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Normal Sucks: How to Live, Learn, and Thrive, Outside the Lines
Confessional and often hilarious, in Normal Sucks a neuro-diverse writer, advocate, and father meditates on his life, offering the radical message that we should stop trying to fix people and start empowering them to succeed
Jonathan Mooney blends anecdote, expertise, and memoir to present a new mode of thinking about how we live and learn―individually, uniquely, and with advantages and upshots to every type of brain and body. As a neuro-diverse kid diagnosed with dyslexia and ADHD who didn't learn to read until he was twelve, the realization that that he wasn’t the problem―the system and the concept of normal were―saved Mooney’s life and fundamentally changed his outlook. Here he explores the toll that being not normal takes on kids and adults when they’re trapped in environments that label them, shame them, and tell them, even in subtle ways, that they are the problem. But, he argues, if we can reorient the ways in which we think about diversity, abilities, and disabilities, we can start a revolution.
A highly sought after public speaker, Mooney has been inspiring audiences with his story and his message for nearly two decades. Now he’s ready to share what he’s learned from parents, educators, researchers, and kids in a book that is as much a survival guide as it is a call to action. Whip-smart, insightful, and utterly inspiring―and movingly framed as a letter to his own young sons, as they work to find their ways in the world―this book will upend what we call normal and empower us all.
Jonathan Mooney blends anecdote, expertise, and memoir to present a new mode of thinking about how we live and learn―individually, uniquely, and with advantages and upshots to every type of brain and body. As a neuro-diverse kid diagnosed with dyslexia and ADHD who didn't learn to read until he was twelve, the realization that that he wasn’t the problem―the system and the concept of normal were―saved Mooney’s life and fundamentally changed his outlook. Here he explores the toll that being not normal takes on kids and adults when they’re trapped in environments that label them, shame them, and tell them, even in subtle ways, that they are the problem. But, he argues, if we can reorient the ways in which we think about diversity, abilities, and disabilities, we can start a revolution.
A highly sought after public speaker, Mooney has been inspiring audiences with his story and his message for nearly two decades. Now he’s ready to share what he’s learned from parents, educators, researchers, and kids in a book that is as much a survival guide as it is a call to action. Whip-smart, insightful, and utterly inspiring―and movingly framed as a letter to his own young sons, as they work to find their ways in the world―this book will upend what we call normal and empower us all.
256 pages, Hardcover
Published August 13, 2019
165 people are currently reading
2405 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 201 reviews
July 17, 2019
The subtitle of this book is a bit misleading, as it's not really about how to live, learn and thrive outside of what society deems normal. Instead, this is mostly a memoir by a man who grew up with several so-called learning disabilities (ADHD, dyslexia, etc.) and who grew up in a decidedly "outside the box" family. While parts of it are certainly entertaining and even funny, parts are also sad and infuriating. It is also a diatribe against a society that has embraced eugenics and is destroying millions of lives by trying to force everybody to learn, live and behave in this arbitrary box of "normal."
The book was written to the authors children and anybody who's grown up as an outsider in this idea of normal is likely to connect with it. Teachers could certainly benefit from reading what it was like for Mooney to experience school, and the sections about our history of eugenics (here in the US and in places like Nazi Germany) are horrifying. Quite a lot of it also reads like an impassioned speech and motivational talk. There is an extensive citation list at the end of the book.
I have never considered myself normal, including in childhood, but I didn't really connect with the author. Perhaps I'm not abnormal in the same ways he and his subjects are. The focus is mostly on neurodiversity, but especially ADHD and dyslexia. I certainly agreed with his overall messages, though.
My rating system:
1 = hated it
2 = it was okay
3 = liked it
4 = really liked it
5 = love it, plan to purchase, and/or would buy it again if it was lost
I read a temporary digital ARC of the book for the purpose of review.
The book was written to the authors children and anybody who's grown up as an outsider in this idea of normal is likely to connect with it. Teachers could certainly benefit from reading what it was like for Mooney to experience school, and the sections about our history of eugenics (here in the US and in places like Nazi Germany) are horrifying. Quite a lot of it also reads like an impassioned speech and motivational talk. There is an extensive citation list at the end of the book.
I have never considered myself normal, including in childhood, but I didn't really connect with the author. Perhaps I'm not abnormal in the same ways he and his subjects are. The focus is mostly on neurodiversity, but especially ADHD and dyslexia. I certainly agreed with his overall messages, though.
My rating system:
1 = hated it
2 = it was okay
3 = liked it
4 = really liked it
5 = love it, plan to purchase, and/or would buy it again if it was lost
I read a temporary digital ARC of the book for the purpose of review.
March 6, 2019
This is an interesting and thought-provoking book that at times is flat-out disturbing. The author posits that we are “surrounded by institutions, systems and cultural practices that demand and enforce, ‘normalcy’.” In other words, we are in an age of constant judgment, seeking to align us with or outcast us from the normative. But how useful is this? Why are we so obsessed with labels which subsequently shame those who fall outside the lines of normal? Should reframing the way we think about diversity and abilities be the higher priority? The answer, of course, is yes. The author shares his very raw experiences of being placed on the “wrong” side of the normal lines as a child as he struggled with dyslexia and ADHD. The evolution of “normal” and “abnormal” are examined and it is concluded that “normal” is simply an ambiguous and fluid term, influenced greatly by societal desires. It is not a true concrete form of measurement. It is, according to the author, a “statistical fiction.” The idea of normal sucks is that the concept of normal falsely robs many of their true value. This book is both engaging and insightful.
