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I'll Just Be Five More Minutes: And Other Tales from My ADHD Brain
A hilariously honest, heartwarming essay collection about life, love, and discovering you have ADHD at age 35
Despite being a published writer with a family, a gaggle of internet fans, and (most shockingly) a mortgage, Emily Farris could never get her act together. As she saw it, disorganization was one of her countless character flaws—that is, until she was diagnosed with ADHD at age 35. Like many women and girls who go undiagnosed, Farris grew up internalizing criticisms about her impulsivity and lack of follow-through. She held on to that shame as she tried (and often failed) to fit into a world designed for neurotypical brains.
I'll Just Be Five More Minutes is a personal essay collection of laugh-out-loud funny, tear-jerking, and at times cringe-worthy true stories of Farris's experiences as a neurodivergent woman. With the newfound knowledge of her ADHD, Farris candidly reexamines her complicated relationships (including one with a celebrity stalker), her money problems, the years she spent unknowingly self-medicating, and her hyper-fixations.
I'll Just Be Five More Minutes is a powerful collection of deeply relatable, wide-ranging stories about a woman's right to control her own body, about overwhelm and oversharing, about drinking too much and sleeping too little, and about being misunderstood by the people closest to you. At its heart, it's about not quite fitting in and not understanding why.
Despite being a published writer with a family, a gaggle of internet fans, and (most shockingly) a mortgage, Emily Farris could never get her act together. As she saw it, disorganization was one of her countless character flaws—that is, until she was diagnosed with ADHD at age 35. Like many women and girls who go undiagnosed, Farris grew up internalizing criticisms about her impulsivity and lack of follow-through. She held on to that shame as she tried (and often failed) to fit into a world designed for neurotypical brains.
I'll Just Be Five More Minutes is a personal essay collection of laugh-out-loud funny, tear-jerking, and at times cringe-worthy true stories of Farris's experiences as a neurodivergent woman. With the newfound knowledge of her ADHD, Farris candidly reexamines her complicated relationships (including one with a celebrity stalker), her money problems, the years she spent unknowingly self-medicating, and her hyper-fixations.
I'll Just Be Five More Minutes is a powerful collection of deeply relatable, wide-ranging stories about a woman's right to control her own body, about overwhelm and oversharing, about drinking too much and sleeping too little, and about being misunderstood by the people closest to you. At its heart, it's about not quite fitting in and not understanding why.
304 pages, Paperback
First published February 6, 2024
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 249 reviews
January 28, 2024
As someone who was finally diagnosed with ADHD at the ripe ol' age of 43, there are parts of this book that are extremely … I dunno, validating? When the author mentioned having “a severe aversion to all fruit in its solid form” due to sensory issues, I decided she was probably my spirit animal.* And there are plenty of these essays that I can relate to in one way or another – I am quite familiar with the woes of serious executive dysfunction. But, at the same time, parts of this book slightly annoyed me.
So first, the good. As I've already mentioned, I can really relate to a lot of this book. After reading the chapter where the author is dumped by a boyfriend because she's “intense” (and because she makes casseroles), I asked my husband if he'd consider me intense and he replied with “Well, I wouldn't say intense because that has a negative connotation. But, yeah, for lack of a better word, I guess you're intense.” So there you have it. (And I also make casseroles.) I also get the whole hyper-focusing thing, and the executive dysfunction thing, and the I'd-rather-throw-myself-off-a-cliff-than-stand-in-a-line thing (this might be a slight exaggeration, but not by much). And, let me tell you, if I had a nickel for every time I was told that I wasn't “living up to my potential” as a child, I'd have, well, a whole lot of nickels.
But, seriously, an ADHD diagnosis is not a get out of jail free card when it comes to repeatedly making poor financial decisions that affect your entire family. I honestly feel kind of bad for her husband Kyle, and I feel like if you looked up the phrase “long-suffering” in a dictionary, you'd probably find his photo. Don't just take my word for it, though. “Kyle regularly tells me that I'm bad at presenting ideas to him, mostly because I skip the part where I acknowledge his wants and needs – or my own history of what he calls 'acting unilaterally' – before detailing my nonnegotiable plans for an often elaborate or expensive project.” (page 140)
Also, her essay on impulsively quitting her job and what “could have happened” on 9/11 is slightly cringeworthy. As someone who lived three blocks from the World Trade Center, come on now. No, you totally would not have died just because you got off the subway at the WTC station every morning. They were diverting trains from the area long before the towers fell. And even if you had already arrived at the office, Rector Street isn't that close to the WTC (I mean, it's close, but not “I'm going to be flattened by the falling towers” close). So just stop it.
And, so, yeah. This book was funny and relatable, right up until it wasn't. I both loved it and was annoyed by it. Should you read it? Sure, especially if you're someone who was diagnosed with ADHD later in life, or care about someone who was. Should you read it thinking that everyone with ADHD is running around maxing out their credit cards on decorative plants? Absolutely not.
Overall rating: 3.45 stars, rounded down.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Hatchette Books for providing me with an advance copy of this book to review.
