YA or adult novels suitable for (not about) teen with autism

[Nineteenseventy]

I hope I’ve picked the right board for this! Looking for recommendations for ds who likes reading, but it’s hard to find books for him.

He is 15 and awaiting autism assessment. He’s probably typical of what would previously have been diagnosed as Aspergers - clever, nerdy, good at maths, no difficulty reading, but baffled by other people, so doesn’t enjoy/can’t see the point of stuff like descriptive language, subtle clues, detailed analysis of emotions.

I’ve tried googling for book lists for autistic teens, but can only finds books about autism. I just want books that other autistic teens have enjoyed. He used to read a lot of Alex Rider & similar action series. He’s also read a few Agatha Christies recently & Tolkein, but I don’t think he has a preference for those genres, possibly it’s more the straightforward plots he likes.

He is easily an adult level reader, but I’ve no idea what books to suggest now & am hoping others might have suggestions.

Sounds like it might be a good idea to find a series he would like as if he enjoys the first he will be more likely to enjoy the others. The Ruby Redfort books by Lauren Child about a teenage girl spy have lots of intriguing maths type puzzles, but might be too young for him. Starts with Look into My Eyes. How about Sherlock Holmes? I’ve always thought Sherlock might have had Aspergers. Start with the short story collections. I’m sure you’ve thought of this, but a lot of teenage boys prefer nonfiction and there are some great reads out there. Biographies of scientists, perhaps? Something that would chime with his interests.

Thanks pollyhemlock. He's read & enjoyed the Ruby Redfort books and some Sherlock Holmes stories, but I'd forgotten the latter, so will see if there are others he hasn't read yet. He sometimes reads nonfiction history & 'amazing facts' type books, but I don't think he's read any biographies - thanks for the suggestion.

Science fiction might be a good avenue to explore, particularly hard SF. Not so much of the long tedious descriptions of people's living rooms or meandering internal thought processes, often concentrates heavily on plot and concept rather than characterisation (especially golden age and classic hard SF). I can't remember whether Heinlein's juveniles would contain anything that's perhaps a little outdated in terms of attitudes…

If he's 15, and bright, I wouldn't;t worry about trying to find him teen books, as such. He'd enjoy spy/Cold War thrillers, probably, or even something like The Da Vinci Code. Those very male, pacy books, will probably be right up his street.

Artemis Fowl is great.

What about easy to read thrillers? Eg Lee child? Girl with the dragon tattoo?
The Martian might be good. Also agree with sci fi generally. What about a bit of dystopian type fast moving fiction, something like the girl with all the gifts?
Fantasy - maybe something like Brandon Sanderson's mistborn.
Ken folletts pillars of the earth is good and has lots of history and geeky descriptions of architecture.

The London Eye Mystery by Siobhan Dowd?

My ASD teen was a late reader but is now quite widely read. He has to read a lot for uni but favours classic Russian sci-fi for relaxation reading. He genuinely enjoys non- fiction history books and has read a few entry level books about politics and economics, theres a good one called "Economix" which explains how economies work in comic strip form, i keep meaning to read it myself!

Echoes by Laura Tisdall is great.
The girl with all the gifts also good.

THanks for all these suggestions. I think there's lots he might enjoy here. I hadn't even heard of hard sf JoyFreeCake - had to google it. I'll look up all the other suggestions.

I'm not sure about the adult thrillers, spy books, etc because he's quite emotionally immature and will probably be deeply embarrassed if I suggest books with sexual content, so not sure how to find out which are suitable. I've only read Girl With the Dragon Tattoo and I think that might be a bit much for him! But Spy genre books would probably appeal to him.

Out of my suggestions the only one with much sex in is dragon tattoo (I also haven't read Lee child) Pillars of the earth a little as well but it's not as much part of the book or as graphic
I thought of some others
Ready player one
Blake crouch dark matter (exciting sci fi thriller), and his other one, can't remember the name
Classics like 1984, brave new world?

Speaking as a former autistic teen and now with an autistic pre-teen; terry pratchett and any funny sci fi...good omens is a great one. I like pratchett for the universal truths and he also tells you a lot about human nature. Hitchikers guide, the red dwarf novels, and funny commenantarians like bill bryson and david sedaris

Anything by Patrick Ness but in particular the Chaos Walking trilogy. Set in the far future, on a planet colonised by humans, where men and boys are affected by something “the noise” - everyone can hear their thoughts. It’s a great story and very gripping.

The Robert Muchamore Cherub books are a great series on the teen spy lines. Highly recommend.

My DS liked anything by Douglas Adams: Hitchhikers Guide and Dirk Gentlys Holistic Detective Agency.

Could try John Grisham thrillers. They're low on relationship nuance and high in plot twists & mild-moderate peril.

Does it have to be fiction?

Fingers in the sparkle jar would be good.

Steer clear of Heinlein because of the misogyny.
I'd recommend Alastair Reynolds (particularly Redemption Space series) and maybe Adrian Tchaikovsky.

But, I agree wholeheartedly with @Stevienickssleeves - Pratchett, HHGTTG, and Bill Bryson - all the worldly education anyone needs, autism or no

Urgh- Revelation Space, sorry!

John Le Carre might be good. I started those around 15. Bernard Cornwell's Sharpe books or Patrick O'Brien are a hit with my slightly aspie DH. Sounds a bit bizarre, but maybe some chic-lit like Marian Keyes? They've got straightforward plots with emotions obviously signposted and no unnecessary poetic bits! Ben Aaronvitch's Rivers of London might work too, as might some Dickens.

Seconding Terry Pratchett esp City Watch ones - it's been very useful for my autistic 11yo for discussing personal safety, drugs, etc.

Bill Bryson's early travel books also good as enough funny stuff happens that the social observations don't distract from it.

He could also try Philip Reeve’s Railhead trilogy. Set in the far future. Thriller type plots combining sci-fi and fantasy .Features giant sentient trains that can travel between the stars.

Is Railhead not a bit young for a 15yo? My 11yo (also with asd) just read those books, but maybe I've messed up, because I didn't read them first?
He loved Mortal Engines series, which I read too, so I assumed they were ok

@PhilODox The Railhead series is classified as younger teen, possibly slightly older than Mortal Engines, but I don’t think there’s anything there that’s unsuitable for an 11 year old. I loved them and I’m 66!

Ds1 loves skullduggery pleasant and Artemis fowl. I used to read Steven king, dean koontz type of books.