December 21, 2020
jonathan mooney is diagnosed with dyslexia & ADHD who didnt learn to read until he was twelve. in this book, he explores the toll that being normal takes on kids and adults when they are trapped in environment that label them, shame them and tell them even in the subtle ways, that they are the problem.
such an interesting read but maybe not the right one if youre looking for practical advice which i was looking forward to in reading this one. this is, however, more like a biography - jonathan shares about his experiences and his children's curiosities which led to the day he told them about his learning challenges for the very first time. was not really able to relate much but i really love the general message though - having the right to be yourself. it reminds me of a recent read too which is you have the right to remain fat by virgie tovar. this book definitely comes well with it, highly recommend if you are interested to read in their perspectives, they didnt sound forceful at all, really opens your mind to learn and understand yourself and others better.
"normal is a false standard for human value to which i will not hold you, which cant hold you. i love you - all of you, parts that bend, break, deviate, cause pain, bring joy - the concentric circles of self that radiate from you and cant be squared. my beautiful, essential and singular permutations of the species: you have a right to be free of normal. you have a right to be different".
such an interesting read but maybe not the right one if youre looking for practical advice which i was looking forward to in reading this one. this is, however, more like a biography - jonathan shares about his experiences and his children's curiosities which led to the day he told them about his learning challenges for the very first time. was not really able to relate much but i really love the general message though - having the right to be yourself. it reminds me of a recent read too which is you have the right to remain fat by virgie tovar. this book definitely comes well with it, highly recommend if you are interested to read in their perspectives, they didnt sound forceful at all, really opens your mind to learn and understand yourself and others better.
"normal is a false standard for human value to which i will not hold you, which cant hold you. i love you - all of you, parts that bend, break, deviate, cause pain, bring joy - the concentric circles of self that radiate from you and cant be squared. my beautiful, essential and singular permutations of the species: you have a right to be free of normal. you have a right to be different".
October 11, 2020
Chapter 2 alone is worth picking up this book
November 25, 2019
"Forcing human beings to perform normalcy, and then demanding that they self-police their normality is part of normal's master plan. It's a form of social control achieved through self-surveillance for weight , height, reading rates, attention span, and sexuality, averages for which are constantly fluctuating as we change ourselves to be in line. Again, normal is a moving target and we are redrawing lines for ourselves and everyone else all the time. By acting normal, we passed for normal and become subjects willingly subjugated."
•
Thoughts~
A thought-provoking at times humorous read about the origins and stigmas of normalcy and how to rewire how we regard them.
Mooney shares of his upbringing and childhood. Being diagnosed with dyslexic and ADHD, not learning to read till he was 12. The challenges he faced and how he chose to rise above and succeed in spite of it all. I really appreciated reading his insider perspective on all this.
I admired his ideas on changing the outlook on what normal and not normal is. People's abilities, diversities, etc, instead of shaming them come at it with a different approach of acceptance and celebrating our differences instead of trying "fix" them. Definitely a concept society today needs to get behind! This was an enjoyable, compelling and eye-opening read!
•
Thank You to the publisher for sending me this book opinions are my own.
•
For more of my book content check out instagram.com/bookalong
•
Thoughts~
A thought-provoking at times humorous read about the origins and stigmas of normalcy and how to rewire how we regard them.
Mooney shares of his upbringing and childhood. Being diagnosed with dyslexic and ADHD, not learning to read till he was 12. The challenges he faced and how he chose to rise above and succeed in spite of it all. I really appreciated reading his insider perspective on all this.
I admired his ideas on changing the outlook on what normal and not normal is. People's abilities, diversities, etc, instead of shaming them come at it with a different approach of acceptance and celebrating our differences instead of trying "fix" them. Definitely a concept society today needs to get behind! This was an enjoyable, compelling and eye-opening read!
•
Thank You to the publisher for sending me this book opinions are my own.
•
For more of my book content check out instagram.com/bookalong
March 7, 2020
3.5 stars.
Maybe even 4...
Jury is still out on this one.
Informative yet not dry -- has a funny side.
I think I may have actually laughed out loud once or twice.
Maybe even 4...
Jury is still out on this one.
Informative yet not dry -- has a funny side.
I think I may have actually laughed out loud once or twice.
January 3, 2021
Hlavná idea:
“Ne, nepotřebuju přizpůsobení kvůli mojí dyslexii. Vypořádám se s tím sám.“ Usmála se. „Máš pravdu,“ řekla. „Ty nepotřebuješ uzpůsobené podmínky kvůli dyslexii, ty potřebuješ uzpůsobené podmínky kvůli jejich dys-učení.”
Hlavné body:
1. Väčšina ľudí chce aby sme boli normálny ako oni ale to nefunguje. Každý sme iný a každý máme iné charakteristické vlastnosti (fyzické, mentálne, rasové, sexuálne a podobne). Ľudia sú iní a je to dobre. Nerobme ich normálnych keď my nie sme normálny.
2. Ľudia ktorí majú silno pravú hemisféru mozgu (kreativita) nie sú “odsúdený” na menejcennosti.
3. Potrebujeme iných ľudí, ktorí sa starajú o nás aj my sa môžeme starať o iných ľudí.
4. Nesprávne súdiť iných ľudí kvôli “postihnutiu” ale prijať a milovať bezokolnosti.
5. Ľudia, ktorí majú nervovú poruchu väčšinou majú hyper-pozornosť. “Seděl jsem před Williamovou školou a přemýšlel o něm, ale i o sobě. Dejte mi něco, na čem mi záleží, a neuvidíte nedostatek pozornosti, ale hyper-pozornost. Neumím pravopis, ale umím mluvit lépe než kdokoliv jiný na Brownu. Vidím schémata hry na fotbalovém hřišti, která ostatní nikdy nezahlédnou. Jsem stavitel, řečník, průzkumník. Lidé strávili tolik času tím, že se zaměřovali na to, co je se mnou špatně, že jsem neviděl, co je správně.”