*With the exception of maybe three kinds of apple, the texture of fruit is totally gag-worthy if it's not mushed up into a smoothie. I sometimes force myself to eat it because I'm an adult and, you know, nutrition is a thing, but it takes pretty much my entire allotment of willpower for the day.
So first, the good. As I've already mentioned, I can really relate to a lot of this book. After reading the chapter where the author is dumped by a boyfriend because she's “intense” (and because she makes casseroles), I asked my husband if he'd consider me intense and he replied with “Well, I wouldn't say intense because that has a negative connotation. But, yeah, for lack of a better word, I guess you're intense.” So there you have it. (And I also make casseroles.) I also get the whole hyper-focusing thing, and the executive dysfunction thing, and the I'd-rather-throw-myself-off-a-cliff-than-stand-in-a-line thing (this might be a slight exaggeration, but not by much). And, let me tell you, if I had a nickel for every time I was told that I wasn't “living up to my potential” as a child, I'd have, well, a whole lot of nickels.
But, seriously, an ADHD diagnosis is not a get out of jail free card when it comes to repeatedly making poor financial decisions that affect your entire family. I honestly feel kind of bad for her husband Kyle, and I feel like if you looked up the phrase “long-suffering” in a dictionary, you'd probably find his photo. Don't just take my word for it, though. “Kyle regularly tells me that I'm bad at presenting ideas to him, mostly because I skip the part where I acknowledge his wants and needs – or my own history of what he calls 'acting unilaterally' – before detailing my nonnegotiable plans for an often elaborate or expensive project.” (page 140)
Also, her essay on impulsively quitting her job and what “could have happened” on 9/11 is slightly cringeworthy. As someone who lived three blocks from the World Trade Center, come on now. No, you totally would not have died just because you got off the subway at the WTC station every morning. They were diverting trains from the area long before the towers fell. And even if you had already arrived at the office, Rector Street isn't that close to the WTC (I mean, it's close, but not “I'm going to be flattened by the falling towers” close). So just stop it.
And, so, yeah. This book was funny and relatable, right up until it wasn't. I both loved it and was annoyed by it. Should you read it? Sure, especially if you're someone who was diagnosed with ADHD later in life, or care about someone who was. Should you read it thinking that everyone with ADHD is running around maxing out their credit cards on decorative plants? Absolutely not.
Overall rating: 3.45 stars, rounded down.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Hatchette Books for providing me with an advance copy of this book to review.
*With the exception of maybe three kinds of apple, the texture of fruit is totally gag-worthy if it's not mushed up into a smoothie. I sometimes force myself to eat it because I'm an adult and, you know, nutrition is a thing, but it takes pretty much my entire allotment of willpower for the day.
February 22, 2024
This is a first-person reflection memoir of someone who has ADHD.
There's not a lot of explanation of the medical side of ADHD. It's more of an annoying rambling of someone who can't stay committed to anything, can't bring herself to care about the consequences of her actions on others, and can't even seem to understand the amount of stress and chaos she's brought to everyone and everything around her.
There's a lot of rudeness mistaken for the symptoms. I hope people don't imitate it or use it to self diagnose.
I can't stand this incessant dialogue about nothing important. I'm glad she's getting the help she needs.
There's not a lot of explanation of the medical side of ADHD. It's more of an annoying rambling of someone who can't stay committed to anything, can't bring herself to care about the consequences of her actions on others, and can't even seem to understand the amount of stress and chaos she's brought to everyone and everything around her.
There's a lot of rudeness mistaken for the symptoms. I hope people don't imitate it or use it to self diagnose.
I can't stand this incessant dialogue about nothing important. I'm glad she's getting the help she needs.
February 3, 2024
First, I want to congratulate author Farris on completing this book while navigating through the challenges of ADHD, working a full-time job, and taking care of her marriage and two young sons. I’ve suspected for a couple of years now that I have inattentive ADHD—which is part of the reason I was eager to read this memoir—and I can’t imagine finishing a project of this magnitude while having as much going on in my life as Farris. That in itself is an achievement, so I hope she feels proud. She has also inspired me to get screened for ADHD…if I can remember to make the appointment, haha.
Farris is a funny and talented writer, and I appreciated her honesty and candor. I read this book hoping to gain more insight into the mindset and symptoms of a woman who was diagnosed with ADHD later in life (age 36) and Farris delivered. I found myself highlighting large portions of the text and writing notes like, “It’s me!” (Not very insightful, I know, but it was such a relief to finally see my own baffling behavior and habits reflected in another woman.) And, man oh man, Farris has taken on a dizzying amount of jobs and projects. In the back of the book she shares a list of the positions she’s held throughout her working life, and I found myself chuckling as her resume continued on and on with some of the most random gigs you could imagine for someone who ended up becoming a professional writer. I could probably make a similar list of all the creative projects I’ve started and then abandoned once I received a lukewarm reception or the dopamine faded.
