Educated: A Memoir by Tara Westover

The Locale: Tassy's

The Book:
Tara Westover was 17 the first time she set foot in a classroom. Born to survivalists in the mountains of Idaho, she prepared for the end of the world by stockpiling home-canned peaches and sleeping with her "head-for-the-hills bag". In the summer she stewed herbs for her mother, a midwife and healer, and in the winter she salvaged in her father's junkyard.

Her father forbade hospitals, so Tara never saw a doctor or nurse. Gashes and concussions, even burns from explosions, were all treated at home with herbalism. The family was so isolated from mainstream society that there was no one to ensure the children received an education and no one to intervene when one of Tara's older brothers became violent.

Then, lacking any formal education, Tara began to educate herself. She taught herself enough mathematics and grammar to be admitted to Brigham Young University, where she studied history, learning for the first time about important world events like the Holocaust and the civil rights movement. Her quest for knowledge transformed her, taking her over oceans and across continents, to Harvard and to Cambridge. Only then would she wonder if she'd traveled too far, if there was still a way home. 
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/76620.Watership_Down


Sarah's Summary: 
I’m sorry it has taken me so long to do my follow-up email from Tassy’s meeting. The food and beverage were appropriately fall-themed and delicious. Chicken salad without celery! Salads and apple sangria with prosecco! It was all yummy, right down to the wine cake, that was spicy and moist and oh-so-good.  Thanks so much for hosting all of us. Holly, I hope your foot has healed!

We discussed Educated: A Memoir and most of us enjoyed reading it, even if It is always fascinating to me to read stories like this and to think these people really live amongst us!? This woman escaped and lives a “normal” life?! Sorry I don’t have more to report on our discussion- I will try to write these more timely when it’s still on my mind.

We will see each other for dinner next Wednesday, December 5th at +39. It’s an Italian restaurant in Centre Tallahassee, kind of on the John Knox side of things, near the food court. I made the reservation for 6:00. Susan S already alerted me she won’t be there until after 7; if there’s anyone else who will be running late, let us know and we can put an order in for you. There’s a wine bar in the courtyard if anyone wants to meet up after work for a toast before dinner.

We’ll be meeting January 13th at Jolynda’s to discuss Fates & Furies by Lauren Groff. We’ll meet at Brenda’s sometime either in February or early March to read Reading with Patrick: A Teacher, a Student, and a Life-Changing Friendship by Michelle Kuo. Susan S. will present her choices at Jolynda’s.

Jana and I joined over 700 people last night to hear author Louise Penny at her book launch for Kingdom of the Blind. She was funny and personable and I can’t wait to read her books!


I hope everyone had a nice Thanksgiving and I look forward to seeing you next week. Feel free to bring books to share!

The Vote: Brenda presented... 

• Reading with Patrick: A Teacher, a Student, and a Life-Changing Friendship by Michelle Kuo  WINS!!  
• The Radium Girls: The Dark Story of America’s Shining Women by Kate Moore
• The Tattooist of Auschwitz by Heather Morris 

Up Next: Fates & Furies by Lauren Groff @ Jolynda’s on 1/13

Next to Present:  Susan S.

Then: 

• Lori
• Gina
• Jana
• Susan H.
• Sarah
• Jessica
• Kristine
• Holly
• Tassy
• Jolynda