media, culture and writing wrap-up: April-June 2025
the "i burnt out and i didn't even notice" edition
Sometimes autistic burnout hits you like a tonne of bricks. Sometimes it creeps up on you, slow and steady. And sometimes it’s a bit of a mix of both, like this time.
I knew I was tired, and that my brain felt like I was starting to be wading through treacle, but I didn’t notice the signs I normally notice.
Maybe we’ll come back to autistic burnout in another post, because I have a lot to say, but for now, all of this to say is: this quarter’s edition is maybe a little shorter than the last one (although some of you may be breathing a sigh of relief at that…)
You know the drill: let’s wrap up my reading, media consumption and various other bits and bobs. Last time I kept it mostly positive but I’m sprinkling in some stuff I didn’t in this one, because I’m feeling a bit salty.
As usual, this post contains some affiliate links - no pressure, but they help me out.
Fiction 📖
SO. MANY. good fiction books to talk about. I went on a Children’s and Young Adult writing residential in April, so spent the week reading only the genre, and I loved all of them. And, of course, a hefty amount of romances as we come into the warmer months, because I always love them but the summer just makes them hit different. You can go follow me on Storygraph: @charliclement_
If My Words Had Wings by Danielle Jawando
I loved this so much. I saw Danielle speak on two panels at Cheltenham Literature Festival in October, and knew this book was going to be excellent. To be able to explore the criminal ‘justice’ system, joint enterprise, and the white supremacy baked into society in a young adult book this accessible and beautiful is truly such a talent. I love when authors don’t shy away from hard things in children’s and YA and this is such a perfect example - I’m sure some would argue topics like this in a book can scare young people, but the point is that for many young people, this is just their reality.
Something to be Proud of by Anna Zoe Quirke
If I could get one YA book from recent years and put it in front of my younger self, this would be the one. It made me so emotional to read something knowing younger people are getting this as they discover themselves. The queer and neurodivergent rep in this is just perfect, as well as it discussing so much about protest, pride, activism, and combatting stereotypes. Just gorgeous and one everyone should be reading. Anna’s second book is being released in September, and I am beyond excited!
The Black Flamingo by Dean Atta
Dean was one of my residential tutors and is what I can only describe as a genius - he helped me unlock so many thoughts about poetry and about my identities. I read his first novel in verse in one afternoon of the week and think I experienced every emotion possible. It’s beautiful, and I can’t wait to read his newest novel in verse, I Can’t Even Think Straight, which came out in May.
Who Wants to Live Forever by Hanna Thomas Uose
This is dystopia/speculative fiction done right!! I saw Hanna speak at Cheltenham, too, and was super excited for this one. This book explores the idea of a medication that allows people to stop ageing, and uses that to consider issues like class, relationships, democracy, and more. I was just utterly fascinated by the whole thing, the way it used multiple narrators, and how it all weaved together. Absolutely needs to be on your TBR.
Great Big Beautiful Life by Emily Henry
I… was not convinced by this. I think even a bad EmHen would be a great book, because she’s brilliant, and I do think there’s a level of the criticism that she’s only catching because it’s slightly out of what people expected. But, I did find I didn’t care for the characters all that much, and wasn’t that invested in the historical aspect, so there just wasn’t anything particularly keeping me there.
Lover Birds by Leon Egan
This was so much fun! It’s a queer Pride and Prejudice retelling, so think sapphic enemies-to-lovers, plus some of the best ADHD representation I’ve read. I listened to the audiobook which really enhanced the discussion about class and the north. I’m currently reading an advance copy of Listen Closely which I’m already obsessed with.
The Friendship Fling by Georgia Stone
If you ever read one book I recommend, make it this. This book is THAT girl! Unreal chemistry, plot that actually works with the romance, developed side characters, hilarious and unique personalities to the main characters - it had it all and I am obsessed. I’ll be recommending this constantly. Full review on Instagram.
Non-fiction 📖
Less non-fic this quarter, but both excellent:
Abolition Revolution by Aviah Sarah Day and Shanice Octavia McBean
If you’re new to abolition concepts or have questions about it in practice, this is an excellent starter kit particularly to aspects concerning feminism and colonialism. I really appreciated the set up into different kinds of ‘thesis’ to collate different topics together.
Bad Friend by Tiffany Watt Smith (pr copy - thank you Faber!)
This was brilliant and almost like someone went into my mind to find out my dream book - a combo of memoir with historical aspects all about friendship, and how it links to systems like capitalism and beyond. It was so interesting, witty in places, and really well done all round. I haven’t seen this around as much as it deserves, so definitely grab a copy.
