Top 10 Books To Read If You Want To Get Serious About Your Sobriety
Whether it was learning from others who walked this path before me or finding new tools to keep me grounded, books and reading have become such a huge part of my life and my recovery journey.
When I’m not nose-deep in a swoon-worthy rom-com or a suspenseful and twisted horror story - you’ll find me devouring books that hit a little closer to home.
The books I am about to share with you are funny, raw, practical, and filled with "aha!" moments that will leave you nodding along like the author read your mind. These titles go across the board from memoirs and testimonies of personal triumph, to informational pieces that have offered me great insight on how to obtain long-term sobriety.
I hope you are able to find great value in them as well. Happy Reading :)
1. The Naked Mind
This Naked Mind is a wake-up call for anyone feeling trapped by their relationship with alcohol. Annie Grace doesn’t shame or scold you—instead, she gently peels back the layers of societal conditioning and marketing that make drinking seem so appealing. Through her approachable tone and thorough research, she helps you understand the why behind your drinking habits.
What makes this book so relatable is how Grace challenges common misconceptions about alcohol, like its ability to reduce stress or make life more fun, and replaces them with empowering truths. She dives into the psychology of addiction, the science of how alcohol affects the brain, and the cultural myths we’ve been sold.
Her personal anecdotes and compassionate style make you feel like you’re sitting down with a friend who truly gets it. By the end, you’re not just convinced you don’t need alcohol—you’re excited to embrace life without it. If you’re ready to break free from the cycle of drinking without willpower battles, This Naked Mind will give you the tools to do just that.
2.Quit Like a Woman: The Radical Choice to Not Drink in a Culture Obsessed with Alcohol
Holly Whitaker’s Quit Like a Woman is a bold, unapologetic guide for anyone who’s tired of society’s obsession with drinking and ready to reclaim their power. Whitaker doesn’t just tackle addiction—she dismantles the cultural norms, patriarchal influences, and relentless marketing that make alcohol seem essential to modern life.
What makes this book stand out is its deeply personal and relatable tone. Whitaker openly shares her own journey with addiction, the shame she felt, and how she ultimately found a path to healing. She doesn’t shy away from hard truths, but she delivers them with humor, compassion, and a fiery determination to help others.
This book is especially empowering for women, calling out how the “mommy wine culture” and societal expectations often push us toward the bottle. Whitaker’s alternative approach to sobriety blends mindfulness, self-care, and activism, making it feel like you’re not just quitting alcohol—you’re joining a revolution.
Quit Like a Woman is more than a guide to sobriety; it’s a call to create a life so fulfilling, you don’t need to escape from it. Whether you’re sober-curious or fully committed to ditching alcohol, this book will inspire you to do it on your own terms.
3. "The Big Book"
We can’t leave out the Holy grail! I firmly believe everyone who is on a recovery journey should own their very own Big Book. The principles taught in this book are unmatched and are the true foundation to long-term success in sobriety.
Even if you are not a die hard AA fan or a member of the fellowship - I have resorted back to the Big Book and taken valuable pieces of information from since the very beginning of my journey.
This timeless resource is the foundation of the Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) program. It’s more than just a guide to the 12 Steps, it’s a collection of wisdom, personal stories, and tools designed to help you achieve and maintain sobriety.
What makes The Big Book so impactful is its honesty. The stories inside—written by people who’ve been through the depths of addiction and found a way out—are raw, relatable, and deeply human. Reading it feels like sitting in a room full of people who truly understand what you’re going through.
The book doesn’t promise an easy fix but offers a practical roadmap to sobriety. The 12 Steps are laid out with clarity and purpose, giving you a framework to rebuild your life and make peace with your past. It also emphasizes the importance of connection, community, and helping others as key components of recovery.
4.The Unexpected Joy of Being Sober
Catherine Gray’s The Unexpected Joy of Being Sober is a fresh and inspiring take on sobriety, delivered with a mix of raw honesty, humor, and hope. Gray shares her personal journey from hitting rock bottom to discovering the surprising and beautiful life waiting for her on the other side of alcohol.
