#1 NEW YORK TIMES, WALL STREET JOURNAL, AND BOSTON GLOBE BESTSELLER • One of the most acclaimed books of our time: an unforgettable memoir about a young woman who, kept out of school, leaves her survivalist family and goes on to earn a PhD from Cambridge University “Extraordinary . . . an act of courage and self-invention.”—The New York Times NAMED ONE OF THE TEN BEST BOOKS OF THE YEAR BY THE NEW YORK TIMES BOOK REVIEW • ONE OF PRESIDENT BARACK OBAMA’S FAVORITE BOOKS OF THE YEAR • BILL GATES’S HOLIDAY READING LIST • A KIRKUS REVIEWS BEST NONFICTION BOOK OF THE CENTURY • FINALIST: National Book Critics Circle’s Award In Autobiography and John Leonard Prize For Best First Book • PEN/Jean Stein Book Award • Los Angeles Times Book Prize Born to survivalists in the mountains of Idaho, Tara Westover was seventeen the first time she set foot in a classroom. Her family was so isolated from mainstream society that there was no one to ensure the children received an education, and no one to intervene when one of Tara’s older brothers became violent. When another brother got himself into college, Tara decided to try a new kind of life. Her quest for knowledge transformed her, taking her over oceans and across continents, to Harvard and to Cambridge University. Only then would she wonder if she’d traveled too far, if there was still a way home. “Beautiful and propulsive . . . Despite the singularity of [Westover’s] childhood, the questions her book poses are universal: How much of ourselves should we give to those we love? And how much must we betray them to grow up?”—Vogue ONE OF THE BEST BOOKS OF THE YEAR: The Washington Post, O: The Oprah Magazine, Time, NPR, Good Morning America, San Francisco Chronicle, The Guardian, The Economist, Financial Times, Newsday, New York Post, theSkimm, Refinery29, Bloomberg, Self, Real Simple, Town & Country, Bustle, Paste, Publishers Weekly, Library Journal, LibraryReads, Book Riot, Pamela Paul, KQED, New York Public Library
Average Rating
Informations
About the author
Tara Westover
Author
Tara Westover is an American memoirist, essayist and historian. Her memoir Educated (2018) debuted at No. 1 on The New York Times bestseller list and was a finalist for a number of national awards, including the Los Angeles Times Book Prize, PEN America's Jean Stein Book Award, and two awards from the National Book Critics Circle Award. The New York Times ranked Educated as one of the 10 Best Books of 2018. Westover was chosen by Time magazine as one of the 100 most influential people of 2019.
Educated
by Tara Westover
Books Like Educated
If you're looking for books similar to Educated, here are some recommendations based on themes, tone, and narrative style.
I Am Malala
Malala Yousafzai
A powerful memoir about a young woman's fight for education in Pakistan under Taliban rule. Yousafzai shares her extraordinary journey of advocacy and survival against extreme societal constraints. The book explores themes of educational empowerment, personal courage, and social change. Like Westover's story, it reveals the transformative power of education and individual resilience. Yousafzai's narrative is a global testament to the importance of learning and personal growth.
Born a Crime
Trevor Noah
A compelling memoir about growing up mixed-race during apartheid in South Africa. Noah shares his experiences navigating complex family dynamics and societal constraints with humor and insight. The book explores themes of identity, survival, and overcoming systemic challenges. Similar to Westover's narrative, it reveals how education and personal determination can transform one's life trajectory. Noah's story is a powerful exploration of resilience and cultural understanding.
Becoming
Michelle Obama
A memoir chronicling Obama's journey from a working-class neighborhood to the White House. She explores themes of identity, ambition, and personal growth with remarkable candor. The book reveals how education and determination can transform one's life trajectory. Like Westover's story, it demonstrates the power of perseverance and self-discovery. Obama's narrative is an inspiring exploration of personal and societal transformation.
The Glass Castle
Jeannette Walls
A powerful memoir about growing up in a dysfunctional family with parents who reject conventional society. Walls describes her unconventional and often challenging childhood with remarkable resilience and compassion. Like Westover's story, it explores themes of survival, education, and personal transformation. The book reveals how one can overcome a traumatic upbringing through determination and self-discovery. Walls ultimately finds her own path despite extreme family challenges.
The Year of Magical Thinking
Joan Didion
A profound memoir exploring grief, loss, and personal resilience. Didion examines her experiences following her husband's death and her daughter's serious illness. The book offers a deeply introspective look at personal transformation through challenging circumstances. Similar to Westover's narrative, it reveals the complexity of family dynamics and personal growth. Didion's writing demonstrates remarkable emotional intelligence and self-reflection.
Lab Girl
Hope Jahren
A memoir blending scientific passion with personal narrative. Jahren explores her journey as a woman in science, revealing the challenges and joys of academic pursuit. The book celebrates intellectual curiosity and personal resilience. Like Westover's story, it demonstrates the transformative power of education and determination. Jahren's narrative offers a unique perspective on personal growth through scientific exploration.
Brain on Fire
Susannah Cahalan
A gripping memoir about a journalist's mysterious medical condition and her journey to recovery. Cahalan documents her struggle with a rare neurological disorder that challenges her identity and understanding of self. The book explores themes of medical mystery, personal resilience, and intellectual pursuit. Like Westover's story, it demonstrates the transformative power of knowledge and personal determination. Cahalan's narrative is a testament to the human spirit's capacity to overcome extraordinary challenges.
The Distance Between Us
Reyna Grande
A powerful memoir about immigration, family separation, and personal resilience. Grande explores her challenging childhood between Mexico and the United States. The book reveals the complex dynamics of family, identity, and educational pursuit. Similar to Westover's narrative, it demonstrates how individual determination can overcome significant obstacles. Grande's story is a poignant exploration of cultural identity and personal transformation.
Wild
Cheryl Strayed
A memoir of personal transformation through an intense solo hiking journey on the Pacific Crest Trail. Strayed confronts her painful past and seeks self-healing through an extraordinary physical and emotional challenge. The narrative explores themes of resilience, self-discovery, and breaking free from limiting circumstances. Like Westover's story, it demonstrates how individual courage can lead to profound personal growth. Strayed's journey is a testament to the power of perseverance and self-reinvention.
Hillbilly Elegy
J.D. Vance
A memoir examining social mobility and family dynamics in working-class Appalachia. Vance explores his challenging family background and his journey to educational and professional success. The book reveals the complex social dynamics of rural American communities. Similar to Westover's narrative, it explores themes of family, education, and personal transformation. Vance's story demonstrates how individual determination can overcome systemic limitations.
No account connected — sign in to comment.