Odd Girl Out

My Extraordinary Autistic Life

By: Laura James

Narrated by: Lucinda Clare

A sensory portrait of an autistic mind

From childhood, 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. Laura's upbeat, witty writing offers new insight into the day-to-day struggles of living with autism, as her extreme attention to sensory detail -- a common aspect of her autism -- is fascinating to observe through her eyes.

As Laura grapples with defining her own identity, she also looks at the unique benefits neurodiversity can bring. Lyrical and lush, Odd Girl Out shows how being different doesn't mean being less, and proves that it is never too late for any of us to find our rightful place in the world.

Critic reviews

"Profound and essential. Laura James generously allows us to envison the world through her eyes, as the mundane is infused with a synesthetic beauty. A testament to the aspects of autism that are so rarely appreciated."

--John Elder Robison, author of the New York Times bestseller Look Me in the Eye

"Too often a woman's success is pegged to the 'posse' with whom she surrounds herself. Laura James, relying on her independent spirit and the differences that set her apart, becomes an accomplished writer and starts a communications agency while raising four children. Odd Girl Out offers a choice of freedom over conformity through the understanding and embracing of one's disabilities."

--Eileen Cronin, author of Mermaid: A Memoir of Resilience

"A masterpiece about autism and a vivid narrative about human frailty and strength."

--Liane Holliday Willey, author of Pretending to be Normal: Living with Asperger's Syndrome and Asperger Syndrome Safety Skills for Asperger Women: How to Save a Perfectly Good Female Life

"There are so many myths about what it means to be autistic and Laura tells her story beautifully and truthfully. You will live every moment with her, feel her pain and want to right the wrongs. Some books make a big difference, this is one of them. It should be read by everyone."
--Natasha Harding, The Sun

"An important, touching and incredibly honest book with a wry sense of humor, which challenges the preconceived ideas people have about autistic life."
--Rachael Lucas, author of Sealed With a Kiss and The State of Grace

"Courageous and graceful...Readers will walk away with a new understanding of how autism actually functions."
—Booklist

"Witty and illuminating, James' book offers an intimate look into the mind and heart of an autistic woman who learns to understand her difference not as brokenness but as the thing that makes her unique. A candid and unexpectedly moving memoir of identity and psychological upheaval."
—Kirkus

"Honest and revealing...James demonstrates the complexity of autism, with its strengths as well as weaknesses."
—Library Journal

"James's story, told in an affecting, honest way, is at once intensely personal and extremely relatable... [it] reminds us to have compassion for those who defy our definition of normal, whether or not they have a label."
—New York Journal of Books

I heard so much of myself..

This book had me from start to finish. I was late diagnosed as well and even though we are different there are similarities between myself and the author. I also bookmarked alot to share with my husband. the story wad well written and very enjoyable. I loved it.

personal autism story

I used this to gain a better understanding of my daughter, who was diagnosed as an adult.

This really hit home for me

I connected with the author and almost everything she was saying, even though we don't all have the same problems on the spectrum. I found myself nodding and thinking "this is SO me". I finished this within 24 hours.

Oddly, though the narration was excellent, it started to wear on me in the last few chapters - the way some consonants are pronounced can be irritating to me.This is probably a sensory issue a lot of us share so listen to the sample before you buy.

Enjoyable and enlightening.

I am amazed at the amount of people with autism, who go undiagnosed. After reading this book, I now have a better understanding as to why that is.

I have a second cousin who is on the spectrum. He is nonverbal, requires 24 hour care and displays the characteristics typically thought of as Autistic.

Odd Girl Out broadened my perspective on what I thought I knew about ASD, in an engaging way.

I would definitely recommend this book.

Perspective!!

Definitely worth the read and will make you look at your view of Autism a little different!! :)

wow. fantastic and so relatable.

Absolutely amazing!! such a wonderful woman and such a wonderful book. learning to read books more through audio as I find it helpful I'm so glad you found this one. even someone in a pot of the world I could connect with without meeting or words

Thank you

Thank to James for telling her truth. As a mom of a man on the spectrum, we’ve been so focused on helping him manage the world that we haven’t often stopped to thing of how the world affects him. So much makes sense now. I also found this as a great guide for how to manage systems and processes myself.

In addition, the storytelling was smooth, at times raw, and engaging. Great wit and turn of phrase. An enjoyable listen for sure.

Thank you, Laura James, for writing the book I didn’t know o needed.

Simply Perfect

I am a woman with Asperger’s who was diagnosed as an adult. I have never read a book or heard a person’s story so similar to my own, down to the worries and thoughts. I felt seen and known. Will listen to again and again.

awesome!

loved it! actually made me laugh a few times as I could so relate. a must listen for those of exploring a late diagnosis.

The progress of learning

The story jumped around a lot which I found a bit difficult to keep up with but in the end it made sense. I’m glad I read it. It was helpful and endearing.