Look Me in the Eye: My Life with Asperger's, by John Elder Robison

I read this book for my teen book group, although it had been recommended to me beforehand. I hate to steal words out of another reviewer's mouth, but I have found after reading this book that how I look at the world has changed (in a good way). Robison (brother of Augusten Burroughs, of Running with Scissors fame) relives his childhood, adolescence, and journey into adulthood - living both with a dysfunctional family, and Asperger's - a form of autism for which there simply was no diagnosis. Before I continue, I should expand a little on Asperger's itself. Asperger's syndrome is a form of high-functioning autism. Children with Asperger's usually demonstrate intense concentration and interests (for Robison, this was electronics), and generally have a difficult time socializing and making friends. Robison talks a lot about his struggles in the book - from making friends as a child, to escaping his family as an adolescent, to being accepted in society and finding his place in the working world as an adult. Robison adds a fresh point of view on subjects many people experience in their own lives - married life, fatherhood, finding one's place in the world and being accepted. He also explains experiences unique to him - living with an abusive father and mentally unstable mother, living on his own as a teenager and being diagnosed at the age of forty. His persistent wit and unique perspective on life add humor to a very serious subject. One thing I like about Robison is that he tells his story like it is - he does not milk his experiences for emotional heartwrench. Instead, he lets his story speak for itself (and I do distinctly remember crying at different points throughout the book). I would recommend this book to absolutely anyone (although there is a lot of swearing, so maybe not for everyone). Definitely one of my favorite reads.

Overall: 10 out of 10.

Paperback: 320 pages
Publisher: Three Rivers Press; Reprint edition (September 9, 2008)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0307396185
ISBN-13: 978-0307396181

The Murder of Roger Ackroyd, by Agatha Christie

Agatha Christie has definitely become one of my favorite authors. Her most well-known book is arguably Murder on the Orient Express, but for my book club, I tried Ackroyd for that very reason. Christie is a fabulous writer, weaving her tale so expertly, she is a rarity in the mystery genre. Never once did I feel "cheated" by her like with some authors - withholding a vital piece of information or not introducing a crucial character until later. I was extremely satisfied with her ending, revelation and explanation. Christie gives you and Hercule Poirot, her famous detective, every single piece of information necessary to solve the crime, but the murderer (while I will not reveal his or her identity) is absolutely the last person you would suspect of the crime. Her clever use of narration, lies and red herrings is masterful, enthralling her reader in her story and taking them exactly where she wants them to be. I love mystery books, but I have not yet found an author who doesn't trick me into being unable to solve the crime. I would recommend her to anyone hooked on such mystery books - the comparison is like recommending fresh, seasonal fruit to someone who only eats those crappy Jello-with-fruit chunks things. Christie is a master at her craft and I will definitely be reading more of her in the future.

Overall grade: 10 out of 10. Fabulous.

Hardcover: 288 pages
Publisher: Black Dog & Leventhal Publishers (September 1, 2006)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1579126278
ISBN-13: 978-1579126278