I just finished reading this book, which I ordered after reading this thread.

Her writing is stellar, in a somewhat chronological but bewildered order. Such a fascinating, horrifying childhood. And so many different elements. I need to think on it.

When the book was first published she was interviewed on NPR. It was interesting to hear her talk about her childhood and family.

Anonymous wrote:This book combined all my favorite themes: wacky fundamentalist religion, weird family situation, main character overcoming obstacles.

I'll have to read it - sounds similar to The Glass Castle.

OP here- glad to hear others liked it so much too.

As I was reading I found myself wondering if she really was "smart" enough to earn the Gates scholarship and attend Cambridge/Harvard and if she could really handle the advanced coursework. I then realized that this was because she really didn't believe she was smart enough or able to hang with the other students but obviously she was doing high level work- they don't give out Gates scholarships out of sympathy. And you certainly don't earn a Ph.D from Harvard being a subpar student. It made me see how powerful our thoughts about ourselves can be. She had such a distorted sense of self-worth and if shone though in her writing about herself even now looking back.

Anonymous wrote: Thank you for the book recommendation. I have never heard of this book, however I love memoirs and so I will look for this book to read. I’m looking forward to reading it now. I am listening to James Comey‘s book on CD and when I’m done with his I will have a gap

Same here. Just googled, sounds fascinating, I can't wait to get a copy.

Thank you for the book recommendation. I have never heard of this book, however I love memoirs and so I will look for this book to read. I’m looking forward to reading it now. I am listening to James Comey‘s book on CD and when I’m done with his I will have a gap

This book combined all my favorite themes: wacky fundamentalist religion, weird family situation, main character overcoming obstacles.

I has been on my library wish list for a while now and I'm still only #54. Looking forward to it!

It’s fantastic. I’m just amazed she and her siblings all made it out of that junkyard alive.

Such a great book!!!

Almost done. Great book so far!

Almost finished reading it. Very good read. I recently watched an interview with author. I was curious how she came across.

Loved it. Got it off the new book shelf on a whim and couldn't put it down. (Have heard there are holds on it so amazed it was on the shelf.)

It's on hold at the library. I think I'm the 15th in line.

(I tried a search and was surprised there wasn't already a thread on this book- if there is point me to it)

I just finished reading Educated by Tara Westover and thought it was so good. Has anyone else read it? I resisted looking her up or any information about her family while reading, but as I've started to look it seems her family is easily found on social media. I would love to know if there will be any real consequences now for her brother.