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This Is What Happens When Women Read
Not yet published
Expected 13 Oct 26An empowering journey to self-actualization by a former Evangelical Christian pop star whose life was transformed when she began reading books that had been forbidden to her.
Julianna Glasse was an influential Christian pop star and author who sang at President Trump’s first national prayer breakfast, as well as an exemplary Christian wife. But when, out of curiosity, she began reading Plato’s Republic, something inside her shifted. She began asking questions and hungered to read more, hiding the forbidden books under her bed, in her linen closet, wherever they wouldn’t be found—books by Emerson, Dickinson, Rumi, de Beauvoir. When her husband discovered a pile of her books, he chastised her for her “This is what happens when women read,” he told her, a phrase that liberated She left her marriage, the church, and her married name behind, and set off on a process of educating herself and working to reach other women trapped without agency within religious communities.
In this powerful, riveting memoir, Julianna writes of her very public and painful split from both the church and her marriage—the self-hatred, depression, and suicidal impulses that almost destroyed her; the books she read that inspired her to reclaim her life as an autonomous, independent woman and earn an advanced degree at Oxford University; and, finally, her path to self-discovery and purpose. With a suggested reading list at the back of the book, This Is What Happens When Women Read is at once a dramatic personal story, a conversation starter about women’s emancipation, and an inspiring paean to the power of books.
Julianna Glasse was an influential Christian pop star and author who sang at President Trump’s first national prayer breakfast, as well as an exemplary Christian wife. But when, out of curiosity, she began reading Plato’s Republic, something inside her shifted. She began asking questions and hungered to read more, hiding the forbidden books under her bed, in her linen closet, wherever they wouldn’t be found—books by Emerson, Dickinson, Rumi, de Beauvoir. When her husband discovered a pile of her books, he chastised her for her “This is what happens when women read,” he told her, a phrase that liberated She left her marriage, the church, and her married name behind, and set off on a process of educating herself and working to reach other women trapped without agency within religious communities.
In this powerful, riveting memoir, Julianna writes of her very public and painful split from both the church and her marriage—the self-hatred, depression, and suicidal impulses that almost destroyed her; the books she read that inspired her to reclaim her life as an autonomous, independent woman and earn an advanced degree at Oxford University; and, finally, her path to self-discovery and purpose. With a suggested reading list at the back of the book, This Is What Happens When Women Read is at once a dramatic personal story, a conversation starter about women’s emancipation, and an inspiring paean to the power of books.
304 pages, Hardcover
Expected publication October 13, 2026
About the author
Julianna Glasse
2 books47 followersJulianna Glasse is the founder and CEO of This Is What Happens When Women Read, a global movement advancing women’s intellectual autonomy through education, scholarship, and community.
Under her leadership, the organization has reached more than four million people across nearly sixty-seven countries, building a world-
wide audience around liberation through literature.
An alumna of the University of Oxford and a member of the Saïd Business School Dean’s Circle, Glasse leads a growing global scholarship initiative in partnership with Oxford that provides women access to one of the world’s leading graduate business programs. Her work sits at the intersection of culture, literature, and education, and she has spoken at global forums including the United Nations, the Skoll World Forum, and the Clinton Global Initiative on women’s leadership and the role of intellectual agency in social transformation.
Before founding her organization, Glasse built a large public platform as a recording artist and author within faith-based communities, an experience that shaped her enduring critique of ideology, authority, and belief systems. Today her work focuses on creating pathways for women to think independently, question inherited narratives, and reclaim autonomy over their own lives.
Under her leadership, the organization has reached more than four million people across nearly sixty-seven countries, building a world-
wide audience around liberation through literature.
An alumna of the University of Oxford and a member of the Saïd Business School Dean’s Circle, Glasse leads a growing global scholarship initiative in partnership with Oxford that provides women access to one of the world’s leading graduate business programs. Her work sits at the intersection of culture, literature, and education, and she has spoken at global forums including the United Nations, the Skoll World Forum, and the Clinton Global Initiative on women’s leadership and the role of intellectual agency in social transformation.
Before founding her organization, Glasse built a large public platform as a recording artist and author within faith-based communities, an experience that shaped her enduring critique of ideology, authority, and belief systems. Today her work focuses on creating pathways for women to think independently, question inherited narratives, and reclaim autonomy over their own lives.
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Review of advance copy received from Goodreads Giveaways
I got this book free from Goodreads Giveaways in exchange for an honest review.
I glanced through the book before I read it. My first impression was that it was a book that takes itself way to seriously. There is a bookplate in the front to put your name in the book. It also asks what book changed your life. There is a fairly large notes section in the back.
When I started reading my second first impression was anger. Glasse is processing her anger through writing the book, she did not process it and then write the book. This gives a lack of insight. If she had healed more before she wrote the book it would be more balanced and more compelling.
I understand part of this anger. We have all been in places where we have felt ourself being supressed. We can imagine the damage it does to be there for an extended time and to define yourself through the abuse. However, when a memoir drips with anger, it becomes first off putting than somewhat parodied.
The first line that triggered me is "There is no "therapy" in Christian marital therapy." I don't want to question her lived experience. That said, Christian therapy is a big field. To imply that no woman in all of history had a solid, supportive experience with Christian marital therapy is at least biased.
One of the big issues I had with this book, and in fact deconstruction books in general, is there is no awareness that her group was one small and somewhat extreme arm of a big and wide reaching ideaology. She universalizes everything that happened to her as happening to all Christians. It just isn't intellectually honest or even realistic. Common sense would dictate that the experience of an Amish woman in Nowhere, Ohio will be much different than the experience of a female bishop in New York who does gay weddings. Which is living real Christianity? Maybe both. Maybe neither? Possibly either or? Nope. Julianna's ex husband was a jerk. All Christian men are jerks.
Another issue I have found in every deconstruction book that I read, is that none of them go to the source. This is particularly egrigious here because the book is about the importance of reading critically. If I am in a staff meeting and I think my manager is ignoring the rules, I go to the handbook. If I am right, I take the handbook to him (after I have heads uped the union). If I see my church behaving in a way that is against what I heard of Jesus in Sunday School, I go to the Bible. Is this abuse because of a clear inconsistency inherit in Christianity or because our leaders have let power go to their heads? or because we have onboarded malicious jerks? All deconstruction writers say they lived by the Bible, yet none of them read the Bible to find answers to their questions. It just doesn't make sense.
As a Christian and a reader, I would very much like to advise Christian parents that it is very important that your kid knows if it isn't in the Bible, it is just Mom's rule, Dad's rule, the Teacher's rule or the Pastor's rule. You have to obey earthly rules, but they are not scripture. Also when your pastor or church's board or governing body makes rules they are not God's rules unless they come directly from scripture. They are human rules. They can (and should) be questioned. This is even true if they can support them with two or three scriptures without context. Supporting scripture should be relevant and in context. If every Christian knew this a lot of spiritual abuse could not happen.
Ms. Glasse's husband was terrible (in her telling. I know he has an opposite story.), but she wasn't really fair to him either. She says that she prayed "Please make me the godly woman I was, the woman who loved having a husband that could keep her accountable. . ." To me it seems that she married him partly because she thought he would be a strong leader. Eventually she grew to the point that she wanted a husband and not a father. This isn't a bad thing, but she changed and he didn't. He was doing what she had wanted him to do from the beginning, what she had probably complimented him for and praised when she compared notes with other wives. Then suddenly. Boom. She doesn't want it. It doesn't sound like she even told him. This poor sap is going along doing what has always worked, what made her happy then she is angry and sad. It is no wonder he became a little obnoxious.
The adult response would be to renegotiate. I know when we married that__________, but now I am discovering that I need __________________ so I was hoping we could start _________________. Instead, Glasse feels hurt and unseen, acting it out, angry and finally writing this book while her husband is probably also hurt and confused.
Another thing that struck me with this book is that Glasse went from one extreme to another. Like most people who do that she had to eviscerate her old belief system. There is no balance, nothing to show why she thought it was good until she thought it was bad. There is no deep analysis.
