Member Reviews
Kirsten F, Reviewer
I read the launch team e-copy cover to cover with Anne's voice in my head...including the notes at the end. And then a re-read of the epigraph, which perfectly gives an overview of the book. (You've taught us well, Anne!) Having followed Anne on her blog and the Modern Mrs. Darcy book club since they began, I loved the personal stories she shared on her journey to buying the daffodils, better drive time, and making life better for her readers by getting rid of the excess voices in our heads. I appreciate how Anne identified so many versions of overthinking, strategies she has presented to get out of our ruts and the thoughtful questions at the end of each chapter to guide in my own journey. Looking forward to the printed version so I can underline and highlight to my heart's content! |
This book was so useful! I can be a chronic over thinker (aren’t many of us?) and the tips and strategies in this book have helped already. One night, during the time I was reading this book, I was sound asleep. At 1230 am loud construction woke me up. I would normally get mad and stew over it (like I could somehow control it) but instead, I got up, used the bathroom and promptly put in my ear plugs. I was back asleep within minutes. I love that this book provides me this tips like this that are actually effective. You aren’t going to want to miss this book! |
Lisa M, Reviewer
Don't Overthink It by Anne Bogel is a wonderful book of practical advice for overthinkers -or anyone with a brain :) While I don't generally consider myself an overthinker, I did find several chapters that resonated with me-especially those on rumination, perfectionism, and ritual vs routine. There are also practical questions after each chapter for those who wish to explore further. I think this charming book would make a great gift - especially for those girlfriends who love to read or who have everything. I plan on spending my life not just smelling the roses, but also purchasing them with every visit to Trader Joe's! Don't Overthink It comes out March 3rd! (I received this book as an advance review copy thru Netgalley). |
Elizabeth N, Reviewer
I have followed Anne Bogel for a long time through her blog and podcast and read her two prior books and am a true fan. I have been so excited about this book simply because it has a beautiful cover, but also because I am a lifelong overthinker. I have to say that it truly lived up to my expectations. It is a quick read but my favorite thing is that it is full of practical and easy to follow advice. A lot of books of this type identify a myriad of problems that we face but do not offer any solutions, yet Anne has a way of stating concrete strategies with humor and transparency so that we can feel good about ourselves, enjoy beautiful flowers and surge forward with a plan to make our lives easier and more fulfilling. I love a book that offers meal planning, wardrobe management, travel packing advice and the encouragement to purchase beautiful flowers all in one place. Thanks, Anne, you have done it again. |
Educator 626342
As someone who habitually overthinks, I found many helpful ideas in this book. It was relatable and easy to read, but I still read slowly so as to be able to internalize the ideas. I read it as an ebook, but look forward to interacting with the print copy: writing in the margins, underlining, flagging pages. The section about ruminating was particularly helpful. The routine versus ritual section reframed the way I look at my days. Overall, a helpful and enjoyable read, one I am sure I will revisit. |
Reviewer 625105
I enjoy reading "self-help" books, and I wasn't sure if this book would help me because I did not consider myself to be an "over-thinker." Turns out I am one and I just didn't know it yet! Anne Bogel writes in such a friendly and accessible way, and her stories, insights, and suggestions are so practical. I found myself immediately applying some of Anne's suggestions and I've already saved myself some mental energy. So thankful! My only critique of this book is that I wish it had been longer! :) |
Carrie B, Reviewer
My favorite Anne Bogel book to date. This book was so readable and practical. I lost count of how many times while reading I kept nodding my head saying "Yes! Yes!" Even if you don't think you're an Overthinker... Read this! Most likely you will have an Aha moment. And next time I'm at Trader Joe's, I'm buying myself the damn flowers for my desk. |
I thoroughly enjoyed this thoughtful and useful personal growth book from Anne Bogel. As someone who constantly overthinks every decision, from what to serve for dinner to where to go on vacation, I needed Anne's words and helpful suggestions to stop overthinking and to take action! I especially loved her discussion of your values influencing your decisions. One value we have as a family is to expand our children's world through travel so we have made taking big trips a priority. While in the moment, it's easier and cheaper to just stay home, I need to remember that this is one of our top values to spur me to pack the bags and plan the trips. Anne's description of every day decisions with even the smallest of consequences, like her grocery store flower story, makes this book relatable and practical. Next time I am in the grocery store, I am buying the flowers! (Posted to The History Mom's Goodreads account) |
Christine V, Reviewer
