“Educated” by Tara Westover

Tara Westover grew up on secluded mountain in Idaho the youngest of seven in a family that practiced an extreme form of Mormonism. However, religion wasn’t the only thing that controlled the lives of the Westover family. Tara’s survivalist parents also believed strongly in government conspiracies, that the “Feds” could come and harm them at any time absorbing the conflict at Ruby Ridge into their own family’s narrative. They were opposed to traditional medicine treating everything from simple sore throats to 3rd degree burns at home with only oils and herbal remedies concocted by their mother. Public schools were also banned. The Westover children’s education was left up to them. More often than not their father would impede their learning by requiring his children to work on the property in extremely dangerous conditions. Any lessons they learned were done on their own time, Tara teaching herself Algebra in the hopes of passing the ACT after long days in the scrap yard. All of these things combined would be a lot for any young child to handle but their challenges didn’t stop there. Several family members suffered from a handful of mental illnesses that led to the rest of them dealing with control issues, physical and emotional abuse and a laundry list of other traumas. Despite all of this Tara Westover has led an exceptional life. Her memoir “Educated” is one of the best books I have ever read. At times you have to keep reminding yourself this is not a work of fiction but something a very young, very brave girl lived through. This is an absolute must read for 2019.

Pick up a copy of “Educated” here.