Books to read

[kali ma]

I posted this in Newcomers, but I definitelly wanted a woman's perspective.
I am on day 8...I made it past the one week mark! Anyway, I am on Amazon, and I was looking for some suggestions. I am not going to AA yet, and would like to wait a little while before going. I was looking for some books that are not so much AA related. I have read Drinking: A Love Story, Smashed, How to Quit drinking Without AA, I am currently reading Beyond the Influence, and I have the Black Book. I have First Year Sobriety, Under the INfluence, and A Place Called Self in my cart. Can anyone recommend any more? It would be good to read one for younger women...

THANK YOU!!

[clancy]

I just read a fantastic book about the BBC security corespondent, Frank Gardner. He was gunned down in saudi Arabia by Al Qaida whilst reporting out there. Its a fantastic,gripping story not only of his shooting and struggle back to helath after taking 12 bullets but of his travels and adventures in the middle east too. He is soooo brave, the book is incredibly inspiring and moving, and although its not 'for young women' or addiction related its the story of a battle for life and very inspiring.Its called 'Blood and Sand' by Frank Gardner. I get a bit sick of addiction related stuff, but one book I did really enjoy(that is a rehab story) was 'A million little pieces' by James Frey...(just skip the bit where he has root canal with no anesthetic if you are of a nervous disposition!) both available from Amazon. best wishes xx

[eire rose]

Hi there,

I read "Dry" by Augesten Burroughs in my first few months of sobriety and thought it was hilarious. Great Book!

Love, Rose

[Whadahay]

When I first got sober, the book that really grabbed at me was called, "Goodbye Hangovers, Hello Life." Especially written for women. This is what it has to say about it: For more than twenty years, Jean Kirkpatrick drank, nearly suicidally. She tried every form of help available, sometimes stopping drinking for a while, but eventually succumbing to alcohol again. Finally she devised her own method of recovery and gradually pulled herself up from a "living death."
In Goodbye Hangovers, Hello Life, the first book on recovery specifically for women, Jean Kirkpatrick tells how she achieved sobriety. She explains the special problems of the woman alcoholic, and challenges some of the premises of Alcoholics Anonymous, an organization founded by and for men that she believes fails to address the specific needs of women. Instead of harping on past problems and behavior, the Women For Sobriety program focuses on the future, showing women how to build up their emotional strength, self-esteem, and positive approach to life essential to recovery.

Anyway, it really helped me realize that there was hope and that I wasn't alone. I have nearly the whole book highlighted and I highly recommend it.

Peace,

[kali ma]

Thank you! That sounds right up my alley. I just ordered it. I'll let you know what I think. You're funny...I highlight EVERYTHING too when I read a book I'm into.

[51anna]

Kali, I also loved "Drinking: A Love Story". It is the book that gave me the glimmer of hope, that maybe I could actually do this.

The book that started me on this journey of recovery is "The Seat of the Soul" by Gary Zukav. It's spiritual and gentle, and explained to me, in a way I could understand, what addiction is and how to recover.