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.