Homeless man nicknamed 'Pavement Bookworm' gets book deal

zainab quadri

October 2, 2015 1:10 PM

The "Pavement Bookworm" who attracted attention near and far because he offers book reviews for money now has a book published about him.

The "Pavement Bookworm" has attracted attention near and far because of his unconventional methods of making money while homeless.

Exactly one month ago, we covered a story of a homeless man who turned his life around by selling books and giving book reviews to passing motorists and pedestrians.

Philani Dladla has attracted attention near and far because of his unconventional methods of making money while homeless.

Instead of stealing or participating in gang related violence, Dladla reviews books and discusses authors with passers-by to earn an income, according to SA People News.

Dladla effort has finally paid off as he has his very own book to share, a memoir titled “The Pavement Bookworm,” after one of his nicknames.

The story follows the 24-year-old South African’s slide into drug abuse and homelessness and chronicles how his love of reading got him to turn it all around. Instead of begging from the drivers stuck in traffic, he started selling books and giving quick reviews of his favorites. Even though he was still homeless himself at the time, Dladla used the money to care for other homeless people, buying them soup and bread each day.

He currently spends his days running his Pavement Bookworm reading foundation, which has been recognized by South Africa’s president for putting books into the hands of children. He even presented a talk at a TedX conference.

South African publisher Jacana Media will release the memoir later in October.

Watch his Tedx talk below.

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