Educated by Tara Westover

I finished reading the remarkable Educated by Tara Westover a couple of days ago and can't seem to get Tara's story out of my head. So here are few thoughts I am jotting down (might add more later).

• I had never read a story about a poor (financially), real, white, Christian person before this. So reading this story was an eye-opener.
• The way Tara talks about how having sufficient money through education grants during her college days, solved most problems for her, that felt like an eye-opener as well. Just enough amount of money can make a lot of difference to someone who really needs it. As a privileged person, writing this sounds obvious, but reading how it changed her life during that period will move you.
• Something about the writing style - she is a gifted writer. I was invested in her story in the first few pages. Enough said.
• Brene Brown talks a lot about true belonging, and I felt like Tara's struggle to choose between her education and family ties was that struggle. By choosing what she chose and where the book ended, I really hope that it's her place of belonging. I also hope she has more stories to tell. I have watched almost every interview video of her.
• Tara paints a picture of her childhood and early adolescence, without putting any blame on her weird-max family. As a reader, observer, I could see that what was happening to those kids was not done. It felt wrong. But I really liked that she tried to tell the story as-is. There are some really tender moments involving her family narrated in the book. She maintains that whatever atrocities happened with her or her siblings/family it wasn't out of cruelty but it was because of a certain set of beliefs.
• If I now think about Tara's story I can think of so many things that could have gone sideways. But she found solid supporters and help at crucial points in her journey. That makes me think of various people who have been so important in my life. Generally feeling grateful for that.
• Tara talks about how her quest to study music* (cos her father approved of that) took her to school. For which she needed to learn and study Algebra on her own. After which in school she got exposed to history and literature and ended up writing this book. The possibilities are immense if one decides. And that I find the most inspiring thing about the book. It literally is about getting an education.
• Her struggle with shame (considering herself a freak) and mental health was organically described. She did not know or have the mental armor to cope with these. But she eventually did overcome those. I would have loved to know more about how she eventually dealt with it.
• Another thing I could relate with was, how getting an education can make you reject a lot of thoughts and beliefs as you learn more. As someone (despite her privileged bubble) who has grown to become a different person over years through constant learning and unlearning, I can tell you its difficult. It's tough. Cos the ideas, thoughts, beliefs you reject also makes you reject a lot of people and change your social circle. Again feeling fortunate for having people around me who give me space to be this person.

*she has a great voice and is a great singer btw, check youtube