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celjla212's review against another edition
3.0
This is the first book I've read from the standpoint of someone who has a form of autism. I'm very glad it was written from the first person, and that it was written by someone who has experience in the matter! It makes the things that happen more valid, to me.
Robert has started college, and his goal is to find a girlfriend. However, his Asperger's sometimes gets in the way of the things he's trying to accomplish. It's not that he's trying to offend people, he just doesn't have the social skills that non-spectrum people have; and those who aren't familiar with Autism Spectrum people can often be insensitive or non-understanding.
I'm glad that Robert had a couple of good friends to share things with, because he is not one to hold things back. His roommates Stef and Chloe help him get through the highs and the lows he experiences. It also helps that Chloe is on the spectrum, since she can relate to Robert's day to day life.
There were parts of the book where the things Robert did not understand were funny, and others where it was very cringe-inducing or sad. Robert is 19 years old and very intelligent, so I couldn't really see him not being able to grasp some concepts the way he did.
I would have liked to see more about Robert's parents and his upbringing. Perhaps this would help me perceive how he interprets the world around him.
I was happy with the ending, though it was kind of abrupt. I liked the book and getting to know a character with autism; I am just not sure that Robert really changed or realized anything about himself.
Robert has started college, and his goal is to find a girlfriend. However, his Asperger's sometimes gets in the way of the things he's trying to accomplish. It's not that he's trying to offend people, he just doesn't have the social skills that non-spectrum people have; and those who aren't familiar with Autism Spectrum people can often be insensitive or non-understanding.
I'm glad that Robert had a couple of good friends to share things with, because he is not one to hold things back. His roommates Stef and Chloe help him get through the highs and the lows he experiences. It also helps that Chloe is on the spectrum, since she can relate to Robert's day to day life.
There were parts of the book where the things Robert did not understand were funny, and others where it was very cringe-inducing or sad. Robert is 19 years old and very intelligent, so I couldn't really see him not being able to grasp some concepts the way he did.
I would have liked to see more about Robert's parents and his upbringing. Perhaps this would help me perceive how he interprets the world around him.
I was happy with the ending, though it was kind of abrupt. I liked the book and getting to know a character with autism; I am just not sure that Robert really changed or realized anything about himself.
nicolemhewitt's review against another edition
4.0
This review and many others can be found on my blog - Feed Your Fiction Addiction
Stim is an incredibly insightful book, written from the perspective of a person with Asperger's. I so enjoyed seeing the world through Robert's eyes!
What I loved:
Insight into the Aspie world.
Anyone who knows someone on the spectrum will benefit from reading this book because it's written from the POV of a person with Asperger's (and also by an author with Asperger's - so he knows what he's talking about!). Getting a glimpse into the mind of someone who thinks differently is such a unique experience - Robert doesn't see the world the way that we do. He knows this, but that doesn't mean he can change it - or that he even wants to. As we go through an average day from Robert's POV, we are shown how a person with AS responds the world around him - what he wants, what he needs, how he orders the world around him. It made me truly think about my interactions with other people, and it gave me an awareness of what people with AS go through on a day-to-day basis. I loved this unique insight!
So funny!
Robert's misinterpretations (or, at least, different interpretations) of the world around him often led to incredibly funny scenes in the book. I can't tell you how often I laughed out loud! One of my absolute favorite scenes was when Robert, Chloe and Stef decide to play monopoly. Robert, being an economics major (and being incredibly interested in economic theory and history) turns the game into something quite different than your average Monopoly game - I couldn't stop laughing at Robert and Chloe's solutions to the problems of the game!
The romance.
Robert's plan to get a "normal" girlfriend leads to lots of entertaining moments. Throughout the book, I was rooting for Robert to find what he needed (which wasn't necessarily what he thought he wanted)!
The negatives:
Overplayed jokes.
I felt like certain jokes seemed to go on for a bit too long. For instance, Robert and Chloe decide on a highly unusual name for their cat, which led to LOTS of humorous misunderstandings. I felt like that particular joke was played out a bit too much, though.
Difficulty connecting sometimes.
Robert's voice was unique and interesting, but his lack of contractions and sometimes emotionless delivery occasionally made the book harder to connect to. Of course, this is part of the character's innate personality and essential to the book. Luckily, the humor really helped mitigate the effects of this dry POV a lot!
