This book gives a interesting look into a niche world. Each chapter is filled with gripping stories in the world of oddities. I was very interested to learn how Ryan Cohn became interested in these items like skulls, shrunken heads, and how he works with collectors.

Rating: 3.75 rounded up. I recently joined Netgalley, and this was my first ARC. Thank you for the opportunity to read this book. As other reviewers have mentioned, this book serves mostly as an autobiography for the collectors. While I thought the engagement story and others were humorous and entertaining, I found many of the sections to be repetitive. The progression wasn't chronological so the author spent time revisiting some of the same details. This worked in a sense that the Witch's Door was the introduction and conclusion. Metaphorically, doors serve as portals that can defy space and time, and when I thought if it that way, it didn't bother me. I wish there had been a little more focus on sub-categories of oddities, history, detection of authenticity, etc. Since the author related collectibles along his journey to memories associated with tattoos, I'm sure there are plenty of other stories that could've been shared about individual pieces. Maybe they were not included because the acquisition of collections that had been most career-altering.

P.S.: I hope Mr. Peepers can be restored to full glory.

"The Witch's Door" by Ryan Matthew Cohn and Regina M. Rossi is a really interesting read. As a lover of dark academia and all things spooky and weird, I felt like I was invited into a secret world full of fascinating oddities and curiosities. If you're a fan of "Oddities," you'll definitely find this book intriguing.

That said, I was a bit surprised by how much the book focused on the authors' personal lives. I was expecting more stories about oddities and curiosities. While I appreciate learning about their background, it wasn't exactly what I was looking for. Still, it's a compelling read if you're into the peculiar and the extraordinary.

What I enjoyed most about this book was the huge collection of oddities and strange objects within it. There are lots of pictures and stories about these weird and wonderful pieces. I would have liked more focus on the objects and less on the personal journey of the authors and their collection, though it does give good insight into the world of collectors.

This book is an autobiography and I ended up skimming the second half of the book.

When I received this book, I honestly had no idea it would be a piece of non-fiction or an autobiography. I think I thought it would be another paranormal or fantasy story.

Instead, its the first person narrative of how Ryan Cohn, from the TV Show Oddities, came into being interested in items like skulls, shrunken heads, etc. How he formed collections, preserved pieces, worked with collectors, started House of Wax and more. While parts of this book were interesting, such as the history behind shrunken heads and the real-life photos of item he talks about in the book, it just wasn't my cup of tea.

I got bored half way thru and started skimming the book. So... you could say this is a DNF for me. BUT I do believe that if oddities are interesting to you, you'd probably like hearing about it from Ryan- he's definitely a scholar of it.

Thank you Netgalley for the eARC

4.0

The Witch's Door is filled with images and the narrative of both authors learning about their passion of the esoteric. Beginning from the interest in certain hobbies such as collecting skull pieces and fashioning it into an exploded skull. It is an eye opener to these bizarre and eccentric activities. I find it to be fascinating, a good introduction, and contains a lot of historical information and a balance with the author's experiences. I appreciated the images chosen, as a lot of reviewers have mentioned, unless you are familiar with the hobby, it's difficult to understand the process without having a visual guide.

Literature that can help expand your knowledge and mindset. I would definitely pick this up once it arrives on the shelves, as this is an entertaining read that I can pick up over and over again.

🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤
This was such a uniquely beautiful and interesting book. I read through it in one day because I wanted to see what other treasures were amoung the pages!

While this book will not be for everyone, it will certainly find its way to those who will appreciate and enjoy the content.

Part memoir for Regina M. Rossi and Ryan Cohn, part oddity extravaganza. It was fun to hear about their stories, both individually and together and learn about the fascinating items they have come across over the years. To be able to see some of the curiosities in the book is such a treat because most of us will never be able to see those items outside of a book. Absolute treasure, thoroughly enjoyed!!!

Thank you to the authors, Regina M. Rossi and Ryan Cohn, NetGalley and the publisher, Chronicle Books, for the opportunity to read this book. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily. The book is set to publish October 1, 2024, perfect for spooky season!👻

#TheWitchsDoor #NetGalley

Thank you for the EArc Chronicle Books and NetGalley. The Witches Door takes us through the collections of both Ryan and Regina and others. The book hi-lights some of their more interesting pieces and tells the story of their romance as well as how their business came to be. I am hoping there’s a sequel so we can see more of their collection and hear the tales behind them. Incredibly fascinating book and I am going to seek out some of their tv shows.

