Educated by Tara Westover

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Forging Her Own Future.  


Hold on to your hats! This book is like an unstoppable, runaway train.  It's gaining momentum with a buzz that's quickly turning into a loud thunder crack.  Educated is an explosive memoir of a girl's rise above an unimaginable childhood.  Tara overcomes enormous obstacles—namely her family to get an education and she now holds a PhD.

Tara's dad was a religious zealot who didn’t trust the medical establishment or the government. Four of his seven children did not attend any kind of school, and no burn or injury was bad enough to bring them to a hospital. The mother was supposed to homeschool the kids, but that fell to the wayside when the father kept them busy working (without any regard to their safety) in his junkyard. Add an abusive brother to the mix, and it’s a miracle that Tara could forge her own destiny with so many anchors weighing her down. This book is jaw-dropping good.  

I was supposed to wait for my book club to read once it comes out in paperback (which may be a while), but I kept seeing one person after another buy it in the bookstore where I work, and those who had read it kept talking about it. I just couldn’t wait any longer.  This book made President Barak Obama’s and Bill Gates’ reading lists. It’s a book that shouldn’t be missed. Tara’s determination to not just survive her family life, but to stretch herself and craft her own path toward an education and freedom is an inspiration!
Did you know Educated is one of Bill Gates’ favorite books? 

Other noteworthy memoirs about overcoming childhood adversity:

The Glass Castle by Jeannette Walls
Falling Leaves by Adeline Yen Mah

For a powerful story about a teacher who inspired kids to reach their potential in a rough LA school check out:

The Freedom Writers Diary with Erin Gruwell

Happy Reading,
Annette 



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