Unread

“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.”

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.”  

“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.”

“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.”

Honest and thought-provoking, Unread is an inspiring, hopeful memoir of growth and change.

"A thoughtful and inspiring story about vulnerability and courage. Poignant proof that reading helps to change lives."