Such a quirky, fun lifestyle book. I had heard of Cottagecore but not Goblincore. This was awesome. I really enjoyed this and now only identify as a Goblin haha

This was a highly enjoyable and cozy read, filled with some great tips and beautiful illustrations. I've heard of "Goblincore" before and didn't think it fit me exactly, but now I'm a convert. The author describes goblincore as "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.” Even if that doesn't apply to you, Goblin Mode has many useful tips for exploring, being comfortable in your clothes and space, self-care, and some neat crafts that I can't wait to try!

As someone who’s always felt out of step, chaotic, and weird, this is the lifestyle book I’ve been waiting for my entire life. I love how the author describes goblincore “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.” Perfection!

She writes about inclusivity and community, sustainability, and connecting with nature along with embracing your inner goblin - the parts that are messy, weird, and too much. She includes crafts and activities that are accessible - encouraging readers to engage on the level where they’re able. The accompanying illustrations display the perfect cozy vibe.

I loved the focus on comfort - making your lair a refuge, wearing what suits you but also being comfortable as yourself, and even seeking out like minded goblins.

As a neurodivergent person, this book truly felt like a revelation about embracing my oddness, connecting with nature, even in small ways, and leaning hard into my need for coziness.

This self-empowering nonfiction book is eclectic as goblins themselves with a mix of self-care, nature, lifestyle, and crafts to help you embrace the Goblin lifestyle because “Your open weirdness could inspire someone else to embrace their secret weirdness”. The highlights for me are definitely the crafty bits and validation that my rock collection is indeed a valid decorative choice. I’d recommend to anyone who likes calm, easy, nonfiction and topics I mentioned above plus it’s just pretty with all the doodles scatter through!

If minimalism squashes your soul and following every trend exhausts you, the goblin life may be for you. In this truly adorable book, Coyle expertly weaves heart-warming goblin imagery with practical application so that every reader can create a cozy, quirky, true-to-yourself life. Each chapter is dedicated to a different facet of goblin life - connecting to nature, creating a cozy abode, adorning yourself in a loving way, and nourishing your body. You can read the book from beginning to end or pick and choose which aspects of goblin living you would like to try first. Once you engage with this book - even if just one chapter - you’ll see your life in a more compassionate and joyful way.

I appreciated Coyle’s acknowledgement of racial stereotypes used to describe goblins in folklore while also encouraging a reclamation of goblin imagery. Goblins in pop culture aren’t usually characters to emulate, but Coyle does a great job of clearing away the gunk and illuminating the comfort and joy goblins embody.

This book is a true all-around gem. It can serve as a fun coffee table book as part of your cozy goblin clutter while also encouraging anyone who picks it up to try a new craft or see the world around them more intentionally. This book has already helped me examine my current habits and passions to understand what brings me joy, what sucks my energy, and what I’m doing / wearing / thinking because someone else said I should. I will absolutely buy this book for my collection when it is published.

I was drawn in through the cover and title. I have never heard of Goblincore and it was fun, and felt subversive, to read more about it. I think it is hard to do a self-help book well, but this one brought a fresh perspective and was compelling in its way that it pushed back on certain aspects of our modern society. I think it is also a bit of a comfort read with how it is laid out, different elements, that you can pick up and just read parts of to get what you need, or can easily be read from cover to cover very quickly. I hope that this book is purchased and distributed widely because ultimately it's fun and helpful.

I was a little worried that this wouldn't address the antisemitic history of goblins, but it was mentioned almost immediately!! In addition, it discusses thoughtful consumption, stays within the author's realm of expertise (no info on foraging mushrooms, for example, because there are just too many ways it can go wrong), and is wonderfully inclusive. Honestly, it so vastly exceeded my expectations that I plan on buying this as soon as it comes out!!!

McKayla Coyle’s Goblin Mode, is a bit of an odd choice for me to review, but I thoroughly enjoyed it. Personally, I don’t really have a well formed aesthetic. I like what I like and none of it really matches or fits a philosophy or lifestyle. However, I appreciate goblincore’s rejection of Capitalism and conformity. I’m not so much into the nature aspects of goblincore (I have allergies), but I appreciate the weirdness, the clutter, the comfort, and the not fitting in to a mainstream look.

I approach all of my advance reader copies in good faith and with the intention of enjoying them. With this one I was side-eying myself a bit for having requested it. but every time I thought I was going to get to a section that irritated me, I was instead charmed. Coyle writes about the whys and wherefores of adopting goblincore in a way that ties the aesthetic to its ethical underpinnings.

I appreciate that Coyle consistently emphasizes that there is no need to go buy a huge amount of stuff to become a goblin. Instead they focus on thinking about what you have and what you can make. There’s a big emphasis on crafting, thrifting, recycling, upcycling, and thoughtful foraging, and how you can make the world around you “cozier, weirder, grimier, and more caring.”

For example, when talking about clothing, I was prepared to be disappointed when Coyle talked about clothes that can be very expensive, but they then went on to talk about inexpensive ways to acquire a goblin wardrobe, and how to think about dressing for comfort.

“It’s literally recycling, but make it fashion”

I particularly appreciated that when they were encouraging clothing swaps, they reminded readers to think inclusively.

As with all things created by humans, goblincore can be exclusionary and bigoted. I appreciate that Coyle addresses the use of goblins as an anti-Semitic tool. They differentiate between goblins in folklore and goblins as a stand-in for Jewish people, faith and culture. They also identify the red flags a goblincore aspirant should watch out for.