This book is a resource for people who are in the bitter phase of deconstructing. It doesn't have the context to be anything else.
I glanced through the book before I read it. My first impression was that it was a book that takes itself way to seriously. There is a bookplate in the front to put your name in the book. It also asks what book changed your life. There is a fairly large notes section in the back.
When I started reading my second first impression was anger. Glasse is processing her anger through writing the book, she did not process it and then write the book. This gives a lack of insight. If she had healed more before she wrote the book it would be more balanced and more compelling.
I understand part of this anger. We have all been in places where we have felt ourself being supressed. We can imagine the damage it does to be there for an extended time and to define yourself through the abuse. However, when a memoir drips with anger, it becomes first off putting than somewhat parodied.
The first line that triggered me is "There is no "therapy" in Christian marital therapy." I don't want to question her lived experience. That said, Christian therapy is a big field. To imply that no woman in all of history had a solid, supportive experience with Christian marital therapy is at least biased.
One of the big issues I had with this book, and in fact deconstruction books in general, is there is no awareness that her group was one small and somewhat extreme arm of a big and wide reaching ideaology. She universalizes everything that happened to her as happening to all Christians. It just isn't intellectually honest or even realistic. Common sense would dictate that the experience of an Amish woman in Nowhere, Ohio will be much different than the experience of a female bishop in New York who does gay weddings. Which is living real Christianity? Maybe both. Maybe neither? Possibly either or? Nope. Julianna's ex husband was a jerk. All Christian men are jerks.
Another issue I have found in every deconstruction book that I read, is that none of them go to the source. This is particularly egrigious here because the book is about the importance of reading critically. If I am in a staff meeting and I think my manager is ignoring the rules, I go to the handbook. If I am right, I take the handbook to him (after I have heads uped the union). If I see my church behaving in a way that is against what I heard of Jesus in Sunday School, I go to the Bible. Is this abuse because of a clear inconsistency inherit in Christianity or because our leaders have let power go to their heads? or because we have onboarded malicious jerks? All deconstruction writers say they lived by the Bible, yet none of them read the Bible to find answers to their questions. It just doesn't make sense.
As a Christian and a reader, I would very much like to advise Christian parents that it is very important that your kid knows if it isn't in the Bible, it is just Mom's rule, Dad's rule, the Teacher's rule or the Pastor's rule. You have to obey earthly rules, but they are not scripture. Also when your pastor or church's board or governing body makes rules they are not God's rules unless they come directly from scripture. They are human rules. They can (and should) be questioned. This is even true if they can support them with two or three scriptures without context. Supporting scripture should be relevant and in context. If every Christian knew this a lot of spiritual abuse could not happen.
Ms. Glasse's husband was terrible (in her telling. I know he has an opposite story.), but she wasn't really fair to him either. She says that she prayed "Please make me the godly woman I was, the woman who loved having a husband that could keep her accountable. . ." To me it seems that she married him partly because she thought he would be a strong leader. Eventually she grew to the point that she wanted a husband and not a father. This isn't a bad thing, but she changed and he didn't. He was doing what she had wanted him to do from the beginning, what she had probably complimented him for and praised when she compared notes with other wives. Then suddenly. Boom. She doesn't want it. It doesn't sound like she even told him. This poor sap is going along doing what has always worked, what made her happy then she is angry and sad. It is no wonder he became a little obnoxious.
The adult response would be to renegotiate. I know when we married that__________, but now I am discovering that I need __________________ so I was hoping we could start _________________. Instead, Glasse feels hurt and unseen, acting it out, angry and finally writing this book while her husband is probably also hurt and confused.
Another thing that struck me with this book is that Glasse went from one extreme to another. Like most people who do that she had to eviscerate her old belief system. There is no balance, nothing to show why she thought it was good until she thought it was bad. There is no deep analysis.
This book is a resource for people who are in the bitter phase of deconstructing. It doesn't have the context to be anything else.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
This is the memoir of a former Christian pop star, Julianna Glasse. The title initially caught my eye. The opening scene between Julianna and her ex-husband (a professional ball player) then led me to stick around for the entire narrative.
Memoirs are a pouring out of emotions and memories for the writer. As a reader, I find it hard to critique another person's personal journey. As Julianna refers to situations in childhood and marriage, I felt claustrophobic. It was unfathomable to me that a husband could care so much about what his wife was reading and interpret that as a sign of disobedience. Then again, neither my spouse nor I grew up Evangelical Christian. I like that Julianna is reflective of the problematic ways she used to think and how she begins to see things in a new light,
Similar to other readers, the second half, which I guess we could say is Julianna's search for her own self-identity and belonging in the world, didn't grip me as much.
I can't say that I wish the memoir had included a focus on this or that, because I didn't really have any expectations going into my reading experience.
Overall, it was a good read, and it did quick-start a weekend of fierce reading. So, maybe what Julianna did accomplish was encouraging her female readers to READ. WHAT. THEY. WANT.
#ThisIsWhatHappensWhenWomenRead #NetGalley.
Expected Publication Date: 13/10/26
Goodreads Review Date: 18/09/26
Thanks to NetGalley and Spiegel & Grau for access to this title. All opinions expressed are my own.
Memoirs are a pouring out of emotions and memories for the writer. As a reader, I find it hard to critique another person's personal journey. As Julianna refers to situations in childhood and marriage, I felt claustrophobic. It was unfathomable to me that a husband could care so much about what his wife was reading and interpret that as a sign of disobedience. Then again, neither my spouse nor I grew up Evangelical Christian. I like that Julianna is reflective of the problematic ways she used to think and how she begins to see things in a new light,
Similar to other readers, the second half, which I guess we could say is Julianna's search for her own self-identity and belonging in the world, didn't grip me as much.
I can't say that I wish the memoir had included a focus on this or that, because I didn't really have any expectations going into my reading experience.
Overall, it was a good read, and it did quick-start a weekend of fierce reading. So, maybe what Julianna did accomplish was encouraging her female readers to READ. WHAT. THEY. WANT.
#ThisIsWhatHappensWhenWomenRead #NetGalley.
Expected Publication Date: 13/10/26
Goodreads Review Date: 18/09/26
Thanks to NetGalley and Spiegel & Grau for access to this title. All opinions expressed are my own.
May 18, 2026
This book came to me exactly when I needed it. Honestly, reading about someone so deep in the evangelical trenches having such a vast change of heart is deeply hopeful and inspiring to me. Julianna cuts no corners revealing the inner thoughts of conservatives and evangelicals, and how that lifestyle indoctrinates and oppresses its women. This is a book I would honestly love to gift to my mother, because the words inside are powerful and eye opening in a way many people need. An amazing, hopecore book, especially for one going through a similar upheaval, able to see how someone else came through on the other side of it.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Mixed feelings on this one. (I don’t read many memoirs, so that could be a factor.) Glasse writes about her early years growing up in a pastor’s home, then her tumultuous marriage to baseball star Ben Zobrist, which ended after she began reading extensively and questioning her faith; her marriage broke apart, she had an affair, and the divorce was very public and ugly. She continued to explore and examine new ideas, feeling freed from what she calls the shackles of religion, eventually attending Oxford, changing her name, and starting a foundation devoted to liberating women everywhere.
Glasse describes an upbringing that initially sounded familiar to me, but I realized there were marked differences. She portrays how she was taught to do her part in the family “business” from an early age, singing and speaking publicly, saying that she “was saving souls.” I don’t know if young Julianna was confused or if others made the mistake, because the Bible teaches that God—not us—is who saves souls. That was a lot of pressure to carry! Later on, as she is captivated by Plato and other thoughtful literary works, she realizes that her faith isn’t as steadfast as it once was. She has many questions and states that “it is a sin to doubt” God’s word, yet the Bible has many accounts of people who also struggled with doubt; it is a normal human feeling. I believe the larger issue is how we respond to doubt. Glasse asserts that there are millions of evangelical wives who do not have autonomy in the voting booth. Despite being part of that demographic, I have never in over 35 years of marriage felt obligated to match my husband’s choices in an election. We discuss issues and often agree, but when we don’t, I know I can vote my conscience.
