Review: Educated

Educated by Tara Westover
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Educated by Tara Westover is an amazing read, which is why I couldn’t agree more with what Susannah Cahalan, author of Brain on Fire, said. “The book made me cringe, cry out, cover my eyes, shake with anger, beam with pride, and appreciate the trials that led to my own education.”
This remarkable memoir is about Tara’s experiences growing up in an isolated family in the mountains of Idaho. Her father had extreme ideologies about his faith that caused him to distrust medical and government establishments, so his children never had the opportunity to receive an education or medical assistance. When Tara’s older brother decided that he wanted to go to college, he encouraged Tara to do the same thing.
After she worked up her courage and told her parents that she wanted to pursue college, her father tried to manipulate her into not going and so she endured a new set of struggles. She persisted, and her decision drove her to teach herself enough mathematics, grammar, science, and history to take the ACT. She passed, was admitted to Brigham Young University, and her education and transformation began. She later traveled to England, where she attended Cambridge University and studied under a professor who saw and valued her potential.
Tara endured many hardships but braved through them all. This inspirational memoir is a must read. I also recommend The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-time Indian by Sherman Alexie. Entering into a world that we are not a part of can help us gain a better understanding of another culture or ethnic group, or as in Tara’s case, a religious group. These books can teach us not only to become more compassionate of others but also that no matter where you are from, you can achieve anything.




View all my reviews

Review: The Scar: A Personal History of Depression and Recovery

The Scar: A Personal History of Depression and Recovery by Mary Cregan
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Mary Cregan is 27 years old and living in New York. She has a fulfilling career as a book designer and is happily married with her first baby on the way. When her daughter is born, she names her Anna, but almost immediately the newborn is diagnosed with a congenital heart defect. Anna dies two days later. The death of her baby causes Cregan to descend into a suicidal depression called melancholy.

This memoir is a personal history of the author's illness and recovery. Written years later, with the scar of her suicide attempt still visible, she chronicles the treatment she received for depression. As she weaves her narrative, she chronicles some of the history of mental illness treatment. Included are descriptions of asylums of the past, the advent of shock treatment, and how scientists have made advances in the study of mental illness.

I found this to be skillfully written and a hopeful story for anyone suffering from depression.

View all my reviews

Review: One Summer in Paris

One Summer in Paris by Sarah Morgan
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

One Summer in Paris by Sarah Morgan is a sweet and heartwarming novel about two women who carry a burden of pain and suffering. This is a story of unlikely friendships, old flings, love, and forgiveness.

“My Grace.” He gave a half smile. “Always making the safe, sensible choice.”
Grace thought about her family. About David.
“You’re wrong,” she said. “There is nothing safe about love. Commitment takes bravery because there is every chance you’ll be badly hurt. Not ever getting involved, just moving from one experience to the next----that’s the safe choice.”

Grace the planner, Grace the perfect one, Grace the sensible one, Grace who has everything together, and finally, the Grace who has been married for twenty-five years to the perfect man. During dinner, she plans to surprise David with a getaway to celebrate their anniversary in the “City of Love.” But she never expected the surprise that he was about to give her…he was having an affair! Shocked, angry, and hurt, Grace runs for comfort to her grandmother, who talks Grace into going to France alone to escape the everyday hurt.
Audrey the reckless, Audrey the poor student, Audrey the liar, and Audrey who is embarrassed of her family situation, runs away to Paris after lying about her credentials so that she can work at a bookshop. After arriving and getting settled in, she decides to stroll the Paris streets, where she rescues a stranger (Grace) who is being robbed. Grace, after calming down, invitedsAudrey for dinner as a gesture of thanks. They instantly bond and become best friends.
A series of events (including working in the bookshop together) draws Grace and Audrey closer and strengthens them both. Grace learns to forgive, and Audrey learns to let go, which ends this story of a great and sweet ever after.


View all my reviews