The best books for those of us in the neurodiverse universe

Have you seen Nanette? If not, go watch it right now. I’ll wait.

Okay. Now that you’ve seen Gadsby’s Netflix special, you either get it or you don’t (and you either love Gadsby or you don’t). Gadsby, who grew up queer in a small, intolerant community, and who was later diagnosed with ADHD and ASD, recounts some of her formative experiences in order to construct a portrait of an artist in the 21st century.

Ten Steps to Nanette is at turns painful, hilarious, depressing, and inspiring. And: there are footnotes! (I used footnotes too in one of my novels and I do believe the footnote is a good and loyal friend to the writer with ADHD). 

In the young adult novel, Exactly Where You Need to Be, best friends Florie and Kacey sneak off on a road trip in order to indulge their shared obsession with a true crime podcast.

Because of her O.C.D., Florie has often restricted her activities—she’s been homeschooled, doesn’t plan to go to college upon high school graduation, and has most of her life tightly controlled by her mother—and this road trip is an opportunity for her to challenge herself, as well as to test her strength and capabilities. 

I personally love this book because it is doing things I’d like to see more of in fiction: depicting a condition like O.C.D. as an important aspect of a person’s life, without either romanticizing it or making the character some sort of victim. And what’s more: Coombs’s novel showcases what supportive, accepting friendships and relationships can look like.

In All Systems Red, the protagonist (aka Murderbot or SecUnit), is a “construct,” a combination of both organic and robotic parts, like a cyborg.

It (it goes by “it”), and while it doesn’t self-identify as neurodiverse, so many of its traits and eccentricities—it rewatches favorite media sort of obsessively, struggles with eye contact and social anxiety, and often feels misunderstood—will resonate with neurodiverse folks and the people that love us.

SecUnit complains about humans a lot, but clearly cares deeply for others, and Wells’ characterization brings into focus the ways in which a person might present doesn’t always accurately reflect what’s going on inside. 

All Systems Red is the first book in the Murderbot Diaries series and they’re all awesome. If you haven’t picked them up yet: you’re welcome.

Anne Shirley is another character who doesn’t have an official diagnosis, but I think it is no accident that this character has long resonated with creative, daydreaming, quirky girls (and boys) everywhere.

I’m not alone in claiming Anne for the ADHD-community, and in celebrating her ADHD-related strengths: she can get lost in her own fantasy world, she has a unique perspective, and she’s really good—hyperfocused even—in a pinch or a serious situation. 

It's possible I over-identify with Anne. At one point, she says, “Oh, it's delightful to have ambitions. I'm so glad I have such a lot. And there never seems to be any end to them—that's the best of it. Just as soon as you attain to one ambition you see another one glittering higher up still. It does make life so interesting.” As a parent, professor, writer, and real estate agent, I feel seen!

My friend Vanessa gave me this part memoir/part investigation of how, why, and to what end neurodiversity is often misunderstood or overlooked in women. (I wonder why? Just kidding. I know why.)

I so appreciate how Nerenberg approaches neurodiversity not as a problem, but as, at core, simply a difference. And difference, as well know, can be difficult, but it can also be rad.

This is a must-read if you kind of suspect you might be neurodiverse and want to learn more, or if you know you’re neurodiverse and are looking for a book that will make you feel less alone, as well as will offer a hopeful and empowering perspective. Thanks, Vanessa!