I highly recommend this book if you're looking for something unique and interesting. Robert's POV on the world will truly make you think about what is "normal" and why we value it so highly. I give this book 4/5 stars.
***Disclosure: This book was provided to me by the author in exchange for an honest review. No other compensation was given. All opinions are my own***
Stim is an incredibly insightful book, written from the perspective of a person with Asperger's. I so enjoyed seeing the world through Robert's eyes!
What I loved:
Insight into the Aspie world.
Anyone who knows someone on the spectrum will benefit from reading this book because it's written from the POV of a person with Asperger's (and also by an author with Asperger's - so he knows what he's talking about!). Getting a glimpse into the mind of someone who thinks differently is such a unique experience - Robert doesn't see the world the way that we do. He knows this, but that doesn't mean he can change it - or that he even wants to. As we go through an average day from Robert's POV, we are shown how a person with AS responds the world around him - what he wants, what he needs, how he orders the world around him. It made me truly think about my interactions with other people, and it gave me an awareness of what people with AS go through on a day-to-day basis. I loved this unique insight!
So funny!
Robert's misinterpretations (or, at least, different interpretations) of the world around him often led to incredibly funny scenes in the book. I can't tell you how often I laughed out loud! One of my absolute favorite scenes was when Robert, Chloe and Stef decide to play monopoly. Robert, being an economics major (and being incredibly interested in economic theory and history) turns the game into something quite different than your average Monopoly game - I couldn't stop laughing at Robert and Chloe's solutions to the problems of the game!
The romance.
Robert's plan to get a "normal" girlfriend leads to lots of entertaining moments. Throughout the book, I was rooting for Robert to find what he needed (which wasn't necessarily what he thought he wanted)!
The negatives:
Overplayed jokes.
I felt like certain jokes seemed to go on for a bit too long. For instance, Robert and Chloe decide on a highly unusual name for their cat, which led to LOTS of humorous misunderstandings. I felt like that particular joke was played out a bit too much, though.
Difficulty connecting sometimes.
Robert's voice was unique and interesting, but his lack of contractions and sometimes emotionless delivery occasionally made the book harder to connect to. Of course, this is part of the character's innate personality and essential to the book. Luckily, the humor really helped mitigate the effects of this dry POV a lot!
I highly recommend this book if you're looking for something unique and interesting. Robert's POV on the world will truly make you think about what is "normal" and why we value it so highly. I give this book 4/5 stars.
***Disclosure: This book was provided to me by the author in exchange for an honest review. No other compensation was given. All opinions are my own***
jmsv45's review against another edition
4.0
Writer Person
I've only read one book about autism before this. So I don't have much experience in the subject, in books or otherwise. My parents are both teachers and my dad works in an elementary school that has a huge special ed program. Sometimes he'll tell me about how bad it gets, but I've never seen it myself, so I just don't know. I've heard of Asperger's but I really didn't know much about it. After reading this I'd hardly call myself an expert. But I do love that I know a little more than I did before.
The most endearing aspect of this book is definitely Robert himself. I'm sure he's not intentionally trying to be funny or amusing in any way. But something about how he thinks and how he reacts is just so... endearing. Heck, he had me questioning why people do these things and sat those things. He is highly intelligent, he just can't cope with social situations. Honestly, I can't blame him. I one of the 99% and even I don't understand people sometimes. Part of it is just obliviousness and lack of observance on my part. (Which is why I write sci-fi and not contemporary.) But even though Robert doesn't realize it, he's revealing a hell of a lot about human nature and how we communicate with each other. He's funny and charming and I loved him so much.
There were a few off-putting parts. Namely the oddly-named cat. And the whole girlfriend thing. This is just a warning, but it's NA for a reason. It took a while for me to get used to, but ultimately I just think it's humorous. He's rather adorable, but terribly clueless. It's hardly his fault, of course. And seeing it from his perspective makes you sympathetic towards him. But if I didn't know, I'd probably be offended, too. But like I said, reading this made me question why I would be offended. He's completely honest and blunt, but that's better and more productive than the kind of BS people give out every day. Myself included.
