Disability Pride: Recommended Reading for Adults

Celebrate Disability Pride Month with new and recommended Fiction and Nonfiction for adults.

Updated June 24, 2026
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Lewis and Clark Library Lewis and Clark Public Library
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Disability Pride: Recommended Reading for Adults

Celebrate Disability Pride Month with new and recommended Fiction and Nonfiction for adults.

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ADHD 2.0 : new science and essential strategies for thriving with distraction - from childhood through adulthood
Hallowell, Edward M.
Paper Book
A revolutionary new approach to ADD/ADHD featuring cutting-edge research and strategies to help readers thrive, by the bestselling authors of the seminal books Driven to Distraction and Delivered from Distraction "An inspired road map for living...
ADHD is awesome : a guide to (mostly) thriving with ADHD
Holderness, Penn
Paper Book
AN INSTANT NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER -- MORE THAN 250,000 COPIES SOLD! The engaging, uplifting antidote to traditional ADHD books (which, let's be honest, if you have ADHD you'd never read anyway). You live in a world that wasn't designed for you. A world where you're...
Adrift in Currents Clean and Clear
McGuire, Seanan
Paper Book
Giant turtles, impossible ships, and tidal rivers ridden by a Drowned girl in search of a family in the latest in the bestselling Hugo and Nebula Award-Winning Wayward Children series from Seanan McGuire. Nadya had three mothers: the one who bore her, the country that...
After the miracle : the political crusades of Helen Keller
Wallace, Max
Paper Book
In this powerful new history, New York Times bestselling author Max Wallace draws on groundbreaking research to reframe Helen Keller's journey after the miracle at the water pump, vividly bringing to light her rarely discussed, lifelong fight for social justice across gender,...
All the little bird-hearts
Lloyd-Barlow, Viktoria
Paper Book
*LONGLISTED FOR THE BOOKER PRIZE FOR FICTION 2023* *WINNER OF THE AUTHORS' CLUB BEST FIRST NOVEL AWARD 2024* *SHORTLISTED FOR THE SOCIETY OF AUTHORS ADCI LITERARY AWARD* 'Delicate and strong... I loved it' Maggie O'Farrell' 'Darkly vivacious... mesmerising...
Always remember / Ben's Story
Balogh, Mary
Paper Book
Lady Jennifer Arden and Ben Ellis know that a match between them is out of the question. Yet their hearts yearn for the impossible. Discover a new heartwarming story from New York Times bestselling author and beloved "queen of Regency romance" Mary Balogh. Left unable to...
Beautiful people : my thirteen truths about disability
Blake, Melissa (Blogger)
Paper Book
Well-known disability activist and social media influencer, Melissa Blake, offers a frank, illuminating memoir and a call to action for disabled people and allies. In the summer of 2019, journalist Melissa Blake penned an op-ed for CNN Opinion. A conservative pundit caught...
Behooved
Stevenson, M.
Paper Book
A charming slow-burn romantasy featuring a duty-bound noblewoman with a chronic illness, a prince who would rather be in a library than on a throne, and a magical ride through a world of cosy enchantment 'So much fun' T. Kingfisher 'Sparkling and joyous' Seanan...
Being Heumann : an unrepentant memoir of a disability rights activist
Heumann, Judith E.
Paper Book
Soon to be an Apple feature movie directed by CODA's Sian Heder and starring BAFTA-nominated actress Ruth Madeley as Judy Heumann "This important book will help ensure that every person gets a chance to live up to their full potential and will always have a place at the...
The boys of Riverside : a deaf football team and a quest for glory
Fuller, Thomas (Journalist)
Paper Book
NAMED A BEST BOOK BY BOOK RIOT, AND MORE! * The incredible story of an all-deaf high school football team's triumphant climb from underdog to undefeated, their inspirational brotherhood, a fascinating portrait of deafness in America, and the indefatigable head coach who spearheaded the...
Brittle joints
Sweeney, Maria
Paper Book
2025 Eisner Award Nominee! New York Public Library Top 10 Graphic Novels of 2024 American Library Associate Top 10 Best Graphic Novels for Adults of 2024 Starred Review from Publishers Weekly. "It's a revealing visualization of a rare,...
But everyone feels this way : how an autism diagnosis saved my life
Layle, Paige
Paper Book
In But Everyone Feels This Way, Autism acceptance activist and multi-million-follower TikTok influencer Paige Layle shares her deeply personal journey to diagnosis and living life autistically. It all started out pretty normal: Paige lived in the...
But You Look So Normal : Lost and Found in a Hearing World
Marseille, Claudia
Paper Book
2024 IPPY Awards Gold Winner in Best First Book (Nonfiction/Personal) By age four, Claudia Marseille had hardly uttered a word. When her parents finally had her hearing tested and learned she had a severe hearing loss, they chose to mainstream her, hoping this would offer her the most 'normal'...