Overall, I found Goblin Mode to be thoughtful and ethical rather than cutesy.

I received this as an advance reader copy from Quirk Books and NetGalley. My opinions are my own, freely and honestly given.

I'm going to be honest: I didn't finish this one...because I put it on pre-order. What I have read of this book so far has convinced me that I need to own it. If you love mushrooms, moss, dirt, rocks, shiny things, being a little grungy and very comfy, this book is for you.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the eARC.

If you've ever felt like you don't quite fit in, or that you're a little too weird for the average social group, then this book is for you. "Goblin Mode" encourages you to embrace your quirks and imperfections and live life according to the principles of community, diversity, proud weirdness, and joyful mess. I immediately wanted to read this book and I'm so glad I did. Goblin Mode offers little tidbits of life advice for celebrating physical and mental diversity, rejecting prejudice, and finding joy in the little things, but then it also teaches you fun skills like how to build a moss garden for your lair, grow medicinal plants, forage for berries, mend cozy sweaters, display your rock collection, and things like that. Even if you don't find you can apply each section to your life, there were enough pockets of quirkiness and sweetness in this book to make it well worth it.

The illustrations by Marian Churchland are whimsical and enchanting, and they perfectly capture the essence of what it means to embrace your inner goblin. Each page is bursting with color and creativity, making it impossible not to feel inspired. This is a perfect coffee table book for my besties that are all about the goblincore life. Whether you're a seasoned goblin or just starting to explore your inner weirdo, this book is guaranteed to leave you feeling inspired and empowered. I loved it and totally recommend it.

Thank you to Quirk Books, McKayla Coyle, and NetGalley for providing this eARC in exchange for my honest thoughts. This book will be released on June 27, 2023.

Truly a lifestyle instructional book I can get behind. McKayla Cole he author sums up what goblincore that really resonates in my core: “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.” My apartment is not made for the pinterest boards and that's something I used to feel bad about, after reading Goblincore I'm now somewhat annoyed by the perfectly staged and curated home photos on pinterest. Where is the personality?! Where are the little trinkets?! Let me live in my little hole. Hehehe

Undeniably the most adorable book I will read this year. Goblincore seems to be embracing nature and loving yourself. I can not think of a single person who doesn't need to do this more.

From the beginning, this book is so cute and fits the goblincore aesthetic quite nicely. I've seen so many definitions or explanations of the terms goblin and goblincore over the years and this one sort of nailed the community to a 'T'.

This book delves into the history of the term "goblin" and its negative connotations throughout history. It talks about how it is often used as a slur, but has recently been sort of reclaimed to mean something very positive and relatable for its specific community. You get passages on being an exemplary member of your community and finding the positivity, beauty, and joy in the world around you. It has wonderful notes about being respectful and safe while enjoying yourself; an example being to admire any animals from afar. (No booping the snoots!) You get craft ideas on how to embrace nature and do some fun little science in the process. And more... [insert disgustingly hyped fangirling on how there's actually a book for the goblin mode girlies]

Overall, this book is stellar and would make a great gift for your less than "normal", frog loving, suspected fae in a human suit, ren faire admiring besties of all ages.

Super cute! a book for helping you embrace and heal your inner child (or goblin). I love all the bits about respecting nature and of course the little DIYs sprinkled through out. Thank you for the arc!

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!

This is just the cutest book I've ever seen. The writing is accessible and very "on theme" and the artwork is stunning. There are also surprisingly decent information in it as well. I find that a lot of these kinds of books are just cheap attempts to capitalize on a trend. Goblin Mode is actually very inspiring and informative. I already preordered my copy and plan on giving this as gifts to all the goblins in my life.

10/10 would recommend.

Many thanks to NetGalley for a free e-arc in exchange for an honest review.

Goblin Mode by McKayla Coyle was such a fun read! This is all about slowing down, appreciating the small things in life and nature, and surrounding yourself with all the things you love. From clothing yourself in the comfiest of clothes to identifying your spirit animal, this book will make you want to fully embrace the goblincore lifestyle. I also loved the section on foraging and how to do so safely. Excuse me while I go full goblin mode.

I did not know that "goblin living" was a movement of the moment, but I very much enjoyed learning a bit about it. Unfortunately, it seems a bit niche to be needed in our collection.

This is cute and charming but I don't see it as being necessary to a library's collection. This works more as a coffee table or gift book.

I will admit, I wasn't super familiar with what it meant to be in "Goblin Mode" before reading this book - but I had seen that it was one of the Oxford word of the years - and I thought it was just about being lazy and self indulgent and I wasn't sure it was for me.  But after reading this book, I realized I'm already half way there if not 3/4 of the way there - just perhaps not as in tune with nature as I should be to be in full Goblin Mode and that it wasn't as negative as I was making it out to be based on the Oxford definitions and probably more "click bait-y" articles that I had been reading.

This book is all about getting cozy, embracing your imperfections and thriving in the "muck".  It's for those of us who often times feel like we don't fit in and that what makes us different than everyone else is the most awesome things about us.  There's some crafty things to do in the book too - like how to display your rock collection, what to do when you're out in nature (don't take anything but pictures!), tips on foraging (but not mushrooms), how to mend your sweaters to make them last longer so the cozy never ends and then a lot of stuff about plants and nature.

Definitely a cool read and I definitely will be trying to embrace my inner goblin a bit more now!

I received a free e-copy of this book from NetGalley in order to write this review, I was not otherwise compensated.