JLC Book Clubs: Between the Pages

When Junior League of Charlotte members found themselves quarantined at home this spring, many turned to books for both an escape and inspiration. The JLC’s Social Committee created several book clubs for members to connect over their reads virtually! Groups including the Empowered Women Book Club, Create a Better You Book Club and the Sustainer Book Club focus on one book each month and then members gather virtually to discuss their thoughts on the material as well as catch up with old friends.

Check out our reporter’s review of the Empowered Women Book Club’s first selection. We hope you are inspired to add to your bookshelf this season!

Book Review by Jess Bush

“Untamed” by Glennon Doyle (The Dial Press)

Glennon Doyle’s latest memoir, Untamed, is a must-read of 2020. The memoir, Doyle’s third, came highly recommended by friends and family. There is a months-long waitlist for the book at my local library due to demand. The cover is stamped with the coveted Reese’s Book Club sticker. On the back, some of the top names in the literary world recommend the book with glowing reviews.

Now that I’ve read it, I’m on board with its wide acclaim. Untamed is an introspective journey, leading the reader to champion Doyle’s self-discovery and embrace her inner bravery. Untamed takes an honest look at truly knowing one’s inner self, regardless of society’s constraints or expectations. The memoir is deeply empowering and brave in its honesty.

Untamed instantly hooks the reader with its opening story of Tabitha. Tabitha is a cheetah tamed by a zoo to perform tricks like a labrador. She serves as an example of our inner “wild.” We’ve collectively learned to tame it, bending bit by bit to society’s expectations. Doyle reflects on how she learned to recognize and embrace her true self. Even if our inner wild is different than hers, her journey to trust herself is one that resonates across all readers.

Untamed is broken up into introspective short stories, jumping the reader across large swaths of time and back again. Each story follows the premise of selfdiscovery and honesty with her inner self, called the “Knowing.” The memoir’s stories build upon one

another. They create a puzzle, with each piece guiding the reader into a greater understanding of true freedom and embracing our own inner truths. Doyle tells stories about the self awareness, and reflection that occurred on her own journey with brutal honesty. Doyle explores her past addictions and traumas, including her failed first marriage and finding love with Olympic gold medalist Abby Wambach. The memoir feels deeply relevant for all women in 2020.

As we navigate this “new normal,” I’ve found myself needing the reminder to Be Still. To follow my own inner voice, my own “Knowing.” Life is full of the unknown right now, with uncertain paths and new expectations. While reading Doyle’s ’s memoir, I felt I could relate to certain truths I’ve discovered about my own inner self. Even with the extra time during the past spring, I did not learn a new language, or learn how to sew, or do any of the things I had been telling myself I would do if I only had more time. At first this seemed like I disappointed myself by not leaning into the extra time at home. However, after reading this memoir, I realized that I filled my time in other ways that brought me joy, like being present with my family. That realization and acceptance brought a sense of joy where I had previously felt failure.

We are all enough. Untamed shows the reader we all have a true inner self that is wild and untamed by society’s expectations of what we should be or feel. We only have to accept it, to not keep it caged in like the Tabitha the cheetah.