Robert was the amusing main character. Chloe was the bridge between Asperger's and the other 99% of the population. She was awkward in most social situations, but she deals with it way better than Robert. Probably because of her therapist and doctors, but still. Huge difference. Stef was kind of a flat character to me, that is until the last quarter of the book and then I saw her in a different light.
Overall, this was just a great read. The characters were great, the concept was great. I couldn't help laughing out loud at some parts. Honestly. When I say endearing, I mean it. The voice was new, refreshing, honest... I loved the way it transitioned from journal entry to plain ol' retelling. And I loved seeing Robert grow and change over the course of the book. It was short, but that hardly dampens the quality. This is definitely worth the read. And there are some absolutely amazing quotes.
Recommendation: anybody who likes contemporary and a needs a humorous new outlook on life
I've only read one book about autism before this. So I don't have much experience in the subject, in books or otherwise. My parents are both teachers and my dad works in an elementary school that has a huge special ed program. Sometimes he'll tell me about how bad it gets, but I've never seen it myself, so I just don't know. I've heard of Asperger's but I really didn't know much about it. After reading this I'd hardly call myself an expert. But I do love that I know a little more than I did before.
The most endearing aspect of this book is definitely Robert himself. I'm sure he's not intentionally trying to be funny or amusing in any way. But something about how he thinks and how he reacts is just so... endearing. Heck, he had me questioning why people do these things and sat those things. He is highly intelligent, he just can't cope with social situations. Honestly, I can't blame him. I one of the 99% and even I don't understand people sometimes. Part of it is just obliviousness and lack of observance on my part. (Which is why I write sci-fi and not contemporary.) But even though Robert doesn't realize it, he's revealing a hell of a lot about human nature and how we communicate with each other. He's funny and charming and I loved him so much.
There were a few off-putting parts. Namely the oddly-named cat. And the whole girlfriend thing. This is just a warning, but it's NA for a reason. It took a while for me to get used to, but ultimately I just think it's humorous. He's rather adorable, but terribly clueless. It's hardly his fault, of course. And seeing it from his perspective makes you sympathetic towards him. But if I didn't know, I'd probably be offended, too. But like I said, reading this made me question why I would be offended. He's completely honest and blunt, but that's better and more productive than the kind of BS people give out every day. Myself included.
Robert was the amusing main character. Chloe was the bridge between Asperger's and the other 99% of the population. She was awkward in most social situations, but she deals with it way better than Robert. Probably because of her therapist and doctors, but still. Huge difference. Stef was kind of a flat character to me, that is until the last quarter of the book and then I saw her in a different light.
Overall, this was just a great read. The characters were great, the concept was great. I couldn't help laughing out loud at some parts. Honestly. When I say endearing, I mean it. The voice was new, refreshing, honest... I loved the way it transitioned from journal entry to plain ol' retelling. And I loved seeing Robert grow and change over the course of the book. It was short, but that hardly dampens the quality. This is definitely worth the read. And there are some absolutely amazing quotes.
Recommendation: anybody who likes contemporary and a needs a humorous new outlook on life
leeniela's review against another edition
5.0
My brother (Robbie) is an Aspie, and there are aspects of Kevin Berry's character Robert which I completely identify with. This book is just the right brand of awkward - as a NS person, sometimes the actions of an Aspie can make you cringe. Berry's Robert is endearing, intelligent, and quirky. I love that the story has a New Zealand flavour - Robert's everyday disasters played out against the Christchurch earthquake. Robert and Chloe's kitten is one of my favourite parts, providing comic relief for this striking story. Can't wait for the sequel about Chloe!
lyndajdickson's review against another edition
5.0
Robert and his flatmate Chloe are both Aspies. They have Asperger's Syndrome, a mild form of Autism. As Robert tells us, "It is difficult for me to know what are emotions and what are not." Most Aspies have an obsession, and Robert's is reading and talking about economics, never mind that he bores everyone silly! He has also made it his mission to find himself a girlfriend this year. After moving into a flat with Chloe and her cousin Stef, Robert experiences the trials and tribulations of having a kitten called Sex, he discovers the joys of Facebook for Aspies, and he gets into trouble when he adjusts the dosage of his antidepressants. His frank and honest comments to others result in some hilarious encounters, while his inability to read people's emotions keeps him from seeing what is right under his nose. It takes a big disaster to bring Robert and Chloe closer together and for Robert to finally find himself.
