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Unread: A Memoir of Learning (and Loving) to Read on TikTok
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Expected 24 Feb 26Win a free print copy of this book!
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As a result of childhood learning disabilities and educational neglect, Oliver James graduated from high school and became one of over eight million functionally illiterate Americans. However, at age 34, with big dreams and few tools to actualize them, he dedicated himself to learning the key skill that had evaded him his entire reading.
Oliver become a TikTok/BookTok sensation for the way he’s candidly documented his decision to learn to read as an adult, and his struggles and triumphs along the way. Here, he tells the full story behind his journey for the first time through the 21 key books that shaped and informed his experience. His story reveals the ways in which reading can teach each of us how to be better, more empathetic people. In just 365 days, Oliver went from barely being able to read a restaurant menu to closing in on his goal of finishing 100 books in a year. This Book Saved My Life is a moving reminder to all of us that words and stories have power, and that, no matter our past, it's never too late to grow.
Oliver become a TikTok/BookTok sensation for the way he’s candidly documented his decision to learn to read as an adult, and his struggles and triumphs along the way. Here, he tells the full story behind his journey for the first time through the 21 key books that shaped and informed his experience. His story reveals the ways in which reading can teach each of us how to be better, more empathetic people. In just 365 days, Oliver went from barely being able to read a restaurant menu to closing in on his goal of finishing 100 books in a year. This Book Saved My Life is a moving reminder to all of us that words and stories have power, and that, no matter our past, it's never too late to grow.
256 pages, Hardcover
Expected publication February 26, 2026
12345 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
February 6, 2026
Unread is a clear and deeply human reminder of what happens when the school system fails to notice, name, and support a child’s learning needs. Oliver James shares how he moved through school with OCD, anxiety, ADHD, and dyslexia.
This book shares his journey learning to survive by memorizing, blending in, and being passed along grade by grade without anyone ever identifying that he couldn’t read.
As a bibliotherapist, what stands out most to me is not just that James learned to read in his thirties but how he did it. He found ways in through audiobooks, voice-to-text, and social media accountability. These became tools that honored his brain instead of forcing it to conform. Reading became relational, supported, and affirming rather than shaming. With the help of a reading specialist, he began to understand words not as confusing symbols but as usable tools for meaning-making.
Unread is not a story about personal failure.
It’s about systemic neglect and late repair. It asks us to reckon with how many children are overlooked in classrooms and how literacy is often treated as a moral measure instead of an access issue. James’s journey reminds us that learning does not expire and that when people are finally given support, encouragement, and community (like fans in the bleachers) they can grow in powerful ways, at any age.
This book shares his journey learning to survive by memorizing, blending in, and being passed along grade by grade without anyone ever identifying that he couldn’t read.
As a bibliotherapist, what stands out most to me is not just that James learned to read in his thirties but how he did it. He found ways in through audiobooks, voice-to-text, and social media accountability. These became tools that honored his brain instead of forcing it to conform. Reading became relational, supported, and affirming rather than shaming. With the help of a reading specialist, he began to understand words not as confusing symbols but as usable tools for meaning-making.
Unread is not a story about personal failure.
It’s about systemic neglect and late repair. It asks us to reckon with how many children are overlooked in classrooms and how literacy is often treated as a moral measure instead of an access issue. James’s journey reminds us that learning does not expire and that when people are finally given support, encouragement, and community (like fans in the bleachers) they can grow in powerful ways, at any age.
December 18, 2025
Unread is a living testament to putting your mind to hard tasks to get the job done. Oliver James provides an eloquent and well-structured narrative to discuss the ways he has overcome hardships and continues to prevail. It is insightful how he has progressed from the being illiterate to finally taking the plunge to change his life. The true core of the story is showing how we can always preserve when we try. The effort that accompanies you will always lead to prevailing outcomes. This a memoir that deserves to be a recognized bestseller for the sheer acknowledgement of how well written it is from someone who taught themselves how to read and how to learn. This narrative will break you down, you will laugh and cry with him, and you will think about some hard factors that have cultivated your life choices.
