My top ADHD book recommendations
Being a bookworm and editing non-fiction for a living, it will come as no surprise that I process information best via books (both print and audio, though audio works better for me for non-fiction). With October being ADHD awareness month I thought it was the perfect opportunity to talk about something more personal on my business blog page.
Before I get to recommending my top ADHD book recommendations, here’s why I’m in a position to do so. This is the first time I’ve mentioned this on my work website, but I have ADHD, diagnosed in July 2025. I’ve been open about this on social media, but haven’t been so forthcoming on my website. Partly because having ADHD doesn’t negatively impact my book editing skills, so it didn’t seem necessary to mention.
Recently, however, I’ve been speaking up a bit more about having ADHD, in a bid to dismantle various preconceptions about ADHD, including people often assume ADHDers lack concentration. I find it’s less a lack of concentration and more how I find it hard to concentrate on things that don’t interest me.
Take reading. A classic example of where you’d think someone with ADHD would struggle. Many do, but I don’t (and many of my fellow neurodivergent bookworm clan don’t either). For me, I find my attention span is worse for articles, meaning I struggle to read magazine and blog posts (I know, the irony in my writing one), but I rarely have an issue with books. Maybe it’s to do with more storytelling? Who knows.
Anyway, I’ve read a fair few books about ADHD over the past couple of years, when my curiosity about my own diagnosis began. Some have become my own personal ADHD bible, some were a little too surface level by the time I read them, some were amusing but not practical, some I didn’t agree with all points but still think are worth mentioning.
I’ve also included books that are on my to be read (TBR) pile. I’d love to know what you think if you’ve read these ones!
Let's start with my ADHD bibles.
The 2 ADHD books I recommend to everyone
These 2 books are particularly great for people who:
are curious about ADHD and if they might have it
are pursuing an ADHD diagnosis
have just received their ADHD diagnosis
want to share a book with friends and family so others can understand their ADHD brain better
Kat Brown
My number one book about ADHD, both for people with ADHD and people who know or live with someone who has ADHD. Kat combines a vulnerable and profound account of how ADHD has affected her life with various other individuals’ accounts of those same difficulties. The result is a book that wonderfully explains how differently ADHD presents itself across individuals.
The Year I Met My Brain: A Travel Companion for Adults who Have Just Found Out They Have ADHD
Matilda Boseley
Unfortunately this book is out of print in the UK, as the rights are only in Australia, where Matilda is from. I listened to the audio version, which was narrated by the author with an entertaining but engaging style. You’ll get a lot out of the audio version, but if you can get a print version, it’s worth it. I got mine from Abe Books, and was pleasantly surprised by how helpfully (i.e. prettily) the book has been formatted and illustrated.
No matter which format you manage to get, this is a particularly practical book, both in terms of various treatment options and seeking diagnosis (Matilda refers to – and openly criticises – the DCM-5, which is the basis for the ADHD diagnosis criteria).
My favourite ADHD book for personal growth
This only came out in September 2026 and has been on my radar for a while. It’s a brilliant blend of indivi
dual stories and examples with coaching tips from author Alice Bramhill, who is an interpersonal psychotherapist (with 30 years’ clinical experience) and late-diagnosed AuDHD woman. Focusing on social situations and relationships (with yourself and others), I found this hugely validating and realistic in how I can live authentically and communicate effectively with the people who matter. This includes a whole heap of information on RSD!
Other ADHD books I recommend – depending on what you want to know
Dr Anders Hansen
Another book that I listened to. I found it simplified the difficulties people with ADHD face (it focused on a male-centric presentation, and lacked the nuance of ADHD such as with decision paralysis), however, it’s definitely the book you want to read if you want to know all the science behind an ADHD brain.
Sarah Ockwell-Smith
A brilliant book about raising kids with ADHD. Sarah Ockwell-Smith hits the nail on the head by identifying how classic parenting or teaching styles often don’t work for neurodivergent children, and she also understands just how bloody hard it is to raise a child with ADHD. Every SENDCO in schools should read this, as should any relation who has a child in their family with ADHD (parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles).
Grace Timothy
This is similar to Kat Brown’s book on ADHD, but Grace looks solely at how ADHD affects women and girls. Although she includes accounts from other individuals with ADHD, on the whole it’s told from a fairly privileged POV (a fact recognised and stated by the author, but inescapable nonetheless). The chapter on friendship struck a particular chord with me.
Kate Moryoussef
This is a great starting point, and would be especially useful to read while waiting for your assessment. It’s a little light on the information and approach for me now, so it's more of a beginner book when it comes to ADHD personal development, for both ADHDers and neurotypicals with ADHDers in their life.
Shaparak (Shappi) Khorsandi
A funny account (as you’d expect) with oodles of late-founded compassion for a younger and present self from comedian and actor Shaparak (Shappi) Khorsandi.
ADHD books still on my reading list
Ellie Middleton
I flicked through this briefly for some background reading I was doing for work. It’s laid out in brilliant bite-size pieces with loads of key points summarised throughout. A hybrid of memoir and personal development guide.
Richard and Roxanne Pink
I have a feeling this will be a great book for my son (12, FINALLY with an ADHD diagnosis after 4 years on the NHS waiting list) to read, so he can feel more empowered about how to reframe the ‘negative’ sides to ADHD.
Shanna Pearson
As you’d expect from the title, this seems to be a highly practical book, taking you from diagnosis to how to create and implement skills to overcome difficulties you face with ADHD (the subtitle for one chapter is ‘pills don’t create skills’).
I’d love to know which other books I need to add to my list, and of course I’d also love to know what you think of any of the books on my list! I really hope you (and whoever in your life needs to read these books) finds this list on books about ADHD helpful.
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