He is not a best-selling author, nor has he reviewed any literary work, but he has become a “BookTok” influencer with a large social media following. Oliver James struggled to make sense of a series of words in the book. However, he underwent a big turnaround when he made an open confession on TikTok in October 2022 about his difficulties with reading.
He posted on TikTok “What’s up? I can’t read.” This single post is responsible for his overnight success.
After spent time in prison for guns selling in his early twenties, James had an unexpected viral breakout on TikTok by posting videos of himself reading in his van.
His following has risen to almost 273,000, and he has expressed surprise at the growth. He began the reading project for personal progress, but he soon discovered joy in assisting others, particularly children and adults with similar reading issues.
According to the Los Angeles Times, James, who was up in poverty in Bethlehem, Pa., detailed a difficult elementary school experience centered on survival due to his single mother’s financial troubles.
He was placed in a segregated special-education classroom, where he spent his days avoiding teachers, due to his ADHD and learning problems. Despite having graduated from high school, he lacked fundamental reading abilities, and he voiced a sense of abandonment, claiming that no one cared about his literacy issues.
After being released from prison in 2014, James began working as a fitness teacher in California with his girlfriend, Anne Halkias. He finally revealed the information to Halkias in October 2022, despite his inability to read. James began documenting his road to literacy on social media thanks to her support, having previously kept this area of his life concealed from everyone.
Despite reading at the third-grade level, James is on a mission to read 100 books this year, devoting almost five hours each day to reading. He admits that his 10-year-old reads better, but he is pleased to have completed his 81st book. James, who had never contemplated acquiring a book for the majority of his life, now has two bookcases that house roughly 300 books.
Despite the past year’s turmoil, James sees his adventure as just beginning.
He said he finds enormous value in messages from those who started reading because of him, finding those times valuable and expressing happiness without needing anything else.