Robert's personality shines through in both his narration and his diary entries. His lack of use of contractions, while usually annoying, serves perfectly to convey his odd speech patterns. The book is charming and humorous, and it gives us a great insight into the world of an Aspie, as the author is one himself. Stim is full of laugh-out-loud moments. I loved Robert's Girlfriend Equation, his lists of things he's been wondering about, and his definition of NS (Non-Spectrum or "normal") as a disorder.
A true gem of a book.
I received this book in return for an honest review.
Robert's personality shines through in both his narration and his diary entries. His lack of use of contractions, while usually annoying, serves perfectly to convey his odd speech patterns. The book is charming and humorous, and it gives us a great insight into the world of an Aspie, as the author is one himself. Stim is full of laugh-out-loud moments. I loved Robert's Girlfriend Equation, his lists of things he's been wondering about, and his definition of NS (Non-Spectrum or "normal") as a disorder.
A true gem of a book.
I received this book in return for an honest review.
thechristined's review against another edition
5.0
Robert is a university student with Asperger’s Syndrome who is struggling to understand and navigate the Neuro-Typical world of Christchurch, New Zealand in 2010. His goal for the year is to get a girlfriend, but things don’t always go as planned. Luckily he has his best friend, Chloe, and her cousin Stef to help him.
Stim is told through journal entries, some containing flashbacks to events that happened months before in order to give the reader a greater understanding of the characters and their motivations. What makes this story so incredible is that the author, Kevin Berry, has Asperger’s like the main character and gives Neuro-Typicals a wonderful insight into the mind of an Aspie. All of the characters were incredibly realistic and relateable in different ways. You do not need to have, or know someone who has, Asperger’s Syndrome (or is anywhere on the Autism Spectrum) to find yourself getting caught up in this story.
There were times reading this story when I wasn’t sure how to feel because while Robert’s inability to understand certain situations may cause some seemingly comedic or scary moments to an outsider, Robert, and others with Asperger’s are left confused and my heart felt like breaking. These contradicting emotions also helped to give a sense of how those living with someone who Asperger’s, such as Robert and Chloe’s flatmate Stef must feel, and how frustrating it can sometimes be.
You can read the rest of my review at my blog: http://readerlymusings.com/2013/12/29/book-review-stim-by-kevin-berry/
Stim is told through journal entries, some containing flashbacks to events that happened months before in order to give the reader a greater understanding of the characters and their motivations. What makes this story so incredible is that the author, Kevin Berry, has Asperger’s like the main character and gives Neuro-Typicals a wonderful insight into the mind of an Aspie. All of the characters were incredibly realistic and relateable in different ways. You do not need to have, or know someone who has, Asperger’s Syndrome (or is anywhere on the Autism Spectrum) to find yourself getting caught up in this story.
There were times reading this story when I wasn’t sure how to feel because while Robert’s inability to understand certain situations may cause some seemingly comedic or scary moments to an outsider, Robert, and others with Asperger’s are left confused and my heart felt like breaking. These contradicting emotions also helped to give a sense of how those living with someone who Asperger’s, such as Robert and Chloe’s flatmate Stef must feel, and how frustrating it can sometimes be.
You can read the rest of my review at my blog: http://readerlymusings.com/2013/12/29/book-review-stim-by-kevin-berry/
expatamber's review against another edition
5.0
This was simply a delightful book. The story is just not for those on the spectrum but appeals to all readers. I fell in love with these characters from the first page! Robert's voice is brutally honest and extremely funny (even when he doesn't understand exactly why).
I walked away from this read understanding more about economics than I ever thought possible. The fact that each chapter started with a journal entry of which books he had read lately plus his number of sexual encounters made me giggle to myself each and every time.
Full review: http://casualreadersbookclub.blogspot.com/2014/07/review-stim.html
I walked away from this read understanding more about economics than I ever thought possible. The fact that each chapter started with a journal entry of which books he had read lately plus his number of sexual encounters made me giggle to myself each and every time.
