17 books like 'Educated' That'll Have You Turning Pages This Fall

Is it hard to be a young person in today's American society? 'Educated' by Tara Westover holds the answer to this question. If you were fascinated by this incredibly touching autobiography, you should check out 17 books like 'Educated.'

A quick story reminder: Tara Westover's memoir begins with her childhood in Southern Idaho, where she grew up in a Mormon survivalist family, working in unsafe conditions and living in extreme poverty. With limited exposure to the outside world, formal education came much later in her life. Her story continues through her university studies and eventual PhD from the University of Cambridge. 

Tara describes her father as a "disaster" and the family as distrustful of the Western government's education system, and yearns for a different life. Her experience at Brigham Young University and later as a PhD student at Cambridge documents her will to endure, self-discovery, and the rich possibilities available through education.

Seeking more life-changing memoirs? Books similar to 'Educated' remind us of the extraordinary strength of the human spirit. Download the Headway app and dive into the summaries of these powerful memoirs, which are perfect for busy readers. Headway lets you absorb inspiring books in less time, so you can continue learning and growing.

Quick list: Seven books like 'Educated'

Here are seven memoirs that will inspire, empower you, and challenge you to reflect on your own path:

1. 'Born a Crime' by Trevor Noah — Be inspired by how a comedian's upbringing in apartheid South Africa shaped his resilience and wit.

2. 'I Am Malala' by Malala Yousafzai — A brave account of a girl who stood up for education, at the risk of her life.

3. 'Wild' by Cheryl Strayed — One woman's journey of healing during a trek of over 1,100 miles through a beautiful, rugged wilderness.

4. 'The Sound of Gravel' by Ruth Wariner — An escape from a polygamist colony and the cycle of abuse that characterized her childhood.

5. 'Heartland' by Sarah Smarsh — A raw depiction of what it was like to grow up poor in rural Kansas and fight for a better life.

6. 'The Glass Castle' by Jeannette Walls — A heartbreaking, yet inspiring, account of survival in an exceedingly dysfunctional family.

7. 'The Distance Between Us' by Reyna Grande — A searing memoir about the struggle of poverty and family separation in pursuit of the American Dream.

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17 books like 'Educated' that will keep you hooked

If 'Educated' touched your heartstrings, then you have come to the right place. We’ve come up with a curated list of 17 memoirs. Each of them is a unique story that will make you feel emotional, as they cover the theme of resilience and self-discovery.

1. 'Born a Crime' by Trevor Noah

In his memoir, 'Born a Crime,' Trevor Noah discusses his life as a child of mixed-race heritage growing up in South Africa during apartheid. Written with equal parts humor and stark honesty, Noah recounts the challenges he faced growing up in a society that was deeply divided. The memoir discusses his themes of identity, resilience, and education.

It tells a powerful story of the human spirit and fortitude in times of systemic struggle.

Similarities between the books

• Overcoming the challenges of society and family.

• Education as a tool for change. 

• Ambiguous family life dynamics.

2. 'I Am Malala: The Girl Who Stood Up for Education and Was Shot by the Taliban' by Malala Yousafzai

'I Am Malala' memoir is not just memories or thoughts, it's Malala's fight story for Pakistani women to have the right to education. It covers the attempt on her life for her outspokenness and social activism.

The young girl took on years' worth of hardship and danger for simply attending school, while at the same time speaking up for girls' rights to education.

She never eased her resolve to advance education and give others power, even in the face of violence. Her message and inspiring tale of bravery and tenacity is clear: Education has the capacity to confront deeply embedded social structures that oppress people.

Similarities between the texts:

• Focus on education

• Resisting oppressive structures

• Personal strength 

3. 'Wild: From Lost to Found on the Pacific Crest Trail' by Cheryl Strayed

Cheryl Strayed chronicles her unflinching and emotional story as she sets off alone on a 1,100-mile journey along the Pacific Crest Trail. Cheryl is seeking to heal herself in the aftermath of her mother's death, a painful divorce, and a habit of self-hatred, all with little hiking experience and a very large backpack. Cheryl faces numerous physical and internal struggles, and ultimately finds healing and strength in the wilderness. 

This memoir speaks to numerous readers as it is a captivating tale of resilience and self-discovery. A New York Times bestseller, 'Wild' serves as an inspiring method of unearthing the social or personal violence that comes from confronting life's hardest moments.

Similarities between the books:

• Personal growth

• Overcoming personal challenges 

• More adventuring alone and growth

4. 'The Sound of Gravel' by Ruth Wariner

Ruth's memoir describes her childhood in a polygamous colony in Mexico where her grandfather was one of the founders. Wariner experienced awful living conditions marked by overt abuse and poverty. Her life worsened further after her father was killed, and her mother married a man who continued the cycle of abuse that had followed Wariner and her family throughout their lives.

