While I'm not totally sure who the audience for this book is (while I could absolutely see myself gifting a book like book 1, <i>Houseplants and Their Fucked-Up Thoughts</i>, to the many plant lovers in my life, I don't know anyone nearly as passionate about tchotchkes), this book would certainly make a coffee table stunner for the tchotchke lover in your life, whoever that might be. While the jokes can be a little hit-or-miss, even if you're only a casual tchotchke appreciator (like myself), there's a lot to appreciate about this book—I'm still laughing at the rubber chicken and the bobblehead doll.

To ask the key question: Are the tchotchke's thoughts fucked-up? No, not really. The humor in this tends to fall into one of two categories: (1) absurd, which is always my jam, or (2) the sort of thing your kinda rude uncle would say when he's had a little too much to drink at the family reunion. Realistically, probably exactly what you'd ACTUALLY expect from a book like this, though you might want to proceed with caution depending on who you're gifting this to.

My one disappointment was the illustrations, which turned out to be (according to the end-of-book credit) Shutterstock images. When I pick up books like this, I usually assume that I'm going to be checking out an artist's quirky personal style, and the images fell flat. When a book is half image, I hope to see visuals playing a prominent role! For that reason, I don't know that I would put this on my personal coffee table (even if I developed a deep and abiding obsession with tchotchkes)...but I can't speak for everyone! Maybe the images will hit the spot for you. :)

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for sharing an ARC copy of this book in exchange for an honest review! All opinions are, of course, my own.

An excellent read for any and all readers! Author comes at you with both barrels and knocks you out of your shoes! Great job fleshing out all the characters. I give this book FIVE stars! Definitely recommend!

This book is hilarious! I cannot wait to share this with my family. I can see it on my parents coffee table and one that will be a conversation starter for years to come!

Many of these “inner monologues” made me snort :) Nothing could have prepared me for the Hummel Figurine or the worry stone.

Standout quote has to be “I belong in the spirit realm, not the art book.”

The astrological signs were an especially nice touch!

Each tchotchke has an illustration and passage and ‘care instructions’ on facing pages. Perfect for fans of subversive cross stitch and irreverent humor.

I received a copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.

A short little book with some funny thoughts what all the tchotchkes we have around the house could be thinking.

Any dark humor I love, this did not disappoint. I loved it! Ornate mirror and butterfly collection are my favorites. Thanks NetGallery!

What a treat! Everyone loves a good tchotchke and this will make you adore them even more. Laugh out loud and also a bit sentimental. This would make the perfect coffee table book or gift!

I received this DRC from NetGalley.

This is obviously not a real sit down and read kind of book. Maybe it's good as a gift or for a waiting room. The artwork was fine; it has the flat infographic look, which I don't mind. As for the humor, I think there were bits here and there that made me laugh a little. It has a sarcastic/ cynical bend, so you have to like that kind of thing. It's not meant to be read through like a regular book, because then it starts feeling repetitive, which is why I think it's better as something sitting on your table for someone to peruse casually while waiting. But for someone who would just read it, I wished there was a little connectivity between the items. Like a couple of them mentioned other things that weren't in the book. But I would have liked if they made a casual remark about another item that shows up later, and for that item to also just casually mention something about wanting to push the first guy off the shelf or something, just to add some interest for someone bothering to actually read it all the way through.

Ngl, this is as dad joke-y as I was hoping it <i>wouldn't</i> be. Granted, the mention of hookers and white powder does give it more of an edge. Still not enough to qualify as fked up though, if you ask me. (You did, unfortunately.)
I did still get some giggles out of it though! It's not a waste of time, it's just not something I'd recommend to my own friends. Great for someone with a more civil sense of humor :)

{Thank you bunches to Elizabeth Saake, The Collective Book Studio and NetGalley for the DRC in exchange for my honest review!)

What a truly absurd book! I like how committed author Elizabeth Saake to her bit. She meticulously catalogs each item by type, and then details their thoughts along with providing a great photo. This book reads as a reference guide but for the most unhinged topic ever. Great concept, great execution.

This will make a fun gift book. It is pretty light hearted, simple, and bright. It does cover quite a lot of specific "tchotkes" that especially the over 30 crowd will remember and appreciate

Review to come to blog/other places in April.

I received this book from Netgalley in exchange of an honest review.

Have you ever thought what your little items, your tchotchkes were thinking for real? What if they had some really dark thoughts? Well, that is what drew me to this book when I spotted it on Netgalley, I was definitely curious! Plus, also curious which items we would get to see.

The book is split up in 5 sections, from whimsical (with hula girls and rubber chickens) to Spiritual and Mystical (featuring Angel Ornaments and Worry Stones) to Functional and Decorative (with ornate mirrors and a terrifying Butterfly Collection) to Vintage and Collectibles (with Wooden Horses and Music Boxes) to Cultural and Artisanal (featuring eggs and urns). I really loved that there were so many sections. I had thought this one would just be one big clutter of items, but instead it is all neatly sorted! And so you can easily go to your preferred section if you want that. Or if you spy an item that you are interested in. Or just read it all, like I did, haha.

When the author said fucked up in the title I hadn't expected them to be that fucked up. Some I really liked and I shared a couple with my hubby who also had to laugh, but there were a couple that were just a bit too fucked up for me to enjoy and I actually felt a bit bad reading them. Or some that didn't even relate to me as I live in Europe, and let's just tell you that the snowglobe may not see much snow here either but at least it is cold. *shivers* But despite several making me feel uncomfortable/wondering what has traumatised that item, there were also plenty that had me laughing or nodding along. Like the doll. Or the vintage model train. Or the meditating buddha.

Plus, I also still love the idea of this book. I am always curious what items would think in my home if they could think. XD And I liked that we didn't just get their thoughts but also care/handling + ideal location in home + even their horoscope (which I hadn't expected at ALL). Oh, and of course the illustration of the item was also fun. 

All in all, I am quite happy I was able to read it. Yes, some didn't work, but there were plenty that I liked.

I would have given this book a 5 if the illustrations were a better quality. Real photographs of the items vs a clip art style would have really sold me. I loved this book and would totally gift it to a friend!

Ever wonder if your trinkets are secretly gossiping about you? Spoiler alert: they probably are. *Tchotchkes and Their F*cked-Up Thoughts* is a hilariously dark dive into the world of your collectibles—whether they’re quietly judging your life choices or sharing secrets behind your back. This book takes a playful, sarcastic look at over 50 of your favorite knickknacks, from porcelain cats to quirky desk ornaments, and imagines what they might really be thinking. Packed with witty illustrations and cheeky commentary, it gives you a fresh perspective on the things you thought were just cute decor. Each trinket—from the classic rubber chicken to your vintage lava lamp—has a personality, and they’re not shy about expressing it. With a mix of dark humor, absurdity, and a dash of sarcasm, *Tchotchkes and Their F*cked-Up Thoughts* will make you laugh out loud while you reconsider every figurine you’ve ever collected. Prepare to see your tchotchkes in a whole new light—one where they’re definitely not as innocent as they seem!

You will never look at another trinket the same way again after reading this book!
Hilarious and filled with sarcasm, dark humor, wit, and some very deep thoughts from the objects on our shelves.

A fun book to page through. The illustrations where well done and the formatting of each made it a easy read. Some are funnier than others (could have done without the dream catcher, or maybe a note that they are cultural appropriation if not made by Native people), but overall I can see it being a fun gift.