Farris clearly demonstrated how ADHD has affected almost every area of her life, but a few of her stories seemed to have little to do with ADHD and were possibly included simply because they were funny or interesting. Maybe Farris felt everything she shared could be traced back to ADHD, but I didn’t spot the connection in some cases. But that’s not a dealbreaker, as she’s still an entertaining writer, even if parts of the book felt a little off-topic.
Ultimately, I’m left with mixed feelings about the book, and they largely come from knowing some of the context of Farris’s real life. I’m always curious about the social media presence of the contemporary authors I read, and since I was previously unfamiliar with her work I looked her up on Instagram. Soon after following her account I saw that she posted an article she’d written about her marriage falling apart as “I’ll Just Be Five More Minutes” was about to be released. You can check it out here: https://cupofjo.com/2024/01/30/adhd-m...
Reading Farris’s article and returning to the book with this new perspective was like doing a black light inspection in a hotel room: I could clearly see the problems that led to her divorce from her husband Kyle, and I felt empathy for her and her family. (Farris has stated on social media that the split is for the best, but of course it’s going to be painful for all of them during the separation process.) The news about her divorce led me to believe I wasn’t getting the full picture in the book, since Farris’s marriage was still intact when she wrote it.
Throughout the text—as Farris points out in her article—she uses self-deprecating humor to portray her husband as a long-suffering victim of her issues with ADHD. She jokes about ignoring his needs, pokes fun at her penchant for taking on sudden and unnecessary home improvement projects, and lays bare her challenges with money management, executive dysfunction, planning ahead, and the compromises required to maintain a healthy marriage. She repeatedly writes about trying not to make Kyle mad with her ever-changing hyper fixations and their incompatible temperaments. After reading the article, I found myself wondering if Farris had taken the self-deprecation too far. Was she really as dismissive of her husband’s wants and needs as she portrayed in the book, or was she trying to keep her family together by putting the blame on herself? What would this book have been like had Farris written it post-divorce? Would she have joked less at her own expense and given herself more grace and understanding, now that she didn’t have to mask the difficulties in her marriage? Sadly, we won’t get that version of the book, but maybe Farris will write a follow-up in which she gives herself more credit for everything she’s accomplished and can be open about the problems on both sides that led to the divorce. Or maybe she won’t write a follow-up and will keep that aspect of her life private. Either way, I wish her the best and I hope she’s doing okay right now. She seems to be, but it’s hard to tell when you only see a person’s public persona.
All in all “I’ll Just Be Five More Minutes” was helpful and comforting to me, knowing that there was another woman out there who faced similar mental challenges, but was still strong and surviving, completing important projects, and being a good mom. I hope to read more from Farris in the future, and I’m rooting for her.
Thank you to NetGalley and Hachette Books for the advanced readers copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
Farris is a funny and talented writer, and I appreciated her honesty and candor. I read this book hoping to gain more insight into the mindset and symptoms of a woman who was diagnosed with ADHD later in life (age 36) and Farris delivered. I found myself highlighting large portions of the text and writing notes like, “It’s me!” (Not very insightful, I know, but it was such a relief to finally see my own baffling behavior and habits reflected in another woman.) And, man oh man, Farris has taken on a dizzying amount of jobs and projects. In the back of the book she shares a list of the positions she’s held throughout her working life, and I found myself chuckling as her resume continued on and on with some of the most random gigs you could imagine for someone who ended up becoming a professional writer. I could probably make a similar list of all the creative projects I’ve started and then abandoned once I received a lukewarm reception or the dopamine faded.
Farris clearly demonstrated how ADHD has affected almost every area of her life, but a few of her stories seemed to have little to do with ADHD and were possibly included simply because they were funny or interesting. Maybe Farris felt everything she shared could be traced back to ADHD, but I didn’t spot the connection in some cases. But that’s not a dealbreaker, as she’s still an entertaining writer, even if parts of the book felt a little off-topic.
Ultimately, I’m left with mixed feelings about the book, and they largely come from knowing some of the context of Farris’s real life. I’m always curious about the social media presence of the contemporary authors I read, and since I was previously unfamiliar with her work I looked her up on Instagram. Soon after following her account I saw that she posted an article she’d written about her marriage falling apart as “I’ll Just Be Five More Minutes” was about to be released. You can check it out here: https://cupofjo.com/2024/01/30/adhd-m...
Reading Farris’s article and returning to the book with this new perspective was like doing a black light inspection in a hotel room: I could clearly see the problems that led to her divorce from her husband Kyle, and I felt empathy for her and her family. (Farris has stated on social media that the split is for the best, but of course it’s going to be painful for all of them during the separation process.) The news about her divorce led me to believe I wasn’t getting the full picture in the book, since Farris’s marriage was still intact when she wrote it.
