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Notes on Modern Irrationality with Author Amanda Montell

Bestselling Author of The Age of Magical Overthinking

2025-01-23 14:00:00 2025-01-23 15:00:00 America/New_York Notes on Modern Irrationality with Author Amanda Montell Join us as we chat with the New York Times bestselling author, Amanda Montell about her newest book, The Age of Magical Overthinking: Notes on Modern Irrationality.  Virtual -

Thursday, January 23
2:00pm - 3:00pm

Add to Calendar 2025-01-23 14:00:00 2025-01-23 15:00:00 America/New_York Notes on Modern Irrationality with Author Amanda Montell Join us as we chat with the New York Times bestselling author, Amanda Montell about her newest book, The Age of Magical Overthinking: Notes on Modern Irrationality.  Virtual -

Join us as we chat with the New York Times bestselling author, Amanda Montell about her newest book, The Age of Magical Overthinking: Notes on Modern Irrationality. 

Join us as we chat with the New York Times bestselling author, Amanda Montell about her newest book, The Age of Magical Overthinking: Notes on Modern Irrationality. 

In a delicious blend of cultural criticism and personal narrative that explores our cognitive biases and the power, disadvantages, and highlights of magical thinking, Amanda Montell now turns her erudite eye to the inner workings of the human mind and its biases in her most personal and electrifying work yet.

“Magical thinking” can be broadly defined as the belief that one’s internal thoughts can affect unrelated events in the external world: think of the conviction that one can manifest their way out of poverty, stave off cancer with positive vibes, thwart the apocalypse by learning to can their own peaches, or transform an unhealthy relationship to a glorious one with loyalty alone. In all its forms, magical thinking works in service of restoring agency amid chaos, but in The Age of Magical Overthinking, Montell argues that in the modern information age, our brain’s coping mechanisms have been overloaded, and our irrationality turned up to an eleven.

In a series of razor sharp, deeply funny chapters, Montell delves into a cornucopia of the cognitive biases that run rampant in our brains, from how the “halo effect” cultivates worship (and hatred) of larger-than-life celebrities, to how the “sunk cost fallacy” can keep us in detrimental relationships long after we’ve realized they’re not serving us. As she illuminates these concepts with her signature brilliance and wit, Montell’s prevailing message is one of hope, empathy, and ultimately forgiveness for our anxiety-addled human selves. If you have all but lost faith in our ability to reason, Montell aims to make some sense of the senseless. To crack open a window in our minds, and let a warm breeze in. To help quiet the cacophony for a while, or even hear a melody in it. 

Don't be irrational, register now for a conversation you just don’t want to miss! 

About the Author: Amanda Montell is a writer and linguist from Baltimore. She is the author of the acclaimed books Wordslut, Cultish, and The Age of Magical Overthinking. Along with hosting the podcast Sounds Like a Cult, her writing has also appeared in The New York Times, Marie Claire, Cosmopolitan, and more. She holds a degree in linguistics from NYU and lives in Los Angeles with her partner, plants, and pets. Find her on Instagram @Amanda_Montell.

AGE GROUP: | Adults |

EVENT TYPE: | Virtual | Lecture | Author event |

Wilbraham Public Library

Phone: 413-596-6141

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Mon, Mar 10 9:00AM to 8:00PM
Tue, Mar 11 9:00AM to 8:00PM
Wed, Mar 12 9:00AM to 8:00PM
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Fri, Mar 14 9:00AM to 5:00PM
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Sun, Mar 16 Closed

About the branch

The Wilbraham Public Library provides resources and opportunities for community learning, recreation, and making connections.

Upcoming Events

Thu, Mar 13, 10:00am - 11:00am
Wilbraham Public Library - Brooks Room
Join us for a fun collection of stories, songs, and fingerplays geared for children ages 3-6.
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Fri, Mar 14, 10:30am - 11:30am
Wilbraham Public Library - Brooks Room
Multi-sensory and exploration
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Mon, Mar 17, 4:00pm - 5:00pm
Wilbraham Public Library - Brooks Room
Let your teen voice be heard! Help the Teen Librarian design the best programs for teens, and recommend YA books and more for the teen Loft.

