As someone who has always asked "why?" her entire life (hello, enneagram 6), this book was both a delightful coming home and kind of soul balm for all of the ways I didn't realize my curiosity needed healing.

Laura begins The Wild Why by softly exploring where one's inner "why" has gone – and I immediately recognized my own journey with a "wonder wound."

"Maybe I can even fly! Do I have the power? What if I do and just don't know it? ... That was the wildest why I knew. I can still feel the power gathering and surging in my chest for what would surely send me winging through the sky."

I literally gaped at this passage – having experienced it myself as a child! (We really do not have any unique experiences, haha.)

Reading The Wild Why was the softest, heart-opening I've experienced from a book in a long, long time. I have a background in writing, so I'm not stranger to the importance of storytelling, but somehow forgot about my own inner story.

This will be added as a gift idea for several friends whose hearts I cherish – because we need someone to look our wonder in the eye and encourage it tenderly, fiercely.

Thank you for the gift that was this book! It was a lovely, five-star read.

The Wild Why gave me permission to slow down, go inward, and trust the wildness in me that’s always been whispering for more.

This book invites you to ask better questions. The author’s voice is steady but soul-stirring, like a friend who’s done the work and wants to walk beside you while you do yours.

She gently untangles the idea of "why" - not as a question to obsess over when things fall apart, but as a way to lead us back to our inner truth. Through raw stories, quiet wisdom, and space for reflection, she reminds us that healing isn’t about perfection or performance—it’s about presence.

Reading this was like having a deep conversation with my most honest self. It’s poetic, grounded, and empowering without being overly dramatic. Munson is a fellow seeker, holding a lantern for anyone lost in the dark of self-doubt or grief.

The Wild Why by Laura Munson felt like a breath of fresh, unfiltered air.

The Wild Why by Laura Munson

Laura Munson’s The Wild Why is the kind of book that doesn’t just sit quietly on your nightstand — it calls to you. Gently. Boldly. Like the voice you forgot you had, asking questions you forgot you were allowed to ask.

This luminous blend of memoir and guidebook is a call back to the self — not the polished, performative self, but the raw, curious, awe-filled self we were all born with. Munson has an incredible ability to write with both poetic grace and practical grounding. Her words invite reflection, creativity, and a quiet kind of healing that builds page by page.

The wonder she speaks of is not just a concept — it’s a practice. And The Wild Why offers not just inspiration but tangible, gentle invitations to return to the place inside where wonder lives. Through reflective prompts, personal stories, and spiritual inquiry, Munson helps us see that reclaiming our “why” isn’t just a luxury — it’s a necessity.

This book is best read slowly, with intention. I found myself pausing often, rereading passages, and sitting with questions I didn’t know I needed to ask. It reminded me of the first time I read Untamed or Big Magic — that thrilling sense of being seen and called into something deeper.

If you’ve ever felt disconnected from yourself, or if you’ve lost your sense of creative play, this book will feel like a warm, wild homecoming. I’m so grateful to have read an advance copy — and I’ll be returning to it again and again.

A must-read for anyone on the path of self-discovery, creativity, and reclaiming joy.

this book is truly healing, and just lovely. It's important to read slowly, which I had to force myself to do - but if you speed through, you lose the chance to reflect and absorb the author's messages, which are personal and insightful. Highly reco.

As we grow, many of us lose the endless curiosity and wonder that we had when we were children. Children have innate wonder. They wonder and ask why. The observe the world with awe. They live in the moment.

Slowly, many children learn to hide their wonder. Adults around them may put them into survival mode, crush the wonder, grow impatient with the awe and questions, and squish the wonder down.

Our lives become more hectic and wonderless and dull when our wonder lies buried. However, we can unearth it and allow it to brighten our lives.

The author guides us on a journey to uncover our wonder and our wild why. If you've found yourself struggling and feeling disconnected, pick up this book. It's one to savor and return to. It's inspiring and can change your life for the better.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC! I will be purchasing a hard copy of this book so that I can re-read it, underline important parts, and return to the questions.

A beautiful book on returning to your inner child and healing trauma to come back to your authentic self. Has lovely and gentle activities to help you grow and move forward spiritually, mentally, and emotionally. Part memoir and part guide, it’s gorgeously written.