Finally, with the help of her brother and her stepfather's fourth wife, she escapes from the polygamist colony and begins her leap to freedom and self-liberation.

Similarities between the books:

• Both include a story about surviving a repressive environment 

• Both tell the story of education and its role in freedom

• They feature narratives of family and personal struggle and resilience

5. 'Heartland' by Sarah Smarsh

In 'Heartland,' an open and moving memoir about impoverishment in rural Kansas, writer Sarah Smarsh exemplifies how her family lived in poverty. In the American heartland, they relied on welfare and food stamps, engaged in invisible or worthless working-class labor, and tried to thrive in a world that pushed them down. 

While respecting the dignity of those who are impoverished, this memoir challenges readers to face the tough realities of class and opportunity in America. A Chicago Tribune Literary Prize winner and a finalist for the National Book Award, it clearly conveys the fight for economic progress, survival, and the search for a better life in the face of overwhelming challenges.

Similarities between the books:

• Overcoming extreme poverty

• Value of education

• Resiliency in difficult times

6. 'The Glass Castle: A Memoir of a Dysfunctional Family' by Jeannette Walls

Jeannette Walls tells the story of a painful childhood lived in a nomadic, dysfunctional family. Both of Walls' parents were talented, artistic individuals living a life of idealism and nonconformity. The choices that they made created instability and immense poverty.

Walls' alcoholic father had a personality that was generous one moment, yet violent the next, and her mother was emotionally unavailable. As a result, Walls and her siblings were often left to fend for themselves.

Despite their neglect and turmoil, the Walls children found their inner strength, rallied around one another, chose to pursue an education, and vowed to escape their upbringing.

Similarities between the books:

• Growing up in a dysfunctional family

• The importance of education in rediscovering your identity and independence

• The journey of becoming oneself

7. 'North of Normal' by Cea Sunrise Person

Cea Sunrise Person shares her remarkable childhood in the Canadian wilderness. Cea was born to a teenage mother who was part of the counterculture movement of the 1960s. She grew up in a teepee in northern Alberta with her offbeat family, including her grandfather, who grew marijuana.

The family life changed dramatically when Cea's mother began dating a new boyfriend. Moving out frequently and taking up residence wherever they could became a part of their lives. Cea recounts her experience of looking for some stability and self-identity. She even discusses a hint of emotional safety amid a life that had more than its share of hardship, trauma, and family dysfunction.

Similarities between the books:

• Isolation from mainstream society

• Overcoming chaotic life circumstances

• Searching for stability and identity

8. 'Crying in H Mart' by Michelle Zauner

'Crying in H Mart' by Michelle Zauner is an intimate memoir that examines Zauner's mixed ethnicity, paneer foods, and the loss of her mother to cancer. The title highlights a grocery chain across North America that specializes in Asian products, and is where Zauner could escape to a safe place with the flavors of her own culture.

Originally an essay the author published in The New Yorker, the memoir is focused on Zauner's feelings of loss and healing after her mother's death in 2014, told with raw honesty and flashes of dark humor. 'Crying in H Mart' will resonate with anyone who has lost a loved one.

Similarities between the books:

• Consideration of personal identity

• Personal growth

• Grief and renewal

9. 'Unbroken' by Laura Hillenbrand

It is the incredible true story of Louis Zamperini, who was an Olympic runner and a World War II bomber crew member. After surviving a plane crash that left him stranded in the Pacific Ocean for 47 days, Zamperini spent more than two years as a prisoner in Japanese POW camps. His story vividly depicts how hope and resiliency can help someone through the worst experiences imaginable.

'Unbroken' is a perennial New York Times bestseller that tells the story of struggle, persistence, and redemption. It is the tale of a triumphant human spirit in the greatest of adversity, later made into a movie directed by Angelina Jolie.  

Similarities between the books:

• Both texts present extraordinary narratives about resilience

• Both books include the characters' personal struggles and how they overcome them

• The journeys in both stories are extraordinarily transforming

10. 'The Escape Artist' by Helen Fremont

Helen Fremont leads readers through trauma, memory, and family in her narrative. She grew up in a house of secrets as she discovered the hidden survival tales of her parents during the Holocaust and persecution by the Nazis. By telling a story, Fremont addresses love and resilience and seeks healing in the retellings of her family's past.

