Three Great Memoirs - Unforgettable Stories That Inspire.

Contributed by Bettina Miller, Hive Overland Park

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While my “go to” genre for reading tends to be mystery/thriller type books (the bigger the twist the better), I do also enjoy a good memoir – especially the ones where I can’t believe what the author went through.  Below are three great memoirs - unforgettable stories that inspire me:

Sound of Gravel by Ruth Wariner

Ruth was raised in a polygamist colony in Chihuahua, Mexico, and was the 39th of the 42 children of her father – a prominent leader in the sect – and fourth for her mother.  She was raised in a house with half-finished walls and no bathroom and was tasked with helping to raise many of her younger siblings. Her mother ends up carting her children back and forth to the US to collect welfare – and ends up marrying another man who is abusive and manipulative. There was a short period of time where they went to stay with their grandparents in the US in a “normal” house – thus the kids had a taste of what life could be like. Ruth eventually fled permanently to the US with her younger siblings and managed to get a GED and put herself through college while raising them. An interesting read about an unimaginable upbringing.

Educated by Tara Westover

Tara was born and raised in Idaho to survivalist parents who believed hospitals, schools and the government were evil.  Her father was paranoid, controlling and spent his time preparing for the end of the world.  Her mother was an unlicensed midwife and herbalist. Tara, never having stepped into a school until the age of 17, managed to self-study, pass the ACT and gain admission to Brigham Young University, eventually going on to study at both Harvard and Cambridge, where she earned a PhD.  The story about how she managed to survive her upbringing and forge a new life, combined with the sacrifices involved along the way, is fascinating and so inspiring.

Same Kind of Different as Me by Ron Hall and Denver Moore

This is the story of an unlikely friendship that transformed lives.  Denver grew up practically a slave picking cotton in Louisiana until he escaped to Texas where he was homeless, on the streets, for 18 years in the Dallas and Fort Worth areas.  Ron was a self-made millionaire in the art gallery world.  He and his wife endure some martial strife and at one point wind up volunteering in a homeless shelter where they meet Denver. The story is told from the perspectives of both Ron and Denver recounting events in their drastically different upbringings. It is also about the strong bond they end up forming and the profound lessons they learn about love, forgiveness and redemption.

Let us know your favorite read in the comments.