Glasses recounts her traumatic experience at a Bible camp when she was twelve and was sexually assaulted, an event with repercussions throughout her life. When her counselor spoke to her after the attack, she asked if she wanted to press charges or forgive. I completely agree with her outrage at this response to the unimaginable. The Church has not handled the mistreatment of women at all well throughout its history. It’s inexplicable and harmful. When the news about Glasse’s divorce was released, she was inundated with death threats and hate-filled messages, many sent by people who were ostensibly Christians. I cannot understand how people who claim to follow Christ’s teachings can willfully behave in a manner that is so clearly un-Christlike. I am sad that she had these experiences.
Lastly, I was surprised and disappointed that the annotated list of books included did not include the Bible. I had hoped that Glasse (a voracious reader) would have read it again for herself, not viewed through the lens other people’s opinions. I think she would learn new insights about the God she thought she once knew.
Thanks to NetGalley for the arc.
Glasse describes an upbringing that initially sounded familiar to me, but I realized there were marked differences. She portrays how she was taught to do her part in the family “business” from an early age, singing and speaking publicly, saying that she “was saving souls.” I don’t know if young Julianna was confused or if others made the mistake, because the Bible teaches that God—not us—is who saves souls. That was a lot of pressure to carry! Later on, as she is captivated by Plato and other thoughtful literary works, she realizes that her faith isn’t as steadfast as it once was. She has many questions and states that “it is a sin to doubt” God’s word, yet the Bible has many accounts of people who also struggled with doubt; it is a normal human feeling. I believe the larger issue is how we respond to doubt. Glasse asserts that there are millions of evangelical wives who do not have autonomy in the voting booth. Despite being part of that demographic, I have never in over 35 years of marriage felt obligated to match my husband’s choices in an election. We discuss issues and often agree, but when we don’t, I know I can vote my conscience.
Glasses recounts her traumatic experience at a Bible camp when she was twelve and was sexually assaulted, an event with repercussions throughout her life. When her counselor spoke to her after the attack, she asked if she wanted to press charges or forgive. I completely agree with her outrage at this response to the unimaginable. The Church has not handled the mistreatment of women at all well throughout its history. It’s inexplicable and harmful. When the news about Glasse’s divorce was released, she was inundated with death threats and hate-filled messages, many sent by people who were ostensibly Christians. I cannot understand how people who claim to follow Christ’s teachings can willfully behave in a manner that is so clearly un-Christlike. I am sad that she had these experiences.
Lastly, I was surprised and disappointed that the annotated list of books included did not include the Bible. I had hoped that Glasse (a voracious reader) would have read it again for herself, not viewed through the lens other people’s opinions. I think she would learn new insights about the God she thought she once knew.
Thanks to NetGalley for the arc.
August 27, 2026
Thank you to NetGalley and Spiegel & Grau for ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
I’m going to start my review by sharing two points of information for people who are looking at reviews when trying to decide if they should pick up this book or not:
1. If you can’t handle criticism of religion in any way, this book is probably not for you.
2. Because I’ve already seen criticism from people who are angry that the author has turned away from religion, I think it’s really important to note that the author of this book didn’t grow up with the average Christian lifestyle, but instead an incredibly strict, fundamentalist, and sometimes even abusive evangelical lifestyle.
This Is What Happens When Women Read details the journey Julianna Glasse experiences with the fundamentalist Christian lifestyle she was raised in and how and why she chose to leave it behind. She shares how she went from being a Christian wife to an independent and now liberated woman. She describes her struggles with the religion she grew up with, and shares how independent thinking through reading eventually lead to her leaving her marriage and religion.
Books play an important role in Glasse’s transformation. So much so that she titled this memoir after something her husband said to her during an argument when she was caught with specific books that he and the church did not approve of women reading. Glasse shares the philosophy from books and poetry that inspired her to start questioning her belief system and it eventually leads to her leaving her marriage and religion altogether. Along the way, she shares stories of her life experiences and continued education. She does include a full reading list at the end of the book for those interested in reading the titles that moved her.
I typically don’t reach for a memoir unless I am aware of who the author is beforehand. My introduction to Julianna Glasse came when her now ex husband started playing for the Chicago Cubs, a team I’ve been a fan of my entire life. For those fellow fans who may be wondering if there’s some “tea spilled” in regards to her time in Chicago, there is a bit, but that’s not the point of the memoir. I do wish she could name names in chapter 4, but I also understand that’s not something that can happen in memoirs without legal repercussions. As a fan, I do remember the fallout the end of their relationship had as it was all happening and I appreciated hearing her side of the story on the infamous slander article that came out detailing the demise of her marriage. I remember being shocked reading it at the time, so I can only imagine how awful it felt in her end as the target of the article itself. While I hate that it was such a hard time for her and her family, I appreciated the opportunity to read her perspective on that time in her life.
I’ll be honest and say that I’ve really struggled with how to review this book. I’ve followed the author of this book for a decade on Instagram at this point, and while I do believe the author has changed significantly, however, a lot of the liberation she’s proud of feels very disingenuous and self serving at times. I can’t find myself agreeing with some of her choices because so much of it feels like typical “white feminism.” I almost wish she had waited a few more years before writing this memoir so we could see what her organization (same name as the book title) develops into first. My judgement as of now could be very off base as I don’t know Julianna personally.
While I believe personal growth has taken place, I do still think there is more work to be done on her end in terms of accountability for past actions. I was going to go into more detail on that, but I found myself getting snarkier than I wanted in my review of this book. Plus this review is getting lengthy. Not long after finishing this book, I had learned that the wonderful Dolly Parton had passed away. One of my friends had shared her favorite quote of Dolly’s on social media. It simply stated “reading inspires us to dream.” So instead I will show a bit of grace in place of a snarky attitude, because at the end of the day, I do believe Glasse when she says that reading has inspired her to dream and books have liberated her and have changed her life. While I might have my own opinions on her motivations, I also believe that if we want people to change, we have to allow them the space to do so.
Overall, I hope this memoir falls into the hands of women who need it the most. I think it can be a special piece of work for women who’ve lived similar, oppressed lives. I hope the words written inside inspire them to be brave enough to find their own voices just as Julianna has.
PS—I highly doubt Julianna Glasse or her team will see this review, but if you do, please set up a podcast conversation between Julianna and Jenny Slate. While these two women had extremely different upbringings and life experiences, they feel like kindred spirits in a way. I think it would be fascinating to listen to a conversation between the two of them about feminism, religion, motherhood, fashion, and whatever else they feel like discussing. Their writing style and the ways they choose to express themselves through writing even feels extremely similar.
I’m going to start my review by sharing two points of information for people who are looking at reviews when trying to decide if they should pick up this book or not:
1. If you can’t handle criticism of religion in any way, this book is probably not for you.
2. Because I’ve already seen criticism from people who are angry that the author has turned away from religion, I think it’s really important to note that the author of this book didn’t grow up with the average Christian lifestyle, but instead an incredibly strict, fundamentalist, and sometimes even abusive evangelical lifestyle.
This Is What Happens When Women Read details the journey Julianna Glasse experiences with the fundamentalist Christian lifestyle she was raised in and how and why she chose to leave it behind. She shares how she went from being a Christian wife to an independent and now liberated woman. She describes her struggles with the religion she grew up with, and shares how independent thinking through reading eventually lead to her leaving her marriage and religion.
Books play an important role in Glasse’s transformation. So much so that she titled this memoir after something her husband said to her during an argument when she was caught with specific books that he and the church did not approve of women reading. Glasse shares the philosophy from books and poetry that inspired her to start questioning her belief system and it eventually leads to her leaving her marriage and religion altogether. Along the way, she shares stories of her life experiences and continued education. She does include a full reading list at the end of the book for those interested in reading the titles that moved her.
