The Autistic Book Club discussion

Hi, I'm from Turkey, living in the Netherlands. I learned that I am on the spectrum nearly 2 years ago (and I am 33 years old). Since then I am trying to read every book I find about spectrum. I prefer fictional or autobiographical books to non-fiction books because now I know what I need to know about autism, I don't need anymore the Dsm5 explanations or definitons. What I need now is to see my story in other people's stories. But the books I found are usually about western lifestyle (sorry for the generalisation but you will understand my point in a minute). They don't talk much about society/religion pressure, about absence of personal space in the family/between friends/between far relatives/or between anyone on the street. There is not much literature about autism in Turkey, they are mostly about parenting to an autistic child. Not much about autism in adulthood.

So does anyone know a book about spectrum in eastern cultures? I will be very happy to hear your suggestions.

I'm sorry if I'm using this group wrongly. This is my first message on a Goodreads group. Don't know the rules yet:) If this is not the place, please let me know.

Hi Jjames!

Welcome to the group and you are not using it wrongly!
You ask such an interesting question, and I'm unable to give you a good answer because I don't know of any fictional or autobiographical books set in eastern cultures, I'm hoping someone else may be able to help?

What is encouraging is that as more people are diagnosed (or self-diagnose) I am seeing more books being published by Autistic authors, which is brilliant for those of us who seek to see ourselves in a book.

Often, when I read an autobiography or fictional account by an Autistic author, I am able to relate, despite having a wildly different background to the author. I find I am able to relate to their Autism, but not their background. If you are interested in that kind of book, (whilst we wait for Autistic authors in eastern cultures to write their stories!) these titles may interest you:

The Reason I Jump by Naoki Higashida
Drama Queen by Sara Gibbs
Ten Steps to Nanette by Hannah Gadsby
Unmasking Autism by Devon Price
But you don't look Autistic at all by Bianca Toeps

Take care, Rachel

These lists might help

https://www.goodreads.com/list/show/1...

https://www.goodreads.com/list/show/1...

@Rachel, for your encouraging words. I will check your list. I am interested in all kinds of books about spectrum, they help me understand myself a lot already. But in the meantime I will try to find something that I can relate with in cultural background wise. Thanks again =)

@carascraftsations thanks, I will check these lists too=)

Olive, Volume 1: By the Light of a Blue Moon French, Black Female and autistic main character who is in university

The Gilded Wolves 1889 Paris female Jewish

Convenience Store Woman Takes place in japan through the point of view of an autistic woman.

Afrotistic

Something More

DeadEndia: The Watcher's Test Norma Khan is an autistic Pakistani-American girl

Everything Comes Back To You Told in four parts—freshman, sophomore, junior and senior year—the story follows an autistic, Palestinian-Canadian girl intent on being the perfect Arab daughter