Throughout the text—as Farris points out in her article—she uses self-deprecating humor to portray her husband as a long-suffering victim of her issues with ADHD. She jokes about ignoring his needs, pokes fun at her penchant for taking on sudden and unnecessary home improvement projects, and lays bare her challenges with money management, executive dysfunction, planning ahead, and the compromises required to maintain a healthy marriage. She repeatedly writes about trying not to make Kyle mad with her ever-changing hyper fixations and their incompatible temperaments. After reading the article, I found myself wondering if Farris had taken the self-deprecation too far. Was she really as dismissive of her husband’s wants and needs as she portrayed in the book, or was she trying to keep her family together by putting the blame on herself? What would this book have been like had Farris written it post-divorce? Would she have joked less at her own expense and given herself more grace and understanding, now that she didn’t have to mask the difficulties in her marriage? Sadly, we won’t get that version of the book, but maybe Farris will write a follow-up in which she gives herself more credit for everything she’s accomplished and can be open about the problems on both sides that led to the divorce. Or maybe she won’t write a follow-up and will keep that aspect of her life private. Either way, I wish her the best and I hope she’s doing okay right now. She seems to be, but it’s hard to tell when you only see a person’s public persona.
All in all “I’ll Just Be Five More Minutes” was helpful and comforting to me, knowing that there was another woman out there who faced similar mental challenges, but was still strong and surviving, completing important projects, and being a good mom. I hope to read more from Farris in the future, and I’m rooting for her.
Thank you to NetGalley and Hachette Books for the advanced readers copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
February 23, 2024
I bought this based solely on the title because I say it all the time and hoped I'd feel seen by this collection. I was sadly let down.
This book is a lukewarm, scattershot collection that felt like a draft. Many of the essays don't end; they just stop. They don't actually do much to help contextualize the experience of adult-diagnosed ADHD, they just ramble about random shit. The humor is not that humorous.
While I recognize that Farris has primarily the impulsive type of ADHD and thus her experiences won't be as relatable to folks with inattentive type (a few of her experiences were pretty specifically exactly like what I see in my impulsive ADHD friends), I still didn't find this to be tales from an ADHD brain. They were just random rambles that lacked context and a clear, unifying objective, for me. A number of the "essays" felt like filler whipped up to meet a word count. Having a stronger editorial hand and a firmer structure tying together the essays would have helped this book feel more like a book that had a clear authorial message.
My final gripe is that a few times, Farris mentions how ADHD is a "superpower." First off, I hate this reframing. It's not; it's just a way in which some brains work, and it has its strengths and its challenges. Second, nothing in this book actually showed readers instances where having ADHD can be a net positive.
That's the kind of book we need: books that show, honestly, ways in which yes, certain things can feel more challenging, but also ways in which certain things are actually strengthened.
This book ain't it. I was relieved to finish it because reading it just made me feel frustrated instead of validated.
This book is a lukewarm, scattershot collection that felt like a draft. Many of the essays don't end; they just stop. They don't actually do much to help contextualize the experience of adult-diagnosed ADHD, they just ramble about random shit. The humor is not that humorous.
While I recognize that Farris has primarily the impulsive type of ADHD and thus her experiences won't be as relatable to folks with inattentive type (a few of her experiences were pretty specifically exactly like what I see in my impulsive ADHD friends), I still didn't find this to be tales from an ADHD brain. They were just random rambles that lacked context and a clear, unifying objective, for me. A number of the "essays" felt like filler whipped up to meet a word count. Having a stronger editorial hand and a firmer structure tying together the essays would have helped this book feel more like a book that had a clear authorial message.
My final gripe is that a few times, Farris mentions how ADHD is a "superpower." First off, I hate this reframing. It's not; it's just a way in which some brains work, and it has its strengths and its challenges. Second, nothing in this book actually showed readers instances where having ADHD can be a net positive.
That's the kind of book we need: books that show, honestly, ways in which yes, certain things can feel more challenging, but also ways in which certain things are actually strengthened.
This book ain't it. I was relieved to finish it because reading it just made me feel frustrated instead of validated.
October 25, 2023
This book was filled with tales that I could relate to in so many ways, down to the out of orders stories. It was enjoyable because it's how my own brain would of just rattled off the stories as they came to the front. I found myself wanting 5 more minutes to keep reading every time I opened the boom to read.
Thank you Hatchette Books for my ARC for my honest review.
Thank you Hatchette Books for my ARC for my honest review.
May 9, 2024
DNF at 43%. This was a passable disorganized list of complaints about having ADHD and how difficult life can be when you're undiagnosed/unmedicated/diagnosed/medicated/existing. I was tolerating it pretty well until I hit the chapter called "No, I Won't Shut Up About my Abortion."
Shut the book. Never look back. See ya never, bye.
Shut the book. Never look back. See ya never, bye.
October 27, 2023
I loved Farris's collection of funny essays and stories from her life as a person with ADHD diagnosed as an adult. The diagnosis helped her make sense of her neurodivergent brain and how to work with it in an increasingly hectic world. There were many parts that made me laugh out loud. Which is a problem right now because laughing causes me to cough uncontrollably, but it was worth it. Farris is also close to my age, so I connected with her cultural references too.
April 19, 2024
Such a fun read!! I have never felt so seen in my life. Emily is so honest and relatable and funny! Easy read, and it’s definitely written in a style that someone with ADHD can appreciate! She talks about all the silly things with adhd and hard things. From hyperfocusing on a paint color to relationship and money issues when having adhd. Felt good to be seen and at ease while reading this book! I reccomend if you have an adhd diagnosis or people close to you in your life with adhd!
