#BookReview of #Twitch: My life with Parkinson’s by Annmarie O’Connor | Audiobook

Audiobook of Twitch read by Annmarie O’Connor

[ About Twitch ]

Twitch is a frank and funny memoir about picking up the pieces when personal tragedy hits.

In 2021, Irish Examiner columnist, stylist, author and podcaster Annmarie O’Connor was diagnosed with early-onset Parkinson’s disease, an incurable neurodegenerative condition broadly affecting movement and mental health.

Though she is no longer working as a stylist as part of her career due to Parkinson’s complications, Twitch outlines her journey from a life-altering diagnosis to becoming an activist and agent of change.

[ My Review ]

Twitch: My life with Parkinson’s by Annmarie O’Connor published with Eriu September 10th 2025. It is described as a ‘remarkably honest, brutally heroic and darkly humorous memoir following a devastating diagnosis of early onset Parkinson’s disease.’

Like many people I grab a copy of the Irish Examiner newspaper most weekends and jump straight to The Weekend section. Packed full with inspirational ideas from cultural events to fashion and lots more in-between, I take notes for future me to check out. Annmarie O’Connor has been a staple with the paper for years sharing her advice on what to wear at any given time and, most importantly, how to wear it. In any article that Annmarie would feature in herself, her natural glamour and sense of style oozed off the pages. The paper wasn’t Annmarie’s only role as she was known as the voice of women’s fashion across many media platforms.

Originally from America, Annmarie arrived to Ireland with her mother and siblings following the tragic death of her father. Settling in Galway on the west coast of Ireland, Annmarie developed her fashion sense over the years eventually making a career out of it and basing herself in Cork. When the pandemic struck in 2020 Annmarie had just packed her bags and moved from Cork to Dublin. Unable to work as before and struggling to find new accommodation she moved in with her sister. After a frustrating period of time, she made the decision to return to Cork to start over again but Annmarie’s life was about to change in unimaginable ways.

After an initial shoulder twinge, Annmarie went through various tests over a lengthy few months until, finally, in 2021 she was diagnosed with early onset Parkinson’s disease. I listened to the audiobook of Twitch which is read by Annmarie O’Connor and her ability to see the positive is awe-inspiring. She could have laid low and quietly retired into her own world but instead she decided to use her platform as a method of conveying to others her experiences and what she would like society to do. Carrying such a life-changing degenerative diagnosis is a life-sentence but Annmarie O’Connor is wasting no time working within her new found boundaries breaking down walls and becoming an agent of change.

Twitch is an extremely raw and honest memoir that pulls back the curtain on the impact of a life-changing progressive neurological condition. Annemarie spares no punches sharing the good with the bad. Her life has been upended yet she finds the sunny side and continues to use her exuberant personality for good. An inspirational story told with candour, warmth and wit, Twitch is a very poignant read, one I highly recommend to all.

‘She was honoured with the Catalyst Award at Irish Tatler’s Women of the Year Awards and named among the Irish Examiner’s 100 Women Changing Ireland, recognitions that highlight her leadership in advancing visibility and understanding of early-onset Parkinson’s.

Across keynote speaking, media commentary, writing, and community engagement, Annmarie draws on her unique experience, empowering individuals and organisations to navigate change with confidence, clarity, and purpose.‘

Source ~ https://annmarieoconnor.me/book-me/

[ Bio ]

Annmarie O’Connor is a bestselling author and fashion editor.

In December 2021, she was diagnosed with early-onset Parkinson’s disease – a progressive, degenerative brain disorder with no cure, broadly affecting movement and mental health.

Brought up in the United States, she now lives in Cork and is a regular columnist with the Irish Examiner.