If you’ve got a curious itch about going sober and the idea of giving up alcohol beyond Dry January or Sober October feels daunting, there’s hope. Whether you’re contemplating a permanent break from drinking or just want to gain insight into your alcohol relationship, these books provide a peek into the possibilities of an alcohol-free life and the strategies to maintain it.
From personal stories and self-help to the science behind addiction, these sober curious books and Quit Lit dive deep into the psychology of drinking and mental health. They also offer some handy tips to help you say goodbye to the booze once and for all.
Also Read: Sober Curious Movement: Everything You Need To Know About Mindful Drinking
Best Sober Curious Books
Sober Curious by Ruby Warrington
Considered by many as the must-read book about the sober curious movement, this book poses a straightforward yet thought-provoking question: What if we paused our autopilot drinking or gave up alcohol altogether? How would our lives change? As it turns out, our lives could be significantly different. In fact, they could be a lot better.
Ruby Warrington is a leading figure in the emerging sobriety movement who draws on research, expert insights, and personal experiences to debunk the myths that often drive us to drink.
Get Sober Curious by Ruby Warrington, $17.99 On Amazon
This Naked Mind: Control Alcohol, Find Freedom, Discover Happiness & Change Your Life by Annie Grace
This Amazon bestseller dives into the psychological and neurological aspects of alcohol consumption, grounded in the latest scientific findings. At the core of this narrative is Annie’s own remarkable and unfiltered personal journey, making it an essential read for anyone who is struggling with drinking. You’ll also learn about the motivations behind our drinking habits and the surprising role of alcohol in our culture.
At the age of 26, Annie Grace achieved the remarkable feat of becoming the youngest vice president in a multinational corporation. Nevertheless, her success brought with it a pattern of excessive drinking, posing the looming threat of losing it all. Acknowledging her issue, Annie made a pivotal decision to tackle it through a completely fresh perspective.
Get This Naked Mind by Annie Grace, $9.99 On Amazon
Quit Drinking Without Willpower: Be a happy nondrinker by Allen Carr
“Quit Drinking Without Willpower” adapts Allen Carr’s renowned approach for quitting smoking to the most frequently consumed addictive substance: alcohol. The book features Allen Carr’s Easyway technique, which operates by dismantling the psychological conditioning that has previously hindered your ability to quit.
Allen Carr (1934-2006) is widely acknowledged as the foremost authority on assisting individuals in overcoming smoking and other addictions, with over 16 million books sold. His Easyway approach has proven effective in addressing a range of concerns, including weight management, alcohol dependency, and various other addictions and fears.
Get Quit Drinking Without Willpower by Allen Carr, $13.46 On Amazon
The Sober Girl Society Handbook: Why Drinking Less Means Living More by Millie Gooch
“The Sober Girl Society Handbook” serves as both a memoir and a practical guide for those seeking a fulfilling, joyful, and self-directed life without alcohol.
Bringing forth practical insights and counsel on how to maintain a curious and sober outlook in a society fixated on alcohol consumption—and explaining why such an approach is beneficial—it’s a relatable and enlightening resource for anyone aiming to reevaluate their connection with alcohol and effect a lasting transformation.
Get The Sober Girl Society Handbook by Millie Gooch, $21.49 On Amazon
Mindful Drinking: How Cutting Down Can Change Your Life by Rosamund Dean
Completely eliminating alcohol from your life may not suit everyone, but if you’re curious about a sober lifestyle, adopting mindful drinking can be a fantastic way to begin reducing your alcohol intake.
Written by journalist Rosamund Dean, this book provides practical and achievable guidance to transform your drinking habits. It combines scientific expertise with practical advice in a game-changing four step plan: The Problem, The Incentive, The Clean Break and The End Game.
Get Mindful Drinking by Rosamund Dean, $13.06 On Amazon
Best Quit Lit Books
The Unexpected Joy Of Being Sober by Catherine Gray
This Sunday Times bestseller dives deeper than the typical narratives of binges and blackouts, venturing into uncharted territory: What comes after you decide to quit drinking?
Through a compelling, heartrending, and witty narrative, it offers a glimpse into an alternative reality, one devoid of the hangover’s weight. This journey encompasses sober weddings, intimate moments, festive holidays, and even the trials of breakups.
Get The Unexpected Joy Of Being Sober by Catherine Gray, $9.99 On Amazon
We Are the Luckiest: The Surprising Magic of a Sober Life by Laura McKowen
We Are The Luckiest is a sobriety memoir filled with personal stories about author Laura Mckowen’s life as she tackles issues such as facing facts, the question of AA, and other people’s drinking. The book delves deeper than just the struggles of addiction; it explores the happiness and gifts that come with a sober life.
Laura McKowen is a prominent figure within the contemporary recovery movement. As the Founder and CEO of The Luckiest Club, a worldwide support organization for sobriety, she also takes the helm as the host of the Tell Me Something True podcast.
