Stim

Stim #1

by Kevin Berry

Robert is different. He has Asperger's Syndrome. He experiences the world differently to 99% of the population. Follow his entertaining and highly empathetic story as he struggles to realise and accept who he really is, try to understand other people—which he cannot—and find a girlfriend. Especially find a girlfriend—he's decided it's his special project for the year. Accompanied on this transformative journey by his quirky flatmates, Chloe (who also has Asperger's, amongst other things), Stef (who hasn't, but doesn't mind) and their oddly-named kitten, Robert endures a myriad of awkward moments in his quest to meet a nice, normal girl...and not even a major earthquake will stop him.

This absorbing and humorous story is starkly told from Robert's point of view, through the kaleidoscope of autistic experience.

Genres: New Adult, Fiction, Contemporary, Autistic Spectrum Disorder, Disability, Young Adult, Contemporary Romance

176 pages, Kindle Edition

First published October 16, 2013

About the author

I've always written stories. I started out as a kid creating monster stories with a $5 typewriter from the early 1900's. Now I write novels: speculative fiction (SpecFic), crime fiction, or contemporary fiction according to whatever ideas occur to me. I live in Christchurch, New Zealand, about as far away from anywhere as it is possible to be. Earthquakes devastated the city in 2010 and 2011. They appear in my books. I've got a degree that I've never used and two diplomas, one in Hypnotherapy and the other in a subject I don't mention to anyone, as it was so long ago. I read widely: particularly SpecFic, YA, contemporary and non-fiction. My favourite author is Connie Willis, but I mostly read indie authors nowadays. I also enjoy copy-editing and proofreading other authors' manuscripts.

Reviews

[Maxine (Booklover Catlady) · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book! It's a heart-warming and often funny story about a young man with Asperger's, his life, his inner world, his friend Chloe who also has Asperger's and a kitten with the funniest name ever!

I have Asperger's myself and this book is the BEST non-fiction portrayal of an Aspie I've ever read.Hands down genius! The author really gets it. Being in the mind of our protagonist is absolutely spot on in regards to how living with Asperger's can be (I should know). There are differences too between makes and females with Aspergers and the book covers it brilliantly.

It's a very likeable YA book, I was hooked early on and had a lot of laugh out loud moments reading it. It's fun, entertaining and the ending was so incredibly good! I was cheering all the way.

Whether you have Aspergers, love someone who does, want to know more about life with it or just love good books and don't have a connection with Asperger's then this book is for you. This book can teach more than 10 textbooks on Aspies! I loved it.

The plot is incredibly addictive as are all the characters and following their journey felt like being friends with them all. Everyone should read this book. I read The Rosie Project and felt it missed the mark badly about how Aspergers truly is. Found it too stereotypical. I didn't even like it. This is so much better for its authenticity and yet again we have a young man on the journey to seek out a girlfriend as a life goal. Robert is a wonderful protagonist.

It tackles some important mental health issues too in a very real way. It's written in the first person, from Robert's perspective including some very insightful diary entries that had me highlighting much! I got him, I just got him.

Chloe was wonderful too, she was such a great young woman and such a good friend to Robert. I love where the author took their journey. I'm so glad I stumbled over this book by accident when looking on Amazon and will be buying the sequel which is written from Chloe's perspective. I can't wait. 5 huge stars. Can't say enough good things about this feel-good book.

[Petra · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Some might say that I am not normal, but more accurately, I could say that I am not typical."
Robert has Asperger's Syndrome and perceives and experiences life differently. Robert's brain is simply wired in a different way. Robert is a student in Christchurch, New Zealand. In diary format, the book chronicles his first year at university as he shares a flat with Chloe and Stef. Chloe is a psychology student who also has Asperger's and acts as Robert's "therapist" because Chloe has plenty of therapy experience.
Written by Kevin Berry, who was diagnosed with Asperger's in his forties, Stim was very informative as well as fun to read.
It managed to impart useful information about Asperger's as well as bipolar disorder in an entertaining manner and makes a really great read for anyone wishing to find out more about these topics in a light-hearted but also educational manner. A great young adult novel, it's a very sweet coming-of-age story as Robert's goal for the year is to find a girlfriend.
I particularly enjoyed the parts about language and communication, for example, Robert's effort to understand idioms. Robert takes everything literally and is brutally honest when communicating which leads to some very funny but also unfortunate events.
Heartwarming, refreshing, partly sad but also hopeful, this was a poignant look at the world from a different perspective.
As Robert said, "I am not an incomplete jigsaw who needs solving, fixing or curing... I am just put together in a different way. Who is to say what the final picture should look like anyway".
I'm looking forward to reading the sequel, Kaleidoscope, which is written from Chloe's perspective.
Many thanks to the author and the publisher for providing me with a copy of Stim via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

[♡ Jeri's Book Attic ♡ Jeri the Romance Bibiliophile ♡ · Rating 3 out of 5]

Reviewing “Stim” by Kevin Berry is a difficult subject for me.

Every reader has certain genres that appeal to him. I found out long time ago that I like stories with unusual leading characters. People that are not the “norm”.

As a result of that I have read also my fair share of books that feature characters with Asperger’s – I googled quite a lot about it to get more background in understanding as I noticed quite a lot of different ways that this form of autism is described.

Just a short time ago I read a really good novel featuring a very similar subject as “Stim” – and I have ben agonizing now for an hour on the title of that book – to make the difference clear (as soon as I find it I will edit this review and add the title)

While I believe that the background research, facts as well as the thinking world of Robert have been captured perfectly. I still feel that this is not really a “novel” – it feels more like a memoire – like the diary that Robert is actually writing. And I found it difficult to stay focused.

Yes it was sweet and there was a lot of humor in it but the actual story of Roberts Journey to find a girlfriend became more of a side story to all the things that Aspergers IS.

God I really wished in this second I could remember the other books title to really make my point..

(30 min later)

If were able to watch me during writing - you would have experienced now a 30 minute pause during which I had to search for the book – because I really needed to make my point clear.

The name is “No Ordinary Love” by J.J. Murray (https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/2...) This book features a quite similar subject but due to the different focus it works out better as a novel.

So therefore for this book – reviewed as a novel – my rating will not be more than 3 stars.

[Lindsay · Rating 4 out of 5]

Stim – to self-stimulate, especially with regular, rhythmic movements of parts of the body.

Anyone who knows me will recognize that I have a very eclectic reading style. I will read just about anything I can get my hands on. When I first saw this book, though, I was nervous. It was unlike anything I had ever attempted to read before, but I thought “why not?” I could see no good reason why I shouldn’t give it a shot. SOOOOO glad I did!

The synopsis didn’t give me any clue that it took place in New Zealand. I was thrilled when I read this, because I used to live there. It made me feel a little closer to home. But that’s not where it ended. I read a few more pages and found out that the main character, Robert, actually lived only blocks from my old home! Now, I not only felt closer to home, I WAS home! I recognized all of the street names! I used to walk through the University campus twice a day! It gave me an intense emotional connection to the story, that the majority of readers will not not have the chance to experience. I took this opportunity to make the most of this coincidence; I immersed myself entirely. I sat reading, my belly full of lamb, wearing my sheepskin scuffs (slippers), munching down on my Cookie Time cookies. Life doesn’t get any better than this!

Since I was so familiar with the setting, I took it for granted. Readers who aren’t as clear with the area will lose out on some of the finer details. I encourage readers to use Google to its fullest, especially the street view. Explore Riccarton, and the University of Canterbury campus. Most importantly, watch news videos from after the earthquake hit in 2011. It was devastating to the city, and economy. Thousands were without power, water, or even a roof over their heads. Pictures can’t begin to convey the amount of destruction, but it’s a place to start. I can’t express with words the amount of grief I felt, sitting a world away, waiting to hear if my friends were okay. My heart goes out to the citizens of Christchurch who not only struggle with daily earthquakes, but also a recent flood.

Some might say I am not normal, but more accurately, I could say that I am not typical. I perceive and experience life through the filter of ASD. But NS people perceive and experience life through filters, too… It is just that their filters are more prevalent than mine, that they think the way they see things is the ‘correct’ way, though it is simply the most common.

Robert has Asperger’s syndrome. I was worried that I wouldn’t be able to relate to him, as I don’t know anyone with Asperger’s, but instead, I found myself incredibly attached and protective of him. Every time someone failed to understand or respect Robert, I wanted to reach through the pages of the book and throttle them! I am desperately hopeful that this book will bring awareness and acceptance to autism. Chloe, Robert’s friend and flat-mate, also has Asperger’s, but she seems to have it all figured out. She is able to navigate in a NS (non-spectrum) society, and helps Robert in adapting. I loved Chloe so much! From her name for the cat, the quirky way she plays Monopoly with Robert, to the way that she is vulnerable despite her bravado. She is just as susceptible at being overwhelmed! I can’t wait to read Kaleidoscope, which is her story, following the story in STIM. I haven’t been this excited for a sequel in years!

Be prepared for the writing style. It is very succinct, and usually lacks contractions. This is the first time I have approved of this style, as in this case it fits perfectly with the character. It combined with the story in a very real way. I can imagine that this might aggravate readers who aren’t prepared for it. It’s unlike anything I’ve read before, but I welcomed the challenge and encourage readers to do the same.

I almost put a content warning on this book, but I stopped myself. There is nothing inappropriate in the content, but there are mature themes. Robert and Chloe have a blunt and honest approach to life, including sex and depression. There is also mild language, but I wouldn’t have an issue with my teen reading this, so I left off the warning. Use your own judgement, people!

A copy of this book was provided by the author in exchange for an honest review.

[Mike · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

Stim isn’t your typical story. But then again, Robert isn’t your typical guy. He has Asperger’s Syndrome and his view of the world is different than anyone else. Which really can be said for anyone, it’s just that Robert’s is a little more off the beaten track of “normal” than most.

“Stef was lying on the other sofa, staring at us with her mouth wide open like she was about to scream, but she did not do that. For a few seconds, she said nothing, then said, ‘Um… Who would like a game of Monopoly?”

He actually reminds me a lot like Data from Star Trek the Next Generation - quite naive and clueless as to the emotional motives and social guides that everyone around him take for granted.

“We read through nearly everything we picked up, except the dictionary (I gave up on it because it kept changing the subject) and the telephone book (too many characters to follow)”

Following along with Robert is both heartwarming and heartbreaking as he navigates work, family, friends, and his grand project - finding a girlfriend in his own fashion. With results that range across the spectrum from comic to horrifying in a story that I would recommend to anyone!

“I am not an incomplete jigsaw who needs solving, fixing or curing… I am just put together in a different way. Who is to say what the final picture should look like anyway?”

[Elnora Romness · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was provided with a copy of this book in return for an honest and fair review. What follows are my honest opinions.

Chances are very good that you know someone who has a diagnosable mental illness. In fact, some more conservative studies estimate that if you are in a room with 100 other people, 25 of them have been diagnosed with something.

What do you think of when you hear the words ‘autism’ or ‘Aspergers’? Does “Rainman” come to mind? Perhaps you have a friend, sibling, or other relative who has been diagnosed. Perhaps you have a diagnosis of such yourself. But what does it really mean to live on the autism spectrum? What if you could have a first-person narrative of the experience?

LONG STORY SHORT…
Every now and then a book comes along that makes you want to cheer, hug, and cry all at once. STIM is such a book. Here Kevin Berry has created a masterpiece which I hope will take the world by the lapels and shake it about a bit. You see, here we get a voyeuristic glimpse into the world of Aspergers as Berry uses a diary format to tell the fictional story of Robert, a young “Aspie” man as he goes about trying to make his daily life make sense and be less anxiety producing while living in a world designed for neuro-typical (aka non-diagosed) people. Robert sees the world and interprets experiences in a very different way than neuro-typical individuals. STIM walks us through this different way – why does he do that? Why did he say that? Why doesn’t he just understand? Why can’t he be like the rest of us NS people (aka those without Aspergers)? The answer is gloriously simple while also being dizzyingly complex – his brain doesn’t work that way.

A beautifully written, stark glimpse into the mind of someone with Aspergers, this book should be automatic mandatory reading for everyone, but especially for those who know anyone with autism of any form.

ON A SCALE OF 1 TO 5, I RATE THIS BOOK A 5.

LONG STORY
The Good
Let me just preface this book review by giving the disclaimer that I pounced on the chance to read it like a hungry ferret. You see, I am extensively trained to work with individuals who present with mental health concerns. If pieces of my review get a little technical, or even a little preachy, that is why - I've advocated for children who live with psychological disorders for a number of years, have studied how these disorders impact daily life, and have worked directly with individuals of varying ages who have been given that peskily stigmatic label of "having a psychological disorder".

Let's start with a few statistics and facts
Approximately 1 in 4 people have a diagnosable mental illness.
Males are diagnosed with Aspergers at a much higher rate than females, and such a diagnosis often does not come before age 6 or 7 because language development is often normal (whereas with autism, speech can be delayed).
The media portrays individuals with mental illness (any mental illness) in a patently negative light.
For a quick snapshot of Aspergers, click this link.

STIM is a fictional story told diary-entry-style that documents approximately a year in the life of Robert, a young college-aged man who has lived his entire life as an individual with Aspergers surrounded by neuro-typical individuals. Have you ever seen "The Big Bang Theory", an American comedy about super-geniuses and their girl-next-door neighbor (and assorted friends)? Sheldon. Robert is essentially Sheldon, although Robert is slightly more in tune with social stuff and actually desires to be a part of society, whereas Sheldon would be perfectly happy retreating from the rest of the world, Nobel Peace Prize for theoretical physics in hand.

Robert has a best friend who also has Aspergers, a young lady named Chloe, and lives with her and a neuro-typical gal in a house in New Zealand. He sets goals for the upcoming year and documents them in a diary, per the instructions of his "therapist" (Chloe, she's seen a lot of therapists). We follow him through awkward social interactions, humorous misunderstandings resulting from literal interpretations of spoken language (the English language really is very confusing), adjusting to medication and the results of trying to self-manage that medication, and his quest to find a girlfriend and have sex. By his calculations, there is only one woman in his town who would be available and willing to be his girlfriend and have sex, and he is determined to find her.

This book is super refreshing. It is a book about "Aspies" written by an Aspie. While the story itself may not be true, real-life experience rings from the pages. It is obvious that some of the struggles are things that the author himself has actually experienced...it isn't just something written by someone who is fascinated by Aspergers and is trying to get it (that would be me), it is something written by someone who has Aspergers and gets it.

