Unread: A Memoir of Learning (and Loving) to Read on TikTok

James, a personal trainer and literacy activist, shares his unique path to learning how to read in this inspiring debut. Raised by a single mother in the poorest neighborhood of Bethlehem, Pa., in the 1990s, James struggled as a child to get the attention he needed. His OCD and ADHD made school a challenge, meaning he merely memorized some words as symbols, never functionally learning to read. At 19, he was arrested for trafficking guns—which he did not realize, due to his illiteracy, was illegal—and served time in prison. He continued to struggle with illiteracy after his release, eventually becoming “so sick and tired of hiding” it that, at 32, he shared his story on TikTok. He received responses from thousands of strangers, who pointed him toward videos and other resources to help him get started. Here, he recounts following the advice of his digital community and shares the titles that made an impression on him, including The Diary of Anne Frank and The Giving Tree, from the 100 he read in 2023. Straightforward, moving, and bursting with gratitude, this is a testament to the power of perseverance. (Feb.)