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Reviews tagging 'Sexual assault'
Different, Not Less: A Neurodivergent's Guide to Embracing Your True Self and Finding Your Happily Ever After by Chloé Hayden
49 reviews
bmceleney's review against another edition
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
3.75
Content Warnings
Moderate: Ableism, Chronic illness, Eating disorder, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, and Sexual assault
kupids's review against another edition
“Autism is not a linear spectrum; it is not a singular line where one end is a little bit autistic and the other is very autistic. Instead, the autism spectrum is more like a colour wheel, in which every colour represents a different strength, a different struggle, a different identity, but all of the colours are autism. Every autistic person is their own, individual, different colour code. No colour is more or less colourful than another colour— they are all equally important parts of the palette.”
Content Warnings
Graphic: Ableism, Eating disorder, and Mental illness
Moderate: Sexual assault and Suicide
Minor: Misogyny and Racism
saskia_ej's review against another edition
emotional
informative
inspiring
reflective
fast-paced
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Ableism, Bullying, Eating disorder, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Sexual assault, and Suicidal thoughts
http_wand3rl_st's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
medium-paced
4.75
I appreciate this book so much.
There are so many parallels to my own life- by the third chapter I exclaimed out loud, “did I write this?”.
When I first opened the book and was met with the opening Mr. Magorium quote, I immediately knew it would be special. That same quote hung on my wall for years and is what inspired me to return to high school when I was struggling for a number of years before my own diagnosis. I still had the paper it was written on tucked away, so I pulled it out and used it as my bookmark. The movie means so much to me and no one I know personally ever seems to know of it.
Even as someone with reading difficulties, I could not put this book down because for the first time I truly felt heard. It was as if I was reading my own thoughts that have for so long gone unspoken. I read it entirely in less than two days, a new record for me personally as typically my average is 1-2 weeks for a 200+ page book.
There is a LOT of helpful information in this book for those who are newly diagnosed.
This book will without a doubt help so many people feel understood and accepted.
I definitely think this is an important and crucial read for anyone in the Education field as well!
Surrounded yourself with divergent voices and learn from the experiences of others!
Thank you Chloe for being vulnerable with us.
There are so many parallels to my own life- by the third chapter I exclaimed out loud, “did I write this?”.
When I first opened the book and was met with the opening Mr. Magorium quote, I immediately knew it would be special. That same quote hung on my wall for years and is what inspired me to return to high school when I was struggling for a number of years before my own diagnosis. I still had the paper it was written on tucked away, so I pulled it out and used it as my bookmark. The movie means so much to me and no one I know personally ever seems to know of it.
Even as someone with reading difficulties, I could not put this book down because for the first time I truly felt heard. It was as if I was reading my own thoughts that have for so long gone unspoken. I read it entirely in less than two days, a new record for me personally as typically my average is 1-2 weeks for a 200+ page book.
There is a LOT of helpful information in this book for those who are newly diagnosed.
This book will without a doubt help so many people feel understood and accepted.
I definitely think this is an important and crucial read for anyone in the Education field as well!
Surrounded yourself with divergent voices and learn from the experiences of others!
Thank you Chloe for being vulnerable with us.
Content Warnings
Minor: Bullying and Sexual assault
emilyb023's review against another edition
emotional
funny
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced
5.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Ableism, Bullying, Chronic illness, Eating disorder, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Rape, Self harm, Sexual assault, Suicidal thoughts, and Dysphoria
bogirita's review against another edition
emotional
funny
reflective
medium-paced
3.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Eating disorder and Sexual assault
arwenundomiel03's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
reflective
medium-paced
4.5
This was a very interesting and informative read, and a different (although in some respects similar) account and view point to Emily Katie’s. Chloé’s honestly and openness about being autistic really shines through and is what makes this book so successful. She offers information and advice whilst acknowledging that hers is just one viewpoint and that there are many others in the world, and that everyone’s experience will be different. I really loved how she included trigger/content warnings in her writing for elements which could be difficult or detrimental for some people to read about. It’s clear that she has really thought about the book’s accessibility and audience, which i think is amazing and sets a positive precedent for books in the future.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Bullying, Eating disorder, Sexual assault, Suicide, and Violence
clovetra's review against another edition
challenging
dark
informative
sad
slow-paced
2.0
i need to preface this entire review by saying i love chloe hayden!!! ive been following her online since 2020, and i adore what shes done for the autistic community & in general her attitude to life!!! i also need to note that i am also autistic, so my experience reading this book may be vastly different to someone neurotypical reading this book, but obv i don't speak for other autistics' opinion on this book.
now, i wish i could say i liked this more.