“Don’t Overthink It” delivers useful information in a pretty package. Many of the ideas presented aren’t new to me, however they are incredibly timely. Anne Bogel offers simple take-aways that the reader can immediately implement to combat an overthinking brain. At the same time, she asks deeper, reflective questions urging the reader to explore their own motivations and priorities which are necessary for long-term change. I really enjoyed the friendly, conversational tone of the book. It’s easy to read while still being applicable and useful. I think the delivery and anecdotes used will most strongly appeal to like-minded women of a similar socioeconomic status. My main issue with the book is with the organization of information. While each chapter ends in a handful of reflection questions, I occasionally struggled to relate the information back to the main purpose. This book isn’t a cure-all for my overthinking brain, but it is a good step in the right direction. Finally, can we talk about that adorable cover? I know I shouldn’t judge a book by it’s cover, but it makes me smile just looking at it while also reminding me to “just buy the dang flowers!” (one of the takeaways that I most strongly related with). |
I just loved this book. I don’t really think of myself as an over-thinker, but in this book, Anne gives practical ideas for taking action on the things that tend to get so much mental energy but don’t truly deserve the amount of time and thought they get. I read an advance review e-book, but I can’t wait to get my hands on my hard copy so that I can mark up and take notes on Anne’s wonderful insights! |
I preordered this book, but I’m also so thankful to Baker Books for the early eARC of Don’t Overthink It. I truly think this book will be life changing for me. I have been an over-thinker my entire life, worried about how others perceived me and whether or not I was doing the right things. When I saw that Anne was writing a book about overthinking, I knew it was a book I needed to read! Throughout the book Anne discusses reasons why we overthink and she includes actionable strategies to help get a handle on overthinking. The writing made me feel like I was having coffee with a friend, a friend with great advice and experience! This book is perfect for anyone who has ever been stuck in a cycle of rumination or analysis paralysis - I wholeheartedly recommend it! I’m even getting a copy for my high school classroom! |
“By changing your thought life, you can fundamentally change the way you experience the world.” - Anne Bogel, Don’t Overthink It. This book was clear, concise and full of useful tips and tricks to stop overthinking before it starts. I really appreciate that she looked at this subject from many different angles and gave suggestions for how to change. You can tell this is a topic that is very personal to the author as she shares her own experiences with overthinking and how she managed to get her thought life under control. If the title intrigues you, just buy it! Don’t overthink it :) |
Laura M, Reviewer
This book, Don’t Overthink It: Make Easier Decisions, Stop Second-Guessing and Bring More Joy to Your Life by Anne Bogel met me right where I am at. I apparently have a “high need for cognition” and Anne’s practical conversation about how overthinking can actually rob me of the joy and beauty of the world around me is really hitting home. While her tips and research may not be earth-shattering, they are grounded, incredibly relatable, and do-able. This is one of those books that I’ll think back to on a regular basis. Also, don’t let the pink cover scare you! Females are definitely a big part of the target audience (which is statistically supported!) but if you’re a person with a brain you can benefit from the content of this book. |
Lindsey R, Reviewer
Don’t Overthink It by Anne Bogel is a book that I read quickly, highlighted often, and plan on keeping handy so I can refer back to it often. I tend to overthink things in every aspect of my life - work, parenting, and basically any life decision, critical or mundane. I love that Anne includes many real-life experiences to drive points home. It really makes her points clear and reminds me of silly things that I have made way too complicated by thinking too hard about “what-if”. I am so thrilled to be able to be part of Anne’s launch team, and read and review Don’t Overthink It in advance, through NetGalley. |
Kim M, Reviewer
I loved Anne Bogel's other two books and actually picked this one up, not because I thought it applied to me, but with the intent of sharing it with my daughters. Boy, was I wrong! It doesn't just contain tips and advice for chronic overthinkers who frequently find they have analysis paralysis when trying to make a decision as I had thought. It is much broader than that and has so many useful pieces of wisdom and relatable anecdotes on perfectionism, second-guessing decisions made or actions taken in the past that you find yourself coming back to over and over again, as well as advice on finishing tasks you start so you don't have to return to them later to "close the cycle". There is something for everyone in this book. Anne's writing style makes you feel like she is there in the room having a conversation with you like you're lifelong friends. I highly recommend this book and will no doubt be gifting it to many friends! |
I knew my husband was an overthinker, but I now realize I’m one too! “Overthinking takes different forms. Sometimes it looks like worry... Sometimes overthinking looks like fretting about the small stuff... Sometimes overthinking looks like second-guessing ourselves.” After defining what overthinking is, Bogel gives practical advice and tips on how to overcome overthinking. Her stories are so relatable, and her advice is totally doable! I can’t wait to give copies of this book to my girlfriends (and my husband)! |