Cassandra in reverse
Smale, Holly
Paper Book
The Complications: On Going Insane in America
Rensin, Emmett
Paper Book
An unflinching, rare account of living with severe mental illness that is also a bold commentary on how we misunderstand this often debilitating disease. The Complications is an intimate portrait of what it's like to live with schizoaffective disorder of the bipolar type as well as a...
The country of the blind : a memoir at the end of sight
Leland, Andrew
Paper Book
We meet Andrew Leland as he's suspended in the liminal state of the soon-to-be blind: he's midway through his life with retinitis pigmentosa, a condition that ushers those who live with it from sightedness to blindness over years, even decades. He grew up with full vision, but starting in his...
Death of the author
Okorafor, Nnedi
Paper Book
2026 NAACP IMAGE AWARD WINNER WINNER OF THE LIBBY AWARD FOR BEST SCIENCE FICTION WINNER OF BEST SCIENCE FICTION NOVEL, 2026 LOCUS AWARDS THE INSTANT NATIONAL BESTSELLER Recommended by New York Times Book Review * People * NPR...
Demystifying disability : what to know, what to say, and how to be an ally
Ladau, Emily
Paper Book
An approachable guide to being a thoughtful, informed ally to disabled people, with actionable steps for what to say and do (and what not to do) and how you can help make the world a more inclusive place   ONE OF THE BEST BOOKS OF THE YEAR: NPR, Booklist<...
Devout : a memoir of doubt
Gazmarian, Anna
Paper Book
A "moving" (Leslie Jamison, author of The Recovering) memoir that reconciles the author's bipolar disorder diagnosis and her Evangelical faith to create a new framework for which to live. In this "dazzling" (Publishers Weekly, starred review) memoir, Anna Gazmarian...
Disability Intimacy: Essays on Love, Care, and Desire
Wong, Alice
Paper Book
The much-anticipated follow up to the groundbreaking anthology Disability Visibility- another revolutionary collection of first-person writing on the joys and challenges of the modern disability experience, and intimacy in all its myriad forms. What is intimacy? More than...
Disability visibility : 17 first-person stories for today : adapted for young adults
Wong, Alice
Paper Book
Disabled young people will be proud to see themselves reflected in this hopeful, compelling, and insightful essay collection, adapted for young adults from the critically acclaimed adult book, Disability Visibility: First Person Stories from the Twenty-First Century that "sheds light on...
Everything No One Tells You About Parenting a Disabled Child : Your Guide to the Essential Systems, Services, and Supports
Coleman, Kelley
Paper Book
The honest, relatable, actionable roadmap to the practicalities of parenting a disabled child, featuring personal stories, expert interviews, and the foundational information parents need to know about topics including diagnosis, school, doctors, insurance, financial planning, disability rights,...
Funny, you don't look autistic : a comedian's guide to life on the spectrum
McCreary, Michael
Paper Book
Like many others on the autism spectrum, 20-something stand-up comic Michael McCreary has been told by more than a few well-meaning folks that he doesn't "look" autistic. But, as he's quick to point out in this memoir, autism "looks" different for just about everyone with Autism Spectrum...
Haben : the deafblind woman who conquered Harvard Law
Girma, Haben
Paper Book
"This autobiography by a millennial Helen Keller teems with grace and grit." -- O, The Oprah Magazine "A profoundly important memoir." -- The Times ** As featured in The Wall Street Journal, People, and on The...
The hard parts : a memoir of courage and triumph
Masters, Oksana
Paper Book
A 2024 Christopher Award Winner "A gut-wrenching, wildly inspiring story about overcoming the most daunting obstacles through steely tenacity, sheer will, and a great big dose of motherly love." --Jeannette Walls, #1 New York Times bestselling author of<...
How to ADHD : an insider's guide to working with your brain (not against it)
McCabe, Jessica
Paper Book
NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER * In this honest, friendly, and shame-free guide, the creator of the award-winning YouTube channel How to ADHD shares the hard-won insights and practical strategies that have helped her survive, even thrive, in a world not built for her brain. ...
Hunchback : a novel
Ichikawa, Sa?
Paper Book
FINALIST FOR THE NATIONAL BOOK CRITICS CIRCLE JOHN LEONARD PRIZE FOR BEST FIRST BOOK FINALIST FOR THE LOS ANGELES TIMES ART SEIDENBAUM AWARD FOR FIRST FICTION LONGLISTED FOR THE NATIONAL BOOK AWARD, THE INTERNATIONAL BOOKER PRIZE, THE ANDREW CARNEGIE MEDAL FOR EXCELLENCE...
I Identify as Blind: A Brazen Celebration of Disability Culture, Identity, and Power
Lachi
Paper Book
With style and straight talk, musician and changemaker Lachi flips disability and neurodivergence into an empowering identity, a cultural movement, and an innovation engine What if the most taboo parts of our identity--the parts we're taught to mask--are exactly the ones that...