2 stars seems incredibly harsh but it feels a bit wrong for me to bump it up a star as i didn't enjoy reading this if im honest, it began to feel like a chore. and i think that might be due to the fact im autistic.
i found this book to be quite educational, and honestly, this is my bad but i thought this was moreso a memoir rather than a self-help book, so my expectations were shot going into this ill admit. but i don't know hearing about how shit my life and the lives of other autistics' are was upsetting! i don't say this as a bad thing, i say this purely to explain my rating.
i think this was a beautiful book and honestly i would recommend this to everyone i know ever. but, for me it was not a good fit, a) because i know a lot about autism simply because psychology is my special interest, and b) it made me feel bad for myself? i don't doubt this was NOT hayden's intention, but seeing her succeed in life kinda idk.... made me sad i didn't get any support for my autism as a kid! sure maybe i masked too much so i fell through the cracks, but i kind of felt like "oh, this is what my life could've been like if i got support! yeah sure i'd still be autistic but hey at least i would be able to cope better and idk experience more of life" whilst reading this. i wouldn't even call it jealousy or envy, i would say it was eye-opening in ways i wish it wasn't.
this review is nothing negative on hayden's book. i love chloe and she could do (almost) no wrong in my eyes. she is my aspiration in life. but i don't know this book put a lot in perspective for me that kind of made me depressed.
also, this is solely because im a dumbass, but i went in expecting more memoir aspects, and i was disappointed it was more a self-help book. like when chloe was talking about her experience at the titanic museums i was enjoying it quite a lot! i think the self-help aspect caused a lot of introspection i wasn't ready and looking for, which i think is the whole reason my enjoyment level was so low.
yet again i do like this book i just didn't have a good time </3
chloe hayden if you somehow see this i did love this book i am so sorry
now, i wish i could say i liked this more.
2 stars seems incredibly harsh but it feels a bit wrong for me to bump it up a star as i didn't enjoy reading this if im honest, it began to feel like a chore. and i think that might be due to the fact im autistic.
i found this book to be quite educational, and honestly, this is my bad but i thought this was moreso a memoir rather than a self-help book, so my expectations were shot going into this ill admit. but i don't know hearing about how shit my life and the lives of other autistics' are was upsetting! i don't say this as a bad thing, i say this purely to explain my rating.
i think this was a beautiful book and honestly i would recommend this to everyone i know ever. but, for me it was not a good fit, a) because i know a lot about autism simply because psychology is my special interest, and b) it made me feel bad for myself? i don't doubt this was NOT hayden's intention, but seeing her succeed in life kinda idk.... made me sad i didn't get any support for my autism as a kid! sure maybe i masked too much so i fell through the cracks, but i kind of felt like "oh, this is what my life could've been like if i got support! yeah sure i'd still be autistic but hey at least i would be able to cope better and idk experience more of life" whilst reading this. i wouldn't even call it jealousy or envy, i would say it was eye-opening in ways i wish it wasn't.
this review is nothing negative on hayden's book. i love chloe and she could do (almost) no wrong in my eyes. she is my aspiration in life. but i don't know this book put a lot in perspective for me that kind of made me depressed.
also, this is solely because im a dumbass, but i went in expecting more memoir aspects, and i was disappointed it was more a self-help book. like when chloe was talking about her experience at the titanic museums i was enjoying it quite a lot! i think the self-help aspect caused a lot of introspection i wasn't ready and looking for, which i think is the whole reason my enjoyment level was so low.
yet again i do like this book i just didn't have a good time </3
chloe hayden if you somehow see this i did love this book i am so sorry
Content Warnings
Graphic: Ableism and Bullying
Moderate: Child abuse, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Sexism, Sexual assault, and Medical content
Minor: Eating disorder
fatfrog's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
sad
medium-paced
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Ableism, Body shaming, Bullying, Chronic illness, Eating disorder, and Mental illness
Minor: Sexual assault
melsage1823's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
hopeful
informative
reflective
fast-paced
5.0
Disclaimer: This is an own voices review from an Autistic person. Please read reviews from other Neurodivergent folk as I don't represent the community as a whole.
An Emotional And Uplifting Memoir That Perfectly Balances It's Two Main Target Audiences Without Feeling Cluncky.
As an Autistic person this book absolutely warmed my heart and gave me alot of comfort. Its a book I wish I could have handed to Younger Mel to comfort them. This book is not only full of incredible tips and reassurances for newly diagnosed Neurodivergent folk but also an informative novel that can help Neurotypical people get inside the head of a Neurodivergent person and understand the struggles of living in a world that shuns difference. I'm impressed how Chloé manages to incoperate her own experiences whilst also giving important statistics and tips.
I really liked this novel and didn't find anything that put me off. The only thing I would criticise is the structure. I wish that instead of having the quotes in the middle of certain sections that they were put at the end. The quotes were very necessary but I think they were very off putting and distracting in the middle of a paragraph giving important tips. It also didn't help that the audiobook excluded reading the quotes. That's my only criticism. For a book about accepting everyone it should be more inclusive of dyslexic readers and not make things so confusing. Despite that it didn't take away from my enjoyment.
