Unread

“Unread feels like both story and concordance, a good read and a great resource for others who are on their way up the mountain of literacy. But mostly, this book is a testament to human will. It’s a reminder that in order to enunciate resilience, one must learn the phonetics of desire, survival, and freedom. Oliver James is a marvel.”–Jason Reynolds, New York Times bestselling author of the Track series
Unread is more than a bildungsroman in an era of clicks; like Tara Westover’s bestselling 2018 memoir, Educated, it’s a testament to the power of knowledge to transform a life… Amid an educational crisis in which many children struggle with reading, Unread hints at a hopeful possibility. Even the TikTok generation can experience the flowering that Mr. James has.” –WSJ

“A thoughtful and inspiring story about vulnerability and courage. Poignant proof that reading helps to change lives.”–Kirkus
Honest and thought-provoking, Unread is an inspiring, hopeful memoir of growth and change.–Booklist
“An inspiring and deeply human story about resilience, courage, and the transformative power of literacy… . Oliver’s honest and public journey, shared with millions online, has shone a much-needed light on America’s literacy crisis… . He not only tells his personal story but reminds us that it’s never too late to learn, to dream, and to rewrite your own story.”–Andrew Roberts, President, Barbara Bush Foundation for Family Literacy
“Oliver James is a big dreamer whose life was transformed through books–and he made the brave, bold choice to dive headfirst into wherever this would take him… . He’s the living, breathing, thriving example of what reading can do for a person. Though Oliver found the light at the end of the tunnel, there are quite likely millions of children who are headed down the dark road he went through–but if their parents, educators, and leaders would read this memoir … there is still a chance to turn it all around for them, too. This raw, unfiltered deep-dive into the mind’s eye of a man who has been through it all should be a must-read for educators of our at-risk youth.”–I. C. Robledo, author of 365 Quotes to Live Your Life By
“Unread isn’t just inspiration–it’s motivation for each of us to become the hero of our own story. This book is a testament both to the power of reading and to the strength within all of us to overcome our greatest obstacles. Oliver James is a role model for us all.”–Kelley Coleman, author of Everything No One Tells You About Parenting a Disabled Child

Oliver James is a California-based personal trainer, motivational speaker, literacy activist, and influencer. He has been featured in or on Today, NPR, Jennifer Hudson Show, Los Angeles Times, Newsweek, Rachael Ray, and ABC News, among many others. He is also the recent recipient of the 2023 Barbara Bush National Literacy Award. He lives in Costa Mesa, California.

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