March 18, 2024
This read was really comforting as I was recently diagnosed myself (age 28). As I talk with my doctor, I’m discovering a lot of things that I’ve been overly-critical of myself for, and this book helped me wrap my head around them and the stigmas/shame surrounding adult ADHD. Plus, it’s lighthearted - I laughed out loud multiple times. So glad I read it!
July 16, 2024
Five stars for how deeply I related to this book, which I binged in two sittings because...hyperfixation. I want to buy a copy for everyone who loves or has tried to love me. Emily did a lovely job at both perfectly describing experiences while keeping the personal stuff sacred. I really respect that.
April 22, 2024
Uggghhhh. It started out promising, I felt like I was going to gain new understanding and empathy for the many people I know and love who have ADHD. I was on the author's side in the beginning, it must be hard to find out so late in life that the reason you have always felt "wrong" isn't because you are a bad person, it's because you have a diagnosable, treatable disorder. Unfortunately, the longer the book went on, the more I became increasingly frustrated with her. Even though she is aware of her issues, she doesn't have a lot of accountability. I felt more and more like I was on her husband's side and it was exasperating to read of the many holes she was continually digging herself into. I know I am speaking from a place of privilege, I do not have ADHD, that said, life is still hard and I still have to find ways to push myself out of my more destructive tendencies or accept the consequences of my actions, and not make excuses, if I decide not to.
January 17, 2024
Throughout my experience reading this collection of essays: I laughed. I cried. I (internally) screamed. I smiled. I hyperfocused. And I felt all sorts of emotions outside of those listed.
I highly recommend this book for all, including to those who live with ADHD, and to those who are undiagnosed (and may be thinking of their next steps to getting a diagnosis).
Special thanks to Hachette Books and the author Emily Farris for the complimentary finished copy as part of the former's #HBSocialClub program!
I highly recommend this book for all, including to those who live with ADHD, and to those who are undiagnosed (and may be thinking of their next steps to getting a diagnosis).
Special thanks to Hachette Books and the author Emily Farris for the complimentary finished copy as part of the former's #HBSocialClub program!
April 15, 2025
This probably says way more about me than her, but holy cow was this person annoying.
March 14, 2024
I picked this up hoping to find some relatable content about ADHD dx in adult life as I was also late diagnosed, and to be able to laugh at some of the things that come with ADHD as my personal frustrations mounted. There was both relatability and humor with a new insight on shame (per the teacher essay). I exclusively "read" this via audiobook, which was narrated by the author herself. I loved listening to it on my weekend drives and found myself listening throughout the week as well. The casual conversational style made it easy to start and stop. Other reviews expressed some dissatisfaction with lack of education about ADHD, but the author is very clear upfront that is not her intention during the preface. The author identifies her purpose as sharing these short essays with the goal of highlighting aspects of her lived experience with ADHD and that she delivers on 100%. I found the essays to be focused topically rather than rambling, as stated in other reviews. I didn't go into the book expecting to read it like a chapter book with a full story. It seems this is more of a contemporary creative non-fiction memoir stylistically and the author's form met my expectations of what I imagined it to be, based on my own understanding of essay collections and how the author outlined it in the introduction. That being said, I listened to the entire book and did not follow along with or read the print version. Part of me wonders if the difference in my experience with the content compared to others is based on the format of the printed text. After reading some of the other reviews about rambling loose ends, I would be interested to see the print format, as that's really the only reason I can think of there being the complaint of incoherence. Knowing myself, I think I could get stuck in a print book that had the start and stop flow, but as far as listening to it, it was excellent. The short vignettes had clear purposes in telling the author's story and/or served as illustrations of points she was making with symptoms. In my view, the author delivered exactly what she set out to do in writing this book, and my personal hopes for the book were fulfilled.
April 1, 2024
Loved the insight to someone who has officially diagnosed of ADHD, and some similarities to my life. However that being said ADHD is not a get out of jail free card. She has very strong opinions on certain topics, which is accurate portrayal of someone with ADHD but made some sections a nuisance for me.
All in all, interesting read, enjoyed the KC references, and glad I listened to the audiobook
All in all, interesting read, enjoyed the KC references, and glad I listened to the audiobook
October 31, 2024
I really enjoyed this book and bravo to her for pulling it off while raising a family, working, and doing all that unfun adult shit we have to contend with. Really enjoyed that she still kept her sense of humor even when shit got real.
November 9, 2024
So raw and real. 3.75⭐️
May 30, 2024
I put a hold on this book on Libby on a whim because it was recommended by my local indie. I was just recently diagnosed with ADHD and am grasping at any piece of media I can get to make me feel like I'm not losing my marbles all of the time. I usually don't love short story collections, but I decided to give this a try. I'm glad I did! This book is four stars for me not because I think the writing was absolutely perfect or that some of the stories lacked specific direction (because I don't think that). This book is four stars for me because every chapter had at LEAST one moment where I found myself relating to the author's experiences and nodding along because I understood a little too well. It was fun on audiobook and I am now going to follow Emily Farris on all social media so I can feel less crazy.
