I'm a huge fan of Montell from her podcast and this book just made me a bigger fan! I love the memoir/pop science essay format and learned so much while being wildly entertained.

"'The Age of Magical Overthinking' is an interesting read that challenges you to see everyday dilemmas through a fresh, thought-provoking lens. The author made
me question dominant paradigms. My favorite chapter delves into the complexities of relationships, likening a failing partnership to a 'cult of one.' This comparison is both original and insightful, drawing parallels between the indoctrination process of cults and the dynamics of toxic relationships. What's particularly striking is the nuanced approach to characterizing the 'other' not as villainous, but as part of a spiraling dynamic that hampers personal growth. This book made me reflect and view my beliefs in a more critical light.

Amanda Montell has such a way with words.... And then she teaches them to us! Her awareness of cognitive biases and admitting that she falls victim to these ways of thinking, as we all do, is refreshing. I'll be examining my own thoughts through the lens of this book for the foreseeable future!

The Age of Magical Overthinking: Notes on Modern Irrationality by Amanda Montell is a captivating read for those seeking insight into the complexities of our contemporary society. Montell's exploration of the rise of irrationality is both enlightening and entertaining, showcasing her sharp intellect and keen eye for impactful imagery.

The Age of Magical Overthinking: Notes on Modern Irrationality by Amanda Montell
Pub date: April 9th
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Amanda Montell has done it again, has made nonfiction the most interesting thing you can read. In a combination of personal reflection and cultural criticism, Montell depicts the modern age and the mind’s inner workings, with popular references. From discussing the halo effect with emphasis on celebrities such as Taylor Swift and Beyoncé to going into the nostalgia effect, learning has never been more fun and accessible. So many points in this book had me agreeing, reflecting on my own experience, and considering how these things play out every day. I cannot recommend her nonfiction enough. You’ll feel so smart and knowledgeable, basking in the author’s intelligence. Plus anything to do with pop culture is worth it!

Thank you @netgalley for an ARC of this book!

We’re living in what they call the “Information Age,” but life only seems to be making less sense.


The Age of Magical Overthinking
By Amanda Montell
Release Date : April 9th, 2024

3 ⭐️

This book was fun for what it was, but is definitely my least fave of the three Amanda has out now. I found myself drifting a lot because the chapters seemed to sometimes be more ranty than anything else. I did learn some from the book, but it the end I was happy to be finished.

amanda montell at her finest! i’ve enjoyed all of her previous works, Wordslut and Cultish, but The Age of Magical Overthinking takes the cake. each essay took different cognitive bias and gave them modern context, how they show up in our everyday lives in a way that is unique to the time period we are currently in. although different than what i originally expected, this book was so fascinating. montell writes each essay with personal anecdotes as well as provides interesting and trustworthy sources to back her up. i think my favorite essay was on survivorship bias, as i have been noticing a lot of it myself on social media.

montell writes my favorite type of nonfiction: books that feel like a fun, yet intellectual, conversation.

thank you netgalley for the eARC in exchange for an honest review!

4.5 stars

I loved this! The deep dive on relevant topics. Montell's voice is so clear that I felt as if I were listening to her podcast as I was reading. Will definitely recommend!

Could've been an essay... there were a few parts I took something away from, but most of it seemed to be saying nothing with too many words.

Amanda Montell has been a favorite author of mine since her first book Wordslut. My growing admiration for her work strengthened with her sophomore title, Cultish. Many podcast listeners know Montell from her popular podcast, Sounds like a Cult. She's relatable, but does her homework. Now Montell has done it again with her new title, The Age of Magicial Overthinking. In her third book, Montell examines how in our age of information overload we are all guilty of many biases and how they affect how day-to-day lives and perceptions. Each chapter is both fascinating and humorous. I truly love the way Montell's mind works.
Thank you to NetGalley for an ARC of this title in exchange for my honest review.

Montell's newest book explores cognitive biases, arguing that in the modern information age, our brain’s coping mechanisms have been overloaded. It's written in an easy-to-follow conversational style and is peppered with anecdotes and humor. Fans of Montell's previous books and her podcast will appreciate this book.

Have you ever overthought on a subject such as a musician, book or movie? Maybe about something that happens around you?

In Amanda Montell's new book, The Age of Magical Overthinking, she looks at a few overthought topics, such as interactions in relationships and celebrity stans, and how we gravitate towards overthinking on things. The overthinking process is something we all deal with in a big and small manners thanks to biases in our own life. I found Amanda's thought process insightful. There were some examples she provided that I connected more to than others, but even if I didn't connect with the example it just showed out connected we are as humans in our thought processes.

If you've enjoyed her previous book, Cultish, I think you'll really enjoy this one. Also if you want to know more about why you think the way you do, this book is for you.

Thank you to Atria and Netgalley for a copy in exchange for review consideration.

A quick, interesting read about cognitive biases and the ways they show up in our day to day lives. What I loved about this, and all of Amanda’s work, is the way she weaves sometimes really complex ideas and concepts with easy to understand pop culture references and examples that feel really relatable. This book is funny and informative and I highlighted so many things that I can’t wait to go back and think about and reflect on.

Thank you to NetGalley and Atria books for an ARC in exchange for an honest review!

This is a series of essays in which the author examines different cognitive biases and applies them to current affairs.

These are theories that many of us learn in first year psychology or sociology classes. As that was 15 years ago for me, it was very interesting to see them applied to current phenomena and issues.

The author has a unique voice and writing style. I found the book to be thought-provoking and insightful. I would have liked it to delve a bit deeper into some areas but I don’t think that was its purpose and I recognize that doing so might have made the book feel like a textbook. Overall, I enjoyed this book and I’m looking forward to reading the author’s other books.

Thank you to One Signal Publishers | Atria Books (Simon & Schuster) and NetGalley for giving me the opportunity to read an ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Amanda Montell has done it again! She is the queen of making non-fiction accessible and compulsively readable. I have really enjoyed her other books and I loved this one! I can't wait for more from her.

This was the first book of Montell's that I read and I would read more! The book was a series of observations about biases and society today. All the observations were spot on and aligned with my thoughts but it provided data, research, and anecdotal evidence to back them up. Super interesting read and I learned quite a few tidbits that made me view how we interact with the world differently.

Thanks to Atria and NetGalley for the advanced copy!

Why does every news headline bring about a maelstrom of anxiety churning in our guts?
What causes us to feel indignant by our favorite celebrity’s choice of boyfriend? With her trademark wit, Montell explores the ways our cognitive biases color our experiences of cultural phenomena, world events, and personal relationships. Through interviews with experts, extensive research, and personal stories, Montell helps shine a light on why our world can feel overwhelming, enlightening, terrifying, and awe-inspiring, often at the same time.

This was a great book. I loved Montell's other book, so when I saw this one, I was very excited. I love how the book tackles so many aspects of overthinking and the mentality behind it.

Wow this was a great book! I loved the different topics covered and how much they relate to my life and others around me. I feel like I learned a lot and made me more aware in my current life. Great book I’d suggest to all my friends!

Amanda Montell uses all of her skills, interests, experience, and knowledge to bring her latest topic to the page. There are so many ways our thoughts and beliefs can be affected (and effectively hacked), by the over abundance of information online and in the media these days, but Montell manages to distill some of the most compelling into carefully curated sections. She highlights specific cognitive biases, shows us where they might come from, and how they affect our views of the world--all through research, interviews, and her own personal experiences. It feels more like discussing these deep topics with a good friend, but one you know has done her homework. I have loved all of Montell's work to date, and love that she is continuing to investigate what makes us (and our thinking and our language) tick.