A thoroughly uplifting novel about a neurodivergent young man who unexpectedly builds a community and saves a friend in need by following—in a way only he can—his mother’s words of wisdom.

Joe-Nathan likes the two parts of his name separate, just like dinner and dessert. Mean Charlie at work sometimes calls him Joe-Nuthin. But Joe is far from nothing. Joe is a good friend, good at his job, good at making things and at following rules, and he is learning how to do lots of things by himself.

Joe’s mother knows there are a million things he isn’t yet prepared for. While she helps to guide him every day, she is also writing notebooks of advice for Joe, of all the things she hasn’t yet told him about life and things he might forget.

By following her advice, Joe’s life is about to be more of a surprise than he expects. Because he’s about to learn that remarkable things can happen when you leave your comfort zone, and that you can do even the hardest things with a little help from your friends.

If you’re losing faith in the world, then I suggest reading Joe Nuthin’s Guide to Life. In it, Helen Fisher tells the story of 23-year-old Joe-Nathan, a neurodivergent man who loses his mom suddenly and must learn to navigate the world on his own. But his mom did not leave him completely stranded. Fearing such a day, she filled up many notebooks—each with a different colored cover—with instructions for the simplest tasks to some of life’s most complicated situations.

Using these notebooks, Joe-Nathan learns to deal with life day-by-day—from eating dinner alone, to getting himself ready for work, to socializing with co-workers and dealing with bullies. With each step, Joe-Nathan must learn to manage his emotions and perceptions through his own particular lens. Along the way, people will show up for him, and he will prove to be a hero when it’s least expected.

Charming, life-affirming, and big-hearted, this is the perfect read to restore your spirits and remind us all that faith, friendship, and a wee-bit of wisdom will go a long way to making life more joyful. Do yourself a favor and add Joe Nuthin’s Guide to Life to your blue box!