I thought this book was more so going to be exclusively about oddities and curiosities. It was more like a life story. While I appreciate it, it’s not what I was looking for.

I loved it! As someone who loves historical artifacts along with the interesting stories behind them and just a lover of history period, this book was right up my alley. I enjoyed this book from cover to cover. I also enjoyed the section about the McCarthy Dolls, ( I'm a believer in the paranormal as well) This book was well-written and presented in a fun and down-to-earth manner. I give this book a thumbs up! I highly recommend reading this book.

This book is fascinating! The writing is light and casual; it feels like you are listening to a story being told by friends. I love the art and the overall feeling of the book, it is so creepy and spooky but you will not want to put it down! Bravo!

This book is part memoir about Ryan and Regina and part discussion about the oddities they have come to collect over the years. I enjoyed reading about the different items they have. The book is broken into different sections based off of what items are going to be talked about. I enjoyed reading more about these items.
*Thank you NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for a review.

The Witch's Door, by Ryan Matthew Cohn, Regina M. Rossi is absolutely fascinating. I learned about things I have never even thought of before. I felt like I've been invited into a secret world, and I want to know more. This is the perfect book for fans of "Oddities" and beyond.

This was a fun book. I had heard of the author before. It was a fun peak into the world of the oddities market (which I've always wanted to go to) and the person behind it.

I've been following both Ryan and Regina for many years and have a small collection of oddities myself, so this book was naturally a must-read for me.

*The Witch's Door* feels like an intimate tour through their histories and home. Learning the stories behind the faces that have graced my social media feeds for so long was an enlightening and exciting experience. While I was already familiar with many of the works featured, discovering the tales of their creation and acquisition only deepened my respect and admiration for this unique power couple.

The photographs in the book are stunning and contribute perfectly to its immersive feel. But of course, I expected nothing less from such proven masters of aesthetics.

Overall, this was an easy 10/10 for me, and I'm so grateful that this book exists.

Thanks to NetGalley & Chronicle Books for blessing me with the ARC!

I wanted more stories on the oddities and less of the author and his wife's life. On the plus side now I know how to make shrunken heads.

Booksource: Netgalley in exchange for review.

⭐️3.5⭐️

Regina and Ryan are fascinating people in a fascinating line of work, and this book was truly interesting to read.

Growing up, my grandparents were collectors. I remember being dragged along to antique stores and sitting in auctions throughout most of my childhood, so this gave an insider look into some of my childhood memories.

Fluctuating between memoir and nonfiction recounting of different objects works pretty well throughout the book, but at times it did feel a bit disjointed.

Overall an enjoyable read, and I had fun recognizing a few of the people throughout the book who I had no idea were a part of the world of collecting!

A wondrous collection of stories from the macabre for those interested in oddities and fascinating history. Many thanks to Netgalley and Chronicle Books | Chronicle Prism for access to the digital ARC. I thoroughly enjoyed these first hand accounts of Ryan and Regina. A physical manifestation of an oddities expo fit for any person who finds themselves to be within the esoteric. As someone whose a long time follower of persons like Zak Bagans and his rendition of a collection of oddities within his Haunted Museum; or Greg and Dana Newkirks mobile museum of the unexplained, I found this title to be an exceptional addition to the realm. Perfect for anyone who identifies with these interests, this title will be a positive addition to their collection! Clear your mind, grab a coffee and sit down for a personal discussion of the Cohn's collection. Totally recommend! Great photos, unlike anything I have on my shelf. I can even see this title gaining praise from my favorite podcast narrators on Morbid a True Crime podcast it is just that interesting, matches up well with their mini series regarding listener tales.

This book is so fascinating. I liked all the pictures of oddities and the history of some of the pieces in Ryan and Regina's collection. I also enjoyed the details about other collectors with whom they have done business. This story also makes you think about what your ultimate goal should be for your collection.

3.5. This book has so much potential. It’s going to be beautiful with photos and formatting. I love wonder cabinets and medical artifacts. However, half this book is the memoir of the writers who are collectors themselves. Now, I worked in museums before I became a teacher, and love collectors, but I wasn’t expecting quite so much personal memoir. Like many collectors, Ryan is very interested in himself. I wanted a beautiful, historical book for students to page through and learn about relentlessly wonderful history. There is some of that here. The sections on the meaning and significance of artifacts are well done. There’s just not nearly enough of it,