A community-contributed list of books and podcasts covering topics such as healing, wellbeing, rest, burnout, autism, ADHD, creativity, and spirituality
- "What my Bones Know" by Stephanie Foo is an incredibly powerful book on cptsd, and I've seen it often be recommended rather than The Body Keeps The Score in particularly for people who are in high risk of getting re-traumatised. I've read and loved both, but this felt more powerful, and this one also builds on the other one in ways, as the author shares her story of healing, and part of that being going through all the different therapies and interventions and books etc. on the topic of trauma.
- "The Autistic Survival Guide To Therapy" by Steph Jones is about the ways that (neuro)typical therapy can be harmful and potentially traumatizing for neurodivergent folks, and what to do instead. Anyone who has been to therapy pre-diagnosis and gotten put on CBT to "just get rid of your unhelpful thoughts and get on with it" should read this book, and ideally all therapists as well.
- "The Autist’s Guide to the Galaxy" by Clara Törnvall is a hilarious and healing read that talks about all the strange behaviours that neurotypical people are up to, and also explores neurodiversity but especially autism through that lens, and it's like a hug to read. I think she wrote it as if to her younger (teenaged) self, so it might be categorised as "young adult" in some bookshops, but it's just *chef's kiss*. Also a perfect book for allistics and other allies!
Did you know that one of the authors of ‘Burnout’ found out that she’s autistic? And she started a youtube channel on autistic burnout and goes to each chapter of her book, giving more information about how this applies to autistic brains and concrete examples of things we can do. The book itself is so helpful, but the accompanying videos work like magic. Thanks for putting the book on the list Charlie, i had it on my to read pile for years, but thought ‘do I really want to read another book written by and for neurotypical brains’ and when I saw it here I figured ‘alright, let’s give it a go’ 😁
Some great ones already on the list- so excited to dive into the others!! I’d also add these books: Neurotribes by Steve Silberman, Unmasking Autism by Devon Price, and Autism Feels by Orion Kelly.
Unmasking Autism by Devon Price PhD is a wonderful book as well! I listened to the audiobook version, which is read by Devon himself! He is a social psychologist who realized he was autistic during his doctorate program.
Hi, This is a great list! Thanks for sharing. I'm new here (Substack). I'd love for you to check out my newsletter- Well Nook. Well Nook is an online community and newsletter that brings together people that are interested in wellbeing to connect, learn, practice, and grow with one another. The newsletter is a thoughtfully curated round-up of wellbeing recommendations and inspiration to help us cultivate comfort, health, and happiness. Have a wonderful week!
Wow this is incredible! I am often on the lookout for new podcasts so this is perfect, thanks so much! I also recommend Meet My Autistic Brain with The Autistic Woman as an autism podcast, and the Thriving Women Artist podcast and Self Taught Artist with Lauren Kristine for creative podcasts :)
"Why We Can't Sleep - Women's New Midlife Crisis" by Ada Calhoun was a really powerful, timely read as I turned 40. So many truths that largely remain unspoken about what has been historically the age that women become invisible to society at large.
This is such a generous thing - thanks for sharing.
Thank you for this! So many titles that are new to me, and a few I've been meaning to check out. Someone recently recommended Austin Kleon so it's nice to see confirmation here too. One book on creativity I love is How to Write One Song by Jeff Tweedy (of Wilco) - I'm not even planning to write songs, but I enjoyed his breakdown of the creative process and how to just get started with ONE song, or piece of art. Now you're a songwriter.
This is spectacular! Thank you so much! Consolidating and sharing these resources is an epic act of love. Truly. There is a loneliness when navigating this solitary journey, and having companions in the solitude is a warm feeling. Plus having resources that encourage introspection and intellectual curiosity is brilliant. It’s nice to find like minded people 🙏♥️ As always, many many thanks for nurturing this Charlie 🥰
I’ve really enjoyed “Mess is Progress: a personal chronicle of an unmasking, late diagnosed autistic woman” by Hannah Walker
Oh and “but you don’t look autistic” by Bianca Toeps
Thank you for sharing lovely!
Thank you for pulling this together ~ great resource
This list is awesome. I am listening to a podcast called The Other Autism by Kristen Hovet. It's really great
Thank you for sharing Val, I'll include that in the next iteration of this centralised list :)
So many that are already favourites here, thanks so much for sharing!
