Quit literature, otherwise known as ‘quit lit’ is a mixture of memoirs, self-help, and psychological or scientific study books about different relationships with alcohol, and what it takes to stay alcohol-free.
For me, quit lit has been an essential and lasting tool in my sobriety tool kit. One that I regularly add to and re visit. Reading about other peoples experiences and scientific studies into alcohol and addiction has helped me feel like I am not alone, I relate to these journeys and reading up on alcohols affects has helped re programme my brain into seeing the truth of it rather than looking at alcohol through Rose tinted glasses.
The first book I read and one that has stuck with many people is The Unexpected Joy of Being Sober – by Catherine Gray. I adore this book and if your new to quit lit – this is a fantastic one to start with.
Best Books for your sober journey
Catherine Gray’s was stuck in a hellish whirligig of Drink, Make horrible decisions, Hangover, Repeat. She had her fair share of ‘drunk tank’ jail cells and topless-in-a-hot-tub misadventures. But this book goes beyond the binges and blackouts to deep-dive into uncharted territory: What happens after you quit drinking? This gripping, heart-breaking and witty book takes us down the rabbit-hole of an alternative reality. A life with zero hangovers, through sober weddings, sex, Christmases and breakups.
When I read The Unexpected Joy of Being Sober, I immediately related to Catherine Gray. The party girl with the great career, a social butterfly drinking like all women drink, right? Her tale is funny and hear breaking in equal measures. Reading her book I immediately felt like I wasn’t alone.
Catherin delves into the science of drinking in the latter part of the book, talking about what drinking does to our brains and bodies. This is an enjoyable book and not at all hard reading. You will love this book!
The Unexpected Joy of Being Sober – by Catherine Gray
Millions of people worry that drinking is affecting their health, yet are unwilling to seek change because of the misery and stigma associated with alcoholism and recovery. They fear drinking less will be boring, involving deprivation, difficulty and significant lifestyle changes.
This Naked Mind offers a new solution. Packed with surprising insight into the reasons we drink, it will open your eyes to the startling role of alcohol in our culture. Annie Grace brilliantly weaves psychological, neurological, cultural, social and industry factors with her extraordinarily candid journey resulting in a must read for anyone who drinks.
This book, without scare tactics, pain or rules, gives you freedom from alcohol. By addressing causes rather than symptoms it is a permanent solution rather than lifetime struggle. It removes the psychological dependence allowing you to easily drink less (or stop drinking). Annie’s clarity, humor and unique ability to blend original research with riveting storytelling ensures you will thoroughly enjoy the process.
This is the perfect book for the deep dive into drinking as a subject with lots of references for further reading.
This Naked Mind – By Annie Grace
Like many women, Clare Pooley found the juggle of a stressful career and family life a struggle so she left her successful role as a Managing Partner in one of the world’s biggest advertising agencies to look after her family. She knew the change wouldn’t be easy but she never expected to find herself an overweight, depressed, middle-aged mother of three who was drinking more than a bottle of wine a day, and spending her evenings Googling ‘Am I an alcoholic?’
This book is the bravely honest story of a year in Clare’s life. A year that started with her quitting booze and then being given the devastating diagnosis of breast cancer. By the end of the year she is booze-free and cancer-free, she no longer has a wine belly, is two stone lighter and with a life that is so much richer, healthier and more rewarding than ever before. She has a happier family and a more positive outlook. Sober Diaries is an upbeat, funny and positive look at how to live life to the full.
This is another book that I whizzed through, very funny, very relatable and just a pleasure to read.
In Glorious Rock Bottom Bryony opens up about a toxic 20-year relationship with alcohol and drugs and explains exactly why hitting rock bottom – for her, a traumatic event and the abrupt realisation that she was putting herself in danger, time and again – saved her life.
Known for her trademark honesty, Bryony relives the darkest and most terrifying moments of her addiction, never shying away from the fact that alcoholism robs you of your ability to focus on your family, your work, your health, your children, yourself. And then, a chink of light as the hard work begins – rehab; AA meetings; endless, tedious, painful self-reflection – a roller-coaster ride through self-acceptance, friendship, love and hope, to a joy and pride in staying sober that her younger self could never have imagined.
This is a fairly recently published book, another joy to Read, Briony combines sobriety with mental health and had produced a book many women can relate to.
Do you have a favorite book that I’ve not listed. Tell me about it, I would love to know what you have enjoyed!