June 4, 2026 By CDHD 10 books with disability representation for adults You’ve seen our 2026 summer reading list for kids. Now it’s time for the adults! Much like last year's list, you can expect the same qualifying criteria for this year: all books feature main or secondary characters with a disability some focus on disability as a plot point while others do not the majority are written by authors with lived experience. Without further adieu, here are 10 books with disability representation you should be reading this summer … Moving Mountains: Writing Nature through Illness and Disability Edited by Louis Kenward Nature anthology This anthology features 25 pieces that explore nature from the unique perspective of authors who have a disability or are living with chronic illness. Don’t expect traditional nature writing here. These poems, short stories and essays shift perception to limited physical spaces like a bed or balcony. It brings a whole new level of understanding the beauty and urgency of nature, while exploring different layers of connecting with the natural world. These Bodies Ain't Broken Edited by Madeline Dyer Young adult/horror anthology This young adult crossover offers 13 stories by authors with disabilities that explore different horror subgenres. This includes paranormal, folklore and body horror. There is visible and invisible disability representation here, with themes that explore Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, PTSD and more. Each short story is also followed by an essay from the author discussing the conditions portrayed in their story, offering context and perspective to their characters. The Choreic Period: Poems By Latif Askia Ba Poetry This collection of poems is written through corporeal rhythms. This unique style manipulates punctuation to mimic the involuntary percussive movements (chorea) of the author’s body. It invites the reader to experience each poem along with the author with the intention of making space for bodies with disabilities to be seen and heard. The work centers on Ba’s experiences as a writer with Choric Cerebral Palsy, and explores themes of disability, syntax and rhythm. Articulate: A Deaf memoir of Voice By Rachel Kolb Memoir This memoir was named a notable book by the Washington Post and a best book by Kirkus Reviews. It follows author Rachel Kolb’s experience as she navigates both hearing and Deaf worlds. This includes personal anecdotes that touch on the history of Deaf education, impact of the ADA, spectrum of communication, and complexities of human connection. It has been praised for its honesty and humor in challenging what it means to be ‘articulate’. I'll Look so Hot in a Coffin and Other Thoughts I Used to Have About My Body By Carla Sosenko Memoir Fueled by humor and vulnerability, this memoir is all about author Carla Sosenko’s lifelong struggle with her body. Specifically, the physical differences caused by Klippel-Trenaunay Syndrome. She explores self-image, diet culture, mental health and relationships, while speaking of the pressures that come from societal expectations to conform to typical beauty standards. While grappling with challenging topics, Sosenko’s voice is relatable and funny as she tells of her journey of self-acceptance and claiming her body. A Wheelie Awkward Romance By Tess and Corby Campbell Non-fiction/romance This non-fiction romance is an unlikely love story between a “not-touchy-feely” woman and a man with quadriplegia. From meeting online to building a real-life relationship, it navigates the realities of love, neurodivergence and physical disability through patience and a shared passion for all things nerdy. It features a witty and humorous style, with candid discussions of relationships and the clinical realities of living with a spinal injury. The Sunken Archive series By Sylvie Cathrall Fantasy This duology fantasy series features two books: A Letter to the Luminous Deep and A Letter From the Lonesome Shore. Each is set in an underwater world brought to life through letters and documents. It’s laden with magical academia and romance, following the correspondence between E and Henerey, two scholars who disappear. Their siblings launch an investigation to search for the missing pair. It is full of twists and turns, with themes of mental health, chronic illness and neurodivergence. Demystifying Disability. What to Know, What to Say and How to be an Ally By Emily Ladau Self-help Published in 2021, Emily Ladau – a disability rights and self-advocate – has created a guide that is all about what to know, what to say and how to be an ally to people with disabilities. Topics range from disability history to accessibility and appropriate language. It shows the diversity of disability, while offering actionable steps and guidance on how to appropriately support people with disabilities and start your journey to allyship. The Boys of Riverside: A Deaf Football Team and a Quest for Glory By Thomas Fuller Non-fiction, sports Going beyond your typical sports story, this book follows the undefeated 2021-2022 football seasons of the California School for the Deaf football team. New York Times journalist Thomas Fuller focuses on the players’ personal stories along with their deaf head coach Keith Adams. Not only does it focus on their inspiring sporting achievements, but it also highlights deaf culture, communication barriers and the importance of community and inclusion. Preparing to Bite By Keiler Roberts Graphic novel, non-fiction This unique book focuses on the everyday life of author Keiler Roberts as told through a series of one-page comics. Roberts explores interactions with her husband and daughter, navigating the COVID-19 pandemic, and her life as an artist. It’s known for its deadpan humor and minimalist art, offering a witty and highly relatable take on her experiences as a mother, wife and artist living with chronic illness (bipolar disorder and multiple sclerosis).