TOtimes Books: UNTAMED by Glennon Doyle

Every time I read a memoir, I wonder: how do they remember all of this? I don’t even know what day it is. But Glennon Doyle certainly remembers a lot of things, and I’m really grateful for that because they are very inspiring things indeed.

I approached this read knowing nothing about Glennon, and if it weren’t for my good friend Rev (who gifted this book to me) I would have been missing out on some really amazing storytelling! Untamed is an apt title for this book because the author does not hold back. For those who, like me, have been missing out on this woman’s inspiring writing for so long, Glennon Doyle has penned several self-help/memoir-esque books. Love Warrior, and Carry On, Warrior are her best sellers. I can’t say much about them since I haven’t read them, but if they’re anything like this one I doubt they’d be disappointing.  

I’m not really sure how to describe this book. It leaves me with more feelings than thoughts, including: Joy, sadness, enlightenment, motivation, and at times, in complete honesty, boredom. Don’t get me wrong – it is far from a boring read! But like most memoirs (in my opinion), it could stand to be shorter. Despite this one little snag, I am going to remember Glennon’s life story. I have already had moments of realization in my own life, thanks to her. Here’s an excerpt of one of her most relatable stories:

“The itchiness of our own skin is how we discover who we are.” I love that. These are the types of statements that stick with me, and Untamed is full of them. I’m not usually one for cheesy quotes, and for a long time that’s how I viewed memoirs – just one big cheesy quote. But, sometimes you need a little cheese in your life. I’ve accepted that cheesy can be good sometimes, especially lately when we’ve been stuck at home, and it has allowed me to discover so many great stories!

If you’re not one for memoirs, give this one a try. Glennon is utterly real in Untamed (dare I say, she is untamed). And real stories leave an impact! Hers definitely has had an impact on me.

by Daisy Lankstead – toreadornottoread.org

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