Looking for an inspiring summer reading list? This year, consider adding books by authors with disabilities to your bookshelf. These works offer not only captivating stories and insights, but also authentic perspectives on living with disability, something that’s too often missing in mainstream publishing.
At Delta Center for Independent Living, we believe that sharing stories is a powerful way to build understanding, celebrate diversity, and advocate for a more inclusive world. Whether you’re looking for memoirs, fiction, poetry, or young adult literature, books by authors with disabilities offer something for every reader.
Here’s a hand-picked list of titles to explore this summer, along with some helpful resources to find even more inclusive reads.
“Haben: The Deafblind Woman Who Conquered Harvard Law” by Haben Girma
Haben Girma’s powerful memoir tells the story of growing up deafblind, learning to navigate a world not built for her, and becoming the first deafblind person to graduate from Harvard Law School. Funny, honest, and deeply human, this is one of the most compelling books by authors with disabilities published in recent years.
“Disability Visibility: First-Person Stories from the Twenty-First Century” edited by Alice Wong
This bestselling anthology, curated by activist and writer Alice Wong, brings together essays from people across the disability community. Topics range from relationships and employment to activism and survival. It’s a must-read for anyone interested in disability justice, and one of the most widely recommended books by authors with disabilities for new readers.
“The Pretty One” by Keah Brown
Keah Brown, creator of the viral #DisabledAndCute hashtag, shares a collection of essays about pop culture, Black girlhood, disability, and self-love. With warmth and 
humor, she challenges how the media portrays disability and celebrates what it means to love yourself as you are.
“Being Heumann: An Unrepentant Memoir of a Disability Rights Activist” by Judith Heumann
If you’re interested in the roots of the disability rights movement, this memoir by Judy Heumann, a key figure behind the Americans with Disabilities Act, is essential reading. Her lifelong activism, from protests to policy, helped change the world for generations of disabled Americans.
“True Biz” by Sara Nović
A New York Times bestseller, this novel set at a residential school for the deaf combines rich storytelling with issues of identity, community, and language. Author Sara Nović, who is deaf herself, brings authenticity and nuance to a story that’s both deeply personal and universally engaging.
“Sitting Pretty: The View from My Ordinary Resilient Disabled Body” by Rebekah Taussig
Taussig, a disability advocate and educator, writes with sharp insight and lyrical prose about growing up in a wheelchair, the power of representation, and what it means to live in a body that doesn’t match society’s expectations. It’s another standout among books by authors with disabilities for readers interested in memoir and cultural criticism.
Where to Find More Inclusive Reads
If you want to dive deeper into books by authors with disabilities, these organizations and databases are great places to start:
- Disability in Kidlit: Focuses on reviewing and promoting middle-grade and young adult books by and about people with disabilities.
- Rooted in Rights Book Club: A monthly online book club hosted by the disability rights nonprofit Rooted in Rights.
- National Library Service for the Blind and Print Disabled (NLS): A free braille and audiobook service from the Library of Congress. Visit https://www.loc.gov/nls/
- Missouri Assistive Technology TAP for Reading: Offers reading tools like screen readers and accessible e-book software for qualifying individuals.
Many public libraries also offer accessible formats (large print, audiobooks, e-readers) and curated disability-related reading lists. Don’t be afraid to ask your librarian for help finding books by authors with disabilities.
Why Representation Matters
Stories shape how we see the world and how the world sees those living with disabilities. Reading books by authors with disabilities doesn’t just build empathy, it also amplifies voices that deserve to be heard on their own terms.
When disabled people share their own stories, it pushes back against stereotypes and misconceptions. It shows the full humanity, humor, 
strength, and creativity of a community often left out of the narrative; gaining their insights and understanding their worldviews makes us all richer and complete.
Time to Read!
This summer, refresh your reading list with powerful, funny, moving, and unforgettable books by authors with disabilities. Whether you’re curled up on the porch, listening on a walk, or joining a virtual book club, these stories will open your mind and lift your spirit.
Looking for more recommendations or need help accessing books in accessible formats?
Contact Delta Center for Independent Living; we’re here to help you find the resources and community you need to live your best life.