Goblin Mode is a brilliant guide on how to nurture the little imp in all of us. Scrounge for your favorite plants and foliage, craft your chaotic heart away and get in touch with your ugly side!
As soon as I saw the title, I knew I had to read this. I’m living in my goblincore peak right now and could always use some new ideas! You can look at it like a form of self care. A messy form of self care but one none the less. I hope this book connects with as many people as possible who need to be taught that sometimes the ugly and the messy can also make us happy!

Overall, I liked the style of this book. While the focus may have been on modern goblin style, the message I got from it was to be honest with yourself and do what makes you happy.

If you're looking for a how-to guide to embracing your inner goblin, this didn't do that for me. I went into reading this thinking it would include a lot more instructional guide to embracing your inner goblin. Instead, I found more reflective-style writing and discussions about community, diversity, and embracing your own weirdness. While it may have been different to what I expected, I still enjoyed the read.

This was a Netgalley review.

A cute tabletop book that is full of fun activities to unleash your inner goblin.

It's very beautifully presented and fun to read but there's nothing particularly deep or life-changing in here. The author has taken an aesthetic and gone deeply into the idea of it. It's definitely a beautiful gift to someone in your life who identifies with a woodland/frog/nature aesthetic but nothing life changing!

I really adored this book. I snagged it because I'm really into the goblincore aesthetic, but this author has done a superb job of translating the tenets of that aesthetic - collecting things, eclectic style, sustainability, finding things in nature, etc - and translated them into a self-help setting. The layout was good, the illustrations are cute, and I will definitely read again. Fellow imps and goblins hoarding your collection of random things, go ahead and pick this up and see how you can integrate goblin mode into more aspects of your life.

A fun introduction to "goblincore," something I was not familiar with before reading this book. Some cute ideas and concepts but it didn't quite translate fully to a book format.

I really enjoyed this book, and I found quite cozily inspiring. I kind of wish I'd come across it in my early 20s, back when I was trying to be a Very Serious Adult with a Very Serious Household. Goblin Mode is a great reminder to enjoy and embrace all your quirks, clutter, and the things that truly bring you joy. I especially loved the chapter on "Adorning Your Lair" and it made my look at my home with an eye towards the things I truly love and that make me feel warm and safe cozy, rather than what HGTV might think my home should look like. I also particularly enjoyed Coyle's goblin take on self-care. This book was fun and sweet and sprinkled with cool little crafts and activities, most of which were pretty new to me. Marian Churchland's illustrations were charming and added to the text.

I read this as an EARC on NetGalley, but I plan on getting a physical copy once it's out. I would love to have this book in my collection to write and makes notes in.

I enjoyed the quirkiness of this book but I found it to be inconsistent in its views and it just wasn't for me. This book talks about respecting nature and animals and admiring them from afar (no touching - yes!). But then it encourages keeping creatures like stick insects as "pets" in tiny tanks (what?). And finishes by recommending beauty products with snail mucin (poor snails!).

I found McKayla's Cole's Goblin Mode whimsical, fun and interesting. As someone who loves the cottage-core aesthetic, I loved this book. Now, I find myself relating more to the quickness and charm of this 'goblin core.' I liked the description of nature, remedies, home decor, thrifting and mending!

Thank you, Quirk Books and NetGalley, for providing an eARC of this book.

Great little book. Not something that I’d buy for myself but it’s a perfect gift for the Goblin in your life. It’s cute and validating. And greeeen

A really quirky, offbeat, and temporal take on self help and self improvement -- I really enjoyed McKayla's Cole's Goblin Mode! Though some of the recommendations seemed a bit strange to me, personally, I think it's a really warm embrace into a genre for many who may not normally flock to it.

Ok, this book is kind of goofy and definitely light. But for god's sake, it at least acknowledges that we aren't all perfect, that minimalism isn't a virtue we must all aspire to, and that it's ok to be messy. I'm not into aesthetics at all, but this one I can handle.

If your aesthetic doesn't quite fit either the clean looks of minimalism or the sweet charm of cottagecore, maybe you're... a goblin? Goblincore is apparently the latest fun aesthetic, and the beauty of it is its playful, messy, subversive nature. In this book, you can find a more detailed description of what it means to be part of the goblin community (including putting an end to the nasty image of goblins as greedy and dirty and used for antisemitic purposes) as well as tips for creating a goblincore lifestyle through exploring nature, thrifting and mending clothes, creating a messy but cozy home, foraging, and more.

A fun read, one that appealed to me more than some of the other -core movements I've come across, and one that welcomes and celebrates all "weirdos" and humans who have ever felt left out or who have wanted to bust social norms.

Thank you, Quirk Books and NetGalley, for providing an eARC of this book. Opinions expressed here are solely my own.

This was an interesting idea that didn't end up having a lot of substance to it--I'm not sure that it translated all that well from Instagram content to book form. Still, I found it pleasant to skim through. I did like the general vibe of the book--very cute, outdoorsy, and cozy. I also really appreciated that it addressed the antisemitic stereotypes of goblins in the first chapter.

This is the sort of book I would probably give to a friend who was messy and outdoorsy but not expect to gain lots of personal insight from.