Citáty:
“vám našeptává do ucha, že to, co je normální, je také správné”
„Můžeme tedy používat slovo normální, abychom řekli, jaké věci jsou, ale také k tomu, abychom sdělili, jaké být mají.”
“Být abnormální znamená, že vám říkají, že byste měli být jiní, než jste. Normovat znamená změnit něco tak, aby to bylo obvyklé. A my to stále děláme s každým, kdo nesplňuje smluvený standard normálu: násilím děláme z lidí něco nebo někoho, čím nejsou.”
“No, synu, myslím, že budeš muset tomu bastardovi ukázat, že se mýlí.”
“Každý z nás potřebuje mít ve svém životě lidi, kteří nás dotlačí přes hranici mezi tím, co víme, že nejsme, a tím, co si myslíme, že bychom mohli být”
“Bylo to místo, kde nikdo nepředstíral normálnost, protože být nenormální bylo normou.”
“Negativní nálepky teď stranou, když jsem s Davem seděl v suterénu na kolejích, tak jsem věděl, že mít dyslexii a poruchu pozornosti je zatraceně lepší než být hloupý, blázen a líný”
“Nepřekonal jsem dyslexii, ale dys-učení. Protože škola je na hovno, pokud jste odlišní, a to není váš problém. To je jejich problém.”
“Jak napsal Kinsey: „Výrazy normální a abnormální nemají ve vědeckém myšlení místo.“ Nemají místo v našich životech, ve vašich životech. Odlišnost není normální, což vždy byla a vždy bude statistická fikce. Skutečností jsou odlišnosti. Odlišnost je nezbytná. Odlišnost je všeobecně platný fakt. Ve skutečnosti toto je svět”
Vlastné hodnotenie:
5*/5
Som normálny? Nie, nie som. Tiež mám dyslexiu, dysgrafiu, dysortografiu, som farboslepý, teraz sa pridalo mozgová mŕtvica, to ktorá spôsobila, že som nevedel rozprávať, písať, počítať. Keď som čítal, tak som, ako on podobne, mal stres nahlas čítať na základnej škole. To zažívam aj dnes. Dokonca neviem písať z vlastnej hlavy lebo neviem aké písmena pokračujú. Treba to robiť inak a to pomôže. Napríklad som začal počúvať audioknihy a zároveň čítam. Je to o dosť lepšie ako iba čítať, preto som prečítal viac kníh ako predtým. Je to ťažké žiť s postihnutím ale nie je to koniec sveta. Netreba sa vzdávať a bojovať sám so sebou.
“Ne, nepotřebuju přizpůsobení kvůli mojí dyslexii. Vypořádám se s tím sám.“ Usmála se. „Máš pravdu,“ řekla. „Ty nepotřebuješ uzpůsobené podmínky kvůli dyslexii, ty potřebuješ uzpůsobené podmínky kvůli jejich dys-učení.”
Hlavné body:
1. Väčšina ľudí chce aby sme boli normálny ako oni ale to nefunguje. Každý sme iný a každý máme iné charakteristické vlastnosti (fyzické, mentálne, rasové, sexuálne a podobne). Ľudia sú iní a je to dobre. Nerobme ich normálnych keď my nie sme normálny.
2. Ľudia ktorí majú silno pravú hemisféru mozgu (kreativita) nie sú “odsúdený” na menejcennosti.
3. Potrebujeme iných ľudí, ktorí sa starajú o nás aj my sa môžeme starať o iných ľudí.
4. Nesprávne súdiť iných ľudí kvôli “postihnutiu” ale prijať a milovať bezokolnosti.
5. Ľudia, ktorí majú nervovú poruchu väčšinou majú hyper-pozornosť. “Seděl jsem před Williamovou školou a přemýšlel o něm, ale i o sobě. Dejte mi něco, na čem mi záleží, a neuvidíte nedostatek pozornosti, ale hyper-pozornost. Neumím pravopis, ale umím mluvit lépe než kdokoliv jiný na Brownu. Vidím schémata hry na fotbalovém hřišti, která ostatní nikdy nezahlédnou. Jsem stavitel, řečník, průzkumník. Lidé strávili tolik času tím, že se zaměřovali na to, co je se mnou špatně, že jsem neviděl, co je správně.”
Citáty:
“vám našeptává do ucha, že to, co je normální, je také správné”
„Můžeme tedy používat slovo normální, abychom řekli, jaké věci jsou, ale také k tomu, abychom sdělili, jaké být mají.”
“Být abnormální znamená, že vám říkají, že byste měli být jiní, než jste. Normovat znamená změnit něco tak, aby to bylo obvyklé. A my to stále děláme s každým, kdo nesplňuje smluvený standard normálu: násilím děláme z lidí něco nebo někoho, čím nejsou.”
“No, synu, myslím, že budeš muset tomu bastardovi ukázat, že se mýlí.”
“Každý z nás potřebuje mít ve svém životě lidi, kteří nás dotlačí přes hranici mezi tím, co víme, že nejsme, a tím, co si myslíme, že bychom mohli být”
“Bylo to místo, kde nikdo nepředstíral normálnost, protože být nenormální bylo normou.”
“Negativní nálepky teď stranou, když jsem s Davem seděl v suterénu na kolejích, tak jsem věděl, že mít dyslexii a poruchu pozornosti je zatraceně lepší než být hloupý, blázen a líný”
“Nepřekonal jsem dyslexii, ale dys-učení. Protože škola je na hovno, pokud jste odlišní, a to není váš problém. To je jejich problém.”
