This book truly emphasized the author's ability to "show not tell" time and time again. Though many readers may feel/felt confused while reading (including myself) I believe that made this book even more captivating. I enjoy having a book I can "chew" on, meaning, I can re-read the same couple of lines or passages and have a different interpretation each time. I can walk away with more questions than answers while finding the answers in the text as well as have my own interpretations. I can learn from others whose takeaways may greatly differ from my own. (Gotta love critical thinking and critical reading especially amidst the current “brain drain” in Western educational systems where people get spoon-fed information)

I typically stray away from "short stories" and "novellas" because there isn't enough plot or depth for me to fully enjoy, however I don't know if I would have been as invested in this storyline if it had been any longer (and I don't know how much of the "showing" element would still be present with length). I am glad I read and listened to the book simultaneously which allowed me to feel more immersed and invested in the story as a whole.

Overall, this book has been on my TBR for years so I am very happy that the Summer 2026 Readalong prompted me to finally pick it up!

(bonus points for the queer intersectional feminist anti-capitalist/monarchy lens throughout the story)

While reading this, I journeyed on a rollercoaster of emotions from feeling seen/represented, to confused, to disappointed (but not surprised), and by the end listening to the audiobook on 3.0x speed just for the sake of finishing for my book club discussion.

To preface, I do have diagnosed physical and mental health disabilities; I know the term "high functioning" is highly contested, but I do think the term does apply to me as most individuals would not be able to "tell" I have a disability on the daily (or sometimes even knowing me long-term). My long-term partner has diagnosed physical, mental health, and learning disabilities (of all aforementioned, some "noticeable" and some not).

Given the title including the word "MANIFESTO", we were both intrigued at the types of deeper and leftist discussions this book might produce, and both decided to listen to this audiobook at similar times. TLDR -- this book should've been named "How Not to Be Ableist 101" to have saved our time and energy.

The author draws on some personal experiences and also experiences from other community members to showcase different lived experiences of the disabled community. The book goes into detail about different (English) language usage in understanding disability such as words that are considered slurs/ableists that the general public may not have realized and/or ways peoples words can be micro/macroaggressive with ableism even in daily interactions / assumptions. The book reminds the reader that disability is a spectrum and also addresses the ways in which the "disabled identity" holds so much nuance and/or variation based on one's lived experiences, past/present surroundings, and personal values... However at multiple times in this book, this message is repeated over and over and over again; examples are regurgiated with some examples and analyses being exact copy and paste from previous chapters. I can appreciate this if it was used to tie different sections of the book together, but when it's repeated in every single chapter, I'm left wanting something deeper and not as surface level.

The author does preface she comes from "corporate America" and a lot of her disability advocacy work is greatly shaped by her employment in Fortune 500 companies. This is very clearly shown in her writing style and also how this book was publicized / picked up quickly to many "mainstream" media (on her own social media accounts the author has posted being on talk shows like The Jennifer Hudson show, (proudly 😬) being invited by J0e Bid3n in 2024 for the paraolympics, and more) avenues. Maybe some people think affinity groups / ERGs (employee resource groups) in a corporate job under capitalism and/or 1-2 DEI (diversity equity inclusion) workshops for a company/political entity/celebrity will revolutionize the world to end ableism. ¯_(ツ)_/¯ (not me but good luck w that) To give the author some credit, I guess someone has to do the job and it's not gunna be me so who am I to critique (lol). However, I do believe there is definitely a difference between advocating for disability rights versus being actively engaged in disability justice; I think that is very apparent moreso in the author's social media / public speaker presence than it is in this book that the author is more of an advocate entering non-disabled spaces, rather than actively engaging in intersectional disability justice / community-based spaces.

Ultimately, I think this book is a great starting point for anyone who has never considered themselves disabled, doesn't have anyone disabled in their lives, and didn't realize they will become disabled whether from unexpected life experiences and/or getting older; the content and language are accessible by being all in one book, straightforward with direct suggestions, and the author even offers reflection questions at the end of each chapter. This can also be labeled as a DEI book for non-disabled people (and/or people in a workplace/nonprofit/9 to 5 setting looking for "professional development opportunities to grow their soft skills") who may want to learn more ways on bettering themselves and/or becoming advocates. For anyone actively involved in the current disability justice MOVEMENT and/or disability focused spaces led by disabled people, this book isn't meant for you/us.