I am raising my hand as an overthinker here! I found two unexpected things while reading this book - one - that I’m already doing some of these things to cope with overthinking (what!? yay!) and two - there is way more I can be doing. The best part of this book for me were the tips on creating a ritual. I have never actually thought about the difference between routines and rituals, and find the advice and examples Bogel provided thought-provoking (but not in an overthinking way!). The whole book was like this, providing simple and easily implementable tips that can make your life a tad bit better. I’d highly recommend this book for new moms or moms with young kids (again, raising hand here!), Pretty much any woman who is trying to do it all. We all know it is impossible to do it all, and yet we still try. DON’T OVERTHINK IT puts a lot into perspective, gives excellent advice, and is a quick read. Thank you to Netgalley and Baker Books for a chance to read this complimentary advanced reader’s copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own. |
Marla S, Reviewer
Thanks to NetGalley and Baker Books for providing an ARC of this book. Reading it has only secured the fact that I’m officially purchasing multiple copies of this book. It’s a book that you put in a girlfriend’s hand and she absolutely will thank you for it. Don’t Overthink It is about overthinking and the struggles women have with making quick and satisfying decisions. It has so many thought provoking questions (the thinking that makes you self aware - the good over thinking) and practical tips to help women become more efficient in their daily lives and ultimately less stressed/overwhelmed as a result. Can’t wait for my hard copy to reread. |
Hi, my name is Julie, and I have a tendency to overthink. Prior to reading this book, I would have said I am really thorough when making a decision- 'overthinking' wasn't part of my vocabulary. Having read the book, I realize I am a classic overthinker. I can drive myself and my family batty with my multiple scenarios and possible outcomes (so many considerations and factors!). Apparently being really thorough might be code for overthinking- especially when it starts to feel not so good. I immediately started using some of the strategies in this book and they immediately helped me with some of my decisions. For example, there is a chapter on values and using core values to help make decisions. I recently read another book that talked about identifying personal core values (mine are connection and contribution) and aligning my behaviors, both personally and professionally, with those values. Anne Bogel goes one step further- she and her husband have identified core values as a couple and as a family and those help make their decisions. That is genius for me. It has already sparked several thoughtful conversations with my husband and has helped us plan as a family more successfully for travel sports (we are currently in ski season). Trust me, you will find tools and ideas that will help you make decisions- even if you don't consider yourself an overthinker. I am looking forward to having a physical copy of the book. I plan on reading through slowly with both a pencil and my journal in hand. There are three sections composed of four to five chapters. Each chapter concludes with some reflective questions about the chapter topic- perfect for journalling. The above example was from just one chapter- I am having the same a-ha moments with each chapter topic and am excited about the progress I am already seeing in decreasing overthinking (just identifying it is helpful). Thanks to NetGalley and Baker Books for an advance digital copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. |
Reviewer 630508
Ironically, I am trying not to overthink this review of Anne Bogel's new book, "Don't Overthink It: Make Easier Decisions, Stop Second-Guessing, and Bring More Joy to Your Reading Life". Anne's second book, "I'd Rather Be Reading: The Delights and Dilemmas of the Reading Life" is one of my favorite books and her podcast "What Should I Read Next" puts a smile on my face every Tuesday. "Don't Overthink It" is a precise, non-judgmental, action-oriented book to help us all overcome decision fatigue and stop feeling overwhelmed by the constant, ever-present decisions we all have to make. Anne uses anecdotal stories to help demonstrate ways overthinking can show up in our lives, ways it can affect our lives, and simple ways we can gradually change our thought processes. Each chapter ends with a Next Steps list to help summarize the chapter and gently guide us in adding more joy and less overthinking to our lives. This book was well worth the read for me. I would consider myself the epitome of an overthinker. I've already noticed a shift in my thinking and decision- making process thanks to Anne's observations and insight.These changes have included making decisions based on what matters to me and my family, shying away from perfectionism, acting instead of living in analysis paralysis, and making small daily changes (such as eating the same breakfast every day, which frees up energy for more important decisions). Anne's words will leave readers with the feeling of just talking with a good friend and realizing that simple changes in practice and mindset can make a huge difference in the enjoyment of life! |