Hopefully that's a good sign you'll find some other gems buried in here :)
absolutely!
So excited to further explore the list!!
I have heard from several people that The Body Keeps the Score can be re-traumatizing since its intended audience is clinicians & academics.
- "What my Bones Know" by Stephanie Foo is an incredibly powerful book on cptsd, and I've seen it often be recommended rather than The Body Keeps The Score in particularly for people who are in high risk of getting re-traumatised. I've read and loved both, but this felt more powerful, and this one also builds on the other one in ways, as the author shares her story of healing, and part of that being going through all the different therapies and interventions and books etc. on the topic of trauma.
- "The Autistic Survival Guide To Therapy" by Steph Jones is about the ways that (neuro)typical therapy can be harmful and potentially traumatizing for neurodivergent folks, and what to do instead. Anyone who has been to therapy pre-diagnosis and gotten put on CBT to "just get rid of your unhelpful thoughts and get on with it" should read this book, and ideally all therapists as well.
- "The Autist’s Guide to the Galaxy" by Clara Törnvall is a hilarious and healing read that talks about all the strange behaviours that neurotypical people are up to, and also explores neurodiversity but especially autism through that lens, and it's like a hug to read. I think she wrote it as if to her younger (teenaged) self, so it might be categorised as "young adult" in some bookshops, but it's just *chef's kiss*. Also a perfect book for allistics and other allies!
Did you know that one of the authors of ‘Burnout’ found out that she’s autistic? And she started a youtube channel on autistic burnout and goes to each chapter of her book, giving more information about how this applies to autistic brains and concrete examples of things we can do. The book itself is so helpful, but the accompanying videos work like magic. Thanks for putting the book on the list Charlie, i had it on my to read pile for years, but thought ‘do I really want to read another book written by and for neurotypical brains’ and when I saw it here I figured ‘alright, let’s give it a go’ 😁
Hi Silvia! I would love to watch it on youtube. Do you maybe have a link that you can share? :) thanks! ♡
Sure, here it is :)
https://youtube.com/@amelianp?si=5d12upfNgTobL0_W
Thank you! :)
Some great ones already on the list- so excited to dive into the others!! I’d also add these books: Neurotribes by Steve Silberman, Unmasking Autism by Devon Price, and Autism Feels by Orion Kelly.
Unmasking Autism by Devon Price PhD is a wonderful book as well! I listened to the audiobook version, which is read by Devon himself! He is a social psychologist who realized he was autistic during his doctorate program.
Hi, This is a great list! Thanks for sharing. I'm new here (Substack). I'd love for you to check out my newsletter- Well Nook. Well Nook is an online community and newsletter that brings together people that are interested in wellbeing to connect, learn, practice, and grow with one another. The newsletter is a thoughtfully curated round-up of wellbeing recommendations and inspiration to help us cultivate comfort, health, and happiness. Have a wonderful week!
Wow this is incredible! I am often on the lookout for new podcasts so this is perfect, thanks so much! I also recommend Meet My Autistic Brain with The Autistic Woman as an autism podcast, and the Thriving Women Artist podcast and Self Taught Artist with Lauren Kristine for creative podcasts :)
"Why We Can't Sleep - Women's New Midlife Crisis" by Ada Calhoun was a really powerful, timely read as I turned 40. So many truths that largely remain unspoken about what has been historically the age that women become invisible to society at large.
This is such a generous thing - thanks for sharing.
This list is sooo good thankyou Charlie xx
Thank you for this! So many titles that are new to me, and a few I've been meaning to check out. Someone recently recommended Austin Kleon so it's nice to see confirmation here too. One book on creativity I love is How to Write One Song by Jeff Tweedy (of Wilco) - I'm not even planning to write songs, but I enjoyed his breakdown of the creative process and how to just get started with ONE song, or piece of art. Now you're a songwriter.
This is spectacular! Thank you so much! Consolidating and sharing these resources is an epic act of love. Truly. There is a loneliness when navigating this solitary journey, and having companions in the solitude is a warm feeling. Plus having resources that encourage introspection and intellectual curiosity is brilliant. It’s nice to find like minded people 🙏♥️ As always, many many thanks for nurturing this Charlie 🥰
Nerdy shy and socially inappropriate. And I think I might be autistic. By cynthia kim.