Learning continues to challenge us in our adult lives. Unpacking trauma is one of the core themes in Unread. Trauma harms us all, and it is how we choose to unpack that to reach success that tells our heart. Oliver James is being vulnerable with the audience and stripping his soul for everyone to each. There is a true heart to the structure of a narrative that is rich with diction but does not lose the goal of the story. Oliver becomes a teacher through his narrative. A narrative that is designed to be accessible to everyone while enjoying the joy that comes from crafting a narrative that is relatable, digestible, and fluid in elaborate diction. This is THE memoir of 2026. Embrace your inner child and your inner healing and exploring those dynamics in depth with this beauty of a narrative.
Oliver is accountable and does this through his writing and showing how he has learned through his newfound accountability. Reading will change your life is his motto. He even states, "reading more than looking at words on a page" and the power in that sentence is that you need to read between the lines. There is an art to the words on the page, and that construction is what makes you think and reflect. The reflections are the testament to not just great writing - but intelligent writing that makes you question the reasons for your choices, how we can learn from each other's stories' to grow, and how we choose to expand our horizon of knowledge. Thank you Oliver James, Netgalley and Union Square and Co, for this advanced digital copy. All opinions are my own.
Read more reviews, recommendations, and tarot reads on my blog,
Https://brujerialibrary.wordpress.com/
Learning continues to challenge us in our adult lives. Unpacking trauma is one of the core themes in Unread. Trauma harms us all, and it is how we choose to unpack that to reach success that tells our heart. Oliver James is being vulnerable with the audience and stripping his soul for everyone to each. There is a true heart to the structure of a narrative that is rich with diction but does not lose the goal of the story. Oliver becomes a teacher through his narrative. A narrative that is designed to be accessible to everyone while enjoying the joy that comes from crafting a narrative that is relatable, digestible, and fluid in elaborate diction. This is THE memoir of 2026. Embrace your inner child and your inner healing and exploring those dynamics in depth with this beauty of a narrative.
Oliver is accountable and does this through his writing and showing how he has learned through his newfound accountability. Reading will change your life is his motto. He even states, "reading more than looking at words on a page" and the power in that sentence is that you need to read between the lines. There is an art to the words on the page, and that construction is what makes you think and reflect. The reflections are the testament to not just great writing - but intelligent writing that makes you question the reasons for your choices, how we can learn from each other's stories' to grow, and how we choose to expand our horizon of knowledge. Thank you Oliver James, Netgalley and Union Square and Co, for this advanced digital copy. All opinions are my own.
Read more reviews, recommendations, and tarot reads on my blog,
Https://brujerialibrary.wordpress.com/
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
I love BookTok. I wind up No True Scotsmaning anyone talking about TikTok. Well, maybe it is awful for you, but mine is quite lovely, with lovely people talking about their passion to one another. Never completely free of The Drama or The Discourse but people who have a serious intent to cozy.
If you are reading this, you are someone who reads book reviews. And if you are someone engaged enough to look up book reviews, you are someone who likes books. And if you like books, you fall into the category of people who love books. And if you love books, you will love this book.
There is a certain amount of what it says on the tin here. The author starts as functionally illiterate and by the end is a bookish influencer writing a book. The story is well told in part due to how detailed and gory the author makes illiterate life in a literate society to be like, and the sorts of hedges and behaviors he would engage in to get around his problem. It is a redemption story with the people who were important to get him out of his misery given center focus.
The criticisms are mostly the cynicism creeping in. There seems to have been a shift from fitness to reading in the author's life, so the 'attractive man finds a following on-line' has a bit of the dog bites man. At points the text feels more like an advertisement for his motivational speaking. The final chapter buries the lede with the force of a meteoric strike, to the point that I feel like it may have been the true motivation behind writing the book as a sort of apology in both senses of the word.
But at the face value of it being a book that speaks for those who are not a part of this space for mostly structural reasons, but who want to be in and would add much more to it, the book works.
My thanks to the author, Oliver James, for writing the book (and learning how to read late in life, total **** yes), and to the publisher, Union Square & Co., for making the ARC available to me.
