Finding Your Superpower: A Book Review of What I Know Until Now by Callan Abrahams
With the daily circus act of juggling work deadlines, Zoom calls, and office politics, I’m always on the hunt for a book that gets it. Something that speaks to the unpredictability of professional life while offering a generous serving of real talk. While there are plenty of guides out there offering advice for professionals looking to get ahead while still hanging on to their sanity, a local perspectives on the topic is a little more challenging to come by. So, when What I Know Until Now, a new book by Callan Abrahams, landed on my desk for review it felt like the timing couldn’t have been more perfect.
This local gem is equal parts memoir, leadership playbook, and wake-up call. If you’re a professional woman in South Africa trying to carve your path in a world that’s loud and fast-moving, then this book might just be the shot of inspiration you need.
Callan Abrahams isn’t your typical author. She’s a data scientist, AI whiz, and entrepreneur who’s made waves in the tech scene. Abrahams has her finger on the pulse of new technology and she is known for making complex AI concepts accessible, blending technical expertise with storytelling.
But, what hits home in this book is her raw honesty about ‘figuring it all out’. Diagnosed with AuDHD (Autism + ADHD) at 30, Abrahams flips the script on what could’ve been a roadblock and calls it her superpower. For those of us who’ve ever felt like we’re faking it ‘til we make it, her story is a reminder that our quirks might just be our edge.
The book is more “late-night chat with your smartest friend” than ‘self-help’ guide, and encourages you to join Abrahams as she shares stories about her time working in the trenches. Even better? She isn’t afraid to spill the tea!
Callan Abrahams weaves her personal journey with sharp takes on leadership and tech’s future, all while keeping it real about the hustle of being a woman in a male-heavy field. Each chapter is named after a song, which makes it feel like she’s curating a soundtrack for your own grind. I found myself nodding along to her tales of sensory overload and smirking at her witty jabs at corporate norms, because who hasn’t wanted to ditch the rulebook at least once?
Abrahams doesn’t sugarcoat the struggle, whether it’s navigating the boardroom or the mental load of proving yourself twice over. But she’s not here to moan; she’s here to motivate. Her leadership insights — like trusting your gut over permission slips from the old guard— feel like a pep talk for anyone who’s ever second-guessed their seat at the table. And her thoughts on AI? They’re a nudge to us all to stay curious and ahead of the curve, especially in a country ripe for tech innovation.
What I loved most about What I Know Until Now is that Abrahams doesn’t preach perfection. She’s not pretending she’s got it all sorted, she’s still in the thick of it, just like you and me. That authenticity is why her advice lands so hard. Ultimately it’s a book that invites you to break the mould, own your story, and don’t wait for someone else to hand you the mic. The book preaches self-belief, which, let’s be honest, we could all use on a Monday morning in Joburg or Cape Town traffic.
What I Know Until Now is a must-read for any South African woman who’s chasing her goals while wrestling with the messiness of life. The book is a local breath of fresh air in a congested book segment and Callan Abrahams delivers a punchy, relatable take on owning your power— AuDHD or not. Grab it, read it, and let it light a fire under your next big move.
What I Know Until Now by Callan Abrahams is available wherever bold women buy their books. To meet the woman herself, join the author at Exclusive Books Rosebank Mall for the book launch on 10 April.