Things I Liked:
- generally relatable to me, someone who just got diagnosed with ADHD
- engaging on audiobook
- honest!
Things I Didn't Love:
- there was a lot of self-depreciation about how her husband was a saint and she was the fuck-up. (after doing some research I've seen now that they ended up getting a divorce before the book was published, and for this I am glad)
- the essay on online dating felt a little misguided even though I knew it was about dopamine seeking, it felt like we were just going through pointless dating history. this was the one chapter I really didn't like
Overall very engaging and very relatable, especially if you're a woman who is getting/has gotten an ADHD or neurodivergence diagnosis later in life. It is nice to be seen in literature and get a laugh out of it, too!
Things I Liked:
- generally relatable to me, someone who just got diagnosed with ADHD
- engaging on audiobook
- honest!
Things I Didn't Love:
- there was a lot of self-depreciation about how her husband was a saint and she was the fuck-up. (after doing some research I've seen now that they ended up getting a divorce before the book was published, and for this I am glad)
- the essay on online dating felt a little misguided even though I knew it was about dopamine seeking, it felt like we were just going through pointless dating history. this was the one chapter I really didn't like
Overall very engaging and very relatable, especially if you're a woman who is getting/has gotten an ADHD or neurodivergence diagnosis later in life. It is nice to be seen in literature and get a laugh out of it, too!
June 5, 2025
Listened to the audiobook. As someone who is undiagnosed, this book was everything I needed. She makes light of some hard piece of ADHD, gives the language I’ve been seeking, and is brutally honest. If you or someone you know has ADHD, this is the read for you.
November 18, 2025
Oof. This book made me feel seen and also maybe a little too seen. It was uncomfortable at moments because a lot of the ADHD difficulties that the author faces are ones I am also familiar with and even the wonky thought processes. Anyway, I should probably look into an official diagnosis after reading this. If you, as a woman, suspect you might have ADHD or you know or love someone who does, you should read this book. Seeing my struggles reflected back to me not as laziness or generally being bad or needing to try harder but instead something that my brain chemistry is probably making incredibly difficult is something else. The audiobook is also lovely. (6 hours)
March 18, 2024
✨ Review ✨ I'll Just Be Five More Minutes: And Other Tales from My ADHD Brain by Emily Farris
Thanks to Hachette Books and #netgalley for the gifted advanced copy/ies of this book!
As a later-in-life ADHD diagnosis girl myself, I found so much to relate to in this book. From the jokes about time blindness and taking forever to get ready and distractibility to the very relatable exploration of ADHD's impact on work, family life, relationships, and more, there was so much wonderful reflection in this book.
Presented through a series of essays, the topics run the gamut, and sometimes they felt like maybe they strayed a bit too far out, making the central themes feel a little disorganized (though what really is more ADHD than that). I think she really brings herself forward in this book, sharing quirks and strengths and weaknesses and so much more, and I found that made it really relatable.
I think I'd love to have seen even more leaning into finding some take-aways from this story, circling back to the idea of ADHD / neurodiversity as a strength, but overall found these enjoyable to pick up and read as individual essays and stories.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Genre: nonfiction, memoir, essays, mental health
Pub Date: 06 Feb 2024
Thanks to Hachette Books and #netgalley for the gifted advanced copy/ies of this book!
As a later-in-life ADHD diagnosis girl myself, I found so much to relate to in this book. From the jokes about time blindness and taking forever to get ready and distractibility to the very relatable exploration of ADHD's impact on work, family life, relationships, and more, there was so much wonderful reflection in this book.
Presented through a series of essays, the topics run the gamut, and sometimes they felt like maybe they strayed a bit too far out, making the central themes feel a little disorganized (though what really is more ADHD than that). I think she really brings herself forward in this book, sharing quirks and strengths and weaknesses and so much more, and I found that made it really relatable.
I think I'd love to have seen even more leaning into finding some take-aways from this story, circling back to the idea of ADHD / neurodiversity as a strength, but overall found these enjoyable to pick up and read as individual essays and stories.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Genre: nonfiction, memoir, essays, mental health
Pub Date: 06 Feb 2024
March 26, 2024
What a fun and lovely memoir! Farris has such a distinctive writing voice and this felt more like having a chat with a friend. I loved hearing her stories and experiences. I absolutely flew through this and could not have enjoyed it more. I was so sad when this was over because I was having such a great time!
Though we definitely have incompatible mental health conditions and some of her stories gave me massive anxiety (like avoiding opening scary mail, particularly from the IRS). I was CRINGING through those stories and my anxiety was through the roof!!
But I learned so much about ADHD from this book and I really enjoyed hearing this perspective. Particularly since Farris was diagnosed as an adult. Hearing her journey was just so fascinating and I'm so glad she chose to share her story with us! I loved seeing such a personal look at ADHD and learned so, so much!
