Joe Nuthin’s Guide to Life

Helen Fisher spent her early life in America but grew up mainly in Suffolk, where she now lives with her two children. She studied psychology at Westminster University and ergonomics at UCL, and worked as a senior evaluator in research at RNIB. She is the author of Space Hopper and Joe Nuthin's Guide to Life. Follow her on instagram @helenfisher_author

'Extraordinary' Heidi Swain
'Life-affirming' Hazel Prior
'Big-hearted' Caroline Day
'Beautiful' Julietta Henderson
'Heartwarming' Daily Mail
'Unputdownable' My Weekly
'A joy' Good Housekeeping


Joe loves predictability. But his life is about to become a surprising adventure.

Joe-Nathan likes the two parts of his name separate, just like his dinner and dessert. Mean Charlie at work sometimes calls him Joe-Nuthin. But Joe is far from nothing. Joe is a good friend, he's good at his job, good at making things and good at following the rules, and he's learning how to do lots of things by himself.

Joe's mother knows there are a million things in life he isn't prepared for. While she helps guide him every day, she's also writing notebooks full of advice about the things she hasn't told Joe yet, things he might forget and answers to questions he hasn't yet asked.

Following her wisdom - applying it in his own unique way - this next part of Joe's life is more of a surprise than he expects. Because he's about to learn that remarkable things can happen when you leave your comfort zone, and that you can do even the hardest things with a little help from your friends.

Praise for Helen Fisher

'I really enjoyed Space Hopper. It's such an unusual, intriguing novel' Marian Keyes

'A magical story of love, loss and the ways that grief changes us forever' Margo Rabb

'A lovely, deeply moving story of loss and love and memory made real' Diana Gabaldon

'This story will bounce joyfully through your heart, leaving you with a fresh belief in second chances' Anstey Harris

'Tender, mesmerising and original' Lucy Clarke

'Charming and powerful' Marjan Kamali

'Beautiful' Stylist

'An unputdownable debut from a writer to watch' Bustle

'A quirky story, full of love and laughter' Best

'Will draw you in and keep you hooked until the last page' Heat

'Magical' Platinum

'Amazing' Daily Mail

A really uplifting novel about a neurodivergent young man who unexpectedly builds a community and saves a friend in need by following - in a way only he can - advice from his mother.