If you are reading this, you are someone who reads book reviews. And if you are someone engaged enough to look up book reviews, you are someone who likes books. And if you like books, you fall into the category of people who love books. And if you love books, you will love this book.
There is a certain amount of what it says on the tin here. The author starts as functionally illiterate and by the end is a bookish influencer writing a book. The story is well told in part due to how detailed and gory the author makes illiterate life in a literate society to be like, and the sorts of hedges and behaviors he would engage in to get around his problem. It is a redemption story with the people who were important to get him out of his misery given center focus.
The criticisms are mostly the cynicism creeping in. There seems to have been a shift from fitness to reading in the author's life, so the 'attractive man finds a following on-line' has a bit of the dog bites man. At points the text feels more like an advertisement for his motivational speaking. The final chapter buries the lede with the force of a meteoric strike, to the point that I feel like it may have been the true motivation behind writing the book as a sort of apology in both senses of the word.
But at the face value of it being a book that speaks for those who are not a part of this space for mostly structural reasons, but who want to be in and would add much more to it, the book works.
My thanks to the author, Oliver James, for writing the book (and learning how to read late in life, total **** yes), and to the publisher, Union Square & Co., for making the ARC available to me.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
There's a TikTok ad that always plays during NBA games that really leans into the app as an educational tool—with kids talking about learning new skills and teachers sharing that they've gained a global classroom. I've previously rolled my eyes at it; it felt disingenuous for TikTok to promote itself as a tool for brain development, when most users would openly admit that they turn to it for company while "bedrotting."
Still, Oliver James' book (and genuine life experience) is a compelling case for TikTok as a tool for learning and connection. I was really excited about this book when I first heard about it, and so enjoyed getting to peek into James' experience gaining literacy at an older age. I think this is such an interesting and under-explored topic, largely because—as James mentions—people who can't read often fall through the cracks and are left behind.
In general, this story was incredibly readable and inspiring, and I so respect James for sharing his story. I don't know, however, if a book would have been my favorite way to hear this story. I love the full-circle-ness of James getting to write a memoir, but I think I would have enjoyed this book more had I been more familiar with James (perhaps through his TikTok content) prior to picking up his memoir. The book seems to assume (not necessarily wrongly) that readers will already be somewhat familiar with James' journey, which I was not. I also found some of the chapters to stay a bit surface level, leading to the second half of the book feeling a bit repetitive of the first. James mentions frequently that he would like to be a motivational speaker, and I think that each individual chapter, which shares life reflections through the lens of a book James has now read, would make for incredible keynote presentations. Reading them all back to back to back didn't feel like the best way to take in this message.
Still, Oliver James' book (and genuine life experience) is a compelling case for TikTok as a tool for learning and connection. I was really excited about this book when I first heard about it, and so enjoyed getting to peek into James' experience gaining literacy at an older age. I think this is such an interesting and under-explored topic, largely because—as James mentions—people who can't read often fall through the cracks and are left behind.
In general, this story was incredibly readable and inspiring, and I so respect James for sharing his story. I don't know, however, if a book would have been my favorite way to hear this story. I love the full-circle-ness of James getting to write a memoir, but I think I would have enjoyed this book more had I been more familiar with James (perhaps through his TikTok content) prior to picking up his memoir. The book seems to assume (not necessarily wrongly) that readers will already be somewhat familiar with James' journey, which I was not. I also found some of the chapters to stay a bit surface level, leading to the second half of the book feeling a bit repetitive of the first. James mentions frequently that he would like to be a motivational speaker, and I think that each individual chapter, which shares life reflections through the lens of a book James has now read, would make for incredible keynote presentations. Reading them all back to back to back didn't feel like the best way to take in this message.
February 4, 2026
The US has over eight million (!!) functionally illiterate adults, and Oliver James is one of them. At the start of the book, he describes how difficult and scary it was for him to admit to friends - let alone millions of strangers on TikTok - that he couldn’t read. But once he did it and got the support he needed to start truly learning how to read, he felt his life open up.