The Jellyfish
Boum/ Lang, Robin (TRN)/ Dascher, Helge (TRN)
Paper Book
Winner of an Eisner Award, Lynd Ward Graphic Novel Prize Honor Book, Doug Wright Nipper Award, Graphic Medicine Award, Sophie Castille Award, and more! "A deeply moving meditation on disability, diversity, and joy."--Kirkus Reviews (Starred Review) "One...
Laughing at my nightmare
Burcaw, Shane
Paper Book
With acerbic wit and a hilarious voice, Shane Burcaw's Laughing at My Nightmare describes the challenges he faces as a twenty-one-year-old with spinal muscular atrophy. From awkward handshakes to having a girlfriend and everything in between, Shane handles his situation with humor and a...
Life hacks for a Little Alien
Franklin, Alice
Paper Book
A little less broken : how an autism diagnosis finally made me whole
Schembari, Marian
Paper Book
"An inspiring memoir about coming home to who you are." --People Magazine One woman's decades-long journey to a diagnosis of autism, and the barriers that keep too many neurodivergent people from knowing their true selves Marian Schembari was thirty...
Look me in the eye : my life with Asperger's
Robison, John Elder.
Paper Book
Look Me in the Eye is the moving, darkly funny story of growing up with Aspergers at a time when the diagnosis simply didnt exist. A born storyteller, Robison takes readers inside the head of a boy who teachers and other adults regarded as defective. Its a strange, sly, indelible account; sometimes...
Loving our own bones : disability wisdom and the spiritual subversiveness of knowing ourselves whole
Belser, Julia Watts
Paper Book
The essential read on disability, spirituality, and social justice that won the 2025 Grawemeyer Award in Religion, the 2024 National Jewish Book Award, and more A transformative spiritual companion and deep dive into disability politics that reimagines disability in the Bible and...
Movement for Every Body: An Inclusive Fitness Guide for Better Movement--Build Mind-Body Awareness, Overcome Exercise Barriers, and Improve Mob
Dernie, Marcia
Paper Book
With humor, empathy, and expertise, a Black, femme, disabled, and neurodivergent physical therapist retraces their journey through a weaponized fitness culture, sharing an alternative path to honor all bodies and needs. An inclusive, full-color guide to improving mobility, building...
My name means fire : a memoir
Yaghmaian, Atash
Paper Book
"I was riveted by this searing ode to the resiliency of the human psyche, rich in beauty and devastation."--Melissa Febos, author of Girlhood An unflinching and stunning debut memoir of an Iranian girl's coming-of-age experiencing abuse, war, and superstition--and her survival...
Neurodiversity
Marble, John
Paper Book
A quick and easy way to understand neurodiversity as written by neurodivergent people and our families Neurodiversity For Dummies is your essential guide in understanding neurodivergent conditions like autism, ADHD, dyslexia, and more. This quick and easy guide is perfect for...
Neurotribes : the legacy of autism and the future of neurodiversity
Silberman, Steve.
Paper Book
A New York Times bestseller Winner of the 2015 Samuel Johnson Prize for non-fiction A groundbreaking book that upends conventional thinking about autism and suggests a broader model for acceptance, understanding, and full participation in society for people who...
No time like the future : an optimist considers mortality
Fox, Michael J.
Paper Book
INSTANT NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER A moving account of resilience, hope, fear and mortality, and how these things resonate in our lives, by actor and advocate Michael J. Fox. The entire world knows Michael J. Fox as Marty McFly, the teenage...
Once Smitten, Twice Shy
Liese, Chloe
Paper Book
AN INSTANT USA TODAY BESTSELLER! Star-crossed lovers learn that practicing romance leads to the perfect happy ending in this steamy reimagining of Shakespeare's Twelfth Night. Since heartbreak entered the scene, Juliet Wilmot, once a hopeless romantic,...
Raising kids with sensory processing disorders : a week-by-week guide to helping your out-of-sync child with sensory and self-regulation issues
Whitney, Rondalyn Varney
Paper Book
Taking a look at the most common sensory issues kids face, Raising Kids With Sensory Processing Disorders offers a compilation of unique, proven strategies that parents can implement to help their children move beyond their sensory needs. This updated second edition: Shows parents how to...
The reason I jump : the inner voice of a thirteen-year-old boy with autism
Higashida, Naoki
Paper Book
"One of the most remarkable books I've ever read. It's truly moving, eye-opening, incredibly vivid."--Jon Stewart, The Daily Show NAMED ONE OF THE BEST BOOKS OF THE YEAR BY NPR * The Wall Street Journal * Bloomberg Business * Bookish
Self-care for autistic people : 100+ ways to recharge, de-stress, and unmask!