Full review: http://casualreadersbookclub.blogspot.com/2014/07/review-stim.html
mlboyd20's review against another edition
3.0
I would like to thank the author for providing me a copy of his book in exchange for an honest review.
Written in journal and present style, this book touches on the gamat of a person living with Asperger’s Syndrome and how they deal with the world around them. Robert, who was diagnosed later than most people are, is a college student who has made friends with another student, Chloe, who also has Asperger’s (among other things) and who both move in with a NS (non spectrum) person. As the story unfolds, you are given a lesson on how a person with Asperger’s perceives things that are said and done in a way that is literal than figurative. You also learn that Stim is not a name, but a reactive motion.
In Chapter One alone, I learned that Asperger’s Syndrome is a common form of Autism. I’m not very familiar with AS, so I had always thought that they were two complete different things. So I give kudos to the author for that information. As I read, I started learning how that things people without AS say things are construed in the minds of those with it. I learned a lot about AS throughout this book and I find that refreshing.
What I found distracting with this book was the journal entries at the beginning of each chapter. Honestly, I read them, than I skimmed them, than I skipped them altogether. I found them muddled and not that informative. The parts of the book in story/present form were enough for me. Parts of the story itself were too repetitious too. As a reader, I didn’t need to know every time Chloe wore her black sleeveless top it was because it was a Tuesday. Along with the story, there is another layer near the end that just doesn’t really pan to anything but if done differently could have been quite explosive.
Overall, I found this book an informative read with touches of every emotion possible. I got a kick out of the predicament with the cat and the police. I giggled along with that and interrupted my husband’s tv viewing to tell him about it. I loved the innocence of Robert who was quite oblivious of what was in front of him until the end of this book. And the humor of when he finally does what he’s been striving to do and just how not movie like it is but in actuality is quite awkward.
Written in journal and present style, this book touches on the gamat of a person living with Asperger’s Syndrome and how they deal with the world around them. Robert, who was diagnosed later than most people are, is a college student who has made friends with another student, Chloe, who also has Asperger’s (among other things) and who both move in with a NS (non spectrum) person. As the story unfolds, you are given a lesson on how a person with Asperger’s perceives things that are said and done in a way that is literal than figurative. You also learn that Stim is not a name, but a reactive motion.
In Chapter One alone, I learned that Asperger’s Syndrome is a common form of Autism. I’m not very familiar with AS, so I had always thought that they were two complete different things. So I give kudos to the author for that information. As I read, I started learning how that things people without AS say things are construed in the minds of those with it. I learned a lot about AS throughout this book and I find that refreshing.
What I found distracting with this book was the journal entries at the beginning of each chapter. Honestly, I read them, than I skimmed them, than I skipped them altogether. I found them muddled and not that informative. The parts of the book in story/present form were enough for me. Parts of the story itself were too repetitious too. As a reader, I didn’t need to know every time Chloe wore her black sleeveless top it was because it was a Tuesday. Along with the story, there is another layer near the end that just doesn’t really pan to anything but if done differently could have been quite explosive.
Overall, I found this book an informative read with touches of every emotion possible. I got a kick out of the predicament with the cat and the police. I giggled along with that and interrupted my husband’s tv viewing to tell him about it. I loved the innocence of Robert who was quite oblivious of what was in front of him until the end of this book. And the humor of when he finally does what he’s been striving to do and just how not movie like it is but in actuality is quite awkward.
limabean74's review against another edition
4.0
Stim by Kevin Berry is about a boy named Robert who just wants to be able to do the things others do. He would really love to find a girlfriend and do what boyfriends and girlfriends do. Robert has Aspergers and has a difficult time doing things that comes easier to everyone else.
I found this book to be a fantastic take on people with Autism and was loaded with so much information about different aspects of Autism. My son is autistic (ASD, PPD-NOS), he’s 9 and it’s hard to understand what goes on in his head and sometimes you forget that they feel overwhelmed by every day things. This really makes you see the world so different and get a better understanding at how hard it is for people with special needs.
The characters are believable you want to believe that Robert and Chloe are real people living in the world sharing this story. They give so much information on understanding what it’s like to have Aspergers, from simple tasks and routines that need to be followed and just a slight difference can throw off an entire day. Reading about Robert at a party and seeing him get over whelmed is something I have done with my son and how quickly you have to leave or take a break to get them to calm down.
