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.

This part self-help/part memoir challenges societal expectations and encourages readers to trust themselves, reclaim their voice, and live authentically. The book traces Doyle's personal journey from a seemingly perfect personal life—a married Christian woman with children—to falling in love with soccer star Abby Wambach, ending her marriage, and rediscovering herself in the process. Through a collection of essays, Doyle speaks about embracing inner truth, the struggles of womanhood, and the importance of shedding external expectations to become "untamed."

As I'm fresh out of an 11-year relationship, I thought it was time to finally read this book, which I've owned for a while. I’m on a mission to de-center men in my life, and while this book isn’t specifically about being single (in fact, Glennon moves into another relationship quickly after her marriage), it still helped me. I found it intriguing—and lovely—that her new partner is a woman.

I'm not typically a fan of self-help-style books, so I didn’t expect to love this one as much as I did. But Glennon’s honesty about her own messiness makes her incredibly relatable. She’s not trying to present a perfect image—she’s real, raw, and human, which is so refreshing. It’s empowering to witness someone drastically change so openly.

Each chapter is an essay that focuses on a relevant topic—whether it’s a serious social issue, an experience of womanhood, or a personal anecdote. Every page is filled with heart and common sense. Doyle’s writing had me laughing, sniffling, and cheering throughout. Definitely a highly impactful read. 

I must admit, I developed a bit of a platonic crush on Glennon. She’s been added to the very short list of people I’d love to have dinner with—joining Tupac Shakur. What a blast it would be!

This book couldn’t have arrived at a better time in my life. While the writing can come across as preachy, as soon as I set aside my hesitations with the language being used, it became much more relatable and eye-opening for me. There were chapters I had to reread, simply because what she was saying resonated and I wanted to soak it all in. She writes so candidly, humorously, and beautifully about her experiences and brings up some difficult but important questions centered around spirituality, sexuality, and race. I appreciate her approach. 

This is described as a memoir, so I had to manage my expectations while reading when it turned out to be a collection of essays instead. Glennon shares a lot of personal stories and encourages other people struggling or dealing with difficult situations to keep going. Her essays are thoughtful, reflective, and aware. I read this a few months ago, and am having trouble remembering more about my initial impressions. 

I really enjoyed Glennon's world view. She came across as honest, self aware, and having a willingness for humanity that I see far too infrequently. She doesn't shy away from admitting her flaws (her history with eating disorders, drugs, alcoholism, failures as a parent,etc) but she is still first and foremost a motivational speaker. So everything is told through a lens of inspiration and learning from those flaws. Its a very solid half memoir and half self help. Again, she is very heavy on the inspirational stuff and she discusses her journey with religion/spirituality. That's not gonna be for everyone, so don't bother if you're gonna get annoyed by those things. It was a lovely read but did feel a little long winded and repetitive in parts. 

this book was...fine??? i mean it definitely isnt revolutionary the way some ppl say it is :/ id say its a very shallow look at feminism; very surface level. there are some GREAT chapters in this book and some important things were said, but overall it feels like the author discovered feminism and is excited to tell ppl about it, as if we dont know what it already is? i dont know, it kind of came off sometimes like the author is treating the readers as if we dont know anything about it. and im sure this book is good for some people out there, but honestly a lot of the '''lessons''' we're taught about in this book is stuff i already dismantled inside myself when i was an older child/young teen. i didnt learn much from this book, really; its not bad, i guess, just definitely not for me. still gets a low rating though because i felt like the author was talking to me like i was a child.

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."