Book Review: THIS BOOK IS SHORT: A Toolkit for Creative ADHDers, by Tom Ryalls
A pleasingly practical toolkit for ADHD productivity
Tom Ryalls's This Book Is Short: A Toolkit for Creative ADHDers is a refreshingly honest, practical and deeply compassionate guide that understands both the possibilities and the frustrations of living and creating with ADHD. Rather than presenting itself as a definitive solution, the book offers a flexible collection of tools, reflections and strategies that encourage readers to discover what works for them.
From its opening pages, Ryalls adopts a playful and accepting approach, that immediately distinguishes the book from more traditional productivity guides. There is no insistence on rigid systems or universal methods. Instead, Ryalls advocates working in the way that best suits the individual, encouraging readers to adapt techniques to their own needs rather than forcing themselves into structures that may not fit.
The writing is raw, self aware and brilliantly identifiable. Ryalls writes with the confidence of someone who understands the daily realities of ADHD from lived experience. Whether discussing procrastination, distraction or overwhelm, the advice never feels detached or theoretical. Instead, it feels like a conversation with someone who has spent years testing solutions, learning from mistakes and refining approaches through experience.
One of the book's greatest strengths, lies in its focus on breaking tasks into manageable pieces. Ryalls' concept of micro actions and subtasks, provides an accessible alternative to overwhelming and intimidating to do lists. By reducing projects into bite sized, achievable actions, progress becomes less daunting and more sustainable. Throughout, there is a clear understanding that productivity systems should serve the individual, with numerous practical suggestions that feel immediately applicable.
What elevates the book beyond a standard productivity manual is its recognition of the creative process itself. Works in progress are presented not as failures or unfinished ambitions, but as valuable stages in development. Previous projects can be revisited, refined and reimagined, allowing creativity to evolve rather than demanding perfection from the outset.
The book also provides useful signposting towards formal support systems. Discussions regarding Access to Work, funding opportunities and the protections offered under the Equality Act 2010, help reinforce the message that support structures exist and can be accessed. Ryalls presents these resources with clarity and encouragement, helping readers understand that seeking assistance is a legitimate and valuable part of professional practice.
Throughout This Book Is Short, Ryalls demonstrates remarkable self awareness, empathy and practicality. The result is a toolkit that feels genuinely useful rather than prescriptive by empowering readers to embrace their ADHD, recognise their strengths and build systems that support, rather than suppress their creativity. For creative ADHDers seeking guidance, validation and realistic strategies, this is an invaluable resource. Honest, accessible and full of immediately applicable advice, it succeeds because it helps with how to discover what works with particular needs.
This Book Is Short: A Toolkit for Creative ADHDers by Tom Ryalls is published by Nick Hern Books and can be ordered here.
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