Zachary Kai
Too far gone or too late to start a new skill? This book shows, in a beautifully vulnerable, earnest, and heartfelt fashion, that’s never the case.
For thirty-two years of his life, the author was functionally illiterate. Until he changed that, taking him from being unable to read a restaurant menu to reading a hundred books in a year. And he found a wonderful community of folks on TikTok who journeyed with him.
I’ll admit ignorance here: I thought, foolishly, illiteracy only affected people in countries with fewer resources. Everyone born in a place like the United States ‘should’ know how to read! It’s such a necessary skill, like basic maths, or telling the time. And yes, there are systems in place to teach folks, but what happens when you slip through the cracks?
He structures his work around ones that’ve stayed with him: sharing how each book taught him something new about himself and being human. He doesn’t shy away from his difficult feelings or struggles. Because even though second chances are possible, it doesn’t mean they’re easy.
Reading this book taught me three powerful lessons: modern life is near impossible without literacy, there’s always hope, and I’ll never take reading for granted again.
I received an early copy courtesy of the publishers via Netgalley. All opinions are mine alone.
Too far gone or too late to start a new skill? This book shows, in a beautifully vulnerable, earnest, and heartfelt fashion, that’s never the case.
For thirty-two years of his life, the author was functionally illiterate. Until he changed that, taking him from being unable to read a restaurant menu to reading a hundred books in a year. And he found a wonderful community of folks on TikTok who journeyed with him.
I’ll admit ignorance here: I thought, foolishly, illiteracy only affected people in countries with fewer resources. Everyone born in a place like the United States ‘should’ know how to read! It’s such a necessary skill, like basic maths, or telling the time. And yes, there are systems in place to teach folks, but what happens when you slip through the cracks?
He structures his work around ones that’ve stayed with him: sharing how each book taught him something new about himself and being human. He doesn’t shy away from his difficult feelings or struggles. Because even though second chances are possible, it doesn’t mean they’re easy.
Reading this book taught me three powerful lessons: modern life is near impossible without literacy, there’s always hope, and I’ll never take reading for granted again.
I received an early copy courtesy of the publishers via Netgalley. All opinions are mine alone.