Educated by Tara Westover.

How Did Tara Westover Overcome Her Struggles to Pursue Education and Break Free from Her Rigid Upbringing?

Greetings Book friends! I hope this message finds you well. I must apologize for the absence of updates in the month of January, as I was occupied with exams. Nevertheless, I have been using my free time to indulge in some much-needed reading and adding to my bookshelf. This reading year promises to be an exciting one, and I can't wait to share my thoughts and reviews with all of you on the Reader's Journal.

Educated by Tara Westover is a powerful and inspiring memoir that has captivated the hearts of many readers. As my first read of the year, I must say that I was blown away by the story of a young woman who overcame seemingly insurmountable odds to achieve her dreams. The book was the January selection for Jenta-Reads Bookclub, and I am so glad I had the opportunity to read it and be a part of this bookclub.

Tara Westover's story takes us on a journey through her life, starting in rural Idaho where she grew up with her strict and mistrusting Mormon family. Her parents, who were sceptical of the government and the medical establishment, kept her and her siblings out of public schools and failed to provide consistent homeschooling. To make matters worse, her father was flagrant about safety protocols, which resulted in Tara being forced to work alongside him in the family scrapyard. When her older brother became violent, her safety was further jeopardised, and she knew she had to find a way out.

Inspired by one of her siblings who moved away to attend college, Tara took matters into her own hands and taught herself years' worth of material in order to achieve a high enough ACT score to be accepted. She went on to earn a bachelor's degree, a master's, and a doctorate from Cambridge University, as well as a fellowship at Harvard. Despite all her achievements, Tara struggled to keep one foot in both worlds as her life became increasingly disconnected from her former life in Idaho.

Educated is a must-read for anyone who wants to be inspired and motivated. The book is a thought-provoking, conversational, and captivating memoir that will leave you in awe of Tara Westover's courage and tenacity. Whether you're a student, a professional, or someone who's just looking for a good read, this book is sure to leave a lasting impression on you. This book had a lot of contrasting emotions. It made me cry, laugh, angry, frustrated and hopeful.

Meet The Author.

Tara Westover was born in rural Idaho in 1986. She received a BA in history from Brigham Young University in 2008 and was subsequently awarded a Gates Cambridge Scholarship. She earned an MPhil in intellectual history and political thought from Trinity College, Cambridge, in 2009, and in 2010 she was a visiting fellow at Harvard University. She returned to Cambridge, where she received a PhD in history in 2014. She lives in England.

Tag along Dear Book Friends!

• What books have you read this year?

• Have you read Educated by Tara Westover?

• If yes, how do you feel about this book?