“Jak napsal Kinsey: „Výrazy normální a abnormální nemají ve vědeckém myšlení místo.“ Nemají místo v našich životech, ve vašich životech. Odlišnost není normální, což vždy byla a vždy bude statistická fikce. Skutečností jsou odlišnosti. Odlišnost je nezbytná. Odlišnost je všeobecně platný fakt. Ve skutečnosti toto je svět”
Vlastné hodnotenie:
5*/5
Som normálny? Nie, nie som. Tiež mám dyslexiu, dysgrafiu, dysortografiu, som farboslepý, teraz sa pridalo mozgová mŕtvica, to ktorá spôsobila, že som nevedel rozprávať, písať, počítať. Keď som čítal, tak som, ako on podobne, mal stres nahlas čítať na základnej škole. To zažívam aj dnes. Dokonca neviem písať z vlastnej hlavy lebo neviem aké písmena pokračujú. Treba to robiť inak a to pomôže. Napríklad som začal počúvať audioknihy a zároveň čítam. Je to o dosť lepšie ako iba čítať, preto som prečítal viac kníh ako predtým. Je to ťažké žiť s postihnutím ale nie je to koniec sveta. Netreba sa vzdávať a bojovať sám so sebou.
November 18, 2022
Started off great and i love the message. But honestly it deteriorated into an egocentric ramble about the challenges the author had faced, how he overcame them, and how great he is.
Meh.
Meh.
August 10, 2024
“I had come to realize that one is not born a person with a disability. One is made into one. Normality, ability, disability are not features or facts inside a human being but a relationship between the reality of human variability and the social environment that surrounds, constrains, enables, or disables differences. Ability and disability are contextual. The dominant ideas, attitudes, and customs of any society determine the perception of which bodies, brains, and humans are called right and wrong.”
September 22, 2020
This is a very interesting book that challenges us on the concept of normalcy and abnormal. What is normalcy to you could be different across various people we surround ourselves with. Yet ironically, it was their perspective of normalcy that pointed out the abnormal in us and making us strive to attain normalcy in their view.
"To be abnormal is to be told that you should be other than you are. To norm means to make regular. And we are continually doing this to anyone who does not meet the arbitrary standard of normal: made, through force into something, or someone, you are not."
Narrated by the author himself, this audiobook was not very long (5 hours) but I took my time listening to it. Repeating certain sections he narrated because it was very inspiring and thought-provoking. The author, as a neurodiverse diagnosed with dyslexia and ADHD had been aspiring to become normal and came to a realisation that himself was the problem but the concept of normalcy itself.
"I want you to know that I did not and do not have a disability, as it is common to say, but experienced disability in environments that could not accommodate and embrace my differences. What disabled me was the way my differences were treated in an environment that was hostile to some bodies and brains and not to others. Ability, disability, and abnormality are not facts in the world but social constructs we create as a society."
I highly recommend this book to readers who like though-provoking light-hearted memoir. At no point in the book did I felt that the author was dragging the story and his points was narrated strongly and clearly.
"To be abnormal is to be told that you should be other than you are. To norm means to make regular. And we are continually doing this to anyone who does not meet the arbitrary standard of normal: made, through force into something, or someone, you are not."
Narrated by the author himself, this audiobook was not very long (5 hours) but I took my time listening to it. Repeating certain sections he narrated because it was very inspiring and thought-provoking. The author, as a neurodiverse diagnosed with dyslexia and ADHD had been aspiring to become normal and came to a realisation that himself was the problem but the concept of normalcy itself.
"I want you to know that I did not and do not have a disability, as it is common to say, but experienced disability in environments that could not accommodate and embrace my differences. What disabled me was the way my differences were treated in an environment that was hostile to some bodies and brains and not to others. Ability, disability, and abnormality are not facts in the world but social constructs we create as a society."
I highly recommend this book to readers who like though-provoking light-hearted memoir. At no point in the book did I felt that the author was dragging the story and his points was narrated strongly and clearly.
September 3, 2022
4.5 stars
My bad for judging a book by its cover, but based on the title, I didn't expect this book to be as excellent as it was. It was so relatable and I loved hearing about Jonathan's evolving perspective from a child to an adult, all the while navigating the world as someone deemed not "normal." I loved how he admitted his mistakes and the harmful stereotypes he bought into about himself and others when he was young. As an adult, Jonathan has a nuanced and inclusive viewpoint of disabilities of all kinds. I love how this book makes disability theory so accessible--unlike many of the more traditionally academic sources out there (which, when you think about it, is pretty ironic...).
Love love love. Going to check out his other work
My bad for judging a book by its cover, but based on the title, I didn't expect this book to be as excellent as it was. It was so relatable and I loved hearing about Jonathan's evolving perspective from a child to an adult, all the while navigating the world as someone deemed not "normal." I loved how he admitted his mistakes and the harmful stereotypes he bought into about himself and others when he was young. As an adult, Jonathan has a nuanced and inclusive viewpoint of disabilities of all kinds. I love how this book makes disability theory so accessible--unlike many of the more traditionally academic sources out there (which, when you think about it, is pretty ironic...).
Love love love. Going to check out his other work
August 31, 2019
I feel like I should dock at least a star because, as other reviews have pointed out, the subtitle of this book is misleading, but I just can't bring myself to do it.
I was expecting a fluffy, light self help book with just enough disting of pop science as to make it bearable. That is not this book.
This book digs deep, pulls no punches, and takes no sh*t. It also approaches its subject matter with a delicate yet irreverent sense of humor and joy that made it a true pleasure to read.
