A Charisma of Owls

by Lynn E. Barber

In press; publication January 27, 2026

332 pages, Paperback

Published January 27, 2026

About the author

I was born in Wisconsin, and since then have lived in AK, OR, NC, TX, SD and then back to WI. I am a birder, and an author, bird-painter and bird-photographer. I have published four books and have one in-progress, all related primarily to birds and birding.

Reviews

[Chevonnika · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a quick read that I picked up as an ebook simply because I like owls.

The author starts off by discussing why someone might be interested in owls from a bird watching point of view.

This is followed up by beautiful illustrations (also done by the author) that accompany descriptions of physical attributes of the owls. Also included it the behaviors of specific species, where the species get their taxonomy names from, migration, roosting, mating, diet etc. All the information you would need to identify a specific owl species if you were looking for them (only north American owls)


The next section talks about owls in folklore around the world and some traditions that involve owls.

Finally the author adds some tips about finding owls and observers them respectfully.

Overall this was an interesting a quick educational read if you like owls ( a very beautiful illustrations of them) or are interested in bird watching.

my only complaint is thay the ebook doesn't translate the tables very well and the columns overlap and make it hard to read.

[Jodie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Advanced copy received through Netgalley.
I find birds quite fascinating so I was very excited to receive this to read. The author explores different kinds of owl and where they live (mainly on the american continents), what they look like and the noises they make in depth so you gain a solid base of knowledge. It highlights the difference in the types of animal and also birds that are often misidentified as owls. This book also explores the folklore and etymology as well as the perception in religion surrounding owls which i found particularly interesting to read. For anyone interested in birds, specifically owls, this is a wonderfully educational book that will leave you feeling quite enriched. There are beautiful illustrations scattered throughout to give you visuals.

[Charlie Tombini · Rating 2 out of 5]

I love owls and loved the beginning of the book and the reason for the title, but I ended up not enjoying this book very much. It's very impersonal, kind of info-dumping in a monotone way. As opposed to a fun informative enganging read. Don't get me wrong, it is quite informative, but it feels more like a reference book, which I simply didn't expect, and that's on me. To be completely honest (I hate desliking ARCs), I really didn't like this book. It didn't meet my expectations, and overall, it just wasn't for me. I ended up skimming the last section.

Thank you to NatGalley and to the publisher for this eARC, I appreciate it. This was an honest, unbiased opinion.

[⁺˚*༓☾ ness ☽༓*˚⁺ · Rating 3 out of 5]

3 ★ — Barber's A Charisma of Owls is a deeply researched reference book for birders, owl enthusiasts or people who are simply wanting to learn a bit about a specific bird species. Barber introduces a quirky descriptor for a group of owls, a "charisma", thus capturing the intersection of wonder, fear, and awe we feel towards these birds. Upon learning that owls are sometimes "employed" for weddings, I found it quite humorous that a barn owl slept through a wedding ceremony and missed its queue, and another one knocked the best man to the ground.

There's also an interesting discussion on our perceived wisdom of owls, and how true that perception might be given an owl's skull and brain sizes. Barber makes a rather compelling case, noting that owls are the silent antithesis to humans who "evidence their lack of wisdom by talking too much."

Beyond these flashes of wit, the prose often tilts toward a textbook-like tone. While the data is robust, the sightings descriptions feel overly detached. Readers expecting immersive, boots-on-the-ground travelogues or intriguing narratives about the hunt for a particular species may find the clinical reporting a bit dry. This was certainly the case for me.

Still, the wealth of information here makes it a worthwhile read for those seeking a more structured overview of these "charismatic" birds, which is accompanied by Barber's lovely illustrations.