I typically don’t reach for a memoir unless I am aware of who the author is beforehand. My introduction to Julianna Glasse came when her now ex husband started playing for the Chicago Cubs, a team I’ve been a fan of my entire life. For those fellow fans who may be wondering if there’s some “tea spilled” in regards to her time in Chicago, there is a bit, but that’s not the point of the memoir. I do wish she could name names in chapter 4, but I also understand that’s not something that can happen in memoirs without legal repercussions. As a fan, I do remember the fallout the end of their relationship had as it was all happening and I appreciated hearing her side of the story on the infamous slander article that came out detailing the demise of her marriage. I remember being shocked reading it at the time, so I can only imagine how awful it felt in her end as the target of the article itself. While I hate that it was such a hard time for her and her family, I appreciated the opportunity to read her perspective on that time in her life.
I’ll be honest and say that I’ve really struggled with how to review this book. I’ve followed the author of this book for a decade on Instagram at this point, and while I do believe the author has changed significantly, however, a lot of the liberation she’s proud of feels very disingenuous and self serving at times. I can’t find myself agreeing with some of her choices because so much of it feels like typical “white feminism.” I almost wish she had waited a few more years before writing this memoir so we could see what her organization (same name as the book title) develops into first. My judgement as of now could be very off base as I don’t know Julianna personally.
While I believe personal growth has taken place, I do still think there is more work to be done on her end in terms of accountability for past actions. I was going to go into more detail on that, but I found myself getting snarkier than I wanted in my review of this book. Plus this review is getting lengthy. Not long after finishing this book, I had learned that the wonderful Dolly Parton had passed away. One of my friends had shared her favorite quote of Dolly’s on social media. It simply stated “reading inspires us to dream.” So instead I will show a bit of grace in place of a snarky attitude, because at the end of the day, I do believe Glasse when she says that reading has inspired her to dream and books have liberated her and have changed her life. While I might have my own opinions on her motivations, I also believe that if we want people to change, we have to allow them the space to do so.
Overall, I hope this memoir falls into the hands of women who need it the most. I think it can be a special piece of work for women who’ve lived similar, oppressed lives. I hope the words written inside inspire them to be brave enough to find their own voices just as Julianna has.
PS—I highly doubt Julianna Glasse or her team will see this review, but if you do, please set up a podcast conversation between Julianna and Jenny Slate. While these two women had extremely different upbringings and life experiences, they feel like kindred spirits in a way. I think it would be fascinating to listen to a conversation between the two of them about feminism, religion, motherhood, fashion, and whatever else they feel like discussing. Their writing style and the ways they choose to express themselves through writing even feels extremely similar.
September 17, 2026
This was interesting. I have a lot of admiration for anyone who goes through deconversion, and this was one of the more intimate looks at it that I’ve read.
The first half, which covers Glasse’s upbringing, experience as an evangelical Christian, and eventual withdrawal from the church, was the strongest for me. She shows a lot of really commendable self-awareness and takes ownership of her own problematic thinking during that time. I genuinely felt for her and rooted for her. There’s a scene where she’s nursing her infant daughter and realizes she wants something different for her that was particularly moving.
The second half, where she begins discovering who she is outside of the church, worked less for me. I loved the way she tied literature into that self-exploration and showed books helping her make sense of herself and the world. But a lot of the actual journey started to feel pretty unrelatable and, at times, a little performative. Glasse is a very wealthy, beautiful white woman, and her version of self-discovery is materially extravagant in a way that simply isn’t available to most people. I think I would have connected with the second half more if the book had reckoned with that a little more directly.
Still, an interesting memoir and an easy read.
Thank you to Spiegel & Grau and NetGalley for providing an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.
The first half, which covers Glasse’s upbringing, experience as an evangelical Christian, and eventual withdrawal from the church, was the strongest for me. She shows a lot of really commendable self-awareness and takes ownership of her own problematic thinking during that time. I genuinely felt for her and rooted for her. There’s a scene where she’s nursing her infant daughter and realizes she wants something different for her that was particularly moving.
The second half, where she begins discovering who she is outside of the church, worked less for me. I loved the way she tied literature into that self-exploration and showed books helping her make sense of herself and the world. But a lot of the actual journey started to feel pretty unrelatable and, at times, a little performative. Glasse is a very wealthy, beautiful white woman, and her version of self-discovery is materially extravagant in a way that simply isn’t available to most people. I think I would have connected with the second half more if the book had reckoned with that a little more directly.
Still, an interesting memoir and an easy read.
Thank you to Spiegel & Grau and NetGalley for providing an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.
September 11, 2026
This is What Happens When Women Read is a memoir by former Evangelical Christian pop singer / influencer Julianna Glasse. It details her childhood growing up in an Evangelical household as well as her time as an Evangelical influencer, through her decision to leave the church, her marriage, and her career to find her own intellectual freedom and autonomy outside the constraints of her former religion.
I received an advance copy of this novel from a locally-owned and operated LGBTQA+ friendly bookstore in my town. The title immediately caught my eye. As a lifelong feminist, I'm always interested in hearing the accounts of women as they, too, discover and advocate through feminism from whatever walk of life they come from. Reading the title, and then the synopsis, of Glasse's book had me interested from the get-go.
The memoir itself is near flawless. The largest struggle I had was in the beginning, when Glasse was still discussing the era of her life in which she held steadfastly to Evangelical beliefs. While I was raised in a Catholic household, we were never very religious; I had a first communion but no confirmation, for example. By the time I was a teenager I considered myself an atheist, and now I straddle the fence between atheism and agnosticism. I have no way of knowing what is or isn't true about the universe in terms of any deities that may or may not be out there, and I'm comfortable in that. I just live my life the best I can.
Having said that, and particularly given my own feminist beliefs, the early parts of the book where Glasse recites church doctrine about how women are meant to be submissive to their husbands, how their only purpose in life is to support their husbands, how they have to be monitored and "tamed" like children or animals, was difficult to read because of how angry it made me. I had to remind myself again and again the premise of the memoir: Glasse no longer believes this. She escaped.
Some parts of the book were difficult for other reasons. Details of sexual violence, or of stalking and harassment, were visceral and yet powerful in how difficult they were to sit with. I felt anger and grief once again, on Glasse's behalf. It made the triumph at the end all the more sweet.
Pacing was mostly excellent throughout the memoir. For the most part, Glasse was able to keep things moving at a quick enough kip so that we had enough time to sit with the details and situations occurring, but we didn't feel as though we were slogging through unnecessary details. I say "for the most part" because there is one chapter that is an exception to this rule:
Despite that, overall I feel that the memoir carried very well, and it carries an important message: Women should live their lives for themselves. This doesn't mean that women shouldn't care about anyone else; rather, Glasse makes the opposite argument again and again in her book, citing how she believes that living life through love, compassion, and support to others through their own struggles and own self-actualization is vital to improving the world we live in. But it does mean that women should not put their own needs and lives as secondary (or tertiary, or worse) to those of others. Women are full, whole human beings. We deserve to live our lives for ourselves and to have our lives met, not to have our desires and our needs subjugated under the rule or will of others. Despite what some believe, Glasse does not make the argument that all women should be atheists. Rather, she posits that women should look at the rules and, in some cases, dogma they follow and see how it does or doesn't oppress them. She encourages thinking critically about the institutions in which women live their lives, and casting out that which "insults their soul," as Walt Whitman once suggested. While you can view reviews on this very website which rankle at this book because Glasse left religion herself, I think an open-minded read of this book will reveal that she's not at all suggesting that there is nothing good at all to be found in any religion, or that no women should ever be religious.
Overall, I recommend this book to anyone who is interested in feminist memoirs, and / or an examination into Evangelical fundamentalist Christianity through the lens of an American woman who was both raised in and advocated for it. While I didn't always agree with each of Glasse's conclusions or decisions (as a lighthearted example, she asked a friend to make AI "art" of her at one point . . . Ms. Glasse, AI image-generators operate via plagiarism), I believe this is a worthwhile read and a strong memoir.
I received an advance copy of this novel from a locally-owned and operated LGBTQA+ friendly bookstore in my town. The title immediately caught my eye. As a lifelong feminist, I'm always interested in hearing the accounts of women as they, too, discover and advocate through feminism from whatever walk of life they come from. Reading the title, and then the synopsis, of Glasse's book had me interested from the get-go.