Absolutely LOVED this one! Highly recommend picking this up!
And thank you to Hachette Go for allowing me to read this in exchange for an honest review!
Though we definitely have incompatible mental health conditions and some of her stories gave me massive anxiety (like avoiding opening scary mail, particularly from the IRS). I was CRINGING through those stories and my anxiety was through the roof!!
But I learned so much about ADHD from this book and I really enjoyed hearing this perspective. Particularly since Farris was diagnosed as an adult. Hearing her journey was just so fascinating and I'm so glad she chose to share her story with us! I loved seeing such a personal look at ADHD and learned so, so much!
Absolutely LOVED this one! Highly recommend picking this up!
And thank you to Hachette Go for allowing me to read this in exchange for an honest review!
December 4, 2023
I came to this looking for a memoir on the author's ADHD journey. That is not this book. This is a typical essay-based memoir of random stories in random order, and the author's ADHD is a common theme that ties throughout. I personally found the author's writing voice to be (I apologize) slightly annoying, and I did not care about many of the stories she told. This book may be enjoyed by those who enjoy essay-based memoirs - I am not that person. Other than the sprinklings of ADHD throughout, this just felt like a random collection of essays about a person who I was not that interested in getting to know.
Thank you to Hachette Books and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Thank you to Hachette Books and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
March 15, 2024
incredibly tone-deaf; Farris is a self-proclaimed feminist and supposedly turned out "not racist despite" a racist grandmother, Farris comes across extremely racist and entitled, blind to the immense privileges she had access to.
I'll admit I could not finish it. I really tried to give this a chance. The cherry on top is that the writing is terrible, too - nothing to do with the author's ADHD
I'll admit I could not finish it. I really tried to give this a chance. The cherry on top is that the writing is terrible, too - nothing to do with the author's ADHD
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 23, 2024
Well, I don't know what to do with this.
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April 21, 2024Mini Audiobook Book: Thank you so much to Hachette books for a complimentary copy!
This book is out now.
Content Warnings from Storygraph:
I often tell people that I am not officially diagnosed with ADHD but anytime I read books with ADHD characters or if I read something on the good ol internet more and more I think I could be on the spectrum for it. I do not think I ever exhibited signs younger but as I got older I am noticing more and more things. So when the opportunity to get this book came, I knew I had to check it out. And yes I have spoke to my PCP regarding it.
This book is not a clinical book made my professionals but by someone's one experience. Some of the times I felt the stories from Emily's life was relevant to the book and other times I wasn't sure of the purpose.
There were small sections on hyper fixations, time blindness & emotional regulation that I felt were really relatable. Even some of the self assessment section was pretty jarring and really relatable. This paragraph is pretty much how I feel when I sit down with my laptop to work on book reviews or work on graphics: "How boring are we talking? If it's really boring, I can usually focus for a minute or two before I start opening new tabs. The weird thing is that sometimes I don't even know I'm doing it.I'll be all, "Okay. I'm going to sit down at my computer and finally knock out this story on the proper way to store bread." Then, all of a sudden, I'm on Amazon looking for a disco ball for my chicken coop or arguing with somebody's racist uncle on a Facebook comment thread.
Currently that took me 10 minutes to do because I took a detour on my phone. It just made me want to advocate for myself better and to get it confirmed just to know for myself.
I don't think I learned anything groundbreaking but if you want to learn more about adult ADHD from someone who has it while also learning about her private life then check this out!
**I do not rate NF books.**
This book is out now.
Content Warnings from Storygraph:
I often tell people that I am not officially diagnosed with ADHD but anytime I read books with ADHD characters or if I read something on the good ol internet more and more I think I could be on the spectrum for it. I do not think I ever exhibited signs younger but as I got older I am noticing more and more things. So when the opportunity to get this book came, I knew I had to check it out. And yes I have spoke to my PCP regarding it.
This book is not a clinical book made my professionals but by someone's one experience. Some of the times I felt the stories from Emily's life was relevant to the book and other times I wasn't sure of the purpose.
There were small sections on hyper fixations, time blindness & emotional regulation that I felt were really relatable. Even some of the self assessment section was pretty jarring and really relatable. This paragraph is pretty much how I feel when I sit down with my laptop to work on book reviews or work on graphics: "How boring are we talking? If it's really boring, I can usually focus for a minute or two before I start opening new tabs. The weird thing is that sometimes I don't even know I'm doing it.I'll be all, "Okay. I'm going to sit down at my computer and finally knock out this story on the proper way to store bread." Then, all of a sudden, I'm on Amazon looking for a disco ball for my chicken coop or arguing with somebody's racist uncle on a Facebook comment thread.
Currently that took me 10 minutes to do because I took a detour on my phone. It just made me want to advocate for myself better and to get it confirmed just to know for myself.
I don't think I learned anything groundbreaking but if you want to learn more about adult ADHD from someone who has it while also learning about her private life then check this out!
**I do not rate NF books.**
November 21, 2025
My sister bought & sent me this book shortly after I was diagnosed with ADHD this year. Ironically, it took me months to finish. Not because it was long or uninteresting, but because.. life. And ADHD.