Mon, Mar 17, 7:00pm - 8:00pm
Virtual
Travis Ireland of the Friskey Whiskey Podcast will join us to discuss the history of Irish whiskeys and the best he's encountered!
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Tue, Mar 18, 9:30am - 10:30am
Wilbraham Public Library - Brooks Room
Storytime curriculum and themed play activities.

Tue, Mar 18, 4:00pm - 6:00pm
Wilbraham Public Library - Brooks Room
The monthly meeting of the Board of Trustees.

Wed, Mar 19, 10:00am - 10:45am
Wilbraham Public Library - Brooks Room
Join Renee Coro for musical play!
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Wed, Mar 19, 11:00am - 11:40am
Wilbraham Public Library - Brooks Room
Join Renee for a music class for your preschooler!
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Wed, Mar 19, 4:00pm - 5:30pm
Wilbraham Public Library - Brooks Room
Great Decisions, America’s largest discussion program on world affairs, meets weekly on Wednesdays through March 26. Each week will feature a new topic for discussion.

Wed, Mar 19, 7:00pm - 8:00pm
Wilbraham Public Library - Brooks Room
A monthly book discussion facilitated by Assistant Director Mary Bell. Newcomers are always welcome!

Thu, Mar 20, 10:00am - 11:00am
Wilbraham Public Library - Brooks Room
Join us for a fun collection of stories, songs, and fingerplays geared for children ages 3-6.

Thu, Mar 20, 2:00pm - 3:00pm
Virtual
Author Clara Bingham discusses The Movement, a comprehensive and engaging oral history of the decade that defined the feminist movement, including interviews with living icons and unsung heroes.
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Thu, Mar 20, 3:30pm - 4:15pm
Wilbraham Public Library - Brooks Room
March book selection - Sparks! By Ian Boothby
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Fri, Mar 21, 10:30am - 11:30am
Wilbraham Public Library - Brooks Room
Multi-sensory and exploration
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Sat, Mar 22, 11:00am - 12:30pm
Wilbraham Public Library - Brooks Room
Create Van Gogh's Starry Night using only crayons!

Mon, Mar 24, 6:00pm - 8:00pm
Wilbraham Public Library - Brooks Room
Monthly meeting on the fourth Monday of the month. Books are available to pick up at the Service Desk; new comers are always welcome.

Mon, Mar 24, 7:00pm - 8:00pm
Virtual
Melissa Kravetz shares Ilse's story, deepening our understanding of gendered political resistance by showing what everyday life was like for the wife of a political opponent in Nazi Germany.
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Tue, Mar 25, 9:30am - 10:30am
Wilbraham Public Library - Brooks Room
Storytime curriculum and themed play activities.

Tue, Mar 25, 5:00pm - 6:00pm
Wilbraham Public Library - Brooks Room
Teens will learn about 3D art, and use stencils and step-by-step instructions to create their own greeting card.

Wed, Mar 26, 10:00am - 10:45am
Wilbraham Public Library - Brooks Room
Join Renee Coro for musical play!
This event is full

Wed, Mar 26, 11:00am - 11:40am
Wilbraham Public Library - Brooks Room
Join Renee for a music class for your preschooler!
This event is full

Wed, Mar 26, 4:00pm - 5:30pm
Wilbraham Public Library - Brooks Room
Great Decisions, America’s largest discussion program on world affairs, meets weekly on Wednesdays through March 26. Each week will feature a new topic for discussion.

Wed, Mar 26, 6:00pm - 8:00pm
Wilbraham Public Library - Brooks Room
Led by Jessica Magill. For questions, contact Jessica: jessicammagill@hotmail.com

Wed, Mar 26, 7:00pm - 8:00pm
Virtual
Bestselling author Jennifer Weiner chats about the signature emotional depth of her books that have been inspiring readers toward self-discovery for decades.
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Thu, Mar 27, 10:00am - 11:00am
Wilbraham Public Library - Brooks Room
Join us for a fun collection of stories, songs, and fingerplays geared for children ages 3-6.

Fri, Mar 28, 10:30am - 11:30am
Wilbraham Public Library - Brooks Room
Multi-sensory and exploration

Mon, Mar 31, 6:00pm - 6:45pm
Wilbraham Public Library - Brooks Room
Don't forget your teddy bear for this special family event!