Highly recommended.
I was expecting a fluffy, light self help book with just enough disting of pop science as to make it bearable. That is not this book.
This book digs deep, pulls no punches, and takes no sh*t. It also approaches its subject matter with a delicate yet irreverent sense of humor and joy that made it a true pleasure to read.
Highly recommended.
January 19, 2021
Vybrala jsem podle názvu, o knize nic nevěděla a asi jsem čekala něco trochu jiného. Hodně autobiografický začátek mě moc nebavil, naopak děsivá část o eugenice pro mě byla plná nových informací a už jen kvůli té imo stojí za přečtení. Po ní se mi do autobiografického vlaku naskakovalo už samo a zbytek knížky byl fajn.
August 23, 2024
Good viewpoint of how differences in learning styles/ challenges affect children and the need to embrace the various ways people learn, not label kids negatively.
January 13, 2023
all reviews in one place:
night mode reading ;
skaitom nakties rezimu
About the Book: Since we were little, we were all taught that normal is good. Match others, catch up, stay in the middle of the herd. If you manage more – great, wonder child. If you are incapable of the average – you’re a burden now, in need of tutors, lectors, and other help. Despite both of these states usually coming from the same source. Not fitting the norm is only ever forgiven if it fits said norm by managing more of it, it seems. In this interdependent world, the normal, the right side of society, fully expects the other side, the wrong side of society, to pick up and adjust. All while people who decided what’s the norm – didn’t fit the bill either, so why is their normal – the default state? Wouldn’t it be easier if both sides adjusted a little at a time, wouldn’t it be more fruitful? Through the book author tells his story, from the diagnosis that shook him to the very core, to life with it, the emerging bigger picture, through people who had it tougher, to people who had it bad, to people on the other side of the ramparts who had enough empathy to adjust their end, until it was all clear: normal just fucking sucks.
My Opinion: Normal is a lie. As author himself states, if you think someone normal – you don’t know them well enough just yet. And those old white dudes who made up the concept of normal didn’t fit it either. From there on it only brought the very worst out in people, as it would be hard to point examples where people strived for normal and got happy, but there’s so many absolute catastrophic examples where people got normalcy into their minds and wrecked entire nations over it. It’s a false idea, from statistical 2.5 child, to ideal average pilot seats – we neither see the half a child running around, nor said seats were comfortable for any of the pilots. So if both ideal and normal states are both unachievable: why waste your time striving for the most average, most boring state there could ever be? Read this book. Read it especially if you have, or plan to have children, as author writes this book for his kids. And, for point of reference, he has ADHD and dyslexia.
night mode reading ;
skaitom nakties rezimu
About the Book: Since we were little, we were all taught that normal is good. Match others, catch up, stay in the middle of the herd. If you manage more – great, wonder child. If you are incapable of the average – you’re a burden now, in need of tutors, lectors, and other help. Despite both of these states usually coming from the same source. Not fitting the norm is only ever forgiven if it fits said norm by managing more of it, it seems. In this interdependent world, the normal, the right side of society, fully expects the other side, the wrong side of society, to pick up and adjust. All while people who decided what’s the norm – didn’t fit the bill either, so why is their normal – the default state? Wouldn’t it be easier if both sides adjusted a little at a time, wouldn’t it be more fruitful? Through the book author tells his story, from the diagnosis that shook him to the very core, to life with it, the emerging bigger picture, through people who had it tougher, to people who had it bad, to people on the other side of the ramparts who had enough empathy to adjust their end, until it was all clear: normal just fucking sucks.
My Opinion: Normal is a lie. As author himself states, if you think someone normal – you don’t know them well enough just yet. And those old white dudes who made up the concept of normal didn’t fit it either. From there on it only brought the very worst out in people, as it would be hard to point examples where people strived for normal and got happy, but there’s so many absolute catastrophic examples where people got normalcy into their minds and wrecked entire nations over it. It’s a false idea, from statistical 2.5 child, to ideal average pilot seats – we neither see the half a child running around, nor said seats were comfortable for any of the pilots. So if both ideal and normal states are both unachievable: why waste your time striving for the most average, most boring state there could ever be? Read this book. Read it especially if you have, or plan to have children, as author writes this book for his kids. And, for point of reference, he has ADHD and dyslexia.
October 29, 2020
Naprosto objektivně (hehe) musím říct, že ta česká verze se povedla. Miluju tu obálku, tištěná i audio verze jsou bezvadné.
Tohle je knížka pro každého - i pokud si myslíte, že zrovna vy jste normální, tak (počkejte, chvíli se teď dosměju... a...) je to dobrý text pro pochopení toho, jak se žije zbytku populace. Jak se žije takovému klučíkovi, kterému všichni tvrdí, že je hloupý, že nic nedokáže... a přitom to tak vůbec není, ale semínko pochyb roste a roste.
Tak to má spousta lidí, kteří se nějakým způsobem odlišují od toho bájného (a neexistujícího) normálu. Možná jste si sami zažili ten pocit. A v tom případě to bude číst a říkat si, jo, přesně takhle jsem se cítil/a. Kéž by mi tehdy někdo pomohl. V čemž za mě spočívá největší síla téhle autobiografie, která sice mluví o autorovi, ale obecně ukazuje i historii normálu (včetně děsivých kapitol popisujících oblast eugeniky). Její největší síla je v tom, jak může spoustě lidí a hlavně dětí pomoci. Takže pokud jste třeba rodič, který má doma děti s jakýmkoli podobným problémem, pusťte se do toho a třeba vám úplně změní pohled na věc.
