A review by kayhush
The Age of Magical Overthinking: Notes on Modern Irrationality by Amanda Montell

challenging informative reflective medium-paced

5.0

This ARC took me quite a long time to get through.  Not because it was bad, but because it was absolutely excellent.  I am always a bit leery about non-fiction that might swing to the side of self-help, but this book was solidly in the realm of self-realization.  It didn't tell me *how* to think, but it shone a light on how I think.

While I have heard of many of these cognitive biases, I have never had them discussed in such a candid and relatable way.  Having recently been diagnosed with OCD (okay so I guess not everyone thought like I did, as I had assumed...), the term "magical thinking" itself was new to me.  So having not only the term but also the related cognitive biases so candidly illuminated, was very personally impactful.

Not only will I be recommending this book to anyone and everyone, but I will also be purchasing my physical copy to mark up and annotate for myself.  It is a book that I will come back to regularly, and each time, a new section or paragraph will jump off the page.

Big thank you to NetGalley and Atria Books for a free digital advanced reader copy.  All opinions are my own and I am leaving this review voluntarily.