Odd Girl Out by Laura James

Laura James knew she was different. She struggled to cope in a world that often made no sense to her, as though her brain had its own operating system. It wasn't until she reached her forties that she found out why: Suddenly and surprisingly, she was diagnosed with autism. With a touching and searing honesty, Laura challenges everything we think we know about what it means to be autistic. Married with four children and a successful journalist, Laura examines the ways in which autism has shaped her career, her approach to motherhood, and her closest relationships.

3.75 stars I never really know how to rate non-fiction, especially memoirs. I think this was very enlightening and got what I needed out of this book.

Unfortunately a huge disappointment. This book severely lacked in anything of substance and primarily came across as one huge complaint outside of a few key moments. I was hoping to get a better insight into the nuances of Autism in women, but I found the author really missed out on this in making it so intensely personal that it felt like an inner monologue and nothing more.

It would have been nice to read more explanations and explorations of the commonalities of autism in other women rather than hearing one long rambling train of thoughts that just sort of end up painting a really frustrating picture of how autism affects adult women... Really displeased with this reading experience.