The memoir itself is near flawless. The largest struggle I had was in the beginning, when Glasse was still discussing the era of her life in which she held steadfastly to Evangelical beliefs. While I was raised in a Catholic household, we were never very religious; I had a first communion but no confirmation, for example. By the time I was a teenager I considered myself an atheist, and now I straddle the fence between atheism and agnosticism. I have no way of knowing what is or isn't true about the universe in terms of any deities that may or may not be out there, and I'm comfortable in that. I just live my life the best I can.
Having said that, and particularly given my own feminist beliefs, the early parts of the book where Glasse recites church doctrine about how women are meant to be submissive to their husbands, how their only purpose in life is to support their husbands, how they have to be monitored and "tamed" like children or animals, was difficult to read because of how angry it made me. I had to remind myself again and again the premise of the memoir: Glasse no longer believes this. She escaped.
Some parts of the book were difficult for other reasons. Details of sexual violence, or of stalking and harassment, were visceral and yet powerful in how difficult they were to sit with. I felt anger and grief once again, on Glasse's behalf. It made the triumph at the end all the more sweet.
Pacing was mostly excellent throughout the memoir. For the most part, Glasse was able to keep things moving at a quick enough kip so that we had enough time to sit with the details and situations occurring, but we didn't feel as though we were slogging through unnecessary details. I say "for the most part" because there is one chapter that is an exception to this rule:
Despite that, overall I feel that the memoir carried very well, and it carries an important message: Women should live their lives for themselves. This doesn't mean that women shouldn't care about anyone else; rather, Glasse makes the opposite argument again and again in her book, citing how she believes that living life through love, compassion, and support to others through their own struggles and own self-actualization is vital to improving the world we live in. But it does mean that women should not put their own needs and lives as secondary (or tertiary, or worse) to those of others. Women are full, whole human beings. We deserve to live our lives for ourselves and to have our lives met, not to have our desires and our needs subjugated under the rule or will of others. Despite what some believe, Glasse does not make the argument that all women should be atheists. Rather, she posits that women should look at the rules and, in some cases, dogma they follow and see how it does or doesn't oppress them. She encourages thinking critically about the institutions in which women live their lives, and casting out that which "insults their soul," as Walt Whitman once suggested. While you can view reviews on this very website which rankle at this book because Glasse left religion herself, I think an open-minded read of this book will reveal that she's not at all suggesting that there is nothing good at all to be found in any religion, or that no women should ever be religious.
Overall, I recommend this book to anyone who is interested in feminist memoirs, and / or an examination into Evangelical fundamentalist Christianity through the lens of an American woman who was both raised in and advocated for it. While I didn't always agree with each of Glasse's conclusions or decisions (as a lighthearted example, she asked a friend to make AI "art" of her at one point . . . Ms. Glasse, AI image-generators operate via plagiarism), I believe this is a worthwhile read and a strong memoir.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
The title, the blurb. I can't think of a book more suited to what I want to read. Women reclaiming their power by reading the books THEY don't want us to read, with a reading list to devour at the end? Sign me up immediately. But I think my experience was shaped by what the marketing promised and what I WANTED this to be, versus what it actually is.
The author's note at the end describes it better: "…it has to be brutally, honestly, and simply about the private reclamation of my own spiritual, intellectual, sexual, and psychological autonomy."
That's the book. And that's valid. Every woman deserves that reclamation. But I left feeling like her journey was largely led by men: partners, the authors she read, the mentors and professors throughout her journey. For a memoir about women and books, it was far more male-centered than I expected.
I wanted a love letter to books, and I didn't get one. She loves Plato, and boy, do we know that. But nothing else got enough depth for me to feel its impact on her, so none of it left an impact on me. Most of the books on the list at the end barely come up in the story. And the list is still very white, and more male than I hoped. That bothers me, because her foundation supports women around the world leaving oppressive situations through education and access to literature, however her own world view seems shaped by a very white, male, experience.
Memoirs are hard to judge. Who am I to say what's true or exaggerated? But something about this read as inauthentic to me. When she described her frustration and even revulsion around the first Trump inauguration and performing at the prayer breakfast (despite having voted for him), I wondered if she really felt that in the moment. It might have been her older, wiser voice doing a little revisionist history.
I also wish there had been more acknowledgment of her extreme privilege as a very wealthy white woman. So many women will never have the resources to take a journey like this. That's not because they can't get books. It's because they don't have the resources to act on anything they read. I get that this is probably what drove her to start her organization, but I wanted to see that connection on the page.
In the end, this was a love letter to herself, and also, in a way I didn't expect, to the men in her life. I imagine she came away feeling empowered. I just didn't walk away with any of that power myself. I think it comes down to the gap between the book I was sold and the book this actually is.
The author's note at the end describes it better: "…it has to be brutally, honestly, and simply about the private reclamation of my own spiritual, intellectual, sexual, and psychological autonomy."
That's the book. And that's valid. Every woman deserves that reclamation. But I left feeling like her journey was largely led by men: partners, the authors she read, the mentors and professors throughout her journey. For a memoir about women and books, it was far more male-centered than I expected.
I wanted a love letter to books, and I didn't get one. She loves Plato, and boy, do we know that. But nothing else got enough depth for me to feel its impact on her, so none of it left an impact on me. Most of the books on the list at the end barely come up in the story. And the list is still very white, and more male than I hoped. That bothers me, because her foundation supports women around the world leaving oppressive situations through education and access to literature, however her own world view seems shaped by a very white, male, experience.
Memoirs are hard to judge. Who am I to say what's true or exaggerated? But something about this read as inauthentic to me. When she described her frustration and even revulsion around the first Trump inauguration and performing at the prayer breakfast (despite having voted for him), I wondered if she really felt that in the moment. It might have been her older, wiser voice doing a little revisionist history.
I also wish there had been more acknowledgment of her extreme privilege as a very wealthy white woman. So many women will never have the resources to take a journey like this. That's not because they can't get books. It's because they don't have the resources to act on anything they read. I get that this is probably what drove her to start her organization, but I wanted to see that connection on the page.
In the end, this was a love letter to herself, and also, in a way I didn't expect, to the men in her life. I imagine she came away feeling empowered. I just didn't walk away with any of that power myself. I think it comes down to the gap between the book I was sold and the book this actually is.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I'm grateful to have received a complimentary eARC from Spiegel & Grau via NetGalley. These are honest opinions.
Admittedly, I was not aware of this former Christian pop star with ties to MAGA before selecting an ARC copy of this book, which is probably for the best because I may not have picked it up otherwise. Once that came to light, and perhaps this is just my cynicism, I did wonder if the memories around Trump and MAGA were more polished over. It just didn't necessarily always feel authentic, and I couldn't shake it from my mind whilst reading.
Nevertheless, This Is What Happens When Women Read is basically a memoir of Julianna Glasse's deconstruction away from strictures and the dogma of Conservative Evangelical Christianity. I think the title does this book a disservice because it may make you think this book is more about the importance of reading, perhaps with statistics and theory or at least more depth into why certain books were important, when, in fact, it's just Glasse mentioning a few of the same books in passing that helped during the wider deconstruction period of her life. Often male-authored books. Which leads to the point that for a book about female empowerment, it is very male-centered.
Admittedly, I was not aware of this former Christian pop star with ties to MAGA before selecting an ARC copy of this book, which is probably for the best because I may not have picked it up otherwise. Once that came to light, and perhaps this is just my cynicism, I did wonder if the memories around Trump and MAGA were more polished over. It just didn't necessarily always feel authentic, and I couldn't shake it from my mind whilst reading.
Nevertheless, This Is What Happens When Women Read is basically a memoir of Julianna Glasse's deconstruction away from strictures and the dogma of Conservative Evangelical Christianity. I think the title does this book a disservice because it may make you think this book is more about the importance of reading, perhaps with statistics and theory or at least more depth into why certain books were important, when, in fact, it's just Glasse mentioning a few of the same books in passing that helped during the wider deconstruction period of her life. Often male-authored books. Which leads to the point that for a book about female empowerment, it is very male-centered.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thanks to NetGalley and Spiegel & Grau for an e-copy of the book. All opinions are my own.
