Sobriety books and films
OMG everything's real
Thread Starter
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: England
Posts: 4,020
Sobriety books and films
I keep seeing books mentioned in various threads that people are finding helpful in their quest for sobriety, and I should have written them down. I love reading and I was wondering if you would mind mentioning any books/films that you found spoke to you or helped you.
CarolD has mentioned "Under the influence" and "Beyond the influence".
I'm reading the "AA Big Book" and I'm waiting for my copy of "Living Sober".
Thank you very muchly! LB x
CarolD has mentioned "Under the influence" and "Beyond the influence".
I'm reading the "AA Big Book" and I'm waiting for my copy of "Living Sober".
Thank you very muchly! LB x
Member
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: England
Posts: 1,981
LB great thread 
I am reading Terry, by George McGovern. It's a very sad story of a father who lost his daughter to drink. The book has hit a nerve.
I have two others in line to read, Drinking a Love Story and Goodbye Mr Wonderful by Chris McCully.
I have also orderd Under the Influence by Milman & Ketcham as recomended by CarolD
Has anyone read any of the above?
I am reading Terry, by George McGovern. It's a very sad story of a father who lost his daughter to drink. The book has hit a nerve.
I have two others in line to read, Drinking a Love Story and Goodbye Mr Wonderful by Chris McCully.
I have also orderd Under the Influence by Milman & Ketcham as recomended by CarolD
Has anyone read any of the above?
I'm just a little unwell
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: USA
Posts: 2,219
I have:
Under the Influence (read it in about 2 - 3 hours)
The Big Book
Sober for Good
Rational Recovery
I haven't read the last 3 yet as I just bought them yesterday. I started Sober for Good last night but I was drunk while I was reading it ... WTF? Gonna start again tonight.
(Where's the WTF emoticon?!?!)
Under the Influence (read it in about 2 - 3 hours)
The Big Book
Sober for Good
Rational Recovery
I haven't read the last 3 yet as I just bought them yesterday. I started Sober for Good last night but I was drunk while I was reading it ... WTF? Gonna start again tonight.
(Where's the WTF emoticon?!?!)
OMG everything's real
Thread Starter
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: England
Posts: 4,020
I find that the standard smilies change all the time, and if you can't find the one you want, you have to click on "Show all smilies". I bet WTF is in there somewhere!:wtf2 Yes, there it is (I have too much time on my hands!)
Thanks for the book ideas Pixy and TSH. Now I have a shopping list!
Thanks for the book ideas Pixy and TSH. Now I have a shopping list!
Member
Join Date: Aug 2008
Posts: 811
I'm reading Drinking: A Love Story. It is very good.
I ordered Responsible Drinking, (My therapist wants me to read it). I have not received it yet and am not sure if I want to read it. She thinks I will eventually be able to drink responsibly, but I do not want to go there because I know myself well enough to know I will end up where I already have been...then what?
I ordered Responsible Drinking, (My therapist wants me to read it). I have not received it yet and am not sure if I want to read it. She thinks I will eventually be able to drink responsibly, but I do not want to go there because I know myself well enough to know I will end up where I already have been...then what?
Member
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: UK
Posts: 333
I've read 'Drinking - a Love story', 'Terry' - very good book, 'A head Full of Blue' by Nick Johnstone - also got 'Under the Influence' on order! Got 'Denial is Not a river in Egypt' the other day, very good book of saying and inspirational quotes on drinking. One by Nick Charles, can't remember the title off hand. Will look tomorrow!
Have more, but too tired to remember them right now!
Night night all
sas
ps - LB could always meet up with you in Cambridge for a coffee and a bookswap one day?
Have more, but too tired to remember them right now!
Night night all
sas
ps - LB could always meet up with you in Cambridge for a coffee and a bookswap one day?
Member
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: Norwich
Posts: 13
Eclipse Tell your therapist about a book called Moderation Management that was widely read and approved of until it's author Audrey Kishline crashed her car pissed and killed a 12 year old and her father.
In his book Goodbye Mr Wonderful the author says Moderation Management is a misnomer. There is no need to manage moderation it manages itself.
Any alcoholic I know loses all management/moderation after the first drink. I may enjoy a few drinks. I may wake in my bed. I may wake up in a field. I may not wake up at all. Therapists who are not alcoholics cannot understand this. Thats why they suggest moderation.
John
In his book Goodbye Mr Wonderful the author says Moderation Management is a misnomer. There is no need to manage moderation it manages itself.
Any alcoholic I know loses all management/moderation after the first drink. I may enjoy a few drinks. I may wake in my bed. I may wake up in a field. I may not wake up at all. Therapists who are not alcoholics cannot understand this. Thats why they suggest moderation.
John
getting there
Join Date: May 2008
Location: USA
Posts: 1,314
What a great thread! I'm putting a bunch of these on my list, as well as Dry by Augusten Burroughs.
This isn't as much recovery-related as just addiction-related, but if you haven't seen La Vie en Rose, I highly recommend it. Very tragic, but a good movie.