[AnnieM · Rating 5 out of 5]

You can't help but fall in love with Owls after reading this book. The author is an avid birder and loves birds. She wrote this book as a way to share her experiences and knowledge (it is really well researched) and her own memories. She has written other bird books but has always had an enthusiasm for owls. Typically, a group of owls is called "a parliament" but she uses the term "Charisma" which I think is a great term for owls. In reading this book, I had no idea how many types of owls there are around the world. She has a table with types of sounds owls make. In section 2, she covers owls of US, Canada, Mexico and beyond. She has a description of appearance, sound, habitat, breeding, resting, its food and status. At the end of each chapter, she shares a story or stories about looking for the owl (and hopefully finding it). I had learned about burrowing owls - which I have seen, and how they nest in holes built by other animals, such as ground squirrels. I really loved hearing about her personal sightings of owls. She also includes Owls in the written word and includes a comprehensive list of resources in the appendix. I highly recommend this book.

Thank you to Atmosphere Press and Netgalley for an ARC and I voluntarily left this review.

[Hannah Buschert · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lynn E. Barber's A Charisma of Owls is a compendium of researched information about (mostly) owls that occur in the US. For each species, Barber discusses interesting life history descriptions, including where they occur, physical characteristics, and breeding information. She then details some of her sightings of that species around the US. She briefly touches on other owl species that occur in the Americas and beyond. There is also a chapter with mythology and folklore of owls from cultures around the world. Lastly, she finishes up with practical advice for finding and viewing owls on your own.

Unfortunately, the charts and graphics did not translate well on my Kindle, but that is no reflection on the book or its author. Simply my limitation when reviewing it and something for other readers to consider.

This book would be an interesting read for birders, non-birders, wildlife enthusiasts, and folks who like owls! Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the ARC.

[Katheryn Haskell · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a pretty well detailed book about a lot of kinds of owls! I definitely did not retain all of it, it's a little textbook-y, but there's a lot there, and it's very interesting. A bit repetitive, cause you know, most owls have at least some things in common, but still very informative. I like the sections the book is broken down into, with sections about finding owls, other literature about owls, and different areas. Very cool to have all the extra info to go find more, I definitely added more books to my TBR from this.
I think people would benefit more from having this as a physical book, so it's easier to go back and look up relevant information, and see the beautiful illustrations a bit better though. Either way, interesting read for people interested in owls, even if it's a bit of work to get through.

[Tamara · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5/3.75 ⭐

Thanks to Netgalley for providing me with an e-arc.

A beautiful book about owls, primarily in the USA, Mexico, and Canada. The author painted the illustrations for each chapter herself, which was a lovely addition. The first section covers the different owls, their appearance, and their habits. This part could sometimes feel a bit like a list of facts, which made it read a bit like a textbook at times. I think this section can serve as a good reference point for owl spotters in the aforementioned countries. In the chapters on the different owls, the author shares her own experiences with owls; this was a nice personal touch. I found the chapter on traditions and lore the most enjoyable to read. The book also contains handy tips for spotting owls yourself. All in all, a useful book for learning more about owls!

[Rebbie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Review of advance copy received from Netgalley.
This was such an informative book. I love owls and have two great horned owls that have roosted near my home for many years. I liked that layout of the book and the beautiful illustrations. The author gives examples of where she has observed certain owls which was really helpful. I realized that there are more species in my area than I thought. I also enjoyed the section on owl folklore throughout history and by region. There are several charts in the book that were a little difficult to read in the e-reader format.

[Brenda · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoy bird watching
Owls are such an interesting bird so this book sounded right up my alley. Many parts were quite interesting, almost as many were a bit overwhelming or boring. The book is extremely detailed and involved even for somebody who spends an inordinate amount of time bird watching. The stories at the end of each section were always interesting and there was an entire section on owl folklore which I also found very interesting. Overall I would recommend this book as a reference guide using it to look up the specific I will you're interested in and I'd give it 3.5 Stars.

[Paige D · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Charisma of Owls by Lynn E. Barber is a quietly compelling and imaginative work that balances reflective prose with narrative intrigue. The story’s charm lies in its careful attention to detail, evocative imagery, and subtle layering of character and theme. Readers who enjoy contemplative fiction will find themselves drawn in by Barber’s voice, discovering both mystery and resonance in the everyday and the extraordinary alike.