Jonathan Mooney se nakonec nedal zlomit systémem a vybojoval si svoje úspěchy. A jeho příběh dokáže pomoci dalším.
Ještě chci říct, že i přes vážný obsah vám tak jednou za pár stránek minimálně hrozní výbuch smíchu, protože Mooney má dost specifický humor a i jeho děti, kterým tuhle zpověď psal, přidávají spoustu vtipných situací. Já jsem se často smála i při druhém čtení, takže to říká vše - a když už se dokážete mezi slzami zasmát i u té hrozivé části o eugenice, tak to je umění.
Úplně nejvíc mě těší to, že tahle důležitá knížka se (snad) dostane i k českým lidem. Protože jak se naše školství občas staví k dětem s dyslexií, ADHD nebo jakoukoli jinou "poruchou" mě tak často vytáčí na plné obrátky, že bych si nejradši vzala pár výtisků do tašky a vytahovala je u různých příležitostí jako v reklamě na Perwoll...
Tohle je knížka pro každého - i pokud si myslíte, že zrovna vy jste normální, tak (počkejte, chvíli se teď dosměju... a...) je to dobrý text pro pochopení toho, jak se žije zbytku populace. Jak se žije takovému klučíkovi, kterému všichni tvrdí, že je hloupý, že nic nedokáže... a přitom to tak vůbec není, ale semínko pochyb roste a roste.
Tak to má spousta lidí, kteří se nějakým způsobem odlišují od toho bájného (a neexistujícího) normálu. Možná jste si sami zažili ten pocit. A v tom případě to bude číst a říkat si, jo, přesně takhle jsem se cítil/a. Kéž by mi tehdy někdo pomohl. V čemž za mě spočívá největší síla téhle autobiografie, která sice mluví o autorovi, ale obecně ukazuje i historii normálu (včetně děsivých kapitol popisujících oblast eugeniky). Její největší síla je v tom, jak může spoustě lidí a hlavně dětí pomoci. Takže pokud jste třeba rodič, který má doma děti s jakýmkoli podobným problémem, pusťte se do toho a třeba vám úplně změní pohled na věc.
Jonathan Mooney se nakonec nedal zlomit systémem a vybojoval si svoje úspěchy. A jeho příběh dokáže pomoci dalším.
Ještě chci říct, že i přes vážný obsah vám tak jednou za pár stránek minimálně hrozní výbuch smíchu, protože Mooney má dost specifický humor a i jeho děti, kterým tuhle zpověď psal, přidávají spoustu vtipných situací. Já jsem se často smála i při druhém čtení, takže to říká vše - a když už se dokážete mezi slzami zasmát i u té hrozivé části o eugenice, tak to je umění.
Úplně nejvíc mě těší to, že tahle důležitá knížka se (snad) dostane i k českým lidem. Protože jak se naše školství občas staví k dětem s dyslexií, ADHD nebo jakoukoli jinou "poruchou" mě tak často vytáčí na plné obrátky, že bych si nejradši vzala pár výtisků do tašky a vytahovala je u různých příležitostí jako v reklamě na Perwoll...
January 4, 2021
In 200 short pages, Jonathan Mooney shares his life-changing experiences growing up as a neurodiverse child in a world that discourages differences and celebrates "normalcy".
Being a dyslexic individual, Jonathan has had to battle criticism, shame, and loneliness since a young age. In this heartbreaking autobiography, the author exposes the deficiencies and incompetencies of our current institutions in celebrating the colourful diversity of neurodiverse children. Often labelled "retards" or "idiots", neurodiverse children have been forced to chase after a "normal" that is an impossible statistical fiction – a fiction that society still upholds today.
Reading this book was an eye-opening experience for me. Despite being considered a "normal" human, I've felt similar shame before. I'm still not sure why (psychological, maybe), but my hand trembles slightly whenever I write. Throughout my school days, I avoided writing in front of anyone as much as possible to hide my weird "disability". (This is the first time I'm sharing this with others – my friends don't know about this.)
My biggest takeaway is that "normal" is a social construct dictated by the narrow-minded. Humans exist on a colourful spectrum and should not be expected to be neatly placed into specific categories. If we can accept that about our sexuality, why can't we do the same for our "abilities"?
It is high time we stop pathologising neurodiverse individuals and treating them like deficient humans. Intelligence is only one of many measurements we as a society arbitrarily chose to evaluate humans by. What about creativity, kindness, diligence, positivity, or determination?
If you can't write, speak. If you can't read, listen. If you can't speak, sign. Who the fuck cares? Be you.
#QOTD: Don't capitulate to my fear, my limitations and my attempt to make the bigness of your lives and selves small, clear, and categorical.
Being a dyslexic individual, Jonathan has had to battle criticism, shame, and loneliness since a young age. In this heartbreaking autobiography, the author exposes the deficiencies and incompetencies of our current institutions in celebrating the colourful diversity of neurodiverse children. Often labelled "retards" or "idiots", neurodiverse children have been forced to chase after a "normal" that is an impossible statistical fiction – a fiction that society still upholds today.
Reading this book was an eye-opening experience for me. Despite being considered a "normal" human, I've felt similar shame before. I'm still not sure why (psychological, maybe), but my hand trembles slightly whenever I write. Throughout my school days, I avoided writing in front of anyone as much as possible to hide my weird "disability". (This is the first time I'm sharing this with others – my friends don't know about this.)
My biggest takeaway is that "normal" is a social construct dictated by the narrow-minded. Humans exist on a colourful spectrum and should not be expected to be neatly placed into specific categories. If we can accept that about our sexuality, why can't we do the same for our "abilities"?