Now onto the strengths of this Self-Help Memoir. I really enjoyed the fact that the pages were spilled with Chloés personality and that the advice she has was given in a way meaningful to her. I've read many reviews criticising the Disney and Fairy Tale metaphors but without them I think the Memoir would be fairly average. As an Autistic person I love to give random metaphors especially metaphors linked through my special interests. I think Chloé using her special intrests of Disney and Fairytales too describe how Neurodivergent people can accept themselves, takes the reader on a journey in a way that's comfortable for Chloé. The best self-help novels and memoirs add personality to keep the reader engaged and its done perfectly here.
Secondly I have to praise the incredible balancing of its two target readers. This novel knows what it wants to be and what it's overall purpose is and I find that very good. It wants to show Neurodivergent readers that being different is nothing to be ashamed of and also show Neurotypical readers the harms of Shunning difference and how to be a better ally to Neurodivergent folks. Despite having two very clear audiences the novel doesn't feel overcrowded and jam-packed. I also thought whilst reading that both target readers can get something out of the novel and learn something new. Every chapter is structured in a way that makes sure both readers are included and it's very good. I'm generally glad there's a novel out there from an Autistic Person that can help Allistic folk understand one perspective on what it's like to be Autistic and outcasted because of it.
Finally I also have to praise the inclusivity. As mentioned in the previous paragraph Chloé is really good at reaching her target readers. Another way she does this well is by having trigger warnings. Most of the times people like to tell their story without considering what parts might be triggering for people and as a result it makes the book very overwhelming but Chloé makes sure to highlight all the sections that might be distressing and too stressful for people. It's also inclusive in the way that she breaks down the key parts of her story so that it's not too overwhelming for people and hard to read. Throughout every page of this novel you can tell she has her readers accessibly and comfortablity in mind.
Overall wether Neurodivergent or Neurotypical I would highly recommend picking up this novel. Through Chloés telling her own story and sharing important tips, you'll truly be able to understand that different does not indeed mean less.
An Emotional And Uplifting Memoir That Perfectly Balances It's Two Main Target Audiences Without Feeling Cluncky.
As an Autistic person this book absolutely warmed my heart and gave me alot of comfort. Its a book I wish I could have handed to Younger Mel to comfort them. This book is not only full of incredible tips and reassurances for newly diagnosed Neurodivergent folk but also an informative novel that can help Neurotypical people get inside the head of a Neurodivergent person and understand the struggles of living in a world that shuns difference. I'm impressed how Chloé manages to incoperate her own experiences whilst also giving important statistics and tips.
I really liked this novel and didn't find anything that put me off. The only thing I would criticise is the structure. I wish that instead of having the quotes in the middle of certain sections that they were put at the end. The quotes were very necessary but I think they were very off putting and distracting in the middle of a paragraph giving important tips. It also didn't help that the audiobook excluded reading the quotes. That's my only criticism. For a book about accepting everyone it should be more inclusive of dyslexic readers and not make things so confusing. Despite that it didn't take away from my enjoyment.
Now onto the strengths of this Self-Help Memoir. I really enjoyed the fact that the pages were spilled with Chloés personality and that the advice she has was given in a way meaningful to her. I've read many reviews criticising the Disney and Fairy Tale metaphors but without them I think the Memoir would be fairly average. As an Autistic person I love to give random metaphors especially metaphors linked through my special interests. I think Chloé using her special intrests of Disney and Fairytales too describe how Neurodivergent people can accept themselves, takes the reader on a journey in a way that's comfortable for Chloé. The best self-help novels and memoirs add personality to keep the reader engaged and its done perfectly here.
Secondly I have to praise the incredible balancing of its two target readers. This novel knows what it wants to be and what it's overall purpose is and I find that very good. It wants to show Neurodivergent readers that being different is nothing to be ashamed of and also show Neurotypical readers the harms of Shunning difference and how to be a better ally to Neurodivergent folks. Despite having two very clear audiences the novel doesn't feel overcrowded and jam-packed. I also thought whilst reading that both target readers can get something out of the novel and learn something new. Every chapter is structured in a way that makes sure both readers are included and it's very good. I'm generally glad there's a novel out there from an Autistic Person that can help Allistic folk understand one perspective on what it's like to be Autistic and outcasted because of it.
Finally I also have to praise the inclusivity. As mentioned in the previous paragraph Chloé is really good at reaching her target readers. Another way she does this well is by having trigger warnings. Most of the times people like to tell their story without considering what parts might be triggering for people and as a result it makes the book very overwhelming but Chloé makes sure to highlight all the sections that might be distressing and too stressful for people. It's also inclusive in the way that she breaks down the key parts of her story so that it's not too overwhelming for people and hard to read. Throughout every page of this novel you can tell she has her readers accessibly and comfortablity in mind.
Overall wether Neurodivergent or Neurotypical I would highly recommend picking up this novel. Through Chloés telling her own story and sharing important tips, you'll truly be able to understand that different does not indeed mean less.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Ableism and Toxic friendship
Minor: Eating disorder, Sexual assault, Medical content, and Medical trauma
There's alot of ableist discrimination that Chloé recounts which might be triggering and upsetting for you if you as an Autistic person have experienced discrimination too. Look after yourself and be aware.