If you haven’t guessed, I like reading. And when a coworker reviewed Feeling Like an ADHD Alien by Pina Varnel, I said, “That sounds like a “me” book.” And I asked for their reader’s copy. And when I finally obtained it, I misplaced it. But one day, I was looking for something else and Varnel’s book fell on my foot. Maybe not the best way to reintroduce yourself, but I figured it was a sign that it was time to read it.
Both familiar and different, even if you don’t have, think you have or know someone who has ADHD, it is an eye opening experience. Due to what our character deals with, the results can be ones that we have experienced. Such things as the character’s anxiety and how people treat you once you’ve been “given your label” were relatable to me. No, it wasn’t 100% perfect for me, but it was as close as it could be. I enjoyed the voice though she did seem younger than her age at times. The images, also were younger looking at time, were in black and white as it was an unfinished reader copy, but there should be some color in the finished product (due mid-September 2026).
Overall, this is a nice book that talks about how we as a society look at neurodiverse individuals and how we compare ourselves to each other. Even the person dealing with the issue. What seems “easy enough to do or understand” for others is not that easy for someone who has either hyper focus or no focus at all. Who says “Time to clean” and picks up a sock, a book, the pen you lost which makes you think you haven’t drawn in awhile so why not do that but first get a drink and then why was I in the kitchen…? Oh squirrel. 
But things are more complicated than that and Varnel patiently gives us the pieces of the puzzle and helps us figure it out together. As the character (who represents the author’s own journey) learns, grows and changes, so does the reader. Best for ages 10 and up, anyone interested in the subject can read it. If there is one complaint, sometimes things are a smidgen technical and can “bog down” the fictionalized story parts.