It is high time we stop pathologising neurodiverse individuals and treating them like deficient humans. Intelligence is only one of many measurements we as a society arbitrarily chose to evaluate humans by. What about creativity, kindness, diligence, positivity, or determination?
If you can't write, speak. If you can't read, listen. If you can't speak, sign. Who the fuck cares? Be you.
#QOTD: Don't capitulate to my fear, my limitations and my attempt to make the bigness of your lives and selves small, clear, and categorical.
June 19, 2019
In Normal Sucks, Mooney explores the origin and meaning of "normal" and discusses the process by which we internalize normality, to the detriment of our mental (and sometimes physical) well-being. He also writes that he did not achieve success "despite" his learning differences, rather, he believes he was successful because of them and warns against treating learning differences as something that is automatically negative.
The most poignant moment in the essay (this book is set up like an essay written to his children, much like Ta-Nehisi Coates' "Between the World and Me") is when he says he did not *have* a disability, rather he *experiences* disability in environments that were unwilling and/or unable to adapt to his differences. In a way, Mooney is telling readers to be themselves and to advocate for themselves in order to get the accommodations they need. In his opinion, there is nothing wrong with the people; there is an issue with the society that takes such a narrow view of humanity. I'd suggest everyone read this book, then read Late Bloomers (by Rich Kaarlgard), which discusses early achievement (a different kind of normalcy that has become popular in the last few decades) and gives reasons and examples about why and how being a Late Bloomer may actually be a good thing.
The most poignant moment in the essay (this book is set up like an essay written to his children, much like Ta-Nehisi Coates' "Between the World and Me") is when he says he did not *have* a disability, rather he *experiences* disability in environments that were unwilling and/or unable to adapt to his differences. In a way, Mooney is telling readers to be themselves and to advocate for themselves in order to get the accommodations they need. In his opinion, there is nothing wrong with the people; there is an issue with the society that takes such a narrow view of humanity. I'd suggest everyone read this book, then read Late Bloomers (by Rich Kaarlgard), which discusses early achievement (a different kind of normalcy that has become popular in the last few decades) and gives reasons and examples about why and how being a Late Bloomer may actually be a good thing.
August 1, 2022
I have never felt as seen by a book in my entire life. I began reading this on a plane ride home, and I absolutely sobbed through the first 50 pages.
Every teacher (and really, every person) should read this book. I wish I read this while I was teaching. The classroom, especially today’s classroom, needs teachers who understand that normal is a construct that doesn’t exist and that if we hold students to this same, rigid, standard — the idea of a student (A PERSON!) who, in actuality, doesn’t exist — we are complicit in upholding this manufactured idea of “normal” that creates alienation of those who don’t fit the definition we have created.
As someone who has never felt “normal,” and who has been reminded countless times how “abnormal” I am, I found great comfort in this book. I felt like I was ripped open and made vulnerable in the parts where I needed it most: the parts I try so desperately to keep hidden as a means of self-preservation. This was an insanely cathartic read for me, and I won’t be quiet about it soon.
I implore you to read this book. To better understand the world in which we live, to better understand those around you, to better understand yourself.
“What do we miss — what do we willfully ignore, misunderstand, fail to know — about ourselves and others when we make difference the problem? Everything, I think.”
Every teacher (and really, every person) should read this book. I wish I read this while I was teaching. The classroom, especially today’s classroom, needs teachers who understand that normal is a construct that doesn’t exist and that if we hold students to this same, rigid, standard — the idea of a student (A PERSON!) who, in actuality, doesn’t exist — we are complicit in upholding this manufactured idea of “normal” that creates alienation of those who don’t fit the definition we have created.
As someone who has never felt “normal,” and who has been reminded countless times how “abnormal” I am, I found great comfort in this book. I felt like I was ripped open and made vulnerable in the parts where I needed it most: the parts I try so desperately to keep hidden as a means of self-preservation. This was an insanely cathartic read for me, and I won’t be quiet about it soon.
I implore you to read this book. To better understand the world in which we live, to better understand those around you, to better understand yourself.
“What do we miss — what do we willfully ignore, misunderstand, fail to know — about ourselves and others when we make difference the problem? Everything, I think.”
November 3, 2019
I loved so much about this book. How Mooney addressed the book to his own kids. How it dived into the disturbing history of normality and what it means to be "normal". How honestly and openly Mooney discussed his personal journey of breaking free from the constructs of normality. How damn funny he was despite all the totally fucked up shit (note: there was a lot of sad, depressing fucked up shit). How deeply it made me reflect on my job and how my students must feel every day--and how can I ensure they feel positively about school and more importantly, themselves?
Really, the only downfall of this book is that it could give a clearer picture on the "how" for living, learning, and thriving outside the lines, but so far I've noticed a trend with "how to" books not giving you concrete steps, but a jump off point, which Mooney does marvelously.
In the end, Jonathan Mooney's message is clear: we can't label people as normal and abnormal, and the systems in our society that do so need to be broken down and reconstructed. He calls for us to see that normal is subjective, to have a disability does not mean someone must "overcome" or "fix" themselves, to love ourselves and others for who they are. There are only differences among us, not deficiencies, that make us beautifully human.
Really, the only downfall of this book is that it could give a clearer picture on the "how" for living, learning, and thriving outside the lines, but so far I've noticed a trend with "how to" books not giving you concrete steps, but a jump off point, which Mooney does marvelously.
In the end, Jonathan Mooney's message is clear: we can't label people as normal and abnormal, and the systems in our society that do so need to be broken down and reconstructed. He calls for us to see that normal is subjective, to have a disability does not mean someone must "overcome" or "fix" themselves, to love ourselves and others for who they are. There are only differences among us, not deficiencies, that make us beautifully human.
