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1Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minute2Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problems3Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesYes. Apple Books sells a real digital edition of The You You Are, the book that appears in the Apple TV+ series Severance. It is an excerpt, not the complete fictional book: the listing covers the first eight chapters and an author’s letter of apology, in a 39-page digital edition available only through Apple Books.
What the Apple Books edition actually is
The listing is credited to Dr. Ricken Lazlo Hale, PhD, the in-universe author of the book. The details below come from the US Apple Books storefront, so treat them as US catalog facts; availability and presentation can differ in other countries.
| Listing field | Apple Books (US) entry |
|---|---|
| Title | The You You Are |
| Credited author | Dr. Ricken Lazlo Hale, PhD (fictional) |
| Publisher | Apple Inc. |
| Language | English |
| Length | 39 pages |
| Release date | January 31, 2025 |
| Format | Digital only, sold on Apple Books |
| Contents | The inaugural eight chapters plus an author’s letter of apology |
The publisher copy frames the work as part of the Severance universe. The show is an Apple Original series created by Dan Erickson, and it was directed and executive produced by Ben Stiller. The listing also places Mark Scout as Ricken Hale’s brother-in-law, which gives the in-world text its family context.
Is this the full book?
No. The edition is a sampling of the fictional text, not the whole volume. Apple’s own description calls it the first eight chapters, and nothing in the listing indicates that later chapters have been released. If you were hoping for the complete book, the Apple Books edition does not provide it, and the listing does not announce any follow-up volume.
#1 Best Overall
How to get it
- On an iPhone or iPad, open the Apple Books app and tap the Search tab.
- Type The You You Are or Ricken Lazlo Hale and select the result credited to Dr. Ricken Lazlo Hale, PhD.
- Check that the listing shows 39 pages and a January 31, 2025 release date. That confirms you are looking at the eight-chapter edition.
- Buy or open the title from the listing page. The price was not established in the sources reviewed here, so check the price shown on your storefront.
- On a Mac, open the Books app and use the search field to find the same title, then confirm the same details before buying.
If the title does not appear, confirm that your Apple Account is set to a storefront that carries it. Storefront availability can change, and the US listing is the only one whose details were verified.
Is there a physical copy?
Not one that can be verified. The official evidence supports a digital edition on Apple Books and nothing more. Printed copies, collectible editions, or fan-made printings are not confirmed by Apple or by the publisher listing, so buying a physical version carries the risk of getting something unauthorized.
Rank #2
Where the book appears in the show
Apple TV Press lists an episode entry called “The You You Are,” described as: “Irving finds an intriguing book at work.” That short description ties the printed text to Irving’s storyline inside the series. Reading the Apple Books excerpt alongside the episode gives you the in-world document as the show presents it, though the excerpt does not reproduce any specific scene.
How it differs from The Lexington Letter
Apple Books also lists The Lexington Letter, a separate companion title. Readers often confuse the two, but they are distinct works.
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| Feature | The You You Are | The Lexington Letter |
|---|---|---|
| Credited author | Dr. Ricken Lazlo Hale, PhD | Not stated in the listing reviewed |
| Length | 39 pages | 43 pages |
| Release date | January 31, 2025 | March 18, 2022 |
| Content | First eight chapters plus an author’s letter of apology | Listing describes Lumon employee Margaret “Peg” Kincaid |
| Price | Not stated in the sources reviewed | Listed as free |
| Availability | Digital only, Apple Books | Digital only, exclusively on Apple Books |
In short, The Lexington Letter is a free companion work with its own content. It is not another edition of Ricken Hale’s book.
What to keep in mind
- The listing is an eight-chapter digital excerpt, so do not expect the full fictional tome.
- The edition is digital only on Apple Books; no authorized print edition is listed.
- Apple Books ratings and reviews reflect individual readers’ opinions, not an independent measure of the book’s quality.
The Bottom Line
If you want to read Ricken Lazlo Hale’s book, the legitimate option is the 39-page Apple Books excerpt released January 31, 2025, which contains the first eight chapters and an apology letter. Confirm the listing details before buying, and do not expect a physical or complete edition.
Quick Recap
Rank #4
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.




