FutureLab

Sarah V reviewed Unmasking Autism by DeVon Price

DeVon Price: Unmasking Autism (2022, Potter/Ten Speed/Harmony/Rodale)

Review of 'Unmasking Autism' on 'Goodreads'

5 stars

A non pathologizing first person account of the experience of an autistic person identifying their autism, the mask of neurotypical behavior they were forced to wear, and the wonderful person they blossomed into when they began to leave that mask behind. Supported by life experiences of other autistics, centering the experiences of intersectional autistics like those who are Black and brown, Deaf and Blind, transgender and more. Filled with hundreds of citations to autistic authors and scientific research. I found this book immensely helpful and an autistic person trying to unmask, and have ordered a copy for my therapist.

Sarah V rated Catching Fire (The Hunger Games, #2): 2 stars

Suzanne Collins: Catching Fire (The Hunger Games, #2) (2009)

Catching Fire (The Hunger Games, #2) by Suzanne Collins

Catching Fire is a 2009 dystopian young adult fiction novel by the American novelist Suzanne Collins, the second book in …

Sarah V rated The Hunger Games: 2 stars

Suzanne Collins: The Hunger Games (Hardcover, 2008, Scholastic Press)

The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins

In the ruins of a place once known as North America lies the nation of Panem, a shining Capitol surrounded …

Sarah V rated Mockingjay (The Hunger Games, #3): 2 stars

Suzanne Collins: Mockingjay (The Hunger Games, #3) (2010)

Mockingjay (The Hunger Games, #3) by Suzanne Collins

Mockingjay is a 2010 science fiction novel by American author Suzanne Collins. It is chronologically the last installment of The …

Sarah V rated Foundations of library and information science: 4 stars

Richard Rubin: Foundations of library and information science (Paperback, 1998, Neal-Schuman Publishers)

Foundations of library and information science by Richard Rubin

The primary purpose of this book is to describe the current LIS environment and examine some of the ever-changing forces …

Sarah V rated Reference and Information Services: An Introduction: 4 stars

Kay Ann Cassell: Reference and Information Services: An Introduction (2018, American Library Association)

Reference and Information Services: An Introduction by Kay Ann Cassell

Sarah V rated Remnant Population: 4 stars

Elizabeth Moon: Remnant Population (Paperback, 2003, Del Rey)

Remnant Population by Elizabeth Moon

For forty years, Colony 3245.12 has been Ofelia's home. On this planet far away in space and time from the …

Sarah V reviewed A Psalm for the Wild-Built by Becky Chambers (Monk & Robot, #1)

Becky Chambers: A Psalm for the Wild-Built (EBook, 2021, Tor.com)

It's been centuries since the robots of Panga gained self-awareness and laid down their tools; …

Review of 'A Psalm for the Wild-Built' on 'Goodreads'

5 stars

It was short. It had to be short. Short was just right, every word perfectly crafted.

Sarah V reviewed Marriage and lasting relationships with Asperger's syndrome (autism spectrum disorder) by Eva A. Mendes

Eva A. Mendes: Marriage and lasting relationships with Asperger's syndrome (autism spectrum disorder) (2015)

Review of "Marriage and lasting relationships with Asperger's syndrome (autism spectrum disorder)" on 'Goodreads'

2 stars

Better than other books I've read on this subject but that's not saying much. I am autistic and in a relationship with a neurotypical person. The intro to this book gave me hope, talking about ASD as autism spectrum differences. Unfortunately, though less so than other books, this one still has a lot of ableism and pathologizing in it. From apologizing without understanding what's wrong to talking to a doctor for medication to correct a low libido "problem" I found a significant portion of this book problematic. Perhaps best summarized with the quote "The truth is her partner with ASD can't just make changes by deciding to do so. Each day he has to work against his natural impulses, whilst exercising patience with his partner." Striving to deny my natural way of being in favor of performing neurotypicality is the essence of masking, and that's harmful in general and toxic …

Better than other books I've read on this subject but that's not saying much. I am autistic and in a relationship with a neurotypical person. The intro to this book gave me hope, talking about ASD as autism spectrum differences. Unfortunately, though less so than other books, this one still has a lot of ableism and pathologizing in it. From apologizing without understanding what's wrong to talking to a doctor for medication to correct a low libido "problem" I found a significant portion of this book problematic. Perhaps best summarized with the quote "The truth is her partner with ASD can't just make changes by deciding to do so. Each day he has to work against his natural impulses, whilst exercising patience with his partner." Striving to deny my natural way of being in favor of performing neurotypicality is the essence of masking, and that's harmful in general and toxic in a relationship like a marriage.

While a step above the typical asd relationship book, I sadly can't recommend this.

Sarah V reviewed Half-Built Garden by Ruthanna Emrys

Ruthanna Emrys: Half-Built Garden (2022, Doherty Associates, LLC, Tom, Tordotcom)

On a warm March night in 2083, Judy Wallach-Stevens wakes to a warning of unknown …

Review of 'Half-Built Garden' on 'Goodreads'

5 stars

I don't re-read books very often, and usually with a long time in between. I'm going to make an exception for A Half-Built Garden; I'll probably read it again this year, which for me is saying something. Definitely Solarpunk and massively delightful, certainly one of my top 5 favorite books. Highly recommend.

Sarah V rated Autism in Heels: The Untold Story of a Female Life on the Spectrum: 4 stars

Jennifer Cook O'Toole: Autism in Heels: The Untold Story of a Female Life on the Spectrum

Autism in Heels: The Untold Story of a Female Life on the Spectrum by Jennifer Cook O'Toole

Sarah V reviewed Another Now by Yanis Varoufakis

Review of 'Another Now' on 'Goodreads'

3 stars

Interesting ideas on socioeconomics, but I picked this up thinking it was fiction and it's just not. Putting your ideas about how to structure the economy in quotes doesn't turn it into fiction. The ideas are super interesting but it's very hard to read.