Educated is the memoir of Tara Westover, a woman raised in rural Idaho whose family experienced many struggles with poverty, mental illness, and abuse. This is the story of a woman who overcame a cycle of abuse and fought for her right to an education. Educated is one of the most eye-opening things I’ve read and is truly unlike anything that I’ve read before. Often heartbreaking, this memoir is filled with vivid anecdotes, crisp writing, and will make you feel as if you’re standing next to Tara as she re-examines her childhood and educational journey. It’s important to know that this is a heavy book to read in many ways- the depictions of abuse (and failure of anyone to intervene) will be frustrating and disturbing to read about. But it is worth it. I highly recommend this memoir to everyone. It will make you think deeply about your own life, what education means, and will generate reflection and discussion. This won’t be a memoir that I forget.

Thank you to Tara Westover, Random House, and Netgalley for a free copy of Educated in exchange for an honest review.