Laura Munson's THE WILD WHY is the perfect book for those of us who learned to swallow our questions and the others who never stopped asking why, looking for wonder in our lives, and enjoying nothing more than surrendering to awe. Throughout this inspiring book, I paused to consider, to see the world around me and reconsider my own life and habits with its practical, down to earth practices and encouragements to create, write, explore, and take pleasure in presence. I'd recommend this book for everyone interested in living a fuller, more embodied life and creator of the reality they co-create with the world. I received a copy of this book and these thoughts are my own, unbiased opinions.

I had to continue sitting this book down to write, which I’ve had no desire or ability to do in well over a decade. It wasn’t even my consideration when I picked up this book. I hope this leads more people to ask questions and find their why. Thankful to be an ARC reader.

This is a really thought provoking book where every page has something to make you think and slow down. Ms Munson has written a part memoir, part self help book, part investigation into why we lose our sense of awe. I will be trying some of the journaling ideas which are presented at the end of each chapter.

There is a lot of honesty here and a lot of introspection but the themes are universal. I was that child who was told to shut up because I "ask too many questions"… so it was lovely to realise that others had similar experiences.

I’ve bought some of Jim Harrison’s favourite pens and one of his books because he is obviously held in high esteem by Ms Munson and that’s good enough for me.

I was given a copy of this book by NetGalley

Laura Munson’s The Wild Why is more than just a book—it’s an experience, a guide, and a call to reconnect with creativity, wonder, and authenticity. From the first pages, it felt like an essential read, encouraging deep introspection through both its narrative and its writing exercises.

Munson’s writing is relatable, heartfelt, and engaging, weaving memoir, self-discovery, and practical exercises in a way that feels natural and immersive. The pacing invites readers to slow down and reflect, allowing the book’s themes and wisdom to settle deeply.

At its core, The Wild Why is about writing, creativity, wonder, healing, self-discovery, and authenticity. Munson explores how reconnecting with our innate sense of awe leads to greater self-expression, meaning, and purpose.

This book is not just about finding your voice—it’s about finding your true self with love and acceptance. It’s a journey of having, losing, searching, and ultimately returning home to yourself. Certain passages gave me goosebumps, reinforcing the urge to live authentically, trust my intuition, and embrace creativity as an essential part of life.

If you’re seeking a book that blends memoir, insight, and guided reflection, The Wild Why is one to read slowly, savoring each lesson. It’s thought-provoking, nuanced, and deeply moving—one of those rare books that doesn’t just inspire change but helps you remember who you are.

I appreciate NetGalley and Susie Stangland for the opportunity to read this early copy!

3.75⭐️

[a copy of this book was provided to me by the published from netgalley. thank you!]

just didn’t pull me in like good memoirs tend to do.

Very engaging and interesting read. Very well developed and ambitious. Will be recommending to library collection and patrons.

I enjoyed this book. Having a mixture of voices and hearing their stories helps me have my own voice. We ask questions to have answers for what we need. Curiosity also helps learn and have a growing mindset. This book was beautifully written, with italics and poetry sometimes. While each chapter covered a different topic, a different voice, it all came nicely into one book.
The poetry was one of my favourites. I do not often see poetry in books and I realise that it's something I want to read more.

Thank you to the publisher and author for sending me this copy.

This called to me from the very recent moments when I felt spaces that were mine to fill as I pleased since my children were grown and I am past the years of raising children who were always the biggest part of my life. I came to a place where I felt stirrings inside to embrace new horizons and even indulge myself--to actually learn what self care means for me.

This book at a time in my life when I could truly appreciate it!

The Wild Why raises the importance of awe, reminding us to slow down, take a breath, and just *be*. Munson challenges the idea that wondering is pointless and shows how it connects us to something bigger and more meaningful.

In a world that’s all about speed and productivity, Munson’s message is refreshing. Wonder is more than about personal growth. But it’s also what keeps us human. She encourages us to look back on our lives with care, like uncovering little truths that shape who we are, and to embrace curiosity to connect with others.

It’s a beautiful reminder to bring wonder back into our lives, not just for us, but for the world we share.

I enjoyed every word of this title and can't wait until it's out in print. It made my top 10 of 2024 list. Munson is wonderful and I can't wait to read her other titles. This is just the reflection I needed.

This title really makes you think but not in a normal science-y way. I liked it after I got the "hang" and gist of it! I thought Munson explored interesting topics that left me with questions I wanted to explore further. Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC.