We can't stress this enough; this isn't a self-help book. Nor is it a book making any bold sociopolitical claims other than this one; Neurodivergent people are a community of real human beings with many shared experiences and as such we have a right to celebrate those experiences with silly stories about pet tortoises, one night stands, and showing the doctor your bumhole. Expect cluttered kitchen counters, awkward coworker interactions, trespassing, cheese stealing, tears in the Austrian Alps, burned carpets, mayonnaise, plaque covered teeth, Duck à l'Orange, party poppers and much more as we share some of our favourite "Neurodivergent Moments" - moments in our lives when our brain has acted in an unconventional way. We hope that by showing you the funny parts of our differently wired brains, we can encourage you to be yourself and most importantly laugh. Don't worry, you're in the company of people who 'get it'.
This was a bit of a different type of book talking about Neurodiversity in particular Autism and ADHD. Both the contributors are comedians and I definitely had some big smile moments reading this one. It’s not one to be taken seriously and the Authors say that openly. It’s not self-help or a deep dive into issues. Nothing preachy or complex.
I was diagnosed with Autism in my 40’s (initially Aspergers until they changed it) and my adult son is Autistic and also has ADHD (Combined Type). His was identified in him from pre-school age. It’s hard enough navigating life being Autistic but my son has even more struggles as whilst traits of both are the same often it’s the total opposite. So his brain pulls in opposite directions.
I found it very relatable with many funny moments and stories. I could laugh at the book and myself as I went along. It’s got an overall very positive vibe to it. Some books written by Neurodivergent authors can get pretty heavy, and that’s fine - it was nice to have something a bit lighter.
Written from both an ADHD perspective then an Autistic one it will gently help those not fully understanding the difference see how that goes. You might have a few “ah-ha!” moments recognising things in yourself or others you know.
It’s incredibly hard to get properly diagnosed and like many the Authors went the private route as the waiting times on the NHS are horrendous. SO many people think getting the “label (hate that term) is easy and it’s over-diagnosed. Let me tell you - the assessments and testing and hours of in-depth diagnostics often over many sessions will absolutely NOT diagnose you with either if you are simply not. It’s the actual opposite - people are getting misdiagnosed or not diagnosed at all leaving them in a limbo situation.
Once you know it’s so clear that neurodivergent brains are very different from non-ND. It peeves me off when those who are not neurodivergent claim it to be a chosen choice label too. Are you kidding me? People JUDGE you if you mention it, stereotype you and much worse. It’s not something fun to put on display. And no we are not “all on the spectrum somewhere”. That’s like saying “we are all a little bit blind”. But ignorance continues.
Sorry, rant over. The Authors have a podcast too which I’m keen to have a listen to. I personally related more to the Autistic moments rather than the ADHD (understandably) but could absolutely see where some ADHD thinking and processing overlaps. It gave me greater compassion for my son with the battle of the two in his brain.
This book was a great breath of fresh air that takes a human and often funny look at how we act, think and process. At the same time respecting the significance of how living with either/both absolutely comes with its struggles and challenges. There is no mocking going on here. I related so much to certain scenarios and I particularly love it when a comedic look at it all is applied.
A solid 4 stars from me. I read it in one go and really enjoyed it. Definitely something a bit different when it comes to books and memoirs on this topic.
Many thanks to Jessica Kingsley Publishers for my ARC via NetGalley.
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Neurodivergent Moments by Abigoliah Schamaun and Joe Wells was such a funny and genuinely relatable read. The book captures so many small, everyday experiences in a way that feels honest and real. I found myself laughing a lot while reading it, but it also handles more serious topics thoughtfully. The balance between humour and heavier moments works really well.
neurodivergent moments - a collection of 24 humorous stories that explain how neurodivergence can effect daily life.
ARC received from Jessica Kingsley Publishers via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
an entertaining read, but i really don’t know that it should have been a book? like i’m interested in their podcast now but i really don’t think this should be a published book. i am diagnosed with ADHD, a suspicion that i am autistic lol, and i found many of these stories relatable but i wouldn’t purchase this or recommend anyone to purchase. formatting is wonky and they repeatedly say that this is not advice etc, then on a “chapter “ about drugs and alcohol they spend multiple paragraphs about how drugs and alcohol are bad. idk if this is purely for litigious reasons or if the authors thought this was necessary or funny but it was annoying to me, because it’s definitely unnecessary to tell the tales of their drug and alcohol use while being neurodivergent.
Neurodivergent Moments is a relatable, silly, and easy-to-read collection of short essays by neurodivergent authors Abigoliah Schamaun (ADHD) and Joe Wells (autism). It’s a pretty short read, and I imagine most readers could finish it in one sitting. What I enjoyed most about it was the organization of the book into specific topics, followed by an essay with both the ADHD experience and the autistic experience. The division made it to where one could easily skip back-and-forth or read only short amounts at a time, something that I think makes the book more accessible to what I imagine will be a majority neurodivergent audience. Also, as an autistic person myself, I found Wells’s essays incredibly relatable, though I often found myself relating to Schamaun’s experiences as well.
It’s worth noting that this isn’t a self-help book and isn’t going to be a deep dive into neurodivergence. If you’re looking for something like that, this isn’t the book for you, but it’s great for just a quick, pleasurable read full of relatable moments. Along the way, you might wind up with a few ideas for working with your neurodivergence (I thought the olive chapter was incredibly informative, and I’m going to try it out and see if I can grow to like olives), but it’s primarily just a collection of comedic personal narratives, similar to Sedaris.
I think this book would make a great gift for neurodivergent readers but also for family members of neurodivergent people. There are a lot of things mentioned that people with ADHD/autism don’t even really think about doing, but I think it would serve as both a great way for family members to empathize with their experiences as well as noting some of these traits in themselves.
Thank you so much to NetGalley and Jessica Kingsley Publishers, who provided a free ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Thank you to Jessica Kingsley Publishers and NetGalley for the ARC. Neurodivergent Moments is out June 18th.
This was such a refreshing and genuinely delightful read.
Written by two neurodivergent authors (one autistic, one with ADHD), the book is structured as a collection of essays — twelve from each writer — covering everything from everyday social mishaps to the wonderfully chaotic ways neurodivergent brains interact with the neurotypical world.
Each essay is witty, sharp, and beautifully self-deprecating. The authors don’t shy away from the real struggles of navigating a world that often isn’t designed for them, but they present those moments with humour, honesty, and a lot of heart. I found myself laughing in one paragraph and nodding thoughtfully in the next.
It’s also incredibly accessible. The essays are short, punchy, and easy to dip into — yet each one offers a small window into the neurodivergent experience.
And yes, the book absolutely gave me a few eye-opening moments… although after reading it, I feel like “jelly balls opening” might actually be the more accurate term.
Insightful, funny, and quietly educational without ever feeling preachy — this is a fantastic read for anyone curious about neurodivergent perspectives.
Abigoliah Schamaun and Joe Wells telling stories in Neurodivergent Moments about ADHD and autism through humor. The stories cover diagnosis, work, school, socializing, sensory overload, relationships, sex, and trying to understand yourself or someone else when your brains work differently. A lot of it is funny, and a lot of the jokes have something more painful underneath.
I related to Abigoliah talking about being an average student, doing enough to get by, and later realizing she was slow at processing some things. The work section talked about how neurodivergent people have to think about the actual conditions of a job: whether it is too loud, too quiet, too boring, too social, too scratchy, too rigid, or full of rules that make no sense. Abigoliah has an essay called “No Jobs, Just Side Hustles.” Side hustles are messy, but that kind of mess works better for me than a regular job with conditions that don't work for me.
The book positioned ADHD and autism sit next to each other. Joe is autistic and his wife has ADHD, so sometimes he is trying to follow rules while she is running on chaos. There is a lot about trying to understand each other. Sometimes it's funny. Sometimes it's heartbreaking. I related to the socializing section too because being around others can help you feel less alone, but it can also drain every bit of energy out of you.
"Neurodivergent moments" is exactly what the title suggests: a collection of moments in the authors' lives (one autistic and the other ADHD) when their brains acted in unconventional ways. It starts with the premise that there is a "neurodivergent culture" that people share, and that can make people feel more empowered and less lonely. I do not have neither ADHD or autism, but, being in the stage of "informal diagnosis" of dyspraxia, I really miss that element of community, and I do look forward to the day I can chat with someone else in the same situation and they tell me they got lost in a straight line and I can say "Me too!!". Or that they got lost at the park and their 2-year-old found the right way for them and I can say "ME TOO!!". I do miss that element of "dyspraxic culture" and I love that this book provides that for the autistic and ADHD communities. Regardless, the essays are really funny for anyone, those with or without neurodivergency, and also really good to learn about what other people experience. I would recommend to anyone who'd enjoy a collection of comedic essays. Thanks to NetGalley for providing an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
”Twenty-four neurodivergent moments that are neither inspiring nor helpful”, Abigoliah Schamaun summarizes the work she has done with fellow writer Joe Wells. I have to start out by begging to differ - the book managed to be both!
A collection of shorter essays about some of life’s most prominent topics (relationships, work, family, etc., etc.), written from two different perspectives: diagnosed Autistic and diagnosed ADHD. The authors don’t make any kind of claim to having all of the answers, but they proudly share their answers, all with a comical but still empathic and sometimes self-deprecating tone that heavily induces my laughing-so-I-snort-out-my-coffee state.
While I must confess that a lot of my enjoyment may be due to the fact that I could relate heavily to both (finally someone understands the way sunscreen is one of the most horrible things known to man!), I still believe this will prove an entertaining and enlightening read for someone who is very neurotypical.
I just wish it was longer…
4,5 out of 5 stars (and I finished it in one sitting…)
In this book comedians Abigoliah Schamaun (ADHD) and Joe Wells (autistic) talk about their neurodivergence through short essays about their everyday lives and common themes like travel, school, food, ...
This is not a self-help book but a way to share universal experiences and stories that neurodivergent people run into all the time.
I have ADHD and autism myself so this book immediately spoke to me. The amount of times I went "hey, I do that too" are too many to mention them all. The essays are witty, fluently written and paint a nuanced picture of living with neurodivergence. As opposed to self-help books heavy on the psychology, here we get to see the small things and common thought processes that are part of just existing with autism or ADHD.
This was a very pleasant reading experiences. I giggled, I chuckled and I cackled. I sighed, cringed and related. Most importantly, I felt seen and understood. I really recommend reading this book, even if you're not neurodivergent.
ARC provided by Jessica Kingsley Publishers via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. This was a quick, easy read with a generous dose of humor. I enjoyed the collection of short essays capturing neurodivergent moments from the perspectives of Joe (Autistic) and his wife Abigoliah (ADHD), spanning from diagnosis through everyday life. The book is organized into sections (School, Work, Relationships, Food, Travel, and more) with each topic presented through both of their experiences.
Many of the moments were relatable, and I appreciated the small bits of data and information woven throughout. While the authors are clear that this isn’t a self‑help book, it still offers insight into how they’ve learned to live authentically in a largely neurotypical world.
I do wish the book had been a bit longer, with more in‑depth stories and perhaps a richer integration of the informational pieces since those were especially engaging. It also left me curious to check out their podcast.
As a person with a lot of neurodivergent people in my life, I really appreciated these honest and funny observations and anecdotes.
There are two authors, which is great for providing two different points of view: ADHD and autistic, woman and man. It took me a while to realise they’re not a couple — maybe I just missed that at the beginning, and in any case it’s not really that relevant.
There’s the saying, “You’ve met one neurodivergent person, you’ve met one neurodivergent person.” Everyone is different and it can help people’s understanding and empathy, neurotypical and neurodivergent alike, to read Neurodivergent Moments.
It’s an entertaining, informative, and fast read, broken into small chunks perfect for ADHD-ers.
I also started listening to the podcast of the same title (great, one less thing to remember!) which I wasn’t aware of before coming across this book. And I can also recommend the podcast.
In writing Neurodivergent Moments, Schamaun and Wells are continuing the mission they pursue in their podcast of helping build community and connections amongst our community. As they put it, "Build a community around you of other neurodivergent people and you will slowly lose the fear of being judged". In this book, Schamaun and Wells share "Twenty-four neurodivergent moments that are neither inspiring nor helpful", but are delightfully fun. It is particularly gratifying to see how their experiences with ADHD and autism respectively have created different impacts in their lives, and it was enjoyable going on a nostalgic journey with them.
Thank you to NetGalley for providing this book as an eARC.
As someone who is neurodivergent and gifted, I found a lot to relate to in Neurodivergent Moments. The essays are funny, honest, and often surprisingly familiar. More than once, I caught myself laughing because an experience or thought process being described felt very close to my own. The book does a good job of capturing the everyday realities of navigating a world that is often designed with different assumptions in mind.
What I enjoyed most was the balance between humor and self-reflection. The stories are entertaining, but they also highlight the misunderstandings, frustrations, and small victories that can come with being neurodivergent. I never felt like the authors were speaking for everyone, which made the book feel more genuine.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an advanced copy of this book!
This was a fun read! The authors are clear it's not a self-help book, so if you are looking for that or for a deep dive on the intricacies of neurodivergence, this one might not be for you. However, if you, like me, have lots of neurodiverse friends and family, this is full of delightful musings on a range of different topics and caused laugh out loud moments and reflective moments thinking about how so much of this relates to many people in my circle that I love dearly.
I was honestly worried I'd be slogging through this, but it was quite the opposite! The format had me flying through the different topics and I was at the end before I knew it. I've seen some other reviews mention that this doesn't "make sense to them as a published book", and while sure, it's not a novel, it is a collection of short stories/essays and well worth publishing! I also can't wait to give the podcast, that the authors host, a listen as well!
Thank you so much to NetGalley and Jessica Kingsley Publishers, who provided a free ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Neurodivergent Moments is a collection of short essays by neurodivergent authors Abigoliah Schamaun and Joe Wells (ADHD and Autism). It was a little difficult to read only because of the layout due to it being digital. Not sure if it is correctly formatted yet. This is not a self-help book but more about the lives of each author. I am autistic myself so it was nice to read something by another autistic person. Many things written were super relatable and had me highlighting on my kindle.
Thanks to Netgalley and publishers for a copy of this book to review.
This was so affirming and fun... I hadn't heard of this podcast before reading, but I think I will definitely be jumping on to learn more. This was short essays regarding life with neurodivergence. Being recently diagnosed after 35 years of not knowing why I was so weird, books like this help so much.
Another wonderful book by neurodivergent authors that more should read - even if just for a snippet of how neurodivergence can impact in all aspects of life (and how it's also a superpower!).
This was a great read! I am neurodivergent myself, so reading about other people's "moments" was both eye opening and reassuring. I was diagnosed three years ago and I have been reading as much as I can to figure out how to navigate this new realization. This book was super helpful because it made me realize that I am not alone in this journey and there are many others out there going through the same thing.
Thank you to the writers, this is a funny and sometimes sobering look at what it is like to be neurodivergent.
I definitely loved the humor and moments throughout and find things relatable with being autistic myself. I liked seeing how everything is navigated and provided with the little informational facts. It has stricken me with interest in checking out their podcast. As it isn't a self help book but just a compilation of their experiences between ADHD and Autism with what they have found for their answers with every day life it's a heart warming read that also might give you your own personal insight into yourself.
If you are looking for a book that feels like a warm hug from a friend who truly gets it, this collection of short anecdotes is an absolute gem.
The book is a delightful compilation of the funny, quirky, and utterly authentic moments that make up the day-to-day lives of neurodivergent individuals. It doesn’t lecture or pathologize; instead, it celebrates the unique ways ND folks navigate the world with humour and heart. Every story is deeply identifiable, capturing those "oh my gosh, it’s not just me!" moments that make you laugh out loud in recognition.
