1
Cute Child: On Life, Pop Culture, Disabilities, and Other Reasons to Fall in Love with Me Author: Keir Brown
In a collection of essays on life as a Black disabled woman, pop culture, relationships, self-love, and more, Brown invites us into her life with fresh, light-hearted prose that’s empowering, insightful, and relatable, no matter who you are.
Related: 25 of the best memoirs of all time that will make you laugh, cry, and think
2
Solutions and other issues by Allie Brosh
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Credit: Gallery Books
Filled with keen observations, belly humour, and themes ranging from sadness and helplessness to pet antics and the general absurdity of life, Brosh’s illustrated essays are like a warm pictorial hug — if you enjoyed her first book, “Hyperbole and a Half,” you’ll be hooked.
3
The Kissing Index by Helen Hoang
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Credit: Berkeley
Stella is a math genius with more money than she can spend, but she’s never been kissed. Being on the autism spectrum, Stella hates the idea of kissing, so she does the only logical thing – hires a professional escort to help her understand all the sexual situations. But of course, Michael Phan’s lessons soon become much more than either of them expected.
Related: 20 Best Romance Novels to Get You in the Mood
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Real business (adjective/exclamation, American Sign Language): really, seriously, definitely, in earnest
The kids at River Valley School for the Deaf want the same things as any other teen: to pass their classes, have a little flirting, and stay out of the way of their parents, the government, or the medical establishment. This book is a celebration of disability rights and social justice, but it’s also a beautiful story of human relationships, deaf and hearing alike.
Five
Sorrowland by Rivers Solomon
Desperate to give her children a better life, Byrne flees the religious institution and gives birth to twins in the forest. But pursued by the community, her body fights back. She must confront the past she’s on the run and the future that awaits in this gothic novel that will refresh your knowledge of monsters.
6
The Silence Between Us by Alison Gervais
Though technically a young adult novel, the story of a deaf teenage girl who must transfer to a new public school before her senior year of high school will captivate readers of all ages. Maya’s new teacher underestimates her, and the new boy begins learning American Sign Language to better communicate, but their relationship is threatened when she makes choices he cannot understand.
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7
Good Kings Bad King by Susan Nussbaum
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Credit: Algonquin
Told through the eyes of teenagers living in an institution for the disabled, the characters are in every sense typical kids: emotionally unstable, with their own complex little society, and yearning for independence and self-reliance in a world that doesn’t allow them any.
8
Get a Life, Chloe Brown by Talia Hibbert
After nearly dying, chronically ill Chloe Brown creates a bucket list to spice up her life, with the help of her sexy, careless neighbor. Romance is obviously not in the plan, but is it even possible? For those of us itching to get outside again, let’s take some inspiration from this thrilling adventure.
9
Beauty is a Verb: The New Poetry of Disability
Credit: Cinco Puntos Press
A rich collection of poetry by writers with disabilities, with each section beginning with an artist’s statement providing context for the work, it’s perfect for long-time poetry readers and those new to the form.
Related: The best poetry books to challenge and inspire you
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Ten
The Collected Schizophrenias by Esme Weijun Wang
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Credit: Greywolf Press
A moving and incisive look at the experience of being diagnosed with and living with schizoaffective disorder, this book gets to the heart of what it means to live with a mental illness – from the influence of higher education and the medical community to using fashion as a masking tool, this is a collection that will resonate with all readers.
11
Making Disability Visible: Stories of 21st Century Leaders, edited by Alice Wong
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Credit: Vintage
This incisive collection of essays celebrates and examines the important contributions, complex lived experiences, and unique culture of the disability community in the U.S. today. It is edited by activist Alice Wong, who also wrote the must-read memoir, Year of the Tiger.
12
We’ll never meet in real life: Essays by Samantha Irby
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Credit: Knopf Doubleday
The author of Wow, No Thank You and Meaty shares essays on building adult friendships, why she should be the next Bachelorette, and her journey to scattering her dad’s ashes. Pro tip: hydrate before you start reading; this one might make you spit.
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13
Disability: Fairy Tales, Disability, and Making Space by Amanda LeDuc
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Credit: Coach House Books
In many fairy tales, the villain probably has some kind of disability. What do the children who grow up listening to these stories learn from them? This eye-opening book examines “Once upon a time” stories, from Grimm’s Fairy Tales to Disney, and how they influence how we view people with disabilities today and the disability rights movement at large.
14
“Marcelo in Real Life” by Francisco X. Stork
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Credit: Scholastic
Marcelo hears music others can’t hear and notices details others miss, but what he believes to be an important part of himself is believed to be nonexistent by his father. His father forces Marcelo to work at his law firm for the summer, where he meets a beautiful co-worker, Jasmine, and Wendell, the son of another partner. There, he discovers drama, jealousy, romance, and even a little mystery.
15
Tessa Miller, “What Doesn’t Kill You: Life with Chronic Illness – Lessons from a Rebellious Body”
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Credit: Henry Holt and Co.
Blending the thorough research of journalism with the searing emotion of memoir, this is a little bit of both when it comes to life with a chronic illness. A frank examination of what three in five Americans with chronic illness experience, this book is an essential read for us all.
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16
Cut Loose! by Ali Stroker and Stacey Davidowitz
A 13-year-old girl dreams of a leading role in her school musical, but believes she’ll be overlooked for the part because she uses a wheelchair. And if she is cast, will her classmates assume it’s because of her disability and not her talent? Looking back on her childhood, Stroker, the first actor in a wheelchair to win a Tony Award, has co-written a fascinating novel filled with theatrical references and insights about accessibility in schools. For ages 8 to 12.
17
“A Day Without Words” by Tiffany Hammond
This lyrical story follows a day in the life of a mother and her son, emphasizing that non-verbal children are just as intelligent as others. The autistic boy uses a tablet to communicate with others and embraces the way he speaks. A beautifully written situation is depicted where disrespectful adults call the boy “disabled.” Author Hammond and her two sons are autistic. Intended for ages 4 to 8.
18
I am a masterpiece! by Mia Armstrong
Child actor and activist Armstrong gives us a rare insight into the joys and challenges of having Down Syndrome. When her teacher asked the class to draw a self-portrait on back-to-school night, she drew not how she looked, but how she felt. Her classmates were rude at first, but soon understood. Her parents are very proud of her for accepting herself: “They love me for who I am, which means I can be myself.” For ages 4-8.
Liz (she/her) is a Senior Editor at Good Housekeeping, runs the GH Book Club, edits essays and feature articles, and writes about pets, books, and lifestyle. A journalist for nearly 20 years, she is the author of Biography of a Body and Buffalo Steel. She also teaches journalism as an adjunct professor at NYU’s School of Professional Studies, teaches creative nonfiction at the Muse Writing Center, and is a coach at the New York Writing Room.
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