Here are two of the books that are in the Belong | Reading Room | in March.

Learning From Neurodivergent Leaders | how to start, survive and thrive in leadership by Dr Nancy Doyle

I am HUGE fan of Dr Nancy Doyle. Her articles always pack a punch and make you sit up and listen!

Nancy was one of the hugely inspirational speakers at The Future is ND ✨ND Leaders: A Celebration of Neurodivergent Excellence ✨ where she did exactly the same in her talk as she does in her brilliant articles; made me sit up and listen! Her energy and trailblazing of the power of neurodivergence is quite an amazing thing.

It was at the event that I bought one of her books and kind of fan girl’ed her when she was signing my book 😳🫣

I’ve only just started reading the book, but I’ve got no doubt it will be packed full of interesting stuff that will resonate with me and you.

Here’s one paragraph that had me nodding along in recognition at my own experience.

Frequently Happy | 52 Mindful Moments to Bring Hope and Joy by David Larbi

I was first introduced to David’s work at a brilliant ‌64 million artists January Challenge creative workshops, which was led by him.

In it he invited us to explore what Creativity is? to us

Over 45 minutes rhythmic words started to pour onto my page and it brought me a lot of joy.

This book is bringing me so much joy 💛

Its not specifically for neurodivergent humans. It's a book for everyone. It takes us through each season with poetry and journal prompts and David’s creative wisdom and joy.

Here’s his introduction words that I think will strike a chord with many an autist:

I hope these books bring you joy if you check them out.

I’d love your input in the Belong | neurokin reading room.

• Have you read either of these books?

  • What did you think of them?

• What else are your reading that is informing and inspiring you about neurodiversity?

• What books are helping you to learn more about your neurodivergent self

Leave a comment

Dedicating a section of Belong…we are neurokin to books.

In my mission to reframe deep winter as a time for gentleness, stillness and deep rest, aligned to the season, I wanted to change where I choose to give my attention and the information I choose to consume - less news, social media and more information that makes me stop to contemplate and consider new angles.

This is something I want to carry through with me in every season; what and how I consume information and where I choose to give my attention.

I removed news and social media apps from my phone and pledged to replace the increasing time I’d been spending there to picking up books, being on Substack or listening to a podcast instead.

As I write this we’re now in March 2025. So how has it been going with me spending less time on social media?

In all honesty I still get drawn into it, but I do feel my relationship with it has changed.

I can step away from my phone more easily.

I can feel the physical effects of the stress and hyper vigilance of the high stakes, violence and drama that is being played out on the world stage and I can stop giving this my undivided attention.

Introducing Belong Reading Room

Naming this section Belong Reading Room has been inspired by a beautiful newly restored place on Brighton Seafront @readingroombrighton serving up amazing food with beautiful views.

The reading room in Brighton was once a tranquil retreat for residents of Lewes Crescent in Brighton, offering 𝘢 𝘴𝘦𝘳𝘦𝘯𝘦 𝘴𝘱𝘢𝘤𝘦 𝘵𝘰 𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘥 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘳𝘦𝘧𝘭𝘦𝘤𝘵.

That’s exactly what I want to offer you as you explore what your neurodivergence means for you.

That’s why I think our Reading Room deserves a section of its own within Belong…we are neurokin!

I invite you to share what books are helping you to learn about your neurodivergence too.

When I shared what I’d been reading in January the most joyous aspect of it was that neurokin shared back your thoughts on the books I shared and what you are reading too.

Not all of the recommendations were explicitly books that focused on neurodivergence. Titles by Virgina Woolf were referenced as books that other neurokin used to help them in their own understanding of themselves.

Reading Room Review 1

Here are two books I’ve been reading, enjoying and being inspired by.

• Nine Minds; Inner lives on the Spectrum by Daniel Tammet

  • presents the nuance of autistic people. It gently illuminates the richness of autism, the talents it helps to cultivate and how a variety of people have found ways to adapt to contribute great things

  • I love the way that Daniel is bringing the rich tapestry of autistic life’s to the surface, weaving the loneliness, isolation and difficulty that can be experienced alongside their brilliant contributions made in the work they do, the places they live, the challenges they experience and how they experience the world.

  • The nine mind’s explored are diverse in age, culture and their experiences. Their personalities shine through, alongside their stories of joy, difficulty, families, ambitions and natural talent.

  • I’ve now completed the entire book. I understand that the author was using the words from interviews provided by the lived experience the person. I found some of the stories didn’t flow so well in the mix of the authors words and that of the first hand account of the person. Sometimes that made the story feel incomplete or jagged.

  • The stories that have stayed with me are that of the Detective Inspector Warren, the Surgeon Warren and Lana, the autist who has deeply researched loneliness in autistic humans and share’s her own story of loneliness and how it affects the Japanese people in this book.

• How to Thrive with Adult ADHD, Dr James Kustow

  • sharing his wealth of knowledge on ADHD from lived experience and professional research and practice as a consultant psychiatrist, this book illuminates so much more than deficit.

  • It shows us the breadth of lived traits and their effect on mind and body; the very real challenges of impulsivity, reward deficiency and, without judgement, addiction; both substance and behavioural/process, for those seeking solace from the debilitating outcomes that ADHD can present, if left unsupported.

  • It sets out ADHD in a clear and visual way; the foundations, seven pillars and moving forward; from adverse to adaptive outcomes. It also highlights the impact of emotional dysregulation - which is excluded from ADHD diagnosis but forms a huge part of the challenges experienced for those with ADHD.

  • His writing style is engaging and informative, so it’s easy to read and gets my mind abuzz with loads of thoughts and ideas.

  • I see parts of myself reflected back in his pages and I know with my autism in the mix it’s not my whole story.

I’d love your input in the Belong | neurokin reading room.

• Have you read either of these books?

  • What did you think of them?

• What else are your reading that is informing and inspiring you about neurodiversity?

• What books are helping you to learn more about your neurodivergent self

Leave a comment