At least 1/3 of the book surrounds parenting, so, as someone that knows that they don't want to have children, I was not as interested in those parts. However, the core of the book is about learning to trust yourself (your "knowing"), and though that sometimes led to stories centered in parenting, it could also be applicable to other relationships as well (including with yourself). There was also interesting discussions surrounding racism and activism, including current events (which are unfortunately still relevant). The structure of the book was in a vignette style, resulting in it being compulsively bingeable (as well as short chapters!). My mind wondered often while reading, but I was still at least vaguely interested most of the time; there were a few moments that got me emotional. The effect was pleasantly inspiring, while also encouraging self-reflection and growth.

Untamed by Glennon Doyle 

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (5/5)

Genre: Memoir

About 330 pages

Women have been tamed for years. We’ve been told what a proper lady looks like, sounds like, acts like, etc. So what happens when someone challenges those expectations society has put on us? Untamed tells Glennon Doyle’s story of doing just that. Glennon ended her marriage to pursue the woman she fell in love with at a conference. That decision could’ve changed her life, her career, and her kids’ lives in an infinite amount of ways. Could it have been the wrong decision? Yes, but it proved to be the right one. Untamed teaches readers to ask challenging questions, trust their gut, and not live in fear. 

I DEVOURED THIS BOOK. Like literally couldn’t put it down. Glennon Doyle’s writing style pulled me in, and the topics she covered, the similarity of my opinions to hers, and her vulnerability kept me wanting more. I can’t believe it took me so long to read this book but I’m so happy book club brought it to me💜

I seriously think there are about 50 post-its in my copy highlighting amazing quotes. Therefore, I don’t think I can pick a favorite… but here is 1 of my 50+ highlights…. “Take good care of all of your selves. Fight like hell to keep yourself, and when you lose her, do whatever it takes to return to her.”

Title: Untamed
Author: Glennon Doyle
Genre: Non Fiction
Rating: 4.00
Pub Date: March 10, 2020

T H R E E • W O R D S

Digestible • Reflective • Empowering

📖 S Y N O P S I S

Four years ago, Glennon Doyle—bestselling Oprah-endorsed author, renowned activist and humanitarian, wife and mother of three—was speaking at a conference when a woman entered the room. Glennon looked at her and fell instantly in love. Three words flooded her mind: There She Is. At first, Glennon assumed these words came to her from on high. Soon she realized that they came to her from within.

Glennon was finally hearing her own voice—the voice that had been silenced by decades of cultural conditioning, numbing addictions, and institutional allegiances. This was the voice of the girl Glennon had been before the world told her who to be. She vowed to never again abandon herself. She decided to build a life of her own—one based on her individual desire, intuition, and imagination. She would reclaim her true, untamed self.

💭 T H O U G H T S

I read Untamed in small weekly sections along with a handful of other women as part of an online group, and I am not sure if I would have picked it up otherwise. Reading and discussing it with other women really enhanced the experience as a whole and I definitely got more out of it than I would have had I read it along.

I decided the best way for me to consume this book would be by listening to the audio, which is read by Glennon herself. While I couldn't relate to many of the chapters and topics, the ones that I did relate to really struck a chord. Part memoir, part self-help, part essay collection, it is written in a way that is easily digestible. However, there really isn't a consistent timeline or flow to how it is organized. I didn't mind this, but I know it will not work for some people.

After listening to Untamed there is no doubt in my mind Glennon is an incredibly powerful activist and speaker. I could see how this book could easily rub some people the wrong way, yet for me there were parts which were empowering. I have since started listening to Glennon's podcast, and I would consider reading something else she writes in the future.

📚 R E C O M M E N D • T O
• Brené Brown fans
• book clubs

🔖 F A V O U R I T E • Q U O T E S

"She said this: 'I've spent the past week considering your question. I can imagine a thousand easier stories about mothers and sons. I can think of a million happier ones. But I cannot imagine a single story truer or more beautiful than the heartbreaking one I'm living now, with my boys.'"

"The truest, most beautiful life never promises to be an easy one. We need to let go of the lie that it's supposed to be."

"Perhaps the only thing that makes grief any easier is to surrender completely to it. To resist trying to hold on to a single part of ourselves that existed before the doorbell rang. Sometimes to live again, we have to let ourselves die completely. We have to let ourselves become completely, utterly, new."

"Depression and anxiety are not feelings. Feelings return me to myself. Depression and anxiety are body snatchers that suck me out of myself so that I appear to be there but I'm really gone. Other people can still see me, but no one can feel me anymore - including me. For me, the tragedy of mental illness is not that I'm sad but that I'm not anything. Mental illness makes me miss my own life." 

just wasn’t super profound to me. I don’t understand the praise this gets, it was okay. not bad, but not the best piece of writing either. 

not trying to rain on her parade at all. despite my critiques i am very happy she was able to flourish and now lives the life she wants to live without the societal & religious constraints that are bestowed upon us from such a young age.