Also, it is told truthfully. Berry is clear about how some Aspies' struggles and why. Why do individuals with Aspergers desire routine so much? Why to they seem to freeze in social situations? Why do they just not get social interaction stuff that comes naturally to most neuro-typicals? Simple - their brains do not work that way. Routine helps obfuscate confusion and anxiety, as routine signals a predictable future. Freezing in social situations can happen from sensory over-stimulation and a social interaction moving faster than an Aspie's brain can process. Not getting social interactions can be a result of taking in so much information about every interaction that the overall meaning is lost....as well as from a difficulty with non-verbal communication.

I love that STIM goes into the technical aspects of Aspergers by showing how those "technical aspects" that lie within scientific definitions actually play out in life. It is one thing to read about how Aspergers is a difficulty with social interaction, sensory integration, etc and quite another thing to see what that means.

And all in a quick, easy to read, easily accessible, wonderful book. I've recommended this book to my psychology professor as reading for class. I'll recommend it to everyone. It is wonderful to see a piece of media that portrays someone with a psychological diagnosis in a POSITIVE light that actually sees and portrays them for the PEOPLE they truly are. I LOVE it!!!!

The Bugly
Honestly, the only complaint that I have is that this book is too short. I wanted more, to know more about Robert and his backstory, Chloe and her backstory, etc. It is such an engaging and wonderful read that I just wanted more!

[Zoe · Rating 3 out of 5]

Robert has Aspergers Syndrome and sees things differently to neurotypical people. In “Stim”, we follow Rob’s project - To get a girlfriend. Not a lot actually happened in this book in terms of plot but I found Robert quite brilliant. There was a particularl scene where he played monopoly with his best friend (who also has Aspergers) and it made me smile so much.

[Michelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Stim by Kevin Berry is about a boy named Robert who just wants to be able to do the things others do. He would really love to find a girlfriend and do what boyfriends and girlfriends do. Robert has Aspergers and has a difficult time doing things that comes easier to everyone else.

I found this book to be a fantastic take on people with Autism and was loaded with so much information about different aspects of Autism. My son is autistic (ASD, PPD-NOS), he’s 9 and it’s hard to understand what goes on in his head and sometimes you forget that they feel overwhelmed by every day things. This really makes you see the world so different and get a better understanding at how hard it is for people with special needs.

The characters are believable you want to believe that Robert and Chloe are real people living in the world sharing this story. They give so much information on understanding what it’s like to have Aspergers, from simple tasks and routines that need to be followed and just a slight difference can throw off an entire day. Reading about Robert at a party and seeing him get over whelmed is something I have done with my son and how quickly you have to leave or take a break to get them to calm down.

“People with autism can’t visualize what something is like or how it would feel, that has not happened to me yet All I can do is remember all the things that have happened, and find the ones that are most like whatever is happening now”.

You are reading in Roberts POV and seeing how he handles the day and how his goal for the year is to find a girlfriend who is Non-Spectrum. He pretty much wants to experience sex. As much as this book has a lot of information and gives you a look inside Aspergers it’s not a serious take on it, I loved humor and is really a fun read.

I gave Stim by Kevin Berry 4/5 stars. Kevin Berry did an amazing job writing this book. This is a great read for anyone who is Non-Spectrum and anyone on the Spectrum. This gives those who don’t understand people with Special needs a great insight on what it’s like to have Autism. I will also (when he gets older) suggest this book to my son. I have been seeing the world a little different for 9 years now and he is a pure joy my little guy, If you know one person with Autism, you know one person with Autism so as much as I don’t know what the future hold for my son this was a refreshing read to help me understand my son just a bit more. I highly recommend this is a really great informative read with a wonderfully delightful humorous story and with really great characters.
- See more at: http://www.becausereading.com/review-...

[Agnieszka · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's one of those difficult to rate and describe books.
I loved the three core characters, especially both main characters. They are lovable, genuine, quirky, a fresh breath in the rather uniform book characters - I'm aware it's partly due to the fact both are Aspies and think in a different way to what I'm used to see in most of the book.

In a small extend I can see now better what's the difference but also why - which was the reason for grabbing this book in the first place - one of my friends' is an Aspie I'm looking for ways to understand her better. I think the author managed to show us in some way this world, most of us 'normal' people will never be really able to grasp or understand well enough. (Since I'm convinced we all are somehow handicaped - in one way or another - the word normal includes absolutely no judgement - I just have no idea how to express it in a more neutral way)

I loved the humor very much - the way common expressions or the name of the cat caused so many misunderstandings or funny situations. Now I'm regarding some of them in a very different way or finally understood them ;-)

In my opinion some of the style didn't fit with the description of Robert (using different expression for one and the same journal entry - especially since he's described so OCD with language - in a positive way - or 'his' explanaitons to the book titles he read) though this could be my limited imagination and lack of knowledge/understanding.
Another issue I was struggling with were some abbreviations (either not common or specific to the English in New Zealand) and the fact the title word was used from the beginning but only explicitly explained in chapter 13 (or 18 - 60% into the book) when I figured out most of it by than - since I considered it to be on purpose so we can get a feeling for Aspies' every day struggles I didn't include these issues into my final rating.

All in all it's an amazing book and I'm looking forward to read the next one in series - even if after reading the included preview I'm aware it will be much more difficult to follow if English is not your native language - what would be live without challenges :-)

[Anatea Oroz · Rating 4 out of 5]

This review is also posted on my blog, Anatea's Bookshelf.

When I saw this book, I immediately knew I wanted to read it. This book is so different from everything else I ever read, and that's exactly what I was hoping I would get. Something different and refreshing, but also useful.

This is a story of an Aspie, Robert who is diagnosed with Asperger Syndrome. This year he went to college and he set himself a goal. To find a girlfriend and have sex. But this may not be as easy for him as it seems because his Aspie ways always get in the way.

What I really liked about this book is that it deals with a subject I know nothing about, but should know. I never met a person who has Autism or Asperger Syndrome. Of course, I heard about them and I knew they were some kind of behavior disorder, but that is all. I was completely unaware of it, never gave it much thought. In some ways, Stim opened my eyes and made me see that there are people who see the world differently. I am not sure if Kevin Berry is an Aspie himself, but either way, he did a great job trying to bring us closer to understanding a mind of an Aspie. How do they see the world? Why do they act that way? Why don't they understand this? Why did they say that? Those are just some of the questions whose answers you can find in this book.

I loved Robert! He was really funny at times, but sometimes he also made me very sad. It's not possible for you not to sympathize with him. He was lucky as he had a great friend Chloe who helped him in many situations. It was great watching how she helped him to become more confident, more aware of the ways of a person on Autism Spectrum and how to understand people who are normal, or Non Spectrum.

Stim is a book that is definitely worth reading, and also it would be very useful, especially if you know someone who has Autism. If you are curious about this subject, I definitely recommend this book.

[Ginny Gallagher · Rating 4 out of 5]

STIM by Kevin Berry gives you an inside look into the life and mind of a young man diagnosed with Asperger’s Syndrome.  It is written in journal style and chronicles Robert’s journey as he attends his first year at Canterbury University in Christchurch, New Zealand.

We get a front row seat to the troubles and joys Robert discovers as he tries to establish independence in a world that doesn’t accommodate or understand him.

STIM is heartwarming, sad, and hopeful as it gives us a brutally honest look at what the world looks like through the eyes of an Aspie. I found myself wanting to become fast friends with Robert and Chloe. I laughed out loud at their lack of social filters and enjoyed the many conversations that we are allowed to be a part of.

This is an educational coming-of-age story that left me with a smile on my face and a greater appreciation of the differences that we all bring to the world.

I am happy that I read this book and look forward to reading many more by author Kevin Berry.

Some Aspies genuinely struggle to cope with the various facets of everyday life, because the social etiquettes of life are developed and maintained by NS people, and therefore some of them see, strange, uncomfortable or disturbing. We are the square pegs the do not neatly fit into the round holes of life without taking a battering.

 

I am not an incomplete jigsaw who needs solving, fixing, or curing...I am just put together in a different way. Who is to say what the final picture should look like anyway? Some might say I am not normal, but more accurately, I could say that I am not typical.

My Book Source: Book Tour Review Copy
I received this book for free in exchange for an honest review.

[Lynda Dickson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Robert and his flatmate Chloe are both Aspies. They have Asperger's Syndrome, a mild form of Autism. As Robert tells us, "It is difficult for me to know what are emotions and what are not." Most Aspies have an obsession, and Robert's is reading and talking about economics, never mind that he bores everyone silly! He has also made it his mission to find himself a girlfriend this year. After moving into a flat with Chloe and her cousin Stef, Robert experiences the trials and tribulations of having a kitten called Sex, he discovers the joys of Facebook for Aspies, and he gets into trouble when he adjusts the dosage of his antidepressants. His frank and honest comments to others result in some hilarious encounters, while his inability to read people's emotions keeps him from seeing what is right under his nose. It takes a big disaster to bring Robert and Chloe closer together and for Robert to finally find himself.

Robert's personality shines through in both his narration and his diary entries. His lack of use of contractions, while usually annoying, serves perfectly to convey his odd speech patterns. The book is charming and humorous, and it gives us a great insight into the world of an Aspie, as the author is one himself. Stim is full of laugh-out-loud moments. I loved Robert's Girlfriend Equation, his lists of things he's been wondering about, and his definition of NS (Non-Spectrum or "normal") as a disorder.

A true gem of a book.

I received this book in return for an honest review.

[Jess at Such a Novel Idea · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

4.5/5 stars

I have to admit my review is partially biased. This is a subject that is dear to my heart, so having it done well really just skyrocketed it to a favorite.