Mon, Mar 31, 7:00pm - 8:00pm
Virtual
Mike Reardon, a Guinness Ambassador— a highly trained beer expert and storyteller who captivates Guinness lovers and audiences— will discuss the culinary and cultural history of this fantastic beer.
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Tue, Apr 01, 9:30am - 10:30am
Wilbraham Public Library - Brooks Room
Storytime curriculum and themed play activities.

Tue, Apr 01, 12:00pm - 1:00pm
Wilbraham Public Library - Brooks Room
The daytime monthly book discussion group facilitated by Library Director Karen Ball. New members always welcome!

Tue, Apr 01, 4:00pm - 4:45pm
Wilbraham Public Library - Brooks Room
Celebrate the release of the Minecraft movie with activities and crafts!

Wed, Apr 02, 4:00pm - 5:30pm
Wilbraham Public Library - Brooks Room
Extra date in the event of inclement weather.

Wed, Apr 02, 6:30pm - 7:30pm
Wilbraham Public Library - Brooks Room
Meets the first Wednesday of every other month. Participants will make and share dishes from the month’s selected cookbook.

Wed, Apr 02, 7:00pm - 8:00pm
Virtual
Highly acclaimed New York Times bestselling author Jodi Picoult chats about her newest novel, By Any Other Name. 
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Thu, Apr 03, 10:00am - 11:00am
Wilbraham Public Library - Brooks Room
Join us for a fun collection of stories, songs, and fingerplays geared for children ages 3-6.

Fri, Apr 04, 10:30am - 11:30am
Wilbraham Public Library - Brooks Room
Social-emotional skill building!

Sat, Apr 05, 10:00am - 11:00am
Wilbraham Public Library - Brooks Room
Sensory play for children of all ages, abilities and sensibilities with their adult caregiver
Registration opens Monday, March 17 2025 at 9:00am

Mon, Apr 07, 9:30am - 10:30am
Wilbraham Public Library - Brooks Room
Working toward Kindergarten success!

Mon, Apr 07, 3:30pm - 4:20pm
Wilbraham Public Library - Brooks Room
Read aloud to your favorite four-legged friend, Cadence!

Mon, Apr 07, 6:00pm - 7:15pm
Wilbraham Public Library - Brooks Room
Bestselling author Paul Clerici will share stories & history about the iconic Boston Marathon.

Mon, Apr 07, 7:00pm - 8:00pm
Virtual
Join the growing number of people who are buying from local farms! A panel of farmers will share the benefits of shopping locally grown AND give us suggestions for reputable growers in MA.
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Tue, Apr 08, 9:30am - 10:30am
Wilbraham Public Library - Brooks Room
Storytime curriculum and themed play activities.

Tue, Apr 08, 2:00pm - 3:00pm
Virtual
Smithsonian Horticulturalist Matthew Fleming guides us through the secret world of trees as is revealed in The Tree Book: The Stories, Science, and History of Trees.
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Tue, Apr 08, 4:00pm - 6:00pm
Wilbraham Public Library - Brooks Room
The monthly meeting of the Wilbraham Friends of the Library.

Wed, Apr 09, 4:00pm - 5:00pm
Wilbraham Public Library - Brooks Room
Extra date in the event of inclement weather.

Wed, Apr 09, 6:00pm - 7:00pm
Wilbraham Public Library - Brooks Room
Calling all builders and engineers!
Registration opens Monday, March 24 2025 at 9:00am

Thu, Apr 10, 10:00am - 11:00am
Wilbraham Public Library - Brooks Room
Join us for a fun collection of stories, songs, and fingerplays geared for children ages 3-6.

Thu, Apr 10, 7:00pm - 8:00pm
Virtual
Authors Nikki Payne, Tara L. Roí., and L.E. Sterling will discuss how genre fiction, specifically romance, can have an impact on Climate Action.
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Fri, Apr 11, 10:30am - 11:30am
Wilbraham Public Library - Brooks Room
Social-emotional skill building!

Cancelled
Fri, Apr 11, 3:30pm - 4:15pm
Wilbraham Public Library
A fun, informal monthly book club where 6th & 7th graders share our love of reading! The book should be read before each meeting. New members always welcome!