Member Reviews
Thanks to NetGalley for this ARC! This was an engaging exploration of the cognitive biases at the heart of modern irrationality. As with Montell’s other books, going back to Wordslut, this text very naturally incorporated the author’s own experiences, pop culture references, and historical analogies. Overall, it was fun, informative, down-to-earth, and thought-provoking!
I feel like this is a generous 3, but I could see others enjoying this a lot more than I did. Had this book been committed to being a memoir or short-essays, I may have gone in with different expectations, but instead I was anticipating a deep-dive into biases and paradigms. I got... mostly what felt like Amanda Montell defining one of those things, quoting a few scientists/artists/celebrities on the matter, then relating the concept back to her life in some way. Ultimately, the chapters didn't really commit in any one direction either - are these biases good? Bad? Human nature? Things we can work on?
Oh well.
This was a fun, quick read about common logical fallacies and while none of it was necessarily new information, it was still interesting to read. A good intro to nonfiction for people who aren't normally into nonfiction!
~ARC provided by NetGalley~
I'm going to sound like I'm exaggerating, but this book should be required reading. In "The Age of Magical Overthinking," Ashley Montell breaks down different cognitive biases that shape how we view the world around us. How we think about and frame things has so much to do with how we move through the world, but has little to do with the outcome--despite what we want to believe. Certain chapters, like the one on the sunk cost fallacy and survivorship bias, literally made me implement immediate changes in the way I think or construct narratives about my life. Even the last chapter, on the Ikea effect, made me experience putting together a piece of furniture with my partner last night a totally different experience. Even though I read an advanced copy, I pre-ordered a hard copy of the book, because I know this is something I'll want to share and reread when I need to. The human experience is chaotic and unpredictable, even though our brains crave symmetry, manifestation, and narratives that align with our pre-existing beliefs.
If you, too, are an anxious millennial who feels like they can barely keep their head above water, pre-order/put on hold/keep an eye out for this book in April. I cannot stress enough how powerful this book is.
fantastically done on the problems of this celeb-filled, social media oriented digital age. i quite enjoyed the read. thanks for the arc.
Love Montell’s previous works so was very excited to see a new one by her. Each chapter Montell goes through a different cognitive bias bringing in her experiences of a toxic relationship, her work in the beauty industry etc. This books is well laid out, throughly researched and very approachable and relatable. Highly recommend
The Age of Magical Overthinking is a deep dive into the human condition in our current social media obsessed world. Each chapter discusses a different bias, fallacy, illusion or effect. If you’re like me, then these chapters put words to ideas or concepts I experience but couldn’t put words to.
Amanda Montell has such a distinct writing style and voice in this nonfiction book that makes it read like fiction. She presents facts and notes studies seamlessly while still making it seem casual and conversational. The personal anecdotes she includes makes it all feel so relatable.
Some of my favorite chapters were “A Toxic Relationship is Just a Cult of One: a note on the sunk cost fallacy” and “The Scammer Within: a note on overconfidence bias.”
This was a first for me with Montell. I have listened to and love the podcast "Sounds like a cult" but I have not read previous works such as Cultist. However, knowing the podcast was enough to tickle my interest. 😁 Give the podcast a listen and if it resonates with you then you will love the book like I did.
Prepare to embark on a whimsical yet razor-sharp expedition into the labyrinth of your mind with Amanda Montell's latest masterpiece, "The Age of Magical Overthinking." This book is not just a read; it's an adventure—a roller coaster of cognitive biases, a treasure hunt for sanity in an insane world, and quite frankly, the mental equivalent of trying to solve a Rubik's Cube while riding a unicycle.
The book is like a backstage pass to the concert of your cognitive biases. You'll meet the Halo Effect, that sneaky devil that makes us worship and despise celebrities equally, and the Sunk Cost Fallacy, the clingy ex of logical fallacies that keeps us in bad relationships and worse investments. Montell doesn't just identify these biases; she pulls them apart with the precision of a brain surgeon and the humor of your funniest friend.