In 2008, doctors told me what I had long suspected – my son had autism. At the time, I was scared, worried, and terrified. I couldn’t see what our future looked like and it scared me beyond words. Six years later, I still feel like that at times, but I also feel a lot better and more understanding about what that means for my son. It took me a long time to shift my focus from being a parent of autism, to realizing what it meant for my son to have it. To see the world in his shoes.

So, when I find books like Stim, I know it is something I have to pick up.

This book was amazing — sure it was a look into the mind of an Aspie, but it went beyond the television sitcom version of an Aspie. There were so many times reading this book I felt myself feeling what Robert felt. Kevin Berry did an amazing job of putting the reader right there in the scene.

For the rest of this review, visit Such a Novel Idea.

[Vivacious · Rating 4 out of 5]

I just want to give Robert (the hero of the story) a hug. Though he may not like it because he doesn’t know me.

Kevin Berry so vividly captures the spirit of Asperger’s that, as I read the first half of this novel, I thought I had the condition.

I felt so sad for the hero when his attempts at finding love, particularly the one featuring a dentist, ended in disaster. It’s a work of fiction, but Stim is a reminder to not judge others harshly, even when we believe they deserve nothing less.

I liked that it didn’t take the author seven scenes to conclude side stories. Suspense is good, but this was different and worked great.

The writing style is light enough for easy reading (the funny parts make up for the sad ones), and the book is short enough to finish in one, or a few sittings. Which is just as well, because it’s difficult to put down.

Oh, and I can’t remember catching a typo.

Overall, I loved reading Stim and think Kevin Berry is a brilliant writer. Look forward to reading more of his work.

I received this book for free from Awesome Indies Books in return for an honest review.

[Jessica · Rating 5 out of 5]

Robert is an aspie (Person who has Asperger Syndrome) and has a different way of seeing things then most. This year he has made a goal for himself: Find a girlfriend.

I just loved this book. When I was first offered to get a ARC of this book and I saw the description I was happy to come across this book. I am an Aspie and I rarely come across books with a aspie in it. So one thing I loved about it was that I can relate to the character in some of Roberts actions. There was many awkward, cringe worthy moments. This book was hilarious and I couldn't help but to laugh out loud. (Which at the time wasn't a good thing being that I was in public reading this book. Got some people looking at me like I was crazy.) I loved the characters, I liked how quirky his friends were, I loved the Kittens name and the jokes that came with it. There was never a dull moment and I just couldn't put it down. Overall this is a great book and I highly recommend!

[Alison · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars. This is a neat book. I quite liked it. It's about a university student in New Zealand who has Asperger's Syndrome and his adventures. Robert's a great character and his narration is frank and amusing, and it's also very poignant at times. This book is very educational about Asperger's Syndrome, and all that information, while interesting, did take away from my engagement with the story somewhat. So on one hand, this is a story about an interesting guy living his life and looking for love, and on the other hand, it's a very informative book about Asperger's Syndrome and gives a great insight into what life can be like for someone who has Asperger's. I enjoyed the story and I learned things. I'm glad I read it.

[Michelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to the author and Netgalley for the book in exchange for an honest review. Robert is a first year university student in Australia with Asperger's. His project for the year is to have sex with a neurotypical girl. What follows is his journal of his year with his flat mate, Chloe, who also has Asperger's and her cousin and other flat mate, Step, and their kitten they name sex. It is laugh out loud funny, immediately comfortable and realistic to anyone with autism or who loves someone with autism, and introspective. I enjoyed this so much.

[GTR33GURL · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good book about my home town and 2 BFF who couldn't see which was right in front of there nose it was funny as well and a lovely HEA!!!

[Ed Morawski · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm dealing with a grandson who has Asperger's Syndrome so this was a timely and interesting read for me. Although the character in the book is older, it gave me some real insight into my grandson and why he acts the way he does.

I did find some of the situations to be a bit tortured and contrived. Sure this was done for entertainment purposes but a few did seem a little far out there. That being said there is no doubt it is a valuable read for anyone who has loved ones diagnosed with autism or Asperger's.

After reading this I feel I have a much better understanding of how to interact with him and show him the love I crave to give him.

[PJ · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a wonderful short novella that takes you through the trials and tribulations from the point of view of Robert, a college aged man diagnosed with Asperger's. The story consists of journal entries and first person narration showing Robert trying to navigate through the difficulties of maintaining friendships, employment, and dealing with various misunderstandings from people who cannot see outside of the "weird" and help in an informed way. I truly enjoyed this portal into a world that I myself am not familiar with on a first hand basis. Even though this is fiction, I think even small steps can help build better understanding of the world and people around you.

[Carmilla Voiez · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love Robert and Chloe. I understand and empathise these characters on a deep level. I feel their discomfort in crowds and when confronted with noise. I am charmed by Robert's literalism and Chloe's patient understanding. This is a book about valuing who you are. Robert overcomes some difficult times with the help of Chloe and becomes a stronger and healthier person because of it. The self knowledge of these characters goes deep and Kevin Berry writes about people with Aspergers in a beautiful, "warts and all" as Chloe would say, way. I'm delighted there is a sequel and I will be picking it up soon.

[Underground Book Reviews · Rating 5 out of 5]

Stim was a delightful, insightful, and often funny read that pulls at the reader’s heart. It will appeal to those interested in Asperger’s Syndrome and those just wanting to understand the myriad of challenges and unique experiences associated with being different. Highly recommended!

Read the rest of this review at UndergroundBookReviews.org

[Melanie Izzo picciotti · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a relaxing and humorous book. My close friend’s grandson has Asperger syndrome and I know that some of our mutual friends have no understanding of it. They say nothing to her but tell me how (__) must be faking it when he stares and zones out. People like this need to read this book.

[Connie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Funny. Interesting look at life with Asperger’s Syndrome. It was a fun read. And the cat’s name is Sex.

[Angela Dell · Rating 4 out of 5]

Such insight. A good book full of poignant and laugh out loud moments. Enjoyable

[Pam Wentzel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well written. Funny, Entertaining, and informative.

[Sarahanne · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good parts - the way the main character is captured. Thoughts, emotions (or lack there-of), and very deliberate actions that seem SO random to everyone else.

Less successful parts - the pace of the story. The female character's motivation.

Overall, a good book but it took me a while to finish. Just didn't keep me engaged somehow.

[Guia · Rating 5 out of 5]

A big thanks to the author for providing a copy of the book in exchange for an honest review

As an Occupational-Therapist-in-the-making, books about people on the spectrum are particularly close to my heart (case in point, The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Nighttime by Mark Haddon). Stim by Kevin Berry is no exception.

An amazing 5 out of 5 stars for STIM.

Stim tells the story of Robert. He’s a college student with Asperger’s Syndromewho made finding a sexual partner his goal for the year. It’s told in Robert’s point of view and features his journal entries (which I found very amusing) and his own musings and narration (which are very entertaining). I absolutely adored Robert and his commentary on absolutely everything. Robert gives us a very insightful account of how people with Asperger’s Syndrome view the world through the lens of ASD. It was an amazing experience to see the world from their perspective while reading Stim.

Neuro-Typicals (NTs), or those people who do not belong to the spectrum, often misunderstand Aspies. I can’t help but feel my heart hurt for Robert every time the people around him misinterpret what he does or what he says. This is an eye-opening reflection of something that happens in reality. As Robert tries to navigate the social conventions of the NT world, he is constantly reminded of how different he is. There are instances in the story when I wish I could be in there to defend Robert. At the same time, it was also awe-inspiring to see how he bravely tried to understand NTs as well.

Stim was written amazingly. The fact that the author know what it’s really like to be an Aspie gives Stim that genuineness, that honest quality that makes it so much more endearing to readers. It’s fun to read and at time I can feel myself drawn into Robert’s world. Generally, Stim is a light, easy read but, like I said, you can’t help but feel sad for Robert as he struggles to find his place and where and how he fits in the world around him.

It is also a very funny and hilarious account of Robert’s day-to-day adventures. It was really a very entertaining to read! There were some real LOL moments and I loved every single moment that I spent reading Stim.

Stim gives us a glimpse into the Aspie mind and what a very fascinating mind it really is! It’s such a breath of fresh air and a truly enlightening read. Remarkably, what struck me the most about the Stim was that it narrates Robert’s story with a depth and clarity that can rival most of the books out there. Stim has that quiet yet profound quality that I can’t help but admire. Another striking thing is that its author, Kevin Berry, is an Aspire as well. As an occupational therapy student, we often encounter clients with Aspergers. We learn about ASD in our classes and, just so you know, writing a novel would be difficult for people in the spectrum.

You see, oftentimes, people on the spectrum experience problems with what they call the THEORY OF MIND. As neurotypicals, we often don’t notice this becomes it comes so easily and automatically to us. Theory of Mind says that when we see another person, we can automatically assume what that other person is thinking based on what he or she is doing. For people on the spectrum, they have trouble getting into another person’s frame of mind and they also find it difficult to assume another person’s perspective. This is another reason why I found it an amazing feat that Kevin Berry was able to write a full-pledged novel.

Stim, for me, is a testament of his talent and skill as an author. Just reading about Robert and Chloe and the rest of the characters in Stim was an amazing thing by itself. I mean, I really admired how the characters were all complex in their own way.

Kevin Berry wonderfully captured the Aspie world and encapsulated it into a book that informs, inspires, and empowers. I enjoyed immersing myself in Robert’s life and it was an exciting experience.

I highly recommend that you guys read it, too! It’ll be worth it!