This Is What Happens When Women Read is Julianna Glasse’s journey from fundamentalist Christian wife to an independent woman. It is a compelling read, especially if you’re familiar with the world in which she was raised. A world in which women are supposed to fit a particular role. One that grants all power to a husband, while absolving him of much responsibility. His accusation one night “this is what happens when you read” says much about the fundamentalist world both were living in.
She wasn’t supposed to read, wasn’t supposed to have a mind of her own. But reading sets loose what she can no longer contain—an independent mind and the desire to be her own person.
Glasse isn’t afraid to tackle hard topics head on. Books force her to think critically about the beliefs she holds, and the consequences of those beliefs. But sometimes her search leads her to make choices with devastating consequences to not only herself, but to those around her. Sometimes, she gives a little too much personal detail about her actions, but always, she’s honest in what she says. She’s also determined to take what she’s learned and share it with others, allowing them to think for themselves. Throughout the book, Glasse discusses specific books that influenced her. At the end of the book is a more comprehensive list of books that had an impact on her journey.
While I don’t agree with all the conclusions she comes to or some of the lifestyle choices she makes, I respect her for her honesty, her courage, her willingness to ask the tough questions and wrestle with the answers. 3/5 stars.
This Is What Happens When Women Read is Julianna Glasse’s journey from fundamentalist Christian wife to an independent woman. It is a compelling read, especially if you’re familiar with the world in which she was raised. A world in which women are supposed to fit a particular role. One that grants all power to a husband, while absolving him of much responsibility. His accusation one night “this is what happens when you read” says much about the fundamentalist world both were living in.
She wasn’t supposed to read, wasn’t supposed to have a mind of her own. But reading sets loose what she can no longer contain—an independent mind and the desire to be her own person.
Glasse isn’t afraid to tackle hard topics head on. Books force her to think critically about the beliefs she holds, and the consequences of those beliefs. But sometimes her search leads her to make choices with devastating consequences to not only herself, but to those around her. Sometimes, she gives a little too much personal detail about her actions, but always, she’s honest in what she says. She’s also determined to take what she’s learned and share it with others, allowing them to think for themselves. Throughout the book, Glasse discusses specific books that influenced her. At the end of the book is a more comprehensive list of books that had an impact on her journey.
While I don’t agree with all the conclusions she comes to or some of the lifestyle choices she makes, I respect her for her honesty, her courage, her willingness to ask the tough questions and wrestle with the answers. 3/5 stars.
July 30, 2026
I’m not religious, and I’ve spent a lot of time not understanding why so many Christians can’t sit comfortably with anyone who believes differently. This book gave me a way in.
The title is what grabbed my attention, and it delivers on the premise: reading is the dangerous act here, the thing that turns the soul and, eventually, the body with it. Glasse had to hide her books, and they’re what started the loose thread of doubt — what unravels her whole belief structure as she pulls at it. Books are what show her that it’s okay to get things wrong; questioning, reconsidering, and adjusting are progress.
It’s a deconversion memoir, medium-paced but hard to put down. My honest wish is that we’d reached the deconversion sooner, though by the end I understood why she took her time getting there.
What stayed with me is how precisely she names the machinery. Not God, not faith, but shame, fear, isolation, and psychological manipulation. She describes contorting herself to stay aligned with its expectations, and I kept wondering how many women are still inside that shape, promoting an agenda that leaves them quietly out of alignment.
Her reframing of God as a placeholder — a name for what we haven’t made sense of yet — is a perspective I could get behind. She’s generous with that idea rather than smug about it.
I’m glad I read it. I won’t recommend it to everyone, but I suspect I’ll be telling people about it. This is a book the church will want to ban — I hope it reaches every hand it’s kept from instead.
Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the advance copy in exchange for an honest review.
The title is what grabbed my attention, and it delivers on the premise: reading is the dangerous act here, the thing that turns the soul and, eventually, the body with it. Glasse had to hide her books, and they’re what started the loose thread of doubt — what unravels her whole belief structure as she pulls at it. Books are what show her that it’s okay to get things wrong; questioning, reconsidering, and adjusting are progress.
It’s a deconversion memoir, medium-paced but hard to put down. My honest wish is that we’d reached the deconversion sooner, though by the end I understood why she took her time getting there.
What stayed with me is how precisely she names the machinery. Not God, not faith, but shame, fear, isolation, and psychological manipulation. She describes contorting herself to stay aligned with its expectations, and I kept wondering how many women are still inside that shape, promoting an agenda that leaves them quietly out of alignment.
Her reframing of God as a placeholder — a name for what we haven’t made sense of yet — is a perspective I could get behind. She’s generous with that idea rather than smug about it.
I’m glad I read it. I won’t recommend it to everyone, but I suspect I’ll be telling people about it. This is a book the church will want to ban — I hope it reaches every hand it’s kept from instead.
Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the advance copy in exchange for an honest review.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I’ll be honest: I wanted to read this solely based on the title. It’s a total gut-punch in the best possible way.
I went into this expecting a memoir about how reading led to her leaving religion, but Julianna Glasse gave us something so much deeper. It’s an incredibly raw, honest look at what happens when you stop asking for permission to think for yourself and start actually doing it. There is something so raw and relatable about a story that shifts while it’s being written. You really feel like you’re right there on that messy, beautiful journey with her.
It’s not just a deconstruction of faith; it’s a masterclass in empowerment and self-actualization. It made me want to go out and learn more, do more, and challenge my own boundaries.
Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for allowing me to read an advanced copy.
That quote from Maria Popova she uses says it all: "Nothing changes the history of the world more profoundly than changing the landscape of permission and possibility for people." That is exactly what this book does—it changes the landscape.
Honestly, my only complaint is that I can’t force all my friends to read it right this second. This is an absolute must-read for every woman, regardless of your religious background. And fair warning: your "to-be-read" pile is going to explode because her suggested reading list at the end is pure gold. I’ll definitely be purchasing a copy when it comes out. I can’t wait to reread it and recommend it to everyone I know.
I went into this expecting a memoir about how reading led to her leaving religion, but Julianna Glasse gave us something so much deeper. It’s an incredibly raw, honest look at what happens when you stop asking for permission to think for yourself and start actually doing it. There is something so raw and relatable about a story that shifts while it’s being written. You really feel like you’re right there on that messy, beautiful journey with her.
It’s not just a deconstruction of faith; it’s a masterclass in empowerment and self-actualization. It made me want to go out and learn more, do more, and challenge my own boundaries.
Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for allowing me to read an advanced copy.
That quote from Maria Popova she uses says it all: "Nothing changes the history of the world more profoundly than changing the landscape of permission and possibility for people." That is exactly what this book does—it changes the landscape.
Honestly, my only complaint is that I can’t force all my friends to read it right this second. This is an absolute must-read for every woman, regardless of your religious background. And fair warning: your "to-be-read" pile is going to explode because her suggested reading list at the end is pure gold. I’ll definitely be purchasing a copy when it comes out. I can’t wait to reread it and recommend it to everyone I know.
October 6, 2026
I first became familiar with Julianna back in 2016 through her husband at the time. I’ve been a huge Chicago Cubs fan all my life (although I’ll be honest, some of the information in this book is making me question if I want to remain so), and her husband was an important part of the group of baseball players who finally won a World Series for my favorite team. I started my religious deconstruction that same year, in 2016. In the news stories about Julianna’s divorce and her social media posts, it appeared pretty plain that she was also deconstructing. The social media onslaught against her was relentless (still is in some places).
All that to say, I’ve been waiting for her story, and here it finally is. I thought the book was very well-written. It flowed well, mostly chronologically. A lot of her story parallels my own, from how we were raised to how books opened up the world for both of us to where we’ve both landed in our worldviews. I loved the attention she gave to specific books that helped her on her journey, and added several to my own TBR. Overall, I found this book to be thoughtful, engaging, and powerful.
