The Journal of Best Practices: A Memoir of Marriage, Asperger Syndrome, and One Man's Quest to Be a Better Husband

David Finch

Jan 2012 · Sold by Simon and Schuster

About this ebook

*A New York Times Bestseller*
A warm and hilarious memoir by a man diagnosed with Asperger syndrome who sets out to save his relationship.

Five years after David Finch married Kristen, the love of his life, they learned that he has Asperger syndrome. The diagnosis explained David’s ever-growing list of quirks and compulsions, but it didn’t make him any easier to live with.

Determined to change, David set out to understand Asperger syndrome and learn to be a better husband with an endearing zeal. His methods for improving his marriage involve excessive note-taking, performance reviews, and most of all, the Journal of Best Practices: a collection of hundreds of maxims and hard-won epiphanies, including “Don’t change the radio station when she’s singing along” and “Apologies do not count when you shout them.” David transforms himself from the world’s most trying husband to the husband who tries the hardest. He becomes the husband he’d always meant to be.

Filled with humor and wisdom, The Journal of Best Practices is a candid story of ruthless self-improvement, a unique window into living with an autism spectrum condition, and proof that a true heart is the key to happy marriage.

Ratings and reviews

I read this book for a psychology course, and honestly I wasn't very optimistic going in, but I found myself really enjoying it. Not only is it a fascinating and intriguing read, but it's well-written, got strong voice, and is humorous enough to make it an easy read. That is not to say it doesn't have its heavy moments or isn't thought provoking - it is. It was a terrific read and very moving.

Reading this book has given me a greater understanding of both myself and my son, my wife seems to be more tolerant of us too.

The Best!! It gave me hope at our darkest hour. He was determined to try. I became determined to try too. Wonderful book. I loved it.

About the author

David Finch grew up on a farm in northern Illinois and attended the University of Miami, where he studied Music Engineering Technology. In 2008 he was diagnosed with Asperger’s syndrome. His essay, “Somewhere Inside, a Path to Empathy” appeared in The New York Times and became the basis for this book. David lives in northern Illinois with his wife Kristen and two children and is still a total nerd.