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[Tahlia Newland · Rating 5 out of 5]

STIM is a sensitive and charming portrayal of an autistic man's search for a girlfriend. Robert lives in Christchurch, New Zealand, and has Autistic Spectrum Disorder which means that he finds social situations awkward. He has difficulty reading social signals and understanding social conventions, hence finding a girlfriend is much harder for him that it is for NS (Non Spectrum) people.
This simple story glows with Robert's earnest and honest character. His straight forward nature is the cause of much confusion for him and many chuckles for the reader, but there's a serious side to the story, a call for celebrating neural diversity rather than shunning those whose brain works slightly differently to the norm. Reading this book will help you to understand what life is like for an autistic person and for anyone with clinical depression, that's the kind that can be treated with medication - happy pills, as Robert calls them. You'll also gain some insight into bipolar disorder. Robert isn't bipolar, but he does have a manic episode when he ups his dose of happy pills.

Mr Berry draws this endearing character so well that we see the logic of Robert's perception. Some of the things we Neuro Typical people find normal, like figurative speech for example, are ridiculous when seen from Robert's point of view. Robert is somewhat like Sheldon Cooper of the Big Bang Theory. He has the same innocence, social ignorance, logical brain and ability to focus on obscure areas of study. Roberts language is very formal; he even speaks without contractions. At first it seems rather stiff and odd, but I soon realized now perfectly his speech patterns expressed his character.

Chloe is another wonderful character, also an Aspie, and a good friend who helps Robert to become comfortable in his own skin. In this way, it's a coming of age story, that of a young autistic man finding his place on the world. Steph, their flatmate, is an excellent role model for how understanding NS people can be towards those with different neurological wiring. I loved it when he sent her aggro boyfriend packing.

Journal entries detailing what Robert had read recently and how much sexual activity he had had peppered the novel. The book titles and his descriptions of them were delightful as were his reactions to the question of sex. The author uses the format extremely well at the end. The book is undoubtedly well written. The character, the issues and the challenges come over loud and clear, and in an entertaining package.

This is not an an action packed book, and yet I didn't want to put it down - an indication of the author's skill. Robert's life had enough tension in simple things like going to a party and working a job, and the addition of his experience in the Christchurch earthquake ramped it up at just the right point in the plot line. I really wanted Robert to find a girlfriend, but the odds seemed stacked against him. The end was not a surprise, but it was a delight.

I think this book would be enjoyed by anyone who likes literary or contemporary fiction and it really should be read by anyone who knows or works with autistic people in any way. The first person point of view really gets you inside Robert's head.
Well done, Mr Berry. STIM undoubtedly deserves 5 stars.

I received a copy of this free from the author in exchange for an honest review. I am an Awesome Indies reviewer.

[Crystal Marie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I found this book to be not only entertaining but also very informative regarding what life is like for someone with Asperger’s. For the purpose of this review I want to say I will be using some of the “slang” terms such as Aspie for a person with the syndrome and NS which is people who are not on the spectrum, in other words people without any form of the syndrome. We meet Robert and Chloe both with Aspie trying to find their place in a “normal” world. The main realization that I kept coming back to was how society made up the rules for engagement in social settings, but people with Aspie didn’t get the manual, nor do they understand the language. An example of this is when Robert was talking about a glass being half full or half empty. For a NS that means positive or negative but for someone with AS it just means there is still liquid in the glass. Everything is clear cut, straight forward with them when it comes to verbal communication. This gets Robert in a lot of trouble, such as the time when he lost his kitten and he was calling for it. He named the cat Sex; needless to say he spent some time at the police station for that one.
The story begins with Robert taking the challenge from his best friend Chloe in keeping a journal. During this time period he takes us to parties that he attends, the medicine he begins, moving from college campus to a place with Chloe and NS friend. We watch him during events such as natural disasters and the goals he sets for himself. He has never been connected to other humans so when he meets Chloe his world begins to open up. He finds the courage in others to venture out and try to become “normal” even though she reminds him what is normal anyway.
I had to laugh a few times because my husband and daughter are both Aspie and I listen to them talk between themselves about how the rest of the family is so confusing. While reading Robert’s story I was reminded of the time my husband said he felt like people saw him as an alien because he didn’t know how to play nicey nice with people. If they ask a question they should expect a direct answer. This was Robert in a nutshell. He had no clue how to read between the lines, how to drink out of a bottle when there should be glasses. Common sense was lost on him because his brain was wired differently. Crowds would make his brain go foggy like pea soup and sounds would start creating a new tone in his head. Thinking through a situation took longer than people felt it should so they would look at him like he was abnormal. You live those moments with him in this book, but you also get to live his accomplishments which were awesome.
Although the ending felt abrupt, I did like how we were able to see where he was in life after the months with the journal. What goals he accomplished and what he still struggled with. The author let us experience the level of acceptance Robert achieved in this time and we could celebrate his victory. I look forward to starting the next book about his friend Chloe to get her perspective in life. During this book she was very intriguing with her college courses and her determination to just be who she is, plus it will be nice to get more of her and Robert’s relationship. They were really made for each other.

*Copy provided for review*
Reviewed by Tbird for Crystal’s Many Reviewers