I think this will be a great book for those who are deconstructing or have deconstructed their religious beliefs. Julianna’s voice is an important one in this space, and I’m really glad to finally hear her full story.
I received a copy of this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
All that to say, I’ve been waiting for her story, and here it finally is. I thought the book was very well-written. It flowed well, mostly chronologically. A lot of her story parallels my own, from how we were raised to how books opened up the world for both of us to where we’ve both landed in our worldviews. I loved the attention she gave to specific books that helped her on her journey, and added several to my own TBR. Overall, I found this book to be thoughtful, engaging, and powerful.
I think this will be a great book for those who are deconstructing or have deconstructed their religious beliefs. Julianna’s voice is an important one in this space, and I’m really glad to finally hear her full story.
I received a copy of this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
September 25, 2026
This Is What Happens When Women Read is a book that tells the story of a popular Christian musician who was trapped in a marriage of oppression. It's a personal memoir that chronicles not only her divorce but also her deconstruction of her faith. I love how her reading of classical novels awakened her to ideas that were novel to her. She is honest and thoughtful when she discusses her experiences with purity culture and thoughts about doctrines that don't make sense to her. A good deal of time and space is spent on the doctrine of Total Depravity with some very logical counterpoints to it.
Yet when she detailed her sexual awakening and experiences, I cringed a bit. This is a person I recognized from media and I just didn't want to read about her awakening in such details that I could actually imagine it. I also was saddened by the fact that her deconstruction led her to abandon her faith altogether. I wish it had been, "Get rid of the crap--keep Jesus". But it's her journey...not mine, and I respect that.
A good book with a hard look at how Christianity has evolved into an oppressive religion that often doesn't resemble Jesus life and teachings at all.
Thank you to NetGalley and Spiegel and Grau for an ARC of this book. My opinions are my own and freely given.
Yet when she detailed her sexual awakening and experiences, I cringed a bit. This is a person I recognized from media and I just didn't want to read about her awakening in such details that I could actually imagine it. I also was saddened by the fact that her deconstruction led her to abandon her faith altogether. I wish it had been, "Get rid of the crap--keep Jesus". But it's her journey...not mine, and I respect that.
A good book with a hard look at how Christianity has evolved into an oppressive religion that often doesn't resemble Jesus life and teachings at all.
Thank you to NetGalley and Spiegel and Grau for an ARC of this book. My opinions are my own and freely given.
September 30, 2026
Before reading this, I was completely unfamiliar with Juliana Glasse, a famous singer in the Christian pop world and founder of This Is What Happens When Women Read.
I really enjoyed getting to learn more about her story and the role that books played in helping her find a life that fit her better.
Though I always find it difficult to rate memoirs, I did feel like the narrative flow in the first half of the book was much stronger than in the second half of the book. In the second half, things wandered around a bit before ending with how she founded her organization and what she’s been doing to further her mission.
As she references herself in the book, there are parallels with Tia Levings’ memoir; however, this is a *very* different story about one woman’s experience with examining her religious beliefs and her role within the community. I’d say it’s somewhere between Leving’s book and Glennon Doyle’s memoir.
Overall, it was an interesting story and gives a lot of food for thought about just how important it is to ensure all women have unfettered access to books.
NOTE: I listened to the audiobook version, which Glasse narrates herself. Given her background as a performer, she really does an excellent job. Since I always like to hear a memoir told in the person’s voice whenever possible, I’d recommend the audio as the way to enjoy this book.
3.5/5 - rounded up.
Thank you to NetGalley and Spotify Audiobooks for an audio copy in exchange for my honest opinion.
I really enjoyed getting to learn more about her story and the role that books played in helping her find a life that fit her better.
Though I always find it difficult to rate memoirs, I did feel like the narrative flow in the first half of the book was much stronger than in the second half of the book. In the second half, things wandered around a bit before ending with how she founded her organization and what she’s been doing to further her mission.
As she references herself in the book, there are parallels with Tia Levings’ memoir; however, this is a *very* different story about one woman’s experience with examining her religious beliefs and her role within the community. I’d say it’s somewhere between Leving’s book and Glennon Doyle’s memoir.
Overall, it was an interesting story and gives a lot of food for thought about just how important it is to ensure all women have unfettered access to books.
NOTE: I listened to the audiobook version, which Glasse narrates herself. Given her background as a performer, she really does an excellent job. Since I always like to hear a memoir told in the person’s voice whenever possible, I’d recommend the audio as the way to enjoy this book.
3.5/5 - rounded up.
Thank you to NetGalley and Spotify Audiobooks for an audio copy in exchange for my honest opinion.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Many thanks to NetGalley and Spiegel & Grau for gifting me a digital and audio ARC of this memoir by Julianna Glasse, with the author also narrating the audiobook. All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 3.5 stars!
Julianna Glasse was an influential Christian pop star and author who sang at President Trump’s first national prayer breakfast, as well as an exemplary Christian wife of a professional baseball player. But when she began reading and exploring other viewpoints, her own changed. She eventually left her marriage and the church and began to educate herself and reach other women.
I have mixed feelings about this book. The beginning was intriguing - raised in an evangelical household where men ruled, reading other books expanded her mind and changed her life. But then we go on a somewhat confusing journey with her where she has an affair and later explores tantric sex (with plenty of descriptions). I loved the title and the author did talk about books that were important to her conversion, but it just never quite hit the right note for me. Glasse did a great job of narrating, definitely due to her musical background.
Julianna Glasse was an influential Christian pop star and author who sang at President Trump’s first national prayer breakfast, as well as an exemplary Christian wife of a professional baseball player. But when she began reading and exploring other viewpoints, her own changed. She eventually left her marriage and the church and began to educate herself and reach other women.
I have mixed feelings about this book. The beginning was intriguing - raised in an evangelical household where men ruled, reading other books expanded her mind and changed her life. But then we go on a somewhat confusing journey with her where she has an affair and later explores tantric sex (with plenty of descriptions). I loved the title and the author did talk about books that were important to her conversion, but it just never quite hit the right note for me. Glasse did a great job of narrating, definitely due to her musical background.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
This is What Happens When Women Read by Julianna Glasse
From the title I wanted to love this book. Books are so important and getting them into the hands to those who are in oppressive situations can help one change their circumstances. This book felt all over the place, many times I had to stop and try to see how we got to the paragraph I was reading. This is certainly more about one woman's story and circumstances, her life was full of many forces of control, her childhood into her marriage were led by the choices of others for her. From voting to what books she was to be reading were all based on what others told her to believe.
I went into this book thinking of it as the average women, but the wealth, celebrity and invitations into the rooms where it happens were too far fetched. Name dropping and book titles were dispersed throughout, but there was not a clear story here. While it is someones memoir, and her story indeed does matter the book itself felt a bit confusing.
Thank you to the publisher for this advanced reader copy in exchange for my honest review.
From the title I wanted to love this book. Books are so important and getting them into the hands to those who are in oppressive situations can help one change their circumstances. This book felt all over the place, many times I had to stop and try to see how we got to the paragraph I was reading. This is certainly more about one woman's story and circumstances, her life was full of many forces of control, her childhood into her marriage were led by the choices of others for her. From voting to what books she was to be reading were all based on what others told her to believe.
I went into this book thinking of it as the average women, but the wealth, celebrity and invitations into the rooms where it happens were too far fetched. Name dropping and book titles were dispersed throughout, but there was not a clear story here. While it is someones memoir, and her story indeed does matter the book itself felt a bit confusing.
Thank you to the publisher for this advanced reader copy in exchange for my honest review.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
As a woman, therapist, and voracious reader I was excited about this upcoming memoir from Julianna Glasse. This is What Happens When Women Read is a compelling title and its scheduled release date is just days after Banned Book Week--a reminder of how precious and precarious our relationship to reading in the current political state is. The memoir follows Glasse from her evangelical roots to her rise to Christian stardom and touches on issues related to mental health as the story unfolds. Glasse connects her shift in ideals and values to her education at the University of Oxford, where exposure to new ideas, world-class professors, and hundreds of books fostered access to a more autonomous version of herself. As the head of a non-profit by the same name, Glasse's work creating access to books is important. Unfortunately I agree with other reviewers who highlighted the central role men, male authors and male educators play in a book about empowering women.
