Book Review of
Unread
Unread by Oliver James is a memoir of learning to read.
Oliver’s struggled with learning disabilities and educational neglect during his childhood. When Oliver James graduated from high school, he became one of approximately 45 million functionally illiterate Americans. At 32 years of age, though, he had big dreams, and he dedicated himself to learning to read.
Oliver has become a TikTok/BookTok sensation after documenting his decision to learn to read as an adult and his struggles and triumphs along the way.
In just 365 days, Oliver went from barely being able to read to closing in on finishing 100 books in a year.
Lynn's Review
Unread by Oliver James is a memoir of learning and loving to read on TikTok. I am not on TikTok, so I had no idea who Oliver James was, but when I saw this book at Beach Books in Seaside, Oregon, I knew I wanted to read it.
Before I share my review, can I just say that this book is the exact reason that I love to visit bookstores. Online shopping is great, but I find so many great books when I shop in person.
Every bookstore is unique. With different books because they all have different customer bases. I had not seen this book until I saw it at Beach Books. I have not heard anyone on social media talking about this book, and I have not seen it at any other bookstore. Books like this are the exact reason that I will keep visiting independent bookstores.
This book was a fascinating memoir about Oliver James’ journey to learning how to read.
Oliver grew up in Pennsylvania. He was the son of a single mom. He struggled with learning disabilities, and although he never learned to read, he never failed a grade in school. He didn’t learn science, math, or reading; instead, he learned to get by in the system.
At the age of thirty two he decided that it was time to learn the skill that he had always struggled with. He was determined to learn to read.
I enjoyed this memoir because it took me into a world that is hard to imagine. So much of our lives involve reading. Texting, directions, filling out forms at doctor’s appointments, grocery shopping, and many other things involve reading.
Oliver shares his story of struggling with everything in life because he didn’t know how to read.
But he also shares the joy of learning to read. I loved this quote from chapter 10.
“Reading is a drug. It’s mind-altering, escapist, and fun. It stimulates the brain therapeutically and hits you with emotional highs and lows.”
And this quote, also from chapter 10.
“But what is reading? Everything’s in there-everythingis in reading, without exception. New points of view, worlds, lives, ideas, approaches, everything. Reading gives you the opportunity to be anything long enough to believe it. Then it gives you the tools to make it happen.”
Once Oliver learns to read, you can really feel his enthusiasm for reading
Oliver James is very different from me. His life has been very different than mine. He has different views on religion and many other things from mine, but his story is one that will stay with me for a long time.
Reading is so important to everyday life. And this book reminded me why reading is so important. It is an important life skill, and it is also important because it expands our lives. Reading challenges us and takes us places we would never go without the pages of books.
About Oliver James
Oliver James is a motivational speaker and influencer who lives in California.