Get We Are the Luckiest: The Surprising Magic of a Sober Life by Laura McKowen, $11.19 On Amazon
Sober On A Drunk Planet: Giving Up Alcohol. The Unexpected Shortcut to Finding Happiness, Health and Financial Freedom by Sean Alexander
This international bestseller shares eight essential aspects of life that undergo significant enhancements when you embrace sobriety. You’ll be surprised to learn the extent of society’s alcohol reliance, uncover the ways in which alcohol may have hindered your progress, and explore the profound transformations that unfold when you embark on an alcohol-free journey.
Sean Alexander is an internationally acclaimed author known for his best-selling book “Sober On A Drunk Planet – Giving Up Alcohol.” His personal journey includes a challenging period of addiction that led to his hospitalization in a psychiatric ward.
Get Sober On A Drunk Planet by Sean Alexander, $14.36 On Amazon
Quit Like a Woman: The Radical Choice to Not Drink in a Culture Obsessed with Alcohol by Holly Whitaker
Crafted in an engaging, candid, and humorous tone, New York Time’s Bestseller “Quit Like a Woman” offers both a pioneering exploration of drinking culture and a practical guide for eliminating alcohol from our lives, enabling us to lead our most fulfilling lives without relying on intoxication as a crutch.
Holly Whitaker is the creator of the first recovery program tailored for women, Tempest, Inc. This book introduces a groundbreaking examination of alcohol and a revolutionary approach to achieving sobriety.
Get Quit Like a Woman by Holly Whitaker, $11.99 On Amazon
The Sober Diaries: How one woman stopped drinking and started living by Clare Pooley
A Cambridge graduate and former Managing Partner at one of the world’s largest advertising agencies, Clare Pooley found herself in a challenging situation when she became an overweight, despondent, middle-aged mother of three who was consuming over a bottle of wine daily. Her evenings were spent anxiously Googling ‘Am I an alcoholic?’
In a determined effort to transform her life, she made the courageous decision to give up drinking and began chronicling her journey in a blog she aptly named “Mummy Was a Secret Drinker.”
This hilarious book unfolds the narrative of a year in Clare’s life, commencing with her choice to quit alcohol after a prolonged daily consumption of more than a bottle of wine. It documents her journey, including the launch of her highly successful blog, and the subsequent diagnosis and triumph over breast cancer.
Get The Sober Diaries by Clare Pooley, $11.69 On Amazon
Blackout: Remembering the Things I Drank to Forget by Sarah Hepola
*Audrey’s Pick*
“Blackout” is a memoir characterized by unwavering candor and moments of heartwarming, side-splitting humor. It tells the story of the author Sarah Hepola, who unexpectedly enters a novel adventure—the sober life she had never anticipated.
As she illuminates the depths of her blackouts, she not only rediscovers the person she had buried but also the self-assurance, intimacy, and creativity she once believed could only be found at the bottom of a bottle. Her story will resonate deeply with those who have faced the necessity of reinvention or grappled with the challenges of essential change.
Get Blackout by Sarah Hepola, $12.99 On Amazon
Why Don’t You Drink Alcohol?: 101 Ways To Say I Quit Drinking Alcohol Without It Being Awkward (Sort of) by Sienna Green
Imagine a tiny but empowering book filled with 101 creative ways to express your decision to stop drinking alcohol, effortlessly deflecting any awkward inquiries.
In her debut work in the realm of sober lit, Sienna Green candidly recounts her unique journey to a life free from alcohol. Her inspiration? The relentless question, “Why don’t you drink alcohol?” asked one too many times. This drove her to pen “101 Ways To Say I Quit Drinking Alcohol.”
Whether you’re embarking on a new sober journey, a seasoned veteran, or simply curious about sobriety, “Why Don’t You Drink Alcohol?” promises a refreshing departure from conventional sobriety books.
Get Why Don’t You Drink Alcohol? by Sienna Green, $7.95 On Amazon
Girl Walks Out of a Bar: A Memoir by Lisa F. Smith
*Audrey’s Favorite Book*
Amid the backdrop of New York’s gritty reality, where her high-achieving friends sought solace from demanding workdays in alcohol-fueled nights at clubs and weekends of beachside revelry, the initially enjoyable moments eventually spiraled out of control.
“Girl Walks Out of a Bar” delves into Smith’s formative years, spanning a decade marked by alcohol and drug abuse, a painful divorce, and the arduous path to recovery.
Get Girl Walks Out of a Bar by Lisa F. Smith, $9.89 On Amazon
Drinking: A Love Story by Caroline Knapp
This remarkably candid memoir exposes the hidden world of secrecy, family misconceptions, and damaging relationships that often accompany alcoholism. Through her extraordinarily honest narrative, Caroline Knapp provides valuable insights not just into the struggle with alcoholism but also into the broader journey of life and how we develop coping mechanisms to navigate its challenges.
Get Drinking: A Love Story by Caroline Knapp, $13.47 On Amazon