I loved this book. While some may read it as essays of someone excusing their behaviour, actions and habits because of their ADHD, I read it as essays of someone who genuinely may as well be in my brain. I found myself laughing, nodding, crying to Emily’s stories, and I don’t think I’ve ever read a book where I’ve felt quite so seen, heard, and validated. Sure, getting a diagnosis at the age of 27 was life changing, but also was a confronting reminder of all of my “flaws” and deepest insecurities. The amount of shame I’ve lived my entire life with, for so many things, is indescribable and it’s all thanks to my ADHD. But Emily’s writing made me want to embrace my ADHD as a superpower. Not only did she receive a diagnosis later in life, she’s also a woman and a mother, and so reading this made me feel so much more powerful and relatable as a woman and mother with ADHD, too. I could go on and on, but I would encourage anyone to read this, neurodivergent or not (especially if you want to understand ADHD a bit better!) There isn’t much in the way of medical or scientific research in this book, but it has been healing to read anecdotes of someone who lives a relatively parallel life to mine. Thank you Emily, and thank you to my beautiful sister for buying this for me.
I loved this book. While some may read it as essays of someone excusing their behaviour, actions and habits because of their ADHD, I read it as essays of someone who genuinely may as well be in my brain. I found myself laughing, nodding, crying to Emily’s stories, and I don’t think I’ve ever read a book where I’ve felt quite so seen, heard, and validated. Sure, getting a diagnosis at the age of 27 was life changing, but also was a confronting reminder of all of my “flaws” and deepest insecurities. The amount of shame I’ve lived my entire life with, for so many things, is indescribable and it’s all thanks to my ADHD. But Emily’s writing made me want to embrace my ADHD as a superpower. Not only did she receive a diagnosis later in life, she’s also a woman and a mother, and so reading this made me feel so much more powerful and relatable as a woman and mother with ADHD, too. I could go on and on, but I would encourage anyone to read this, neurodivergent or not (especially if you want to understand ADHD a bit better!) There isn’t much in the way of medical or scientific research in this book, but it has been healing to read anecdotes of someone who lives a relatively parallel life to mine. Thank you Emily, and thank you to my beautiful sister for buying this for me.
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January 23, 2024Funnily, I think I've been reading this on and off since last year - picking it up and putting it down whenever I needed a dash of non-fic to read. There are several relatable moments throughout the essays shared, in a positive way! As someone who was formally diagnosed later in life, there are things I've always done that now make more sense with a diagnosis. There are a few moments that are relatable throughout that made me cringe, because I was recognizing myself and the traits that I wish I didn't possess.
And thennnn every once in a while, I'd read something that gave me the vibe of those people on social media that use ADHD to excuse everything they do, even when it makes no sense and actually makes them seem unhinged. Those parts were harder to get through, because while it *could* be your ADHD manifesting, I also have to wonder where we draw the line, you know?
Overall, I did enjoy this read and there was enough that felt relatable to make it feel worthwhile to me. Just because it doesn't exactly match my personal experience doesn't mean it may not align totally with another person's experience, and I'd recommend giving it a try!
*Thanks to Hachette Books and NetGalley for the ARC!*
And thennnn every once in a while, I'd read something that gave me the vibe of those people on social media that use ADHD to excuse everything they do, even when it makes no sense and actually makes them seem unhinged. Those parts were harder to get through, because while it *could* be your ADHD manifesting, I also have to wonder where we draw the line, you know?
Overall, I did enjoy this read and there was enough that felt relatable to make it feel worthwhile to me. Just because it doesn't exactly match my personal experience doesn't mean it may not align totally with another person's experience, and I'd recommend giving it a try!
*Thanks to Hachette Books and NetGalley for the ARC!*
July 10, 2024
**4 Stars**
"I'll Just Be Five More Minutes" by Emily Farris deeply resonated with me, as someone diagnosed with ADHD at a young age. This book was a cathartic read, allowing me to see my own tendencies and habits mirrored in someone else's experiences. It's not a self-help book, but it offers validation and understanding for those with ADHD.
Farris's strong opinions on topics like politics make this memoir personal and engaging. Since this book was Farris's life and experiences, I found it tricky to rate. which is why I struggled with giving it a rating in the first place. Overal a very good read/listen.
**Trigger Warnings:** Abortion and drug talk.
Highly recommend to anyone with ADHD or those curious about it!
"I'll Just Be Five More Minutes" by Emily Farris deeply resonated with me, as someone diagnosed with ADHD at a young age. This book was a cathartic read, allowing me to see my own tendencies and habits mirrored in someone else's experiences. It's not a self-help book, but it offers validation and understanding for those with ADHD.
Farris's strong opinions on topics like politics make this memoir personal and engaging. Since this book was Farris's life and experiences, I found it tricky to rate. which is why I struggled with giving it a rating in the first place. Overal a very good read/listen.
**Trigger Warnings:** Abortion and drug talk.
Highly recommend to anyone with ADHD or those curious about it!
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