Thank you to NetGalley and Spiegel & Grau for the advanced reader copy.
Thank you to NetGalley and Spiegel & Grau for the advanced reader copy.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
This was an interesting book as the author chronicles her upbringing in an evangelical Christian family and her subsequent marriage in college. She became a Christian pop singer and her husband a Chicago Cubs world Series winner. Her husband questions her reading choices as contrary to their Christian beliefs and she lives the title of her story. This is not a Christian memoir or a book about baseball. This is seemingly a somewhat addictive personality's look at finding herself on her own terms and exposure to philosophers and poets. There is some seemingly odd placed sexual adventure that is pretty detailed that offsets the rhythm of the story as well as some holes where I'm pretty sure there may be more to both sides. That said, its a pretty quick read with some thoughtful moments and one side of a failed relationship with fundamental religion.
Copy provided by the publisher and NetGalley
Copy provided by the publisher and NetGalley
Review of advance copy received from Goodreads Giveaways
Oddly enough, I began reading this book while on a family visit in Nashville, TN. Less than a mile from Belmont where Julianna Glasse earned her music degree.
This book details her personal struggles with the religion of her youth and young adulthood. How she came to leave her faith and why.
As a former Catholic, now atheist, I appreciate the journey out of her faith and what lead her to leave everything she knew behind. This is a journey of self-discovery, heartbreak, and rebirth as she challenged the social norms she knew and had formerly loved.
This is what happens when women read. They become born again- not in Christ, but in the best self-directed person. This is what happens when women read. They become fully autonomous people, open to exploring everything that life has to offer. No shame, no guilt. Fully embrace life and appreciate it by experiencing life. This is what happens when women read.
This book details her personal struggles with the religion of her youth and young adulthood. How she came to leave her faith and why.
As a former Catholic, now atheist, I appreciate the journey out of her faith and what lead her to leave everything she knew behind. This is a journey of self-discovery, heartbreak, and rebirth as she challenged the social norms she knew and had formerly loved.
This is what happens when women read. They become born again- not in Christ, but in the best self-directed person. This is what happens when women read. They become fully autonomous people, open to exploring everything that life has to offer. No shame, no guilt. Fully embrace life and appreciate it by experiencing life. This is what happens when women read.
Review of advance copy received from Goodreads Giveaways
This Is What Happens When Women Read by Julianna Glasse is a thoughtful exploration of the power of books and the ways reading can shape identity, perspective, and personal growth. Through reflective writing and engaging storytelling, Glasse examines how literature can inspire self-discovery, strengthen empathy, and encourage readers to question the world around them. The book celebrates the unique connections many women develop with the stories they read while emphasizing the lasting impact of literature on everyday life. Glasse’s approachable writing style makes the book both insightful and enjoyable to read. Overall, This Is What Happens When Women Read is an inspiring and reflective work that will resonate with readers who appreciate books about the transformative influence of reading.
Review of advance copy received from Goodreads Giveaways
I received this book as part of a giveaway on Goodreads in exchange for a fair and honest review.
I was very impressed by this book. What could have been a nasty story of divorce and blame, was a open and honest self-reflection. I think the author did a very good job of balancing what happened to her with hope and forward progress of self-journey. There were some great lines and insights that I found myself reading aloud. It gave me a lot of deeper insight into inner thought processes of the other side of the political spectrum. And most importantly, it reaffirmed to me that literature and education are the most important thing to be exposed to, for all. Variability and exposure to stories that are not similar to your own lead to being more empathetic, strong, intelligent, and secure in self.
I was very impressed by this book. What could have been a nasty story of divorce and blame, was a open and honest self-reflection. I think the author did a very good job of balancing what happened to her with hope and forward progress of self-journey. There were some great lines and insights that I found myself reading aloud. It gave me a lot of deeper insight into inner thought processes of the other side of the political spectrum. And most importantly, it reaffirmed to me that literature and education are the most important thing to be exposed to, for all. Variability and exposure to stories that are not similar to your own lead to being more empathetic, strong, intelligent, and secure in self.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I received an ARC of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Where to begin with this book? It is searingly honest about Glasse's journey of deconstruction, divorce, and re-education. It is raw and packed full of emotion and trigger warnings. The quotations she chooses to include are beautiful and apt. The only critique I would make is that it often seems to assume that Christianity, American Christianity, and Fundamentalist/Conservative/Right-Wing Christianity are all the same thing. That has never been my experience of faith, nor for the many other Christians in the world (such as the Anglican priest whose book she references). I can understand Glasse not wanting to align with any religion after what she's been through, but that conflation of terms made me a bit uneasy. Other than that, it is well-written and worth, nay, demands to be read.
Where to begin with this book? It is searingly honest about Glasse's journey of deconstruction, divorce, and re-education. It is raw and packed full of emotion and trigger warnings. The quotations she chooses to include are beautiful and apt. The only critique I would make is that it often seems to assume that Christianity, American Christianity, and Fundamentalist/Conservative/Right-Wing Christianity are all the same thing. That has never been my experience of faith, nor for the many other Christians in the world (such as the Anglican priest whose book she references). I can understand Glasse not wanting to align with any religion after what she's been through, but that conflation of terms made me a bit uneasy. Other than that, it is well-written and worth, nay, demands to be read.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thank you Net Galley and publisher for the advanced reader copy. This memoir masterfully blends her personal experiences with the philosophy and intellectualism she gathered along her journey of enlightenment. I appreciated the fact that this was not just another memoir about what went wrong in a marriage or the escape from a high control religion, but her deeper journey toward liberation...and the power and role of books in that journey.
October 1, 2026
I had no idea who Julianna Glasse was before I read this book; the book title just caught my attention.
Once an Evangelical Christian singer, Glasse questioned what she was taught to believe and is now an advocate for women trapped in controlling religious communities. THIS IS WHAT HAPPENS WHEN WOMEN READ was quite inspiring and eye-opening, and Glasse is a great narrator.
Thank you to #NetGalley and Spotify Audiobooks for an advanced audiobook copy of #ThisIsWhatHappensWhenWomenRead.
Once an Evangelical Christian singer, Glasse questioned what she was taught to believe and is now an advocate for women trapped in controlling religious communities. THIS IS WHAT HAPPENS WHEN WOMEN READ was quite inspiring and eye-opening, and Glasse is a great narrator.
Thank you to #NetGalley and Spotify Audiobooks for an advanced audiobook copy of #ThisIsWhatHappensWhenWomenRead.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
This is What Happens When Women Read: they're allowed to think for themselves, find out that education leads to freedom, and escape a marriage that demands women should always submit in body, mind, and spirit to their husbands.
This is Julianna Glasse's (formerly Julianna Zobrist) story, and it's a fascinating one
This is Julianna Glasse's (formerly Julianna Zobrist) story, and it's a fascinating one
October 7, 2026
I was deeply invested in the first 2/3 ish of the book. I could relate to some of it and the other pieces were interesting in how different our experiences were.
While I support her decision to explore her desires post divorce and deconstruction, I didn’t really need the details.
Thanks to NetGalley for the arc!
While I support her decision to explore her desires post divorce and deconstruction, I didn’t really need the details.
Thanks to NetGalley for the arc!
Review of advance copy received from Goodreads Giveaways
A read for every woman. Questioning brings knowledge, enlightenment and a richer life. The author has opened herself to encourage others to look inside themselves to discover their true selves. A very, very good read and inspiration for women of any age.
July 24, 2026
It’s hard to put a star rating on something that’s clearly so personal to the author.
I appreciated Julianna’s openness and honesty, and I can see this being an important read for others who find themselves in a similar situation. The life she’s created for herself is inspiring.
I appreciated Julianna’s openness and honesty, and I can see this being an important read for others who find themselves in a similar situation. The life she’s created for herself is inspiring.
September 21, 2026
“All beauty comes from beautiful blood and a beautiful brain.”
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