Similarities between the books:

• Family trauma

• Memory and identity

• Resilience and healing

11. 'A Long Way Gone: Memoirs of a Boy Soldier' by Ishmael Beah

Ishmael Beah recounts his compelling past as a child soldier during the civil war in Sierra Leone. Beah was introduced to violence at a young age and was forced to adapt and learn quickly after being taken from everything he once knew and experiencing firsthand the brutality of being a soldier.

His story of innocence to survival is heartwarming and yet heartbreaking, examining the experiences a child has and how they can be based around violence. 

It shows his escape and the process of recovering from a traumatic life and his war experiences, highlighting the resilience and strength of the human spirit. The memoir elaborates on the impact of war on a child while showing that, in some instances, resilience, self-discovery, and the recovery process can lead to some personal growth.

Similarities between the books:

• Conquering hardship

• Resilience and self-discovery 

• Recovery and growth

12. 'The Glass Universe: How the Women of the Harvard Observatory Took the Measure of the Stars' by Dava Sobel

Dava Sobel looks at the female scientists from the Harvard Observatory who broke social and academic barriers to make contributions to astronomy through their resilience, belief in knowledge, and work in astronomy. Although their work mainly went unnoticed, it redefined our understanding of stars.

Sobel reflects on these women, showcasing their resilience and defiance against the dominant scientific narratives. It is a powerful narrative about the force of curiosity, the desire to know, and the determination to persevere, despite the obstacles faced.

Similarities between books:

• Confronting social, cultural, and family pressure 

• Desire for knowledge 

• Personal development 

13. 'When Breath Becomes Air' by Paul Kalanithi

'When Breath Becomes Air' is an emotional memoir that details the author's life journey from medical student to neurosurgeon, while dealing with his incurable lung cancer. This reflective tale about life, death, and questioning meaning in life posits timeless ideas about the human condition. As Kalanithi reflects upon death's unlikely arrival, his relaying of pondering mortality, growth, learning, and finding meaning is relatable and deeply moving. At its heart, this is an emotional memoir.

Similarities between the books:

• Pursuit of meaning

• Self-identity through education

• Coping with life difficulties

14. 'Hillbilly Elegy: A Memoir of a Family and Culture in Crisis' by J.D. Vance

J.D. Vance provides an account of his childhood and adolescence growing up in the economically depressed regions of Appalachia, which involved family addiction, consistent poverty, and troubling instability. Drawing on his memories of youth, Vance analyzes cultural and political issues in Appalachia while emphasizing the values of love, responsibility, and tough love that led to his success.

This memoir critiques the exploitation of the economically distressed class and reveals the underlying issues faced beyond what the region has suffered. It is a deeply touching and evocative story of how Vance emerged from pathological family dysfunction and personal hardships to achieve success.

Similarities between the books:

• Emerging from poverty, the instability of family 

• Educational resources and their relevance to success roadblocks

• Familial history can have implications for one's future

15. 'The Color of Water' by James McBride

'The Color of Water' is a beautifully written story that touches on McBride’s life: living and growing in a biracial family in Brooklyn and Queens. As the son of a white Jewish mother and a black father, James faced the issues of race and class prejudice throughout his life. That experience shaped his own identity and view of the world. But he tells his individual experiences with wisdom and humor.

This memoir is an inspiring declaration of the human spirit's resilience and capacity to find comfort and healing through the spoken word. 'The Color of Water' speaks to anyone who has struggled with their racial and ethnic identity, and is therefore an essential book about self-discovery and how our families influence who we become.

Similarities between the books:

• Resilience through social and family-fueled struggles

• Personal stewardship

• Family impact on development

16. 'Rocket Boys' by Homer Hickam

In 'Rocket Boys,' (also known as 'October Sky'), Homer Hickam recalls growing up in a coal-mining town with dreams of building rockets despite the limitations and expectations of the world around him.

Pursuing his interest in rockets led Hickam to NASA, showcasing to readers that education and determination can lead to unique opportunities, even in the most unexpected circumstances. This memoir seeks to inspire readers through the journey of pursuing dreams and show how education has the ability to change lives. 

Similarities between the books:

• Personal growth that comes from education

• Pursuing ambitions 

• Challenging social and familial limitations

17. 'The Distance Between Us' by Reyna Grande

Reyna Grande's memoir tells the story of her childhood in Mexico and her separation from her parents after they migrated to the United States, as well as her own eventual journey to join them. Grande's memoir recounts a story of poverty, familial separation, and the power to keep going into the unknown.

This story is a strong narrative about the hardships of immigrant families and the pledge to overcome whatever obstacles are in their way. Grande's story is a vital narrative of hope for a better life, where education plays a central role in that hope.

Similarities between the books:

• Success in the face of adversity

• Use education as a vehicle for success 

• Personal growth and educational successes

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