Laugh Out Loud with Shane Burcaw's Autobiography 'Laughing at My Nightmare'

Matt: A great read. I read it fast because I couldn’t put it down. Shane is an intelligent and witty writer. This and his other book should be required reading in school to help people better understand disabilities. Hopefully some day he writes another book.

United States on Aug 19, 2023

Laura H Johnson: …. parents of children under 16 may want to reconsider, given the “clarity of some of the language). Shane’s acceptance of and humor about his condition are a marvel to read. Certainly an inspiration to all!

United States on Feb 05, 2023

Whatamess: Thank you Shane, for this book. I love watching you on You tube and the love you and Hannah have for each other. You are an inspiration.

United Kingdom on Dec 17, 2022

Melina Joanna: So funny. I love it!

Germany on Apr 25, 2022

Emmanuelle Auguste: Found out about this author on YouTube, loved how the author told his story! It was honest, raw, insightful and funny.

Canada on Mar 20, 2022

Amazon Customer: I loved this book! I’m planning to order another one of his. And he has a great YouTube channel, “Squirmy and Grubs”, that’s where I first learned about Shane Burcaw’s books! A very humorous and light read, along with some personal and serious stuff. I cry laughed in parts of it, and that doesn’t happen often to me in a book. I loved this book and I look forward to reading his other book “Strangers Assume My Girlfriend Is My Nurse”.

Canada on Dec 18, 2020

Aleasha Whenham: I bought this hoping to read it to my 13 year old son who has a disability. I think the content may be too mature for him but still debating whether I will read it to him. I can’t shelter him forever. My son is mostly non verbal and it is hard to know what his cognitive level is but I presume competence and try to talk to him like I would other 13 year olds. I worry about how he will feel about himself when he hears about how the author describes the other kids on the short bus so I may skip some parts when/if I read it to him. I enjoyed reading this book as a parent though. It helps me realize the importance of treating our son as a kid his age and helping him develop social competence. It inspires me to find ways to help my son become more independent as he gets older.

Canada on Dec 29, 2019

Debra Allen: I enjoyed reading Shane’s book so much, that I couldn’t hardly put it down. I have a hard time concentrating due to my mental health issues and meds keep me sleepy. I tell you this to say, this is the first book I’ve read in years. Shane’s honesty and being real helped me to realize that with everyone having their own issues, being able to make fun of yourself is a great way to get through anything. I thought I was the only one that tried to hide behind a good joke or funny disaster!
I ordered all 3 of Shane’s books so now I can’t wait to get started on the 3rd one. I don’t feel sad ending this book because I still have another of Shane’s books to read!
I think this book would be good for mature 13 years olds
and up. Shane loves using the F word a lot. Sometimes it’s funny and other times he uses it to describe how absurd or aggravating things can be.
I have already given this book to a friend to read. I bet I’ll be buying more to share.
Thank you Shane for being so honest and funny . You should by stock in Netflix! LOL
I give this book the highest rating possible. I loved it and just can’t say enough about it....but I’ll end my review...

United States on Nov 27, 2019

Kathleen Downes: I used to be a fan of Shane Burcaw. I had read and enjoyed a couple of his articles, and I liked his idea that humor is a great way to connect with others. So, when I picked up a copy of his book Laughing At My Nightmare this week, I expected a fun read and I was excited that someone with a severe physical disability like me was finally being heard in literature. A couple of days later, I finished the book and I am disappointed to say that rather than finding a funny, relatable fellow wheelie in its pages, I found a cocky smartass who seems to have found his confidence in putting other people with disabilities down. Almost immediately, Burcaw emerged as a person who seems to have made it a personal mission to declare himself superior to others with disabilities, using what could have been a powerful instrument for respect toward our people to “other” those in the group whom he views as less successful at being “normal.”
Just one of the many passages that made me cringe in this book is Burcaw’s snide appraisal of the other participants in a Challenger sports league. With the air of a class a snob, he writes, “One of the first things I noticed while waiting for the...

United States on Sep 29, 2015

Ben MattlinBen Mattlin: I have to confess I approached this book--and the blog of the same name--with some mild trepidation. I feared Burcaw was exploiting his disability, i.e., currying praise for being inspirational when all he's doing is, you know, surviving. I don't like referring to a disability as a disease, either. It's like playing the pity card, emphasizing medicalization and portraying yourself as a victim of said disease.

BUT … as Shane himself says, he's just a normal guy. He doesn't want to be pitied and he doesn't want to be special. In fact, he's sort of making fun of all that, turning "aw" & "ow" on its head (to "wa-wo," I guess).

BUT … Shane is definitely a talented writer. He's funny and expressive and moving. He has a distinctive "literary voice."

BUT… this is a good, quick, and gripping read. It's unfortunate that the publishing pros have relegated it to the "teen" market because it would be good for anyone of any age.

Full disclosure: I, too, grew up with spinal muscular atrophy, just like Shane. I identify with many of the experiences he describes here. Some of it cuts so close to the bone that it makes me shiver. That's not funny, I want to...

United States on Oct 30, 2014