In each chapter, James features books he read and loved for how they helped him feel seen for being different (like Holes or The Outsiders), work through his traumas (like The Four Agreements), heal his inner child (like The Lightning Thief), and many more. He discusses his childhood, his relationship with his father and his own son, his time in prison, and his journey with OCD, ADHD, and PTSD.
All in all, this book reads much more like a self help book than a true narrative memoir of his journey of learning how to read. And rightly so, as James overcame many seemingly insurmountable obstacles to get to where he is today. He focuses on the mindset shift, trauma healing, and personal growth work that it took him to get there rather than the concrete steps of learning how to read (although they’re probably inextricably linked), and it all supports his case for wanting to be a motivational speaker. I hope his story gets through to people just like him and other young men who have faced similar obstacles - it’s a truly inspirational journey.
January 29, 2026
How cool to write a book (where the target audience is at least interested in and capable of reading non fiction for enjoyment) sharing the excitement, pride, and trials of learning how to read in his 30s !!! There is an earnestness about that, which I adored.
Each chapter moves his story along while being tied to a book he has read that impacted him.
James discusses how he somehow fell through the cracks of the school system, the survivalist mentality needed to grow up in the projects, time in prison, and his struggles with ADHD + OCD.
The ramifications of growing up illiterate were even deeper than I would have imagined. I applaud his vulnerability.
I do not know him from TikTok, have never seen his videos. But I don’t think that’s necessary to enjoy his story. It is heart warming to hear about the community he’s built, though. I love “BookTok” and it’s great to hear so many strangers have come together to help his reading journey.
Fascinating and inspiring read. I especially recommend this to any teachers/educators/counselors.
4.5 Stars, rounded up to 5 for GoodReads. Thank you NetGalley and Union Square & Co for this eARC. All opinions are my own.
This book will be published 2/24/2026
Each chapter moves his story along while being tied to a book he has read that impacted him.
James discusses how he somehow fell through the cracks of the school system, the survivalist mentality needed to grow up in the projects, time in prison, and his struggles with ADHD + OCD.
The ramifications of growing up illiterate were even deeper than I would have imagined. I applaud his vulnerability.
I do not know him from TikTok, have never seen his videos. But I don’t think that’s necessary to enjoy his story. It is heart warming to hear about the community he’s built, though. I love “BookTok” and it’s great to hear so many strangers have come together to help his reading journey.
Fascinating and inspiring read. I especially recommend this to any teachers/educators/counselors.
4.5 Stars, rounded up to 5 for GoodReads. Thank you NetGalley and Union Square & Co for this eARC. All opinions are my own.
This book will be published 2/24/2026
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Oliver James' story is really incredible. As an educator, I feel really proud of how he has shown the world his progress in learning how to read as an adult in order to normalize taking your learning into your own hands. His message of putting yourself outside your comfort zone, using the resources around you, and that it's never too late to change are commendable. I can see it being very motivational for people in a variety of ways, not just reading. It's also incredibly important insight into just how much reading ability can affect every part of your life and survival as a human. I don't know that I ever thought of all the little things that I read passively (directions, signs, recipes, texts, etc). I'm really glad Oliver is sharing his story. It highlights the lack of critical thinking that comes with being under educated as well. By the end of the book, it was quite repetitive. It felt like a lot of what he said could be condensed into a more succinct message. Definitely glad I read it, but think it could benefit from some editing before publication. 3.5 stars
Thank you to NetGalley for this advanced copy!
Thank you to NetGalley for this advanced copy!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Percy Jackson would be so proud of Oliver James.
୨ৎ 3.5 stars
I never realized how a lack of literacy can severely limit your worldview. Everything you learn must be from word of mouth from the immediate circle of people you surround yourself with, when you don't have the capacity to even google things and read the results. TikTok as a platform gets a bad reputation, but this memoir proved the role the app plays as an educational tool. So many educators came together to follow the author's journey in learning how to read and provided the author with much-needed reading tips. I'm so proud of how BookTok came together to provide book recommendations, especially the Percy Jackson series, which features a main character who shares the same lived experiences with dyslexia and ADHD. The author himself reads the prologue, and you can tell how powerful that moment was for him to read his own words aloud, despite the evident struggle. I would have loved if he described the process and dove into the nitty gritty of how he approached learning to read rather than preaching motivational content. I think the memoir was quite repetitive and could have benefited from some further editing with a lower page count.
