Thank you to Net Galley and the Publishing Company for this Advanced Readers Copy of The Age of Magical Overthinking by Amanda Montell!

Thank you so much for the opportunity to read this book. I love Amanda Montell after finding her podcast Sounds like a cult. I then consumed all of her work.

I love her style in delivering complex issues, and her insight to linguistics is fantastic.

Of all her work, this book made me feel the best after reading. I know I am not alone in my thought spirals.

Maybe it was because many were expecting a science book. But I enjoyed reading this memoir-essays-non-fiction on social psychology.

Montell breaks down different cognitive biases. It is light on academic research, but she does have several quotes and citations to other thinkers/writers/philosophers that added to her point. And after laying down the concept and any statistics she does expand with an essay on an illustration whether from her life or others.

The book was easy to digest and interesting.
Perhaps this is not the science book some were hoping for, but I believe Montell had good insight when it came to each of the social psychology concepts presented.
Overall, I enjoyed my read. It is accessible and entertaining.

This book was just ok for me. There were aspects I found very quotable, and at points I found she articulated thoughts I have always had and just organized and delivered them more efficiently. I appreciated that aspect of the book!

That being said, this book didn’t alter my perspective or mindset on any deep levels. I’m not sure why I wanted or expected that from this book, so maybe that’s a “me” problem! I do think Montell is a witty and fun writer— I would maybe read more by her, but change my mindset upon entering the book.

I would recommend to an audience who wants a lighter nonfiction with social / societal commentary that is surface level and doesn’t make you go too deep.

It’s okay but didn’t tell me anything I didn’t already know. Kind of hard to get through. The stories were not that engaging and it felt too non fiction in the worst way. Some banger quotes though.

🎧 THE AGE OF MAGICAL OVERTHINKING by Amanda Montell
Genre: nonfiction
3.5 stars

💭: i am probably Amanda’s biggest fan but this one kinda fell flat for me. I adored her other two books so so much and had high expectations for this one but i just felt bored and uninterested for most of it. HOWEVER, home girl can write, and she knows what she’s talking about so therefore 3.5⭐️

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for giving me the opportunity to be able to read and review this book!

Amanda’s writing style is so easy to read. This was such an interesting read. I want to read Cultish next.

Honestly…I really don’t know what to say about this book. For me it was just okay? Ahhh I don’t know! I feel like the author contradicted herself about her own beliefs and I found that a little annoying. There were some points that I would agree with, but I didn’t really feel like continuing this book. A generous 3 stars.

Thank you to NetGalley and Atria Books for sending me this eARC in exchange for an honest review!

I unfortunately ended up DNFing this book! I loved her first book, Cultish, but this one felt like it would have been better marketed as a memoir. I personally felt there was too many interjections of her personal experiences that really took me out of the point of the book.

I’m 50/50 with Amanda Montell so far, but would definitely still check out her future books!

I really enjoyed Cultish a couple years ago so I assumed I’d enjoy this too and I was correct! Amanda writes like you’re just chatting with a friend and I love her anecdotes and the personality she brings to nonfiction. I learned some interesting new things and it was an easy read to get through.

I truly loved reading Amanda Montell’s newest book. I found each of her chapters very relatable, but especially understood the reality of getting overwhelmed by our current reality that causes one to start daydreaming about dinosaurs. I highly recommend this book!

Let’s start with the title does not fit at all. I think the title creates specific expectations that were just not met and it is probably 80% of why I wanted the pick the book up.

Also, this book is not cohesive and has little direction. It is part memoir, part collection of popular psychology.

This seems very harsh for a 3 star book, so I will add that what I did read was quite entertaining and thought provoking despite the technical issues.

Thank you Atria Books and NetGalley for an advanced reader copy.

I LOVED THIS BOOK, Montell’s writing relates to the modern era, releasing many relatable themes readers can deeply connect with

as someone who overthinks a LOT (diagnosed OCD ayeee), I was super excited going into this one. I soon discovered it wasn't as self-help-y as I expected and was more about the authors personal life. I still thought it was enjoyable and relatable and think many people will feel that way about it! just wasn't really what I was expecting, and fell a little flat for me at times.

I think this book touched on a lot of relevant topics that feed into the toxicity that is prevalent in our culture. As a therapist I found some perspectives interesting but I don't think for me, there wasn't anything I could really take away from the book.

The Age of Magical Overthinking is a delightful blend of wit, charm, and raw honesty that captures the messy, magical process of navigating adulthood. This book feels like a conversation with your funniest, most introspective friend—the one who can make you laugh at your own neuroses while offering a comforting reminder that you’re not alone in your overthinking.

The narrative is both sharp and tender, diving into the intricacies of everyday anxieties with a light touch and a wry smile. It’s refreshingly relatable, with the author weaving in moments of humor and heart that make the pages fly by. The balance between self-reflection and whimsy is expertly done, creating a sense of being seen without ever feeling weighed down.

What stands out is how the book beautifully captures the tension between wanting to believe in magic and the reality of facing our everyday doubts and fears. It’s a celebration of those inner dialogues we all have but rarely voice aloud, making it not just a read, but an experience.

Whether you’re someone who constantly overthinks or simply enjoys a well-told story about the human condition, The Age of Magical Overthinking will resonate deeply. This book is a joyful reminder that overthinking isn’t just a quirk—it’s a universal, often hilarious part of being human. Perfect for fans of introspective reads that mix a little bit of magic with a lot of heart, this book is sure to linger long after you turn the last page.

I really loved Cultish, so I was super excited to read this. But this was really not for me, I didn't finish it.

Amanda Montell is an adorable genius with such an intriguing background that when she comes up with something new, you cannot help but want to read it! Also, who isn't overthinking 90% of the time?!

This is probably Amanda Montell's weakness book. I read all of her other books, and loved them. But this one fell short. There was just something incomplete feeling about it.

This was another excellent book by Amanda Montell. I absolutely loved Cultish and I loved this book as well. This book was such a thoughtful exercise on the current state of the world and the reasons so many are turning to pseudoscience and cults. As always I loved Amanda's writing style and conversational writing tone. Great Book!