Absolutely brilliant, hilarious, and so incredibly validating. As a spin off of their podcast, comedians Abigoliah Schamaun (ADHD) and Joe Wells (autistic) skip the boring clinical medical terms and serve up 24 chaotic, laugh out loud essays about navigating a world not built for them. From hilarious childhood realisations to the literal mechanics of powder sunscreen, it completely avoids any preachy self help vibes. Instead, it just feels like hanging out with funny friends who totally get the messy reality of neurodivergent life!
I received a free ARC from NetGalley and I'm willingly leaving a review I've known all my life I was one or the other on the spectrum, as well as my siblings and our father (but we all have different levels and specifications and I'm the only one willing to go through with being diagnosed at 60). I couldn't relate to Ms. Schamaun much because of what she shared. TMI was what broke the link between us. I don't want to know you had nice hookups and gave BJs. I don't want to know you were into hard d**gs. I'm no prude; I just don't want to know those things from a stranger's life. That said, I did see myself in many of the examples given, such as the good morning events, or sticking to rules the most possible. I liked how the book was set-up and mini stories from other people's mishaps.
Let me start by saying am rubbish at reading books! I can read a chapter at a time and then need a break - so every book takes me about a month to read. I read this book in 2 days and literally couldn’t put it down. As a neurodiverse person myself, so many of the anecdotes resonated and made sense - and it just helped me so much to feel ‘not as weird’ but just comfortable to be me. It is funny - it is VERY readable - and I would recommend this to anyone who wants to have a little glimpse into the world of the neurodiverse.
Funny, sometimes thoughtful, this is an enjoyable read. Its got shortish chapters/sections making it an easy book to dip in and out of. I wasn't aware of the podcast its authors are involved with but I've since listened to an episode of it about something that affects me and I found it quite entertaining and interesting. Definitely worth a look for anyone curious about neuro diversity - primarily those who feel they themselves are neurodiverse. Its not a self help book, doesn't claim to be but it may well make you smile and laugh regardless. Recommended.
This book is pure joy! It's lived experience, lighthearted and a pleasure to read.
Dont expect a self-help book - that is not the vibe this book is going for an all. If you want to life, smile, face palm (and feel that sense of 'yay, I'm not the only one' this book is a good fit.
The story about the breakfast meeting had me crying with laughter!!
My thanks to NetGalley, author and publisher for the opportunity to review this book ion exchange for an advance copy.
A fun little collection of essays from 2 neurodivergent people, highlighting the way they see, experience and handle their environments. Not a self-help book, as they repeatedly state, so don't expect a how-to or a deep dive into various conditions. I did not know they had a podcast but this seems like it is a physical version of that. Quick read but enjoyable.
Thank you to the authors, Jessica Kingsley Publishers and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this eARC!
*thank you to Netgalley and Jessica Kingsley Publishers for the eARC of this title in exchange for an honest review*
this was a very good and entertaining read! it was extremely enjoyable to read personal stories from other neurodivergent people that i could understand and relate to, especially because even when writing about some difficult/heavy themes, the writers were sincere, but also kept it light. the humour in each essay got quite a few giggles out of me, so it's a solid 4/5 for me.
I wish there were more books like this! It’s so nice to read about neurodivergence from an often humorous, day to day life experience, instead of an overview about what each neurotype is or how difficult it was to grow up undiagnosed (both of which also need to exist, but I appreciated the change in tone in this one). Also appreciated how structured this was and that each part came in short chapters, so this seemed to be made for ND brains as well.
This book is a collection of essays from the point of view from autistic and adhd comedians. I love how relatable these essays are. They're told so humorously and I simply just enjoyed reading them so much. 4.25/5 stars.
Thank you to NetGalley for providing me with a free ARC of this book. All opinions expressed are my own.
Love this book! This was one I never knew I needed, but I did. There were several entries that made me laugh out loud. Sometimes you don’t need a “strategy”, you just need to not feel like a weirdo, and this book gives that gift. I rate it 4 stars and will recommend to my fellow neurodivergent friends!
I really enjoyed this book. Loved the contrast between the two authors and especially loved Abigoliahs confessions at the end about the process of writing it😂 Actually got some tips from it too. Great to see the lived experience of neurodiversity from non medical side too. Well worth the read!