questions in a very approachable, welcoming way.
One thing I wasn't as keen on were the "this or that" sections that ask the reader to pick between two polar opposite statements. Although I understand the thought process behind such an exercise, for some of the answers, neither of the answers were necessarily good or bad and finding a way to talk about nuance would have been a nice addition.
As much as I appreciate taking a more casual approach to life in general, considering this book has limited texted, I would expect that it would be relatively mistake free, but I did find a fair few number of grammar errors. My file also had repeating quotes in different fonts. I'm unsure if that will end up in the print addition, but that would be something I'd expect a proofreader to catch.
Overall, I think it was a fun, low stakes way to take a critical look at some of our thought patterns and expectations, and gives a whimsical approach to making changes in our lives and encouraging us all to slow down.
All hail the goblin mode!
I felt this book was a bit of a tongue-in-cheek-guide to slowing down in life, resting, and getting away from the hustle culture.
I feel most people who would pick up this book are those who are already 'goblins' or are close to it; I'm not sure if the book would convince anyone not already inclined to this lifestyle to take it up. It also feels like it is capitalizing a bit on a current trend, as the content felt a bit minimal and perhaps rushed.
I think the overall messaging is important about reconnecting with nature, pausing, being comfortable, etc. and not being apologetic for it.
It was fun. I won't be buying a copy to keep on my bookcase, but it was an entertaining read and validating of my own approach to life.
This is a delightful workbook about goblin mode in all its forms! It introduces you to what goblin mode is and is not, or to be more exact, how to determine what it is and is not for YOU. I really like how the whole book focuses on the concept that what works for me may not work for someone else, and that's fine! There's less focus on the stereotypical elements like frogs and mushrooms, and more on creating a lifestyle that feels valuable, productive and comfortable. The book has lots of space for adding notes, and I'd love to have a hard copy of it for just that purpose. The drawings scattered throughout lend the whole thing a light touch of whimsy that makes paging through even more enjoyable. Highly recommend for anyone who's thinking about getting in touch with their inner goblin.
This book is the ultimate guide to embracing and understanding the concept of "goblin mode." The artwork and imagery within its pages are truly amazing. You'll find decorative borders and delightful drawings scattered throughout, and there's even a page designed to look like it's covered in coffee stains, which adds to the charm.
What's particularly fascinating is how this book helped me realize that many aspects of my daily life fall under the umbrella of "goblin mode." It's not about being lazy, unhygienic, or messy, as some might think. Instead, it's about finding comfort in yourself and your surroundings, without the constant pressure of perfection or tidiness.
One of the most engaging features of this book is its interactivity. You'll come across pages with prompts that encourage self-reflection and help you understand why embracing your goblin side can be beneficial for your overall well-being. It's a great opportunity to explore parts of yourself that you might not have recognized as being part of your "goblin mode."
Intriguing and thought-provoking, this book invites you to embrace your goblin side and appreciate the beauty of imperfection. It's a delightful read that encourages self-acceptance and self-discovery. I hope everyone takes the time to explore their own goblin mode after reading this book!
5 *****
This book is visually attractive, clearly laid out, easy to read, and nonjudgmental - without throwing all semblance of civilization to the wind.
The etymology of the term “goblin mode” was gracefully covered and provided a concise, contextualized explanation of what it does and does not mean and entail.
The book was full of thoughtful exercises for self-awareness, including bringing to one’s consciousness the harshly critical terms we may unthinkingly apply to ourselves. These exercises help to not only identify our negative self-talk, but also to reframe it. There were also exercises to consider healthy parameters to keep us in goblin mode rather than straying into seriously unhealthy realms of behavior.
I recommend this attractive, approachable book!
My thanks to the publisher for a free preview copy in exchange for my honest review.
I really like what this workbook is trying to do especially as someone who has a hard time relaxing. It asks good questions about all aspects of your life and helps you consider ways you can live a more simple, cozy, and relaxed life in ways that work for your lifestyle.
I think tying in the “goblincore” aesthetic might have been a stretch, but I liked it because it already fits my vibe 😂