Look Me in the Eye

If you've read any of Augusten Burroughs's self-deprecating memoirs, you may have read about his older brother, John Elder Robison. While Burroughs covers some fun and interesting ground about his brother, like the time that they painted racing stripes on the neighbor's dog, Robison gives readers a more dynamic view of himself in his memoir, Look Me in the Eye: My Life with Asperger's.

Robison was diagnosed with Asperger's late in life. When he was young, he was just thought to be an odd child. While his Asperger's colors all of the events he discusses in the book, this is neither a tragic or inspirational story. Mostly, it's a riot, and when it's not, it's jaw-droppingly interesting. Robison documents his childhood, including pranks like the staged cult sacrifice he made for the police to find, up to the present, including life as a parent and independent business owner rehabbing expensive import cars. Along the way, Robison experiments with electronics and explosive chemicals, combines these skills to design flaming guitars for Kiss, and later settles down to work for a toy company designing electronic games--still pranking, he once leaves a cache of fake illegal drugs out in the office during an executive visit. This is an enjoyable read, guaranteed to provide some laughs and, as an added bonus, it lets us see what life with Asperger's can be like. If you're strapped for reading time, listen to the audiobook while you're doing chores, yardwork, or whatever.