Glennon Doyle rose to prominence in the early 2010s with Momastery, a Christian mommy blog that quickly gained a following for its honest and inspiring reflections on marriage, motherhood, and self-acceptance. In the three bestselling memoirs since – Carry On, Warrior, Love Warrior, and Untamed – she tackles stories of mental illness, sobriety, and family rearing with wit and candor.

In a recent reading list for Goodreads, Doyle spoke on the solace found in reading:

“For me, life itself is a challenging time requiring extra comfort. While many folks seem to find that comfort in other humans, that doesn’t always work for me. I am a deeply sensitive, raging introvert which means that I am wildly in love with humanity, but actual humans are tricky for me.

Thank God, when I was five years old, I discovered books. Books were, and still are, the way I learn about myself and other people without having to deal with…other people.

Here are the books that bring me comfort during challenging times.”

Find Glennon’s recommendations below, and complement with the reading lists of Oprah Winfrey, Reese Witherspoon and Brené Brown.


Little Women by Louisa May Alcott (also rec’d by Gloria SteinemJohn Lennon, Maya Angelou & Shonda Rhimes)

The Color Purple by Alice Walker (also rec’d by Chimamanda AdichieEmma WatsonGabrielle Union, Gloria Steinem & Janet Mock)

Walden by Henry David Thoreau

I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings by Maya Angelou (also rec’d by Janet Mock, Richard Branson & Shonda Rhimes)

Tiny Beautiful Things: Advice on Love and Life from Dear Sugar by Cheryl Strayed

When Things Fall Apart: Heart Advice for Difficult Times by Pema Chödrön (also rec’d by Laurie Anderson)

Devotions: The Selected Poems of Mary Oliver by Mary Oliver

Traveling Mercies: Some Thoughts on Faith by Anne Lamott (also rec’d by Amy Poehler)

Everything Happens for a Reason: And Other Lies I’ve Loved by Kate Bowler

Eat Pray Love by Elizabeth Gilbert

The Secret Life of Bees by Sue Monk Kidd

Naked by David Sedaris

A Prayer for Owen Meany by John Irving (also rec’d by Amy Poehler)

The Dream of a Common Language by Adrienne Rich

Women Who Run With the Wolves: Myths and Stories of the Wild Woman Archetype by Clarissa Pinkola Estés (also rec’d by Emma Watson)

Dear Edward by Ann Napolitano

(via Goodreads)
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