Spellbound: My Life as a Dyslexic Wordsmith [Hardcover]

National Bestseller

An Amazon Best of Biography/Memoir

Comedian and severe dyslexic Phil Hanley reveals his unlikelypath to success in a storythat is equal parts hilariousand heartbreaking.

When Phil Hanley was in first grade, he realized something that would forever set him apart from his peers: he couldnt read. His teachers were ill-equipped to assist him, and he slipped through the schools cracks, year by year falling further and further behind his friends. Finally, he was diagnosed with dyslexia, a learning disability that would shape the rest of his life.

Unable to pursue college or a traditional job, Phil was thrust into a life defined by unconventional twists, including a stint as a runway model in Europe. Eventually, he found himself on a stage with a microphone, a spotlight, and five minutes of jokes. Unlike so many previous pursuits, stand-up felt right to Phil, and he soon discovered that the more he worked at it, the more he got out of ita realization that, he compellingly argues, saved his life.Spellboundis a story of humor and also of struggle and heartbreak, of constantly living in a world that sees things differently than you do, and of triumph over adversity.

Phil shows us that dyslexia can be a huge challenge, but it doesnt spell certain condemnation (and neither can he). Just the opposite: dyslexia has been more than a blessing in his lifeits been his North Star.

Phil Hanleyis a proud dyslexic and an internationally touring comedian who has made countless TV appearances, including onThe Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon. He has recorded two comedy specials,The Half Hourfor Comedy Central andOoh La La, which can be found on his extremely popular YouTube channel. A passionate advocate for neurodiversity inclusion, Phil sits on the board of Eye to Eye, one of Americas biggest nonprofits for neurodiverse students, and prlc"