March 25, 2022
I have long denied my struggles with dyslexia & overall inability to read for fear of being put in a “lesser” box or straying from “Normal”. I deeply resonated with this memoir / non-fiction book, especially when reflecting on childhood & strategically leaving the room when it was my turn to read.
It’s definitely not a self help book like the title and subtitle may suggest. If you are not interested in a story of someone embracing their neuro-diversity while learning facts about disabilities, then this ain’t your book. However, it’s impactful regardless to your relationship to disabilities like ADHD & Dyslexia.
My favorite quotes: The dyslexic brain kicks ass. Never trust a man who can only spell a word one way.
Im glad I read this and feel empowered to lean into my abnormality :-)
[ Now i just wish I could tell my English teachers growing up that their judgement & emphasis on my shortcomings (reading aloud, spelling, etc) was catastrophic to my learning, development, and confidence. It took me a very long time to recover from that. ]
It’s definitely not a self help book like the title and subtitle may suggest. If you are not interested in a story of someone embracing their neuro-diversity while learning facts about disabilities, then this ain’t your book. However, it’s impactful regardless to your relationship to disabilities like ADHD & Dyslexia.
My favorite quotes: The dyslexic brain kicks ass. Never trust a man who can only spell a word one way.
Im glad I read this and feel empowered to lean into my abnormality :-)
[ Now i just wish I could tell my English teachers growing up that their judgement & emphasis on my shortcomings (reading aloud, spelling, etc) was catastrophic to my learning, development, and confidence. It took me a very long time to recover from that. ]
March 6, 2021
I read this book with the express intent to challenge the ways that I educate my neuro-diverse students in college writing classes, and I was not disappointed. Mooney uses his own experience to frame disability and neurodiversity for what it is: a necessary and natural state of the human condition. The primary theme of this book is that the concept of "normal" that society has developed is not based in reality, but is in fact a social construct. One of my favorite concepts is summarized in the final chapter title: "Normal People Are People You Don't Know Very Well." Whether you identify with a disability, teach, or simply have a capacity for understanding the variety of human ability, this book is worth the short time it takes to read.
August 25, 2023
I loved this book! Not least because he doesn't give small deviations from the norm as his examples. He dives into acceptance of all forms of difference, not saying "difference is normal," but rather that difference is what makes us interesting and successful in what we do. Then he challenges us to consider that being useful and successful is not the goal of life. No, he didn't start there, but he brings us along his journey from finding that he wasn't "normal" through acceptance into celebration.
When he talks about his graduating with honors from Brown, he doesn't say he overcame his challenges with learning, but rather that he found a place that supported his style of learning. It's a beautiful book with a wonderful message. You should read it.
When he talks about his graduating with honors from Brown, he doesn't say he overcame his challenges with learning, but rather that he found a place that supported his style of learning. It's a beautiful book with a wonderful message. You should read it.
December 2, 2019
Not a bad read, but it doesn't really get to how to live until the last few pages, and that's advice that you normally hear about just being a good person. However, I did like this paragraph.
"Somewhere in human history, instead of being stable, our species experienced constant biological change and instead of being all the same, we are different. To be different is not the exception by the rule. It is our eccentricities, fallibility, vulnerability, our deviations from teh norm-our differences-that constitute our humanity.
"Somewhere in human history, instead of being stable, our species experienced constant biological change and instead of being all the same, we are different. To be different is not the exception by the rule. It is our eccentricities, fallibility, vulnerability, our deviations from teh norm-our differences-that constitute our humanity.
December 16, 2019
Part memoir, part manifesto, part informational. Not all of the research was new to me, but coming from Jonathan Mooney, it was powerful and memorable.
"Normal was created, not discovered, by flawed, eccentric, self-interested, racist, ableist, homophobic, sexist humans. Normal is a statistic fiction, nothing less. knowing this is the first step toward reclaiming your power to define yourself, know yourself, and love yourself for who you are, not who you should be." (page 40)
"Normal was created, not discovered, by flawed, eccentric, self-interested, racist, ableist, homophobic, sexist humans. Normal is a statistic fiction, nothing less. knowing this is the first step toward reclaiming your power to define yourself, know yourself, and love yourself for who you are, not who you should be." (page 40)
July 9, 2023
I enjoyed listening to Jonathan read his book and can relate to parts of his story. It's a story that would be good for all of us to read to get a perspective from someone who didn't fit the "norm." I look forward to the day when humanity accepts everyone for who they are and meet them at their authentic being instead of forcing everyone to fit a mold.
August 15, 2023
LOVED THIS BOOK!
Now I want to check out more about Mooney and his writing. This book felt so empowering as I am anything but "normal". In many ways I could relate to this book and it validated how emotionally taxing my childhood was, being penalized for neurodivergent behaviour.
I would encourage EVERYONE to check this book out. The audiobook additional is great too!
Now I want to check out more about Mooney and his writing. This book felt so empowering as I am anything but "normal". In many ways I could relate to this book and it validated how emotionally taxing my childhood was, being penalized for neurodivergent behaviour.
I would encourage EVERYONE to check this book out. The audiobook additional is great too!
December 2, 2020
A book that makes me as someone with dyslexia feel less alone. Not really a "how to" but a "how I did". Very impactful and good for everyone to read, to learn and to understand your self and others a little better. To understand the context of "normal".
did-not-finish
December 29, 2019Got sucked into too many other books - will come back to this in the future
January 10, 2021
This book was great to read as a special education teacher—working with several students with disability very similar to the author. I used the author’s words to encourage my students.
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