Films 📖
Traditional Charli move: barely watched anything for two months, then went to the cinema four times in ten days. Love that for me! Wondering if I need a cinema membership when I move city - at the moment I end up going to three cinemas so it isn’t worth it. You can also follow me on Letterboxd: @charlibeth
Sinners (2025)
This is surely the film of the year, so I feel like I don’t need to say too much! But this was such a fascinating depiction of colonialism and white supremacy, paired with the best soundtrack I’ve heard in a long time. I saw this in a cinema screen that was PACKED and rightly so!
The Phoenician Scheme (2025)
Okay, I LOVED this film. I will admit I haven’t seen that many Wes Anderson films, and lots of people who have have told me it’s not his best, but I just loved all aspects of it. I thought it was filmed beautifully, the characters were so interesting, and the plot was really well done - it really dragged me in and kept me fully engaged.
How to Train Your Dragon (2025)
Do I think this remake was actually necessary? Honestly, I don’t - but that’s my opinion about most live action remakes to be honest (I would argue the same about Lilo and Stitch which I also saw this quarter) and I enjoyed this anyway. It’s my sister’s favourite film so this was always on the cards, and I think it was good!
Theatre 🎭
& Juliet (Birmingham Hippodrome)
This was my second trip to & Juliet - I saw it years ago when it was on the West End with possibly my dream cast of anything ever. This tour version wasn’t quite as good, but not enough to notice or not enjoy it. Generally, I’m not a jukebox musical person really, but this one is super fun and I love the integration of Shakespeare and pop music. My mum also had a blast, which is always nice, as she trusts me to drag her to lots of things.
A Moment of Connection with Adjei Sun (Birmingham Hippodrome)
Perhaps not quite theatre and more a theatre/community space hybrid, but it happened in a theatre space so I’m gonna count it. It was such an honour to share space with Adjei again, who is just brilliant and forever one of my role models around holding spaces, togetherness, creativity and softness.
Television 📺
Love Island UK Season 12
Have I ever told you about my “brain chewing gum” love for reality TV? I just love getting to switch my brain off - and I also think it’s fascinating to watch neurotypical allosexuals interact (I don’t understand 90% of them). Currently, that honour is of course with Love Island, which I’ve spent the last few years commentating on in a group chat with my old flatmates.
9-1-1 Season 8
9-1-1 is one of my all time favourite shows, but this season was not it. So many decisions and plotlines that simply didn’t make sense for the characters or for the show’s nature, and I just felt so flat watching it most of the time. I was so glad it was saved from cancellation, but maybe not like this.
Grey’s Anatomy Season 21
Guys, I think I might finally be over Grey’s. It’s been coming for a few seasons, but the focus on Teddy and Owen’s will-they-won’t-they open relationship really just made this one so very boring to me. (I say that, but don’t come for me when the next season is inevitably in another of these.) If you want more on my Grey’s thoughts, though, I wrote this Substack:
Things Charli wrote ✍🏻
This section is really where the burnout shows!! I didn’t write very much this quarter, and really hope I’m better than ever in the next.
Why the ‘overdiagnosis’ debate harms neurodivergent people
I wrote this for the lovely people at Tiimo, a visual scheduling app. This hasn’t gone up on socials yet, so this is a sneaky exclusive for you. This is a topic I talk about all the time, so it was really great to get all my thoughts on a page.
i was not built to be nonchalant: an essay on caring
My only Substack of this quarter, which is wild! But it’s one I am extremely proud of, so I guess that’s okay.
Charli’s noticeboard 📌
I have a new Instagram! I wanted a little second safe space for my book/film/media thoughts that might not be why people follow me. You can go and follow me over on @charlispicks_ - thanks to
for supporting my long deliberations for a name.You can also go and join my new Instagram broadcast channel, the Tangled Up Club, which may or may not be becoming something soon…
If you’re in Scotland and are an autistic woman or non-binary person, I am doing a webinar with SWAN Scotland about sensory needs as an autistic and chronically ill person on July 22nd! Please read their notes about who is welcome to attend before booking.
You can buy my book, All Tangled Up in Autism & Chronic Illness, wherever you buy your books! I’ve spoken to lots of people lately who didn’t realise I had a book so take this as your reminder. It talks about everything from sensory needs to healthcare, everyday life to ableism. There’s even an audiobook which came out more recently.
I’m also currently open for speaking, writing and consulting work - and it’s Disability Pride Month, so if you haven’t thought about it yet… now is your time! Email me: hello@charliclement.com
If you made it this far, thank you so much for reading! If you’d like to support me, you can become a free or paid subscriber, or buy me a coffee (a pink lemonade, actually). I’d love to hear about your favourites from the last quarter! 💫
I'm going to add a several of these books to my TBR list – thank you!