I Can't Read: A Guide to Success Through Failure

By: William Manzanares IV

Narrated by: William Manzanares IV

Length: 2 hrs and 14 mins

Publisher's Summary

If not being able to read was a disease, it would be an epidemic. Millions of Americans can’t read, but illiteracy often goes unacknowledged or unnoticed. If you are the parent or teacher of a child who struggles with reading, you know the painful way that illiteracy steals their confidence and robs them of the joy that comes from learning. William Manzanares IV - a member of the Puyallup Tribe in Washington state - wrote I Can’t Read to give the literacy conversation a much-needed jump-start. 

William, who grew up unable to read and later learned he had dyslexia, overcame these obstacles and transformed himself into a successful serial entrepreneur. In this inspirational story, William shares strategic superpowers that worked for him in the hopes it will improve literacy for those who can’t read. The book includes personal anecdotes to inspire kids everywhere - especially young Native Americans - to pursue their dreams.

©2019 William Manzanares IV (P)2019 William Manzanares IV

Guide to success

This short audio book is a good help and lift up your spirit to go forward.

Every teacher should read read this book

I really enjoyed Manzanares's positive outlook and encouragement to those who struggle with reading to keep pushing themselves and I absolutely agree that the grit that results from struggling with dyslexia can lead dyslexics to become powerful innovators and business people. His perspective as a Native American is particularly valuable because, as he states, those coming from disadvantaged minority communities are especially vulnerable. His description of his compensation techniques in school mirror my own exactly. I think teachers really ought to be aware that many of their students are compensating in this manner and that these students really need direct instruction in word-level decoding and intensive practice with these skills to become successful readers. Too many of these students like Manzanares scrape by with their own self taught compensation techniques. I believe that this is the biggest social justice issue of our time. I share Manzanares's goal that we turn society's literacy epidemic into a reading epidemic.

A great insight that everyone should read

I’m a big reader. So having 2 dyslexic children was difficult for me to fully understand their struggles. This insight on how the struggle can be masked was a great read. Often parents feel responsible for not knowing (though after the first kid it becomes easier to know the signs). I struggle in today’s world with school systems banning phones and restricting electronics. I don’t think they realize the advantages dyslexics have by using them. I believe they need to still try to read, but as the author said, I believe they actually DO read more when using their devices. And how he describes the way audible changes his life couldn’t be more spot on!
I did struggle with a few parts of the book in that while I think books are important, I don’t think the average person uses books the way the author does. Maybe that’s his point. The extreme way he uses books, I don’t see the Average Joe (dyslexic or not) using paper books or Audible books. Most people read for enjoyment, but not quite so much for self-help type books. And this is coming from a person who read almost 75 books (not including my audibles last year). I think it’s unrealistic to most people. Yet picking and choosing a few to help someone may be more plausible. Maybe, and hopefully, it will spark an interest.
The part I loved was the insight into how a dyslexic can function, and that they are often so much more capable in the real world BECAUSE of all the extra things they deal with just to read (which many people can do naturally). Watch out because dyslexics will take over the world when society finally realizes how to educate them properly at a young age! And, this guy may be the one to lead the revolution!

a must read/listen for those affected by dyslexia

I really enjoyed this book. It was not only what I needed to hear to support my son, but what I needed to hear for myself. The message of having grit and putting the work in without giving up; it is perfect. This is a book I will come back to as a reminder to myself of where I should be and what I should do. William Manzanares IV is truely an inspiration and positively making a difference in more lives than he will ever know!

Great Read!

This book is a must read if you or someone you know struggles with dyslexia. As a parent to a teenager that has struggled to read, this book motivated me to stop using dyslexia as an excuse as to why he struggles in school. My favorite part was when William stated that if the school environment isn't for you and you don't go to college than the only way you will learn is from hands on experience and reading books. I am motivated to help my son find his passion for reading so that he can direct his own future success.

Must Read!

This book is a must read for anyone who is dyslexic or is the parent/friend/spouse of someone who is dyslexic. William does a fantastic job of getting the message across that attitude is everything! That it is not only ok but also wise, to focus on the things you are excellent at and seek out ways to navigate the things you are struggling with. It's ok for the journey to be difficult. That is how you become stronger!! I am the parent of a dyslexic teen and after listening to this book, I came away feeling empowered to help my teen, to learn to celebrate her strengths and to encourage her to become stronger through this journey of sorting out words. You will not regret reading this book!!

A Guide to success

I was able to get some pointers and hope to follow them along the way.

Thank you!

As a parent of a dyslexic child, I’m trying to ingest all the information I can to better support my son through his lifelong journey to read, learn, write and ultimately contribute to the world! I’m grateful I found your book, it was very insightful to hear from your perspective and how you never stopped fighting to absorb all the knowledge that is available to us!
Thank you!!!

A powerful punch of a memoir

A short memoir written through the eyes of a man who’s dyslexia caused him to struggle with reading most of his life.

This is an amazingly inspiring story of triumph over disadvantage.
From being unable to read to becoming a successful serial entrepreneur, investor, and now author. It was great to learn just how far grit and self-determination can take a person.

I would definitely recommend this book to anyone who has or knows someone who struggles with reading difficulties.

This is great

It's for those that don't have a difficulty to understand what it's like to have a difficulty. I'm so thankful for this book.

Fantastic listen

William is an inspiration to all struggling dyslexics! He has tells his story of overcoming his dyslexia using a strength base method and in fact using his neurodiversity to thrive! His passion and compassion for helping other on this journey shine though!

Inspirational guide

Thank you so much. I hope I can get my children to enjoy it 😁

challenging and encourage

loved it! both encouraging and challenging. this book is for anyone who struggles with dyslexia, or who knows someone close to them who struggles. as a dyslexic myself I found the book very challenging with the way I deal with stuff and encouraging that I'm not alone in my struggles! I can't recommend enough

like listening to my own life

apart from that I'm not a successful business person and that I'm 36 and still not know what I want to do in life apart from helping people.

A must listen for everyone who struggles to understand dyslexia

It’s fabulous to listen to “I can’t read” on audible. A very heartfelt and honest account of the difficulties that dyslexic’s face everyday. The author shows an amazing tenacity to achieve and overcome his difficulties and to promote the positivity of being dyslexic.