This was such a comforting self help book. Less about getting out there and doing all the things, and more about finding the things you love and that bring you comfort to help heal from the bad days. The author explores the goblin core aesthetic in a way that’s digestible to someone who might have never heard of it before. I did feel like the amphibian. and reptile section felt a bit random, but I wasn’t sure if this is either a big part of goblin core or the author's own special interests. There was also a lot more on foraging than I expected but I’m not complaining because the author does use a lot more nuance on the topic than I’ve seen in other books. This is also a very inclusive book which I appreciate

As a goblincore beginner, I was looking forward to delving into the culture more. There were plenty of ideas and ways for you to gather your collection to you, ways that didn't necessarily need you to live in a cave in the woods. I liked the fact that there were alternatives for those who lived in the city and ways you could incorporate Goblin-ness into your everyday life.
I do wish that there had been more illustrations but the ones that were there were suitably adorable.

I'd never heard of Goblin Mode or Goblincore until a few weeks ago but this is the ethos I've been looking for, for some time now! I love my little collections of sea glass, shells, pebbles, pine cones and crystals in glass jars. Most of my clothes that aren't for work come from charity shops, as do a lot of my books and games. I snuggle at home under a blanket with candles lit, a hot drink and a good book. I'm embracing full Goblin Mode, and after the last few years I think we all deserve to do the same! This is an entertaining read, and would make a great present for someone who needs to accept less than perfection, let it go!

This was a delightful, cozy read that I thoroughly enjoyed. I loved the messages of self care and self love at the core of being a goblin. Thank you to NetGalley and Quirk books for the ARC!

This book is super original!
I have never read a book like this before.
It's looking at spirituality, magick, and nature in a completely original way!
I liked how varied the topics were, and how cosy this book felt.

The only downside is that I wish there was more illustrations.

Working in a bookstore a year ago I discovered a book titled "Cottagecore". It's content was very similar to this, only more in the style of the cottagecore aesthetic. The book was lovely, but didn't quite align with me. From then on there was a hole in my heart. I was aimless, looking, hoping for a book that would speak to my aesthetic soul...then this book showed up! Goblin Mode reaches down deep into my soul and gives it a warm hug filled with validation. It's filled with wonderful explanations on what it means to be in "Goblin Mode" and how anyone can be apart of it.
One aspect of the book that stands out is that the author, McKayla Coyle, acknowledges that certain aspects of the aesthetic are abeilist. Nature, when portrayed in mainstream media, is an excellent example. Skinny, rich white people float up and down a mountain. This does not acknowledge that a majority of the population may not have the means and resources to hike a mountain with such ease. Coyle does an excellent job of acknowledging these faults and offers changes to make it inclusive for everyone.
This does not mean just people with disabilities, but even those who do not live near nature. Living in the city, it is easy to think that you are disconnected from nature. Coyle does a fantastic job of being inclusive for all lifestyles and environments.

**Thank you to Quirk Books, the author, and NetGalley for providing this eARC in exchange for an honest review. This book will be released on June 27, 2023.**

It is, perhaps, totally ridiculous to be reviewing a book in December that won’t release for another 6 months, but the moment I got approved for this eARC, I couldn’t help myself. I lasted all of 5 minutes before I indulged my goblin nature and cracked it open, so to speak.

Within the first few pages, the author perfectly sums up what goblincore is in a way that speaks to me on a personal level: “Goblincore is an aesthetic for those of us who are a bit too disorganized for minimalism, a bit too grungy for hygge, and probably a bit too sticky for anything else.” So, you know, finally a lifestyle book for me! And the sentiment behind that description really carries through each chapter—there are frequent reminders that being a goblin is all about embracing your individuality, your personal weirdness, doing things in a way that work for you, and, of course, connecting with nature and being a bit more sustainable.

There were three chapters that I enjoyed the most: Goblin Finery, Adorn Your Lair, and Gobin Market—also known as clothing, home decor, and foraging/gardening. This was like a perfect little capsule of some information I might have found elsewhere, like how to reevaluate your wardrobe and seek out what really makes you feel good and comfortable, what to do with the clothes that don’t serve you any more, and beginning mending tips. The same went for home section, and I really loved that the author provided alternatives for—just as an example—people who live in the desert who may have to lean towards succulents rather than mushrooms, or people who do prefer to live a more minimalist life by offering cleaning and organizing tips (and something I truly needed to hear: a reminder that you should not conflate cleanliness with morality). In general, the book is really good about acknowledging that not everything it contains will work for everyone and encourages experimentation to find your own individual interests and styles. As for the foraging and gardening chapter—well, I’m already trying to learn more about those two, and this book just cemented my desire to learn more and improve while also providing encouragement and little ways to bring greenery and nature inside in case I turn out to be… less than adequate at growing plants.

As I was reading, I noted (not a very goblin thing to do, I’ll admit) that I felt the introduction and first chapter felt the teensiest bit repetitive, but that quickly passes; as I said earlier, I do like the repeated affirmations that “Being a goblin is all about finding what empowers you and building a life around that” and the other ways that message is worded and expressed, so I figure I don’t have all that much room to complain about it. I also should say that although much of the content here doesn’t dig very deep, it’s clear from the outset that this is more of an introductory course than a goblin masterclass, and there are so many good books on each individual point of interest that’s brought up that anyone interested in further resources will definitely find something. This is especially important when it comes to foraging, canning, and animal care, because you don’t want to misidentify a mushroom or forget that pesticides are rampant if you’re city foraging, forget that you need new lids when canning, or not know how to take care of living being dependent on you! Goblins may be silly little guys, but they’re also responsible when it counts. It also should be mentioned that the “Goblin Problems” section is important, and that I particularly appreciate the author’s cautioning to avoid perpetuating antisemitic stereotypes of goblins because unfortunately, the two are often connected. So, this is something we should all keep in mind as we try to live our best goblin lives.

And now, if you will excuse me, I have a blanket nest to build and some wallowing to do as we close out the year.