Anyone read Odd Girl Out by Laura James?

[RainbowZebraWarrior]

Bought this book months ago. I had to take a few pages at a time as it was rather overwhelming. But I allowed myself to binge / hyper focus on it today and read 100 pages in an hour or two. So many similarities regarding diagnosis in later life. And of course the inevitable revisiting of childhood. I've mentioned the book a few times on here, but I've now done my usual thing of noting the margins / sticking post it notes on pages that resonate with me.

To be fair, Laura was diagnosed with Ehlers-Danlos syndrome and Postural Tachycardia Syndrome, which I also have so it might be more relevant to me personally. However..

Her childhood, and the way she lives her life now is so reassuring. In so much that she has struggled massively, but is still striving (and thrives) as an intelligent woman in today's world. But makes it clear how difficult she finds life in a Neurotypical world.

I will try and share some details / similarities when I've got more time.

No, eyed it up on audible though.

I'd be interested in your opinions on it when you get time. I've heard of it but haven't read any of it.

An example

Another

This resonates with me in regard to perusing relationships / friendships then panicking that I've bitten off more than I can chew

Something we have talked about on here called Interoception

Oh wow, that really describe what it's like. I always do that, feel like I've bitten off more than I can chew and it will change my life forever.

I'm going to see how much the book is on kindle now.

I really identify with the 'quiet chatterbox' I used to (and still do) monologue with those I feel comfortable with (in this example my parents) but be quiet / mute at school

It's only £4.99
I've just bought it

That last page I posted starts to describe how awful it was to be faced with cold, lumpy, mashed potato at school dinners. And how you can't possibly describe that you cannot even put this thing in your mouth. Never mind actually swallow it. Yet because you can't articulate how bad it makes you feel, you promise to try again tomorrow. Repeat with warm school milk.

@ofwarren it's worth every penny. It's a hard read at times, but an amazingly affirming read at the same time. I've really had to take my time with it. Even though I thought I'd come to terms with a lot of stuff.

It also celebrates a lot of what is great about Autism. And not in the usually 'gifted' scenario.

I've got a copy on its way to me in the post; looking forward to reading it.

"I want to experience life in neutral. Not feeling anything much. For me, the absence of sensation is better than experiencing anything too jarring, too unexpected, too new. I want to move through life with no sudden movements."

Yep, exactly what I posted about the other day.

"I like to read books about people who inhabit a landscape I understand. Most of the fiction I read is set in England and the characters live lives not dissimilar to mine. I read them because I am fascinated by people, but need the context of a world I understand. A book set in Iran or Syria would take me too far out of my comfort zone and I would find it challenging rather than cushioning."

Wow, I never thought about this but I do exactly the same.
I've had special interests about England and I can't watch a film or read a book that is set in another country or worse, is set in space as I just can't relate at all.
Fascinating.

Yes @ofwarren that was a new one for me too. I'm not going to give anything away, as it's quite a personal story for her. But some of her general thoughts and behaviours fascinatingly mirror mine so exactly. Even down to her identifying so much with say specific Enid Blyton characters and why.

Finished it!
Thanks for recommending, it was really good.
I'm now going to have to eat and drink and go to the toilet because I end up reading books on one go and not doing those things

@ofwarren

Finished it! Thanks for recommending, it was really good. I'm now going to have to eat and drink and go to the toilet because I end up reading books on one go and not doing those things

Bless you, ofwarren. Pleased you enjoyed it. I have a habit of doing that too. I'm already planning on reading it a 2nd time.