“People with autism can’t visualize what something is like or how it would feel, that has not happened to me yet All I can do is remember all the things that have happened, and find the ones that are most like whatever is happening now”.
You are reading in Roberts POV and seeing how he handles the day and how his goal for the year is to find a girlfriend who is Non-Spectrum. He pretty much wants to experience sex. As much as this book has a lot of information and gives you a look inside Aspergers it’s not a serious take on it, I loved humor and is really a fun read.
I gave Stim by Kevin Berry 4/5 stars. Kevin Berry did an amazing job writing this book. This is a great read for anyone who is Non-Spectrum and anyone on the Spectrum. This gives those who don’t understand people with Special needs a great insight on what it’s like to have Autism. I will also (when he gets older) suggest this book to my son. I have been seeing the world a little different for 9 years now and he is a pure joy my little guy, If you know one person with Autism, you know one person with Autism so as much as I don’t know what the future hold for my son this was a refreshing read to help me understand my son just a bit more. I highly recommend this is a really great informative read with a wonderfully delightful humorous story and with really great characters.
- See more at: http://www.becausereading.com/review-stim-kevin-berry-blog-tour-giveaway/#sthash.fTfhwVgm.dpuf
I found this book to be a fantastic take on people with Autism and was loaded with so much information about different aspects of Autism. My son is autistic (ASD, PPD-NOS), he’s 9 and it’s hard to understand what goes on in his head and sometimes you forget that they feel overwhelmed by every day things. This really makes you see the world so different and get a better understanding at how hard it is for people with special needs.
The characters are believable you want to believe that Robert and Chloe are real people living in the world sharing this story. They give so much information on understanding what it’s like to have Aspergers, from simple tasks and routines that need to be followed and just a slight difference can throw off an entire day. Reading about Robert at a party and seeing him get over whelmed is something I have done with my son and how quickly you have to leave or take a break to get them to calm down.
“People with autism can’t visualize what something is like or how it would feel, that has not happened to me yet All I can do is remember all the things that have happened, and find the ones that are most like whatever is happening now”.
You are reading in Roberts POV and seeing how he handles the day and how his goal for the year is to find a girlfriend who is Non-Spectrum. He pretty much wants to experience sex. As much as this book has a lot of information and gives you a look inside Aspergers it’s not a serious take on it, I loved humor and is really a fun read.
I gave Stim by Kevin Berry 4/5 stars. Kevin Berry did an amazing job writing this book. This is a great read for anyone who is Non-Spectrum and anyone on the Spectrum. This gives those who don’t understand people with Special needs a great insight on what it’s like to have Autism. I will also (when he gets older) suggest this book to my son. I have been seeing the world a little different for 9 years now and he is a pure joy my little guy, If you know one person with Autism, you know one person with Autism so as much as I don’t know what the future hold for my son this was a refreshing read to help me understand my son just a bit more. I highly recommend this is a really great informative read with a wonderfully delightful humorous story and with really great characters.
- See more at: http://www.becausereading.com/review-stim-kevin-berry-blog-tour-giveaway/#sthash.fTfhwVgm.dpuf
thenerdjournals's review against another edition
2.0
I received this book for free from NetGalley in exchange for writing an honest review.
Stim was rather fast paced with not a whole lot going on. I was extremely interested to read a story from the point of view of a person with Autism though. It helped me understand my brother in law a little better who, like Robert, has trouble deciphering emotions, body language, metaphors and idioms. The story was short and wrapped up quickly and predictably. I think this book could have been better if it were longer with more things actually happening, if the character development happened a bit more slowly I think it would have made a bit more sense. The few scenes where something exciting actually happened felt rather stunted. This book is okay but I wouldn't recommend it.
Stim was rather fast paced with not a whole lot going on. I was extremely interested to read a story from the point of view of a person with Autism though. It helped me understand my brother in law a little better who, like Robert, has trouble deciphering emotions, body language, metaphors and idioms. The story was short and wrapped up quickly and predictably. I think this book could have been better if it were longer with more things actually happening, if the character development happened a bit more slowly I think it would have made a bit more sense. The few scenes where something exciting actually happened felt rather stunted. This book is okay but I wouldn't recommend it.