Top 5 Book Recommendations for ADHDers

As you can imagine there are stacks, piles, and shelves full of books I have purchased and made it only a few pages into… Despite that fact, there are a few books that stand out from the rest for me as the ones I recommend to other people, depending on where they are at in their ADHD journey.

My shortlist of recommendations includes the following:

1. The Anti-Planner by Dani Donovan

2. Extra Focus: The Quickstart Guide to Adult ADHD

3. Activate Your ADHD Potential by Brooke Schnittman

4. Driven To Distraction by Ed Hallowell

5. How to ADHD by Jessica McCabe

1. The Anti-Planner by Dani Donovan:

I don’t know that I’ve ever encountered a published piece of work that is as authentically the embodiment of the author as this “book”. Almost every person with ADHD, at some point in their life, has probably heard the question precisely why Dan titled this the “anti-“ planner! What I love most about it is that you can open to any page and utilize the exercises and ideas that she shares, which are all enhanced by her well-known illustration skills! (When Dani personally gave me an advanced copy at the 2022 international ADHD conference I was almost moved to tears.)

2. Extra Focus: The Quickstart Guide to Adult ADHD

This book by my friend and fellow coach Jesse J. Anderson is the one that I recommend first to all of my clients, especially those who are newly diagnosed. Again, writing for an audience of people who are very similar to himself, Jesse made sure that the book could be read in bite-size chunks. I love the fact that I can read for just a few minutes and get great ideas about strategies I could use immediately to help me with my ADHD challenges! It’s clear that he “gets it“. (Jesse mailed me a signed copy of the book in advance of its release, and I’ve been bragging about how good it is ever since!)

3. Activate Your ADHD Potential by Brooke Schnittman

A product of years of hands-on experience, this book by my friend and mentor coach Brooke Schnittman is one of my most valued resources. What I like most about it is how it functions both as a “workbook“ and a book simultaneously. Again, the “ease of use“ and approachability are big reasons why this is a top recommendation for me! (As someone who played a big role in my development as an ADHD Coach, I will be forever grateful for her leading the way for other coaches like me!)

4. Driven To Distraction by Ed Hallowell

This groundbreaking book is the most influential book about ADHD ever written. How can I make such a bold claim? Throughout my entire life and ADHD journey, the voice of Dr. Hollowell‘s name has echoed. I use the word “echo“ intentionally because I have heard about this book specifically as being the single biggest thing that helped so many people over the last 30 years to realize that they may have ADHD (at the time the book was originally written, it was known as either “ADD“ or ADHD, depending on your primary presentation or subtype.) Dr. Hollowell does a phenomenal job of putting into words the emotions that so many of us have felt for so long. Absolutely worth the read!

5. How to ADHD by Jessica McCabe

Jessica has always been an inspiration for me, and is the “modern-day Ned Hollowell“ for so many people! Following up on her extremely successful YouTube impact on the world, she has put her thoughts into writing. I consider this to be the “encyclopedia“ for all things ADHD! For all the great things Jessica has done for our population, my collection wouldn’t be complete without it! (And the fact that she personally sent me a copy meant the world!)