୨ৎ 3.5 stars
I never realized how a lack of literacy can severely limit your worldview. Everything you learn must be from word of mouth from the immediate circle of people you surround yourself with, when you don't have the capacity to even google things and read the results. TikTok as a platform gets a bad reputation, but this memoir proved the role the app plays as an educational tool. So many educators came together to follow the author's journey in learning how to read and provided the author with much-needed reading tips. I'm so proud of how BookTok came together to provide book recommendations, especially the Percy Jackson series, which features a main character who shares the same lived experiences with dyslexia and ADHD. The author himself reads the prologue, and you can tell how powerful that moment was for him to read his own words aloud, despite the evident struggle. I would have loved if he described the process and dove into the nitty gritty of how he approached learning to read rather than preaching motivational content. I think the memoir was quite repetitive and could have benefited from some further editing with a lower page count.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
I received an advance audiobook of Unread by James Oliver from netgalley.
Thank you to Hachette Audio and netgalley for giving me the opportunity to listen to Unread before the publication date!
I follow James Oliver ( oliverspeaks1 ) on Instagram. I've enjoyed following along on his reading journey, and when I saw that I could request an advance audiobook of his book, I jumped on it.
James Oliver tells of his history and upbringing. His struggles. His successes. And how he keeps pushing on. He's very brave to open up and share all of this with the world. All while helping other people see that they aren't alone.
He is the narrator, and it was a joy to listen to him tell his story.
Definitely recommend!
Thank you to Hachette Audio and netgalley for giving me the opportunity to listen to Unread before the publication date!
I follow James Oliver ( oliverspeaks1 ) on Instagram. I've enjoyed following along on his reading journey, and when I saw that I could request an advance audiobook of his book, I jumped on it.
James Oliver tells of his history and upbringing. His struggles. His successes. And how he keeps pushing on. He's very brave to open up and share all of this with the world. All while helping other people see that they aren't alone.
He is the narrator, and it was a joy to listen to him tell his story.
Definitely recommend!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
I don’t love to review memoirs given how personal they are, but I do want to highlight how much I truly enjoyed Unread by Oliver James. His story changed how I think about literacy, and I think any “reader” should pick this up - both to remember why they love books and to remember what a gift it is to be able to experience them. I want to reread the books James shares that I’ve loved (Holes! The Outsiders! Charlotte’s Web!) with the new found perspective this book gave me, and I want to rethink the way I think about asking for help. This one is important, don’t sleep on it, and remember- never give up.
Thank you to NetGalley, the author and the publisher for this ALC, out 2/24.
Thank you to NetGalley, the author and the publisher for this ALC, out 2/24.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
Sharing your secret shame with the world must take unimaginable courage, but that's just what Oliver James did when he went live on his TikTok account & revealed that he couldn't read. In this engagingly honest memoir, Oliver shares his journey to become literate, recounts past events that led to his situation and talks about the books that provided the messages and inspiration he needed to guide him on his path to improvement.
Thanks to Union Square & Company/Hachette for providing this ARC.
Thanks to Union Square & Company/Hachette for providing this ARC.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
As a teacher, I was really interested in reading this book. I really appreciate learning the perspective of other people and learning from their experiences, especially ones that I have not had. There were some parts of this book that I found repetitive, but I didn't mind and think it's amazing that somebody who has just recently learned to read has written this and shared all of their vulnerabilities. Some of the ways that illiteracy affected them are things that I had never thought about before. I've already recommended this book to one of my reading teacher friends.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
I’ve followed Oliver James’ story on Tik Tok for some time, so I was primed to enjoy this memoir. However, what I didn’t anticipate was how vulnerable and honest his description of his mental illness would be. He perfectly answers the question of “How does someone graduate from school while being entirely illiterate?” with honestly, vulnerability, and valuable context.
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews