Reading

You can search and reserve any of the below books through the online catalogue.

The below books are suitable for Adults, Teenagers and Children with Autism and Asperger's Syndrome and their friends and families.

Adult Fiction

• Rubbernecker by Belinda Bauer - Life is strange for Patrick Fort - being a medical student with Asperger's Syndrome doesn't come without its challenges. And that's before he is faced with solving a possible murder.
• The Rosie project by Graeme Simsion - Meet Don Tillman. Don is getting married. He just doesn't know who to yet. But he has designed a very detailed questionnaire to help him find the perfect woman. One thing he already knows, though, is that it's not Rosie. Absolutely, completely, definitely not.
• Standard deviation Katherine Heiny - Graham wants an orderly life but is married to the impulsive, gregarious Audra, who speaks a foreign language, full of references to people he couldn't possibly know, and descriptions using colours like persimmon and xanthe. Jane is engaged to Duncan, a promiscuous locksmith. Duncan thinks he'll be a fine husband for five years. Jane likes five-year-plans (she's always felt she'd make a good communist) but is this what she wants in a marriage? Standard Deviation is a novel about relationships, families, betrayal, imperfection and ultimately acceptance. A novel brimming with sharp intelligence, laugh out loud humour, and devastating insight into the human heart. A novel you will want to give to all your friends and read over and over again.
• Speed of dark by Elizabeth Moon - Lou has been told he is different to 'normal' people. He interacts with the world in a way they do not understand. He might not see the things they see, however, but he also sees many things they do not. Lou is autistic. One of his skills is an ability to find patterns in data: extraordinary, complex, beautiful patterns that not even the most powerful computers can comprehend. The company he works for has made considerable sums of money from Lou's work. But now they want Lou to change - to become 'normal' like themselves. And he must face the greatest challenge of his life. To understand the speed of dark.
• The maid by Nita Prose - A charmingly eccentric hotel maid discovers a guest murdered in his bed. Solving the mystery will turn her once orderly world upside down in this utterly original debut. Molly Gray is not like everyone else. She struggles with social skills and misreads the intentions of others. Her gran used to interpret the world for her, codifying it into simple rules that Molly could live by. Since Gran died a few months ago, twenty-five-year-old Molly has been navigating life’s complexities all by herself. No matter-she throws herself with gusto into her work as a hotel maid. Her unique character, along with her obsessive love of cleaning and proper etiquette, make her an ideal fit for the job. She delights in donning her crisp uniform each morning, stocking her cart with miniature soaps and bottles, and returning guest rooms at the Regency Grand Hotel to a state of perfection.
• Tilly in technicolour by Mazey Eddings - Tilly Twomley is desperate for change. White-knuckling her way through high school with flawed executive functioning has left her burnt out and ready to start fresh. A summer internship and the required travel around Europe promises a much-needed change of scenery as she plans for her future. The problem is, Tilly has no idea what she wants. Oliver Clark knows exactly what he wants. His autism has often made it hard for him to form relationships with others, but his love of colour theory and design allows him to feel deeply connected to the world around him, and he's taking summer internship to build his resume before he starts design school. Everything is going as planned until he suffers through the most disastrous international flight of his life, all turmoil stemming from lively and exasperating Tilly.
• All the little birds by Viktoria Lloyd-Barlow - Sunday Forrester lives with her sixteen-year-old daughter, Dolly, in the house she grew up in. She does things more carefully than most people. On quiet days, she must eat only white foods. Her etiquette handbook guides her through confusing social situations, and to escape, she turns to her treasury of Sicilian folklore. The one thing very much out of her control is Dolly - her clever, headstrong daughter, now on the cusp of leaving home. Into this carefully ordered world step Vita and Rollo, a couple who move in next door, disarm Sunday with their charm, and proceed to deliciously break just about every rule in Sunday's book. Soon they are in and out of each others' homes, and Sunday feels loved and accepted like never before. But beneath Vita and Rollo's polish lies something else, something darker. For Sunday has precisely what Vita has always wanted for herself: a daughter of her own.

Adult Non-fiction

• Uniquely human by Barry Prizant and Thomas Fields-Meyer (616.85882) Autism spectrum disorder is among the most commonly diagnosed developmental disabilities, affecting 1% of the population. Based on 40 years of practical experience with schools, hospitals, families and academic study, Dr Barry M. Prizant's revolutionary approach is to understand autism not as a disability but as a unique way of being human. Here, with a wealth of inspiring stories and practical advice, he shows how by understanding autistic behaviours as responses based on an individual's experiences, we can enhance that individual's abilities, teach skills and build coping strategies to help them enjoy a better quality of life.
• Dirty laundry why adults with ADHD are so ashamed and what we can do to help by Richard Pink (616.8589) - Offering an unfiltered look into the chaos of real life with ADHD, this book will transform your self-hatred into self-acceptance, with simple tips that actually work for your brain. It will also help to educate partners, parents and friends, to help them move from frustration to patience, understanding - and love.
• ADHD: an A to Z figuring it out step by step by Leanne Maskell (616.8589) - This ADHD guide gives strategic advice on how to deal with issues young adults with ADHD may face, including: budgeting plans for impulsive spending, advice on rejection sensitive dysphoria, and body scans and CBT exercises, this book gives you everything you need to feel confident and supported throughout your ADHD diagnosis and beyond.
• The reason I jump by Naoki Higashida (616.85882) - Written by Naoki Higishida when he was only 13, this remarkable book explains the often baffling behaviour of autistic children and shows the way they think and feel - such as about the people around them, time and beauty, noise, and themselves. Naoki abundantly proves that autistic people do possess imagination, humour and empathy, but also makes clear, with great poignancy, how badly they need our compassion, patience and understanding.
• One autistic woman and a life of unhelpful labels by Sara Gibbs (616.85882) - During the first thirty years of her life, comedy script writer Sara Gibbs had been labelled a lot of things - a cry baby, a scaredy cat, a spoiled brat, a weirdo, a show off - but more than anything else, she'd been called a Drama Queen. No one understood her behaviour, her meltdowns or her intense emotions. She felt like everyone else knew a social secret that she hadn't been let in on; as if life was a party she hadn't been invited to. Why was everything so damn hard? Little did Sara know that, at the age of thirty, she would be given one more label that would change her life's trajectory forever. That one day, sitting next to her husband in a clinical psychologist's office, she would learn that she had never been a drama queen, or a weirdo, or a cry baby, but she had always been autistic.
• Different kinds of minds: a guide to your brain by temple Grandin (153.42) - Albert Einstein, Steve Jobs, Elon Musk and Maya Lin - what do they all have in common? They're visual thinkers. Do you like puzzles, coding and taking things apart? Do you write stories, act in plays, slay at Wordle? The things you are good at are clues to how your brain works. Are you good at maths? Working with your hands? Are you a neat freak or a big mess? Are you a visual thinker? With her knack for making science easy to understand, Temple Grandin explains the different types of thinkers - verbal thinkers who are good with language, and visual thinkers who learn through pictures and patterns. In 'Different Kinds of Minds', discover all kinds of brains and why we need to work together to create solutions for real-world problems.
• Why has nobody told me this before? by Julie Smith (616.89) - Drawing on years of experience as a clinical psychologist, online sensation Dr Julie Smith shares all the skills you need to get through life's ups and downs. Filled with secrets from a therapist's toolkit, this is a must-have handbook for optimising your mental health. Dr Julie's simple but expert advice and powerful coping techniques will help you stay resilient no matter what life throws your way. Written in short, bite-sized entries, you can turn straight to the section you need depending on the challenge you're facing - and immediately find the appropriate tools to help.
• Magnificent minds: the new whole child approach to autism by Dr Susanne Goh (618.928588) - Dr Suzanne Goh is a renowned paediatric neurologist who has spent decades working with autistic children. In this book, Goh combines her extensive experience with original research to give you a clear understanding of what autism is and how to create a holistic treatment roadmap for your child.
• Our autistic lives personal accounts from autistic adults ages 20 to 70+ by Alex Ratcliffe (616.85882) - Spanning six decades of experience, this collection of first-hand accounts from adults with Asperger's and High Functioning Autism is about ageing with an autistic mind and the advantages and challenges that different eras in life can bring. It highlights common themes, such as the difference made by a diagnosis, to unite the experiences.
• Autism in childhood for parents and carers of the newly diagnosed by Luke Beardon (618.928588) - A diagnosis - or a suspected diagnosis - of autism in a child can be overwhelming for a parent, especially if you know nothing, or very little, about either of them. Dr Luke Beardon is a well-known expert in the field, and this book is an accessible, easy-to-read introduction for those encountering autism for the first time. Gently and honestly, it guides you through the issues you might encounter, busting the myths around autism, and explaining what the diagnosis means for your child, for you, and for your wider family. It looks at sensory profiles, helps you handle your child's anxiety, tackles education, and answers a variety of frequently asked questions.
• In a different key by John Donvan and Caren Zucker (618.928588) - From award-winning journalists John Donvan and Caren Zucker, 'In a Different Key' is a comprehensive history of autism as it has been discovered and felt by parents, children and doctors Nearly 75 years ago, Donald Triplett of Forest, Mississippi became the first child diagnosed with autism. This book tells the extraordinary story of the world his diagnosis created - a riveting human drama that takes us across continents and through some of the great social movements of the 20th century.
• No one is too small to make a difference Greta Thunberg - 'Everything needs to change. And it has to start today' In August 2018 a fifteen-year-old Swedish girl, Greta Thunberg, decided not to go to school one day. Her actions ended up sparking a global movement for action against the climate crisis, inspiring millions of pupils to go on strike for our planet, forcing governments to listen, and earning her a Nobel Peace Prize nomination. This book brings you Greta in her own words, for the first time. Collecting her speeches that have made history across Europe, from the UN to mass street protests, No One Is Too Small to Make A Difference is a rallying cry for why we must all wake up and fight to protect the living planet, no matter how powerless we feel. Our future depends upon it.
• Camouflage: the hidden lives of autistic women by Sarah Bargiela and Sophie Standing (616.85882) - This title provides an engaging insight into the often-underexplored condition of autism in women and girls. It is the perfect resource for anyone who wishes to understand how gender affects autism, it shows how to create safer, more accommodating environments for women on the spectrum.
• Strong female character by Fern Brady (792.76028) - This is a book about how being a woman gets in the way of people's expectation of what autism should look like and, equally, how being autistic gets in the way of people's expectations of what a woman should look like. 'Strong Female Character' is a game-changing memoir on sexism and neurodiversity. Fern Brady will use her voice as a neurodivergent, working-class woman from Scotland to bring issues such as sex work, abusive relationships and her time spent in teenage mental health units to the page. It will take a sledgehammer to the Manic Pixie Dream Girl trope which is mistakenly applied to neurodiverse women. It will also look at how her lack of regard for social expectations ultimately meant she surpassed any limitations of what a Scottish working-class woman can do.
• Un-typical: how the world isn't built for autistic people and what we should all do about it by Pete Wharmby (616.85882) - The modern world is built for neurotypicals: needless noise, bright flashing lights, small talk, phone calls, unspoken assumptions and unwritten rules - it can be a nightmarish dystopia for the autistic population. Pete Wharmby lays bare the experience of being 'different', explaining with wit and warmth just how exhausting it is to fit in to a world not designed for you. But this book is more than an explanation. After a late diagnosis and a lifetime of 'masking', Pete is the perfect interlocutor to explain how our two worlds can meet, and what we can do for the many autistic people in our schools, workplaces and lives.
• The Autism spectrum guide to sexuality and relationships by Emma Goodall (306.70874) - This candid guide to sexuality, relationships and gender identity will help you to understand your own preferences and identity in the pursuit of platonic, romantic or sexual relationships. Emma Goodall provides advice on what to do in situations where you feel under pressure and offers guidance on how to enjoy relationships safely.
• Toilet Training for Autistic & SEND Children and Adults by Faria Arsh (649.62) - This book aims to empower parents, carers, and professionals by giving them the tools and techniques to implement a well-organised toilet training program and get their child to use the toilet independently. By the end of this book, you will feel fully prepared to embark on this journey.

Teenage Fiction

• The boy who steals houses by C G Drews - Sam is only fifteen but he and his autistic older brother, Avery, have been abandoned by every relative he's ever known. Now Sam's trying to build a new life for them. He survives by breaking into empty houses when their owners are away, until one day he's caught out when a family returns home. To his amazement this large, chaotic family takes him under their wing - each teenager assuming Sam is a friend of another sibling. Sam finds himself inextricably caught up in their life, and falling for the beautiful Moxie. But Sam has a secret, and his past is about to catch up with him.
• The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time by Mark Haddon - A murder mystery like no other, this novel features Christopher Boone, a 15-year-old who suffers from Asperger's syndrome. When he finds a neighbour's dog murdered, he sets out on a journey which will turn his whole world upside down.
• Unseelie by Ivelisse Housman - Iselia “Seelie” Graygrove looks just like her twin, Isolde…but as an autistic changeling left in the human world by the fae as an infant, she has always known she is different. Seelie’s unpredictable magic makes it hard for her to fit in—and draws her and Isolde into the hunt for a fabled treasure. In a heist gone wrong, the sisters make some unexpected allies and find themselves unraveling a mystery that has its roots in the history of humans and fae alike.
• This is the way the world ends by Jen Wilde - As an autistic scholarship student at the prestigious Webber Academy in New York City, Waverly is used to masking to fit in. So when her tutoring student and resident 'it girl' asks Waverly to attend the school's annual Masquerade disguised as her, Waverly jumps at the chance - especially once she finds out that Ash, the dean's daughter and her secret ex-girlfriend, will be there. The Masquerade is everything Waverly dreamed of. Most importantly, there's Ash. All Waverly wants to do is shed her mask and be with her, but the evening takes a sinister turn when Waverly stumbles into a secret meeting between the dean and the school's top donors - and witnesses a brutal murder. Waverly's fairy-tale has turned into a nightmare, and she, Ash, and her friends must navigate through a dizzying maze of freight elevators and secret passageways if they're going to survive the night.
• Freya Harte is not a puzzle by Méabh Collins - A heartwarming novel about friendships, relationships and finding your place in the world, 'Freya Harte is Not a Puzzle' follows the experiences of an autistic girl as she learns to embrace who she is.

Teenage Non-fiction

• The awesome autistic guide for trans teens by Yenn Purkis and Sam Rose (305.235) - In this empowering guide, Yenn Purkis and Sam Rose set out honest advice and strategies to help autistic trans and/or gender divergent teens to thrive exactly as they are. Covering a huge range of topics including coming out, masking, building a sense of pride and much more, it is an essential resource for living happily and authentically.
• Autism friendly guide to periods by Robyn Steward (612.662087) - Changes during puberty, such as the onset of periods, are challenging for girls on the autism spectrum. Written from experience by an autistic woman, this straightforward guide to periods helps the reader to prepare in great detail, from hygiene to pain medication and sensory experiences to mood swings.
• Diary of a Young Naturalist by Dara McAnulty - Diary of a Young Naturalist chronicles the turning of Dara McAnulty's world, from spring to summer, autumn to winter, on his home patch, at school, in the wild and in his head. Evocative, raw and beautifully written, this startling and special book vividly explores the natural world from the perspective of an autistic teenager coping with the uprooting of home, school, and his mental health, while pursuing his life as a conservationist and environmental activist. In a work of power and hope, Dara recalls his sensory encounters in the wild - with blackbirds, whooper swans, red kites, hen harriers, frogs, dandelions, Irish hares and more - while drawing a moving portrait of a young activist dealing with change, and a family making their way in the world.
• Wired differently: 30 neurodiverse people you should know by Joe Wells and Tim Stringer - This collection of illustrated portraits celebrates the lives of influential neurodivergent figures who have achieved amazing things in recent times. Showcasing these 30 incredible people, the extraordinary stories in this book show that the things they've achieved, created and inspired they did not despite being different but because they are different. From politicians, activists and journalists to YouTubers, DJs and poets, this book highlights a wide range of exciting career paths for neurodivergent readers.

Picture Books

• Pablo and the noisy party by Andrew Brenner and Sumita Mujumdar - Pablo is the first animated TV series to star an autistic character. Pablo's mum takes him to his cousin Lorna's birthday party, but Pablo gets scared of the noisy party! Pablo hides in the car, and soon his friends come to join him. Pablo's friends help him realise that it's OK if he doesn't want to go to the party. All 'Pablo' books are written by writers on the autistic spectrum and are grounded in the real-life experiences of autistic children.
• Noah’s super autism by Claire Minihane - A lovely story about a young boy called Noah, who has autism. Noah tells us what it's like to live with autism. He is an inspiration to other boys and girls who have the same condition. It will teach them that they can achieve anything, even despite having autism.
• Through the eyes of us by Jon Roberts and Hannah Rounding - 'Through the Eyes of Us' is a beautiful, colourful picture book for children which gives insight into the world of children with autism following the experiences of Kya, who has severe autism.
• Remarkable Remy by Melanie Heyworth and Nathaneil Eckstrom - 'Remarkable Remy' is a warm and optimistic story that introduces an autistic character to a young audience. The story helps explain the autistic brain - how it works a little differently and how unique it is - and how our neurodivergent friends make the world remarkable!
• The torch by Jon Roberts and Hannah Rounding - Accompanied by Myles, her assistance dog, Lilly sets off from Granny's house to explore. First she walks through the garden, then she visits the seashore. But when she comes to the big cave at the end of the beach her acute hearing means she is scared of the loud noise when she drops her torch. And what's that creature she can hear coming towards her?

Children’s Fiction

• Caterpillar summer by Gillian McDunn  - Cat is the glue holding her family together. When her little brother Chicken has a meltdown, she knows just how to calm him, whether it's scratching his back or reading his favourite book. They've always had a special bond. But with their mum working extra hard after their dad's death, Cat is struggling to keep everything afloat. When Cat and Chicken unexpectedly end up spending the summer with the grandparents they've never met, Cat suddenly has the space to be a kid again. Gradually, she discovers that days on Gingerbread Island are full of fishing, fireflies and new friendships - as well as a lifetime of family secrets. Could this summer be Cat's chance to bring her fractured family together again?
• Can you see me? Expected to fit in, proud to stand out by Libby Scott and Rebecca Wescott - People think that because Tally's autistic, she doesn't realise what they're thinking, but Tally sees and hears - and notices - all of it. Endearing, insightful and warmly uplifting, this is a story of autism, empathy and kindness that will touch readers of all ages.
• A kind of spark Elle McNicholl - 'A Kind of Spark' tells the story of 11-year-old Addie as she campaigns for a memorial in memory of the witch trials that took place in her Scottish hometown. Addie knows there's more to the story of these 'witches', just like there is more to hers. Can Addie challenge how the people in her town see her, and her autism, and make her voice heard?
• Mystery of the forever weekend by Lisa Thopmson - Cory dreads Sunday evenings. It's school the next day, where a bully is picking on him and he's struggling to keep up in class. The night before a Monday that will include a maths test and another lonely lunch break, Cory wishes that the weekend would never end - and when he wakes up the next day, time has reset itself to Sunday morning. This is amazing! He can lounge about all day watching TV, have pizza for dinner over and over again and play the lottery knowing which numbers will win big! But Cory soon longs for life to move on - can he break the time loop and bring the forever weekend to a close?
• Boy underground by Isabel Marinov - 'Boy Underground' is a powerful adventure story of Hugo, an autistic boy who decides to go all the way into the Paris underground to find a place where he belongs. For Hugo, the world can be too loud and bright. He likes the quiet. He likes the dark. And he loves maps. When Hugo learns that there's a whole other world under Paris, a network of tunnels, quarries and catacombs mapped beneath his feet, he sets off on an adventure. Navigating secret passages, narrowly escaping robbers and returning to old friends, Hugo discovers more than just buried treasure.
• Anything but typical by Nora Baskin - An acclaimed writer delivers an eye-opening depiction of an autistic boy's daily life and lifelong struggles to exist in a neurotypical world, in a groundbreaking novel told from the boy's perspective.

Children's Non-fiction

• My busy brain: a first look at ADHD by Pat Thomas (618.928) - 'A First Look At' series consists of a number of reassuring picturebooks that give advice and promote interaction between children, parents, and teachers on a wide variety of personal, social and emotional issues. This book provides a simple introduction to ADHD. Its aim is to promote understanding and ongoing discussion with children who have ADHD or those who have siblings or classmates with it. It explains, in child-friendly terms, what ADHD is and what it feels like from the child's perspective. It also acknowledges the difficulties that those who do not have ADHD sometimes have in understanding those who do.
• A different type of normal by Abigail Balfe (616.858) - Hi! My name is Abigail, and I'm autistic. But I didn't know I was autistic until I was an adult-sort-of-person. This is my true story of growing up in the confusing 'normal' world, all the while missing some very important information about myself. There'll be scary moments involving toilets and crowded trains, heart-warming tales of cats and pianos, and funny memories including my dad and a mysterious tub of ice cream. Along the way you'll also find some very crucial information about autism. If you've ever felt different, out of place, like you don't fit in - this book is for you.
• Growing up autistic and happy by Camilla Pang (362.196) - As a child, Camilla loved patterns and putting things in order. She was obsessed with Stephen Hawking, and the only language she really understood was science. Diagnosed with autism aged 8, Camilla saw the world very differently. But with science as her sidekick, she was able to translate ideas she could understand, such as photosynthesis and algorithms, onto things she couldn't, such as dealing with emotions and finding your voice. In this book, Camilla shares her scientific survival guide to growing up, helping young readers to navigate the world around them, have the courage to be themselves and embrace their weirdness, while being happy in who they are.
• Something different about dad by Kirsti Evans and John Swogger (362.196858) - Sophie and Daniel's Dad is different. Join them as they learn the reasons behind his difficulty with communication, flexible thinking, sensory and motor skills and anxiety, and find ways to make family life easier for everyone. This warm and honest comic is perfect for any family with a parent on the autism spectrum.
• I am an autistic girl by Danuta Bulhak-Paterson and Teresa Ferguson (616.858) - Lizzie is an autistic girl, which means that her brain works differently to her friends, and even to autistic boys! In this book, Lizzie explains what it's like to be an autistic girl, including how she has a special talent for blending in with her friends, how she can get really tired after being at school all day, how she worries about making mistakes, and how she finds it hard to understand how she is feeling.