But don't think this book is just about pointing fingers at our silly brains. No, Montell is as much a part of this magical overthinking world as we are. She shares candid tales from her own life – from her dance with toxic relationships to her tango with beauty influencers – making you feel like you're chatting with a wise, witty friend who just happens to know a lot about why we're all a bit nuts.
Overall, this was a fun and insightful read. It's a call to embrace our magical overthinking, to laugh at it, and maybe, just maybe, to understand it a little better. So, if you're ready to have your mind gently blown (and have a good chuckle while it's happening), then "The Age of Magical Overthinking" is your must-read ticket to the funhouse that is our collective psyche. 🎪🧠💫
A big thank you to NetGalley, Atria Books, and Atria/One Signal Publishers for the ARC.
I loved Amanda Montell’s Cultish, so I was excited to have the chance to read her newest book. It does not disappoint! Like Cultish, she manages to write about the topics she’s covering in a way that’s digestible and engaging while still being well researched and thorough. Reading this felt like I was talking to a really smart really interesting friend. I didn’t want it to end, but now that it has this book has fully cemented me as an Amanda Montell fan.
Thank you for the ARC, NetGalley!
When I saw Amanda Montell had a new book coming out I requested it on NetGalley right away (thanks NetGalley / Publisher!) since I enjoyed her last book Cultish so much. This book was more personal than Cultish, and some of the chapters drove her point home better than others, but overall I enjoyed this book. "Notes on Modern Irrationality" via Memoir and Pop Culture would be the perfect way to sum this book up. It was one of those books that made me stop think, and that is a good thing.
Thank you NetGalley for an ARC of this incredible book. Montell continues with her brilliant work as a modern linguist and cultural observer to breakdown different cognitive biases and the role they play in our daily lives.
Montell’s reported essays are a stellar mix of citing relevant studies and interviews with her own personal experience with each of the biases she unpacks. This was such a fun, informative read!
I feel like we are living in a state of perpetual noise. This book felt like a balm. I liked how Montell weaves in stories from her own life with a reflection on our culture and society as a whole. I especially loved a line about how we are living with more access to information than ever before but the world makes so much less sense.
Thank you for the opportunity to review The Age of Magical Overthinking by Amanda Montell. This isn't my first Montell book and I did enjoy the others so was excited to receive the ARC for this one. AM is clearly a skilled writer and paints interesting and compelling scenes in each of her works, including this one. I think I am the wrong audience for this newest work - this reads as if she's just discovered some of the concepts she outlines and is exploring from a younger/more beginner-based lens. I gamely worked through the chapters, only to find this continued throughout.
My sense is that others will likely enjoy this book and many will learn a lot they can then grow in other ways. Just wasn't for me. 4 stars for writing quality and intention. The -1 is for it just not being for me.
I don't have many NF writers I gravitate towards as MUST READS. But Amanda Montell is a must-read author for me. Her work is just so interesting and she's able to write about so many different things--language, psychology, sociology...and I love it all!
I really enjoyed this book--my only sort of "qualm" with this book is that I feel like the thesis isn't as strong as the others. Sometimes I wondered how the topic of the chapter tied in with overthinking, but that didn't detract from my reading much. In general, if you've enjoyed Wordslut and Cult-ish, this one is also a quick and interesting read!
Thanks to NetGalley and Atria for the ARC!
This was just as well-written & interesting as Montell’s previous book, “Cultish”. Each chapter is an essay on a different cognitive bias sprinkled with Montell’s signature humor and wit. I loved the personal narratives throughout and how she managed to pair them with her research & interviews. It was interesting to see all the ways in which she linked the biases to current issues/things we see in our society today. Lots of great information broken down into a way that is enjoyable and easy to understand!
