A book by Oliver James, who used his popular TikTok account to talk about his journey learning to read in his 30s, is coming in 2026.
Union Square & Co. will publish James’ Unread: A Memoir of Learning (and Loving) To Read on TikTok next winter, the publisher said in a news release. It calls the book “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.”
James, a personal trainer in Costa Mesa, California, struggled with learning disabilities as a child and graduated from high school despite being functionally illiterate. At 32, he decided he would learn how to read, giving himself an ambitious challenge and chronicling his journey on TikTok, where he currently has 349.9K followers.
In a TikTok video posted on December 31, 2023, he updated followers on his goal. “In the beginning of the year, I set off to read 100 books. And finally, thanks to all of you, we accomplished our goal,” he said, holding up a copy of Louis Sachar’s novel Holes.
“[Oliver’s] story is deeply moving and shows how nearly every facet of life—from buying groceries to reading traffic signs and filling out forms—relies on knowing how to read, something most of us take for granted,” Union Square says. “Despite the many roadblocks that have been in his way, Oliver has committed himself to bettering his life through books and his memoir is a reminder to all of us that words and stories have the power to change our lives.”
Unread is slated for publication on February 24, 2026.
Michael Schaub is a contributing writer.