This isn't as much recovery-related as just addiction-related, but if you haven't seen La Vie en Rose, I highly recommend it. Very tragic, but a good movie.
Member
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: Los Angeles, California
Posts: 8,326
I liked "The Tao of Sobriety". "28 Days" the movie with Sandra Bullock has a great scene with Steve Buscemi as a counselor giving a rocking speech. Best scene in the whole movie!
Love,
Lenina
Love,
Lenina
Day One's Can RIP!!!
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: Far & Wide
Posts: 244
.
Here are a few more that I have in my library . . .
Came To Believe -- By members of Alcoholics Anonymous, published by AA World Services
Understanding the Twelve Steps -- Terence Gorski (This book may be out of print but you might be able to get a used copy on Amazon)
Smashed: Story of a Drunken Girlhood -- Koren Zailckas.
The Promise of A New Day -- Karen Casey & Martha Vanceburg (a daily reading that expresses the spirit of 12 step philosophy without the program language so 12-steppers and all people, can benefit from the readings)
Each Day a New Beginning: A Daily Meditation for Women -- Karen Casey
The Little Red Book for Women -- Annotated by Karen Casey (this book evolved from a series of notes originally prepared as 12 step suggestions for AA beginners. Karen Casey has made notations throughout the book to help women identify with the program).
And I think this is my favorite . . . Finding God When You Don't Believe in God: Searching for a Power Greater Than Yourself -- Jack Erdmann with Larry Kearney. This book isn't just for those of us who don't believe in God or struggle with the concept of a Higher Power . . . It's a series of short stores that came out of interviews with alcoholics from all walks of life. The stories tell of their journeys to become sober. This is really a beautiful book. Some of the stories are heartbreaking and they're all inspirational.
Here are a few more that I have in my library . . .
Came To Believe -- By members of Alcoholics Anonymous, published by AA World Services
Understanding the Twelve Steps -- Terence Gorski (This book may be out of print but you might be able to get a used copy on Amazon)
Smashed: Story of a Drunken Girlhood -- Koren Zailckas.
The Promise of A New Day -- Karen Casey & Martha Vanceburg (a daily reading that expresses the spirit of 12 step philosophy without the program language so 12-steppers and all people, can benefit from the readings)
Each Day a New Beginning: A Daily Meditation for Women -- Karen Casey
The Little Red Book for Women -- Annotated by Karen Casey (this book evolved from a series of notes originally prepared as 12 step suggestions for AA beginners. Karen Casey has made notations throughout the book to help women identify with the program).
And I think this is my favorite . . . Finding God When You Don't Believe in God: Searching for a Power Greater Than Yourself -- Jack Erdmann with Larry Kearney. This book isn't just for those of us who don't believe in God or struggle with the concept of a Higher Power . . . It's a series of short stores that came out of interviews with alcoholics from all walks of life. The stories tell of their journeys to become sober. This is really a beautiful book. Some of the stories are heartbreaking and they're all inspirational.
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I love "Drinking: A Love Story" by Caroline Knapp. I think it is such a brutally honest memoir.
"The Seat of the Soul" by Gary Zukav helped me to be able to find my soul, when I was so lost.
"The Seat of the Soul" by Gary Zukav helped me to be able to find my soul, when I was so lost.
bona fido dog-lover
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: SF Bay area, CA
Posts: 99,782
Clean and Sober, starring Michael Keaton in a wonderful portrayal of a guy cleaning up. (Course, I really like Michael Keaton and always think he's good!) But it really is a good movie, in my opinion.
Member
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: Yokohama, Japan
Posts: 487
I know this might be a bit cliche, but Leaving Las Vegas is a must see. Kind of a "scared straight" movie for alcoholics on the mend.
"The Whole Year Inn"--as viewed sober.
"The Hole You're In"--as viewed drunk.
Nuff said.
"The Whole Year Inn"--as viewed sober.
"The Hole You're In"--as viewed drunk.
Nuff said.
Forward we go...side by side-Rest In Peace
Join Date: Jun 2002
Location: Serene In Dixie
Posts: 36,740
It was a Hallmark movie years ago...
then was released on Video.
James Wood ...as Bill W
James Garner...as Dr. Bob
The scene when Bill is explaining to is wife
what he feels as an active alcoholic is awesome.
"My Name Is Bill"
4 Stars
then was released on Video.
James Wood ...as Bill W
James Garner...as Dr. Bob
The scene when Bill is explaining to is wife
what he feels as an active alcoholic is awesome.
"My Name Is Bill"
4 Stars
Member
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: Los Angeles, California
Posts: 8,326
Carol,
I remember that movie! Very good! Do you remember "A Beautiful, Sensitive Man" with Richard Dansson? I liked it too. And wasn't there one with Susan Haywood, about a woman alcoholic? I remember seeing it on late night TV.
Love,
Lenina
I remember that movie! Very good! Do you remember "A Beautiful, Sensitive Man" with Richard Dansson? I liked it too. And wasn't there one with Susan Haywood, about a woman alcoholic? I remember seeing it on late night TV.
Love,
Lenina
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