I recently had the privilege of reading an advance copy of Amanda Montell's upcoming book, "The Age of Magical Overthinking: Notes on Modern Irrationality," and I'm thrilled to share my thoughts on this brilliant and thought-provoking work. In her latest masterpiece, Montell has truly hit the trifecta, following the success of her previous books, "Wordslut" and "Cultish." This new addition to her repertoire is nothing short of exceptional, blending cultural criticism with personal narrative in a way that captivates and challenges. "Magical thinking" is dissected with razor-sharp precision throughout the book, defined as the belief that internal thoughts can influence external events. Montell takes us on a journey through a myriad of cognitive biases that permeate our minds, from the captivating allure of the "Halo effect" to the entrapment of the "Sunk Cost Fallacy."
What sets Montell apart is her ability to tackle these complex concepts with a delightful blend of wit and brilliance. Each chapter is a deep dive into the irrationalities that run rampant in our brains, offering both insight and humor in equal measure. The result is a captivating read that keeps you engaged from start to finish.
In a world where information overload has become the norm, Montell's message of hope, empathy, and forgiveness shines through. She navigates the challenges of the modern information age, dissecting how our coping mechanisms have been overloaded and our irrationality turned up to an eleven. Yet, amidst the chaos, Montell manages to infuse a sense of optimism.
Having read an ARC, I am eagerly anticipating the publication date so that I can purchase a copy and mark it up with notes and highlights. Montell's ability to make sense of the senseless is a testament to her skill as an author and a beacon for those who may have lost faith in our ability to reason.
I do wish there had been more of a wrap-up at the end, but otherwise, this book was perfection - a refreshing perspective on our anxiety-addled human selves.
A sincere thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
From the bestselling author of Cultish and host of the podcast Sounds Like a Cult , a delicious blend of cultural criticism and personal narrative that explores our cognitive biases and the power, disadvantages, and highlights of magical thinking.
Well I love everything that Amanda Montell has written and this is no exception. In The Age of Magical Overthinking, Montell breaks down the various cognitive biases that impact us in our post-COVID, hyper-online world. Montell doesn’t speak about these things from a holier-than-thou, self-help and betterment perspective. She’s candid and genuine in these essays, speaking lots from her own experience, which makes the reader want to continue reading and learning and reflecting.
A book that can make me laugh, think, and feel smarter and more self-reflective is always a book I will enjoy.
I think Amanda Montell is such a great writer. She does a fantastic job of being funny and witty, while also delivering information that should at times be complicated. And yet the book reads so easily, much like her last two books, that before you know it you are done. I thought the topics covered in this book were interesting, but I do wish there was a slightly stronger throughline. While I can see how all the chapters are thematically similar, it did feel a bit like each were independent interests strong armed together. Maybe a conclusion would have made it feel more fluid? This however didn't take away from my enjoyment of the book, just made it feel almost like a collection of essays on the same subject but not quite interrelated. I am excited to see what Montell dives into next for research for her inevitable fourth book, as she touches on so many interesting topics here I'd love to see some fleshed out into a longer piece.
Unfortunately my arc expired but I'm sure it's good bc Montell is a talented writer and speaker. It sounds excellent!
Firstly, I want to express my gratitude for receiving this ARC from Atria Books via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you to the author and publisher, it’s so fun to be able to do this!
The Age of Magical Overthinking by Amanda Montell is a collection of essays on cognitive biases, exploring how the way our brains operate doesn't always align with the demands of the modern world. Montell, the bestselling author of Cultish and host of the podcast Sounds Like a Cult, has a conversational writing style that makes her books enjoyable to read. It's not akin to an academic paper; instead, it feels like listening to your best friend tell you about the internet rabbit hole she fell down.
The book walks a fine line between personal narrative and a nonfiction social science book, which took a bit of getting used to. Montell, an excellent storyteller, shines in the sections where she provides examples of cognitive biases in her own life. Particularly compelling is her description of a toxic relationship in the chapter on the "Sunk Cost Fallacy" – it truly resonated with me. This isn't to say I didn't appreciate the more academic parts; I enjoyed the research-oriented sections as well. Addressing how research shows these fallacies helped our ancestors, Montell seamlessly integrates this insight with anecdotes.
I highly recommend this to anyone wanting a better understanding of themselves and the world around them. It's optimistic, bright, and just what I needed to start 2024.