Neff, Megan Anna
Paper Book
Ditch the stigma, celebrate your identity, and put yourself first with these 100+ exercises that reinforce the idea that neurodiversity is a strength and teaches you how to relax, destress, find your community, practice self-love, and more. When you're autistic, it can be tough...
The sideways life of Denny Voss : a novel
Kennedy, Holly
Paper Book
Longlisted for the 2025 Giller Prize. Nominated for the 2026 Edgar Award--Best Paperback Original. Finalist for the 2026 Audie Award. In this poignant and funny novel, a man who is defined by his limitations sets out to fight a murder charge--and...
Sitting pretty : the view from my ordinary resilient disabled body
Taussig, Rebekah
Paper Book
A memoir-in-essays from disability advocate and creator of the Instagram account @sitting_pretty Rebekah Taussig, processing a lifetime of memories to paint a beautiful, nuanced portrait of a body that looks and moves differently than most. Growing up as a...
Straight Talk About ADHD in Girls : How to Help Your Daughter Thrive
Hinshaw, Stephen P.
Paper Book
Parenting a daughter with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is no easy path--especially because of the myth that the disorder is rare to nonexistent in girls. From pioneering researcher Stephen P. Hinshaw, this empowering guide provides vital information and advice to help you...
Strangers assume my girlfriend is my nurse
Burcaw, Shane
Paper Book
With his signature wit, twenty-something author, blogger, and entrepreneur Shane Burcaw is back with an essay collection about living a full life in a body that many people perceive as a tragedy. From anecdotes about first introductions where people patted him on the head instead of shaking his...
Stronger : fighting back after the Boston Marathon bombing
Bauman, Jeff
Paper Book
Brave, compassionate and emotionally compelling, the film tie-in edition of Jeff Bauman's story shows what strength really means. When Jeff Bauman woke up on 16 April 2013 in the Boston Medical Center, groggy from a series of lifesaving surgeries and missing his legs, the first thing he...
That's Not How It Happened
Thomas, Craig.
Paper Book
"Funny and poignant... Craig Thomas is a big-hearted, empathetic writer who knows his characters inside and out." --Tom Perrotta, New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of Mrs. Fletcher and The Leftovers "Funny, real and...
Thunder dog : the true story of a blind man, his guide dog, and the triumph of trust at Ground Zero
Hingson, Michael
Paper Book
Faith.  Trust.  Triumph. "I trust Roselle with my life, every day. She trusts me to direct her. And today is no different, except the stakes are higher." ?Michael Hingson First came the boom'the loud, deep, unapologetic bellow that seemed to erupt from the very...
The Tin Can Society
Warren, Peter
Paper Book
THE TIN CAN SOCIETY is a heartfelt and human look at the evolution of friendships across a lifetime, at disability and ableism, and the destructive power of fame. The first graphic novel of a brand-new miniseries from Giant Generator showcasing the first comics work by...
True Biz
Novic, Sara
Paper Book
NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER * REESE'S BOOK CLUB PICK * A "tender, beautiful and radiantly outraged" (The New York Times Book Review) novel that follows a year of seismic romantic, political, and familial shifts for a teacher and her students at a boarding school for the deaf, from the...
Unmasking autism : the power of embracing our hidden neurodiversity
Price, Devon
Paper Book
'Reading this felt like being at home - I didn't realise how much I masked. What an incredible book that I know will be re-read many times over.' - Dr Camilla Pang, author of Explaining Humans'Unmasking Autism is at once a most deeply personal and scholarly account of...
Unmasking for life : the autistic person's guide to connecting, loving, and living authentically
Price, Devon
Paper Book
Live your best, unashamedly unmasked Autistic life with this invaluable resource featuring tools for navigating friendships, family, work, and love, from the author of Unmasking Autism. "Unmasking for Life should be read by not only autistic people but their...
Upward bound : a novel
Brown, Woody
Paper Book
NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER * A READ WITH JENNA BOOK CLUB PICK AS FEATURED ON TODAY * A wondrous, deeply affecting portrait of the interlocking lives at an adult day care center in Southern California, depicting an often overlooked community with extraordinary wit and grace--a...
Visual thinking : the hidden gifts of people who think in pictures, patterns and abstractions
Grandin, Temple
Paper Book
'Grandin has helped us understand autism not just as a phenomenon, but as a different but coherent mode of existence that otherwise confounds us' The New York Times Do you think in pictures, patterns or words? In a world engineered for the verbal thinker,...
Year of the tiger : an activist's life
Wong, Alice
Paper Book
NATIONAL BESTSELLER * ONE OF USA TODAY'S MUST-READ BOOKS * This groundbreaking memoir offers a glimpse into an activist's journey to finding and cultivating community and the continued fight for disability justice, from the founder and director of the Disability Visibility Project ...
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