Thanks to Roaring Book Press for the free review copy!I enjoyed this book a lot more than Shane's first one! This collection really delves into his experience with SMA and how his perception of himself has shifted from being a burden to being a boyfriend and someone who is loved. Whereas his first book was really self-centered and had the tendency to look down on other people with disabilities in order to exalt his own experience, this one had a lot of great anecdotes that were then connected to...

Very Funny and very very informative...

4.5/5 stars.I've really been doing my best to recognize the places in which I have privilege and listen to those who may not have the privileges that I do. I recognized that I really had not read much on people with differing abilities, so I've been looking for stories written by and about people with different abilities than my own. Not because I believe that each person that I read a story about has the responsibility to speak for their whole community, but because I want to hear people's indi...

Brilliant, hilarious, and insightful essays on living with a disability. Shane's voice is a riot and made me laugh out loud numerous times. It's so nice to see more YA essay collections, and this one will appeal to so, so many readers.

Good, just not as good as Shane’s first book.

Strangers Assume My Girlfriend Is My Nurse by Shane Burcaw is a series of essays detailing his life with Spinal Muscular Atrophy. In this collection he talks of how the general public treat him because of his disability, the amount of daily care he needs, his feelings about his disability along with how he copes, and his Hope's and fears. This collection is a mix of hilarious, frustrating, anger inducing, sad, and hopeful. The author makes you feel as though your sitting at your favorite coffees...

I have been following Shane Burcaw on Instagram for a few years and was excited to see he has a new book out – Strangers Assume My Girlfriend is my Nurse. I flew through the book on the plane (excuse the pun!) – it was so easily readable, and relateable. I am loving #OwnVoices Books!Shane has a blog, he and his fiancé Hannah Aylward have a YouTube channel – Squirmy and Grubs – and their respective Instagram accounts are wonderful. This book is a wonderful extension of Shane’s online presence. St...

This is WOW insightful. I'm glad Shane included some of his own perceptions/misperceptions. I can certainly see where if I were in his situation, I might not be very open minded myself. Best of luck to you and Hannah, Shane!

This was funny and interesting and seemed really honest. I liked the juxtaposition of humor (lots of dick jokes) with really personal, vulnerable writing. I especially liked the points he made about people treating him like he's sad or like his life must be sad, when he didn't think that. This didn't feel like a political book, so I think it's a really accessible introduction to ableism. And the funny stuff makes the deeper stuff kind of sneak in.

Absolutely lovely!I discovered Shane and Hannah not long ago when I stumbled upon their Youtube channel (Squirmy and Grubs and if you haven't checked it out oh my God please do) and I fell in love with their spirit. When I heard about SAMGIMN I knew I had to have it (as well as Laughing at My Nightmare, Shane's previous book).It's a very short read, I finished the whole thing in less than a day. It was funny and inspiring (sorry for using the word "inspiring", I know Shane doesn't quite like it)...

A must read for everyone!I was blown away by the stories Shane tells of what it’s like living with spinal muscular atrophy. And honestly not just what it’s like living with SMA but what it means to truly LIVE. This book zeroes in on many stigmas people with disabilities deal with and Shane brings such amazing, funny and heartfelt storytelling to these true life stories he shares. From what it’s like eating out, strangers approaching you on the street, difficulties using the bathroom, you’ll lear...

I absolutely love Shane and Hannah (aka Squirmy and Grubs on YouTube) so I've dying to read this book along with Laughing at My Nightmare. Not only was this book a fast read but it was hilarious and inappropriate which is on par with Shane's dark humor. I highly recommend this book to people who like Squirmy and Grubs or those who want to learn more about SMA. Not only does it take about his experience with it but he also touches on things like everyone can relate to (the awkward teenage years,

I originally debated between giving this book three or four stars. I thought it was a solid 3.5 and decided to up it to four because there were some really hilarious and eye opening essays. My hesitation came with a few of them reading like they were paid advertisments (the chapter on Alexa in particular...and I say this as an Amazon Books employee who actively sells these devices to disabled individuals and love how accessable they make everyday activities I take for granted) or just a little b...

3.5 stars. I enjoy Shane and Hannah’s YouTube channel- their discussions on ableism, and their emphasis on educating others about interabled relationships. I knew I needed to read this book, and I finished it in 3 days! Shane’s humor in this book (which at times can feel a little forced) had me chuckling throughout. This book is an easy, fun read, while also discussing important messages about disability and the need for love, acceptance, and access.

My sister recommended this book and I had seen a video of Shane and Hannah online so I was interested to learn more about their relationship and Shane’s life in general. The book was a very quick but thought-provoking read. Shane’s descriptions of how his relationship to his disability has changed over his life course are extremely candid, insightful, and valuable. The examples he uses are thoughtfully chosen for comedic, intellectual, and emotional value. Some of my favorites included the Reddi...

I loved this book. I have read Shane's other two books before (Laughing at my Nightmare and Not so Different) and this one was exactly as amazing. Shane has been an idol to my family ever since my cousin got diagnosed with SMA, which is the same disease Shane has. This book touches on almost all aspects of living with SMA. Shane has gotten told before that God had a plan for him and it would be ok, even though Shane never has thought about his disease as being much of a strain on his life. Shane...

Shane Burcaw is awesome. He has a really relatable, minimalist way of getting right to a point, and driving it home, that is instantly engaging. This book was research for me. I'm finishing up a 7 book sci-fi series where one of the main heroes has an aggressive variant of spinal muscular atrophy. It's ludicrous that I (an able-bodied person) chose to write 7 books involving a character whose lifestyle and social obstacles are way outside my wheelhouse. When I started the Torth series, I never i...

In a follow up to his initial memoir, Laught at my Nightmare, Shane Burcaw brings readers up to date with where he is now and how his outlook on life has changed over the years. Living with a degenerative muscular disease brings many struggles, but through a dark, sarcastic humor Shane has learned to love life, love living, and he has truly grown into a successful (and inspirational) not-for-profit organizer.Through a series of essays, readers experience a glimpse of Shane's struggles, successes...

I feel like Ive been waiting ages for this book it was well worth it. I absolutely loved it! So much so, I read it in one sitting! I first read something by Shane late last year and automatically loved his story telling because I was able to relate to so many of the stories he told living with his disability, and could relate a great deal relating to my own disability soon after I randomly came across Squirmy and Grubs and have loved following Shane and Hannah's journey ever since! Like his othe...

I love Shane's sense of humor! This is a quick-paced book filled with anecdotes about his life that are funny, heart-warming, and at times utterly frustrating: if you're able-bodied, you don't know the struggles of flying with a wheelchair, and reading that chapter will (should!) fill you with frustration and indignation on behalf of anyone who does. Shane doesn't sugar-coat things, but he also doesn't focus on the struggles. There's a note of humor and hope in all his stories. And reading the b...