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Educated by Tara Westover #Ad
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I
have always been in awe of books. Those who know me already understand this. Hardbound,
paperback, digital, audio, the format is of little consequence. I am open to them
all. With almost every story I read, I am once again reminded how books continue to open
my world, open my mind, and open my heart. I am not well educated, nor am I well-traveled;
however, my love of books and reading have given me more than mere
entertainment. Reading the stories of other people, both fictional and true,
have provided me a taste of other places, cultures, and experiences, and it
is this “taste” that has taught me how very small my own existence is and how
important it is for me to strive to shift and reshape, a better word might be broaden, my mind, my thoughts, my convictions, and my viewpoint. Just think, if you
live in a world where everything is yellow, how would you ever know what green
or red or blue looks like unless you allow yourself to step out of your yellow
world? That example feels too simple, but it’s the best I can come up with at
the moment. Books have helped me see this world as a more colorful place, and in
seeing so many colors (I would never presume to have seen them all…yet), I am
becoming a person who is more aware, more empathetic, more conscious, and more
conscientious. This can only be a good thing. I’d even go so far as to say it’s
an excellent thing; something everyone should attempt. Books allow me to
walk in the shoes of others, allow me to imagine what life is like for people who are different from me.
Books are gifts of knowledge, gifts to the imagination, gifts to the betterment
and cultivation of my person, and almost every book I read leaves me in awe.
And here we are, back where I started, so I will leave it for now. However, I
do want to tell you about a wonderful book I just read.
I
have always thought my childhood was tough, but after reading Tara Westover’s
EDUCATED, I will have to do some reevaluation. Tara Westover was born in Idaho
into a distinctly unconventional family; her father did not believe in public
education, her mother was distrustful of doctors and the medical establishment.
Tara Westover suffered psychological and physical abuse from mentally ill
family members, and her experience is eye-opening. This book should be read by
everyone. I don’t want to say much more as I don't want to diminish your reading
experience with spoilers. EDUCATED will shock you… more than a few of Tara’s experiences
made me gasp. This book will open your eyes to a world of religious fanaticism,
survivalist ideology, bi-polar behavior and the enabling of that behavior,
abuse in many forms, misogynism, and more, but it will also show you the power and
invincibility of the human spirit and the importance of education, self-examination,
and the persistence of self-development. All of us should strive to become
better people, to rise above, no matter what circumstances we were born into.
Read EDUCATED. Read it today.
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