What makes this book so relatable is how Gray addresses the doubts and fears so many people face when they think about quitting drinking. She doesn’t sugarcoat the struggles, but she flips the narrative, showing how sobriety can be a gain—not a loss. Through her witty storytelling, she dismantles the romanticized image of alcohol and reveals the joy, clarity, and freedom she found in a sober life.
Gray’s blend of science, humor, and personal insights makes it both engaging and deeply empowering. If you’re sober-curious, struggling to stay sober, or just need a reminder of why sobriety is worth it, The Unexpected Joy of Being Sober is a must-read. It will leave you feeling hopeful, motivated, and ready to embrace the unexpected joys of living alcohol-free.
5. Recovery: Freedom from Our Addictions
Russell Brand’s Recovery: Freedom from Our Addictions is as raw and irreverent as you’d expect from the comedian, but it’s also surprisingly heartfelt and deeply insightful. In this book, Brand shares his personal journey through addiction and how he found freedom using the principles of the 12-step program—reframed in his own unique style.
What sets this book apart is Brand’s voice: brutally honest, self-deprecating, and refreshingly human. He doesn’t just explain the steps; he makes them accessible, relatable, and sometimes even funny. He shares his struggles openly, creating a sense of camaraderie for anyone who’s felt broken or stuck in destructive patterns.
Brand’s approach is practical yet spiritual, blending humor with wisdom in a way that feels like a pep talk from a friend who gets it. He takes the reader by the hand, showing that recovery isn’t about perfection but about progress, self-awareness, and connection.
Recovery is not just a guide for breaking free from addiction; it’s a blueprint for living a fuller, more meaningful life. Whether you’re battling substance abuse or other addictive behaviors, this book offers hope, tools, and a reminder that you’re not alone on the journey.
6. We Are the Luckiest: The Surprising Magic of a Sober Life
Laura McKowen’s We Are the Luckiest is a beautifully written, personal exploration of what it means to live a sober life. Far from just a guide to quitting drinking, this book is about finding grace and strength in the messiness of life and discovering the unexpected gifts sobriety can bring.
McKowen’s vulnerability shines through as she shares her own struggles with addiction, shame, and self-doubt. What truly sets this book apart is her ability to reframe sobriety—not as a punishment or a loss, but as a profound act of self-love and freedom.
Through heartfelt stories and hard-earned wisdom, McKowen offers hope and perspective, reminding you that sobriety isn’t about giving something up; it’s about gaining everything. Her words are raw, relatable, and often poetic, making this book as much about healing as it is about recovery.
If you’ve ever wondered whether life without alcohol could be joyful and fulfilling, We Are the Luckiest will show you just how magical and transformative it can be. It’s an inspiring read for anyone ready to embrace the beauty of living sober.
7. Dead Set On Living
Chris Grosso’s Dead Set on Living is a raw, no-nonsense exploration of addiction, recovery, and the messy but beautiful process of waking up to your life. Grosso combines his personal struggles with addiction and mental health with insights from spiritual teachers, psychologists, and other recovery experts to create a book that’s equal parts relatable and enlightening.
What makes this book so powerful is its unfiltered honesty. Grosso doesn’t sugarcoat the pain of addiction or the challenges of recovery, but he also doesn’t leave you there. Instead, he offers practical tools, spiritual practices, and heartfelt encouragement to help you move through the darkness toward healing and self-discovery.
With a mix of grit and grace, Grosso tackles heavy topics like shame, trauma, and self-destruction, yet he weaves in hope, humor, and a sense of community. His vulnerability and humility make this book feel like a conversation with someone who’s been where you are and truly wants to help you find your way out.
Dead Set on Living is perfect for anyone ready to confront their pain, break free from destructive patterns, and embrace the difficult but rewarding journey to a more authentic and fulfilling life. It’s gritty, real, and ultimately transformative.
8. Stop Overthinking
This book was a game-changer for me! This read is not directed strictly towards sobriety. However, it ties to the underlying issues so many of us face when it comes to our substance abuse or what we suffer from once we give it all up.
Nick Trenton’s Stop Overthinking is a practical and straightforward guide for anyone who feels trapped in their own thoughts. Whether it’s stress, anxiety, or relentless negative spirals, this book provides simple yet effective techniques to help you quiet your mind and regain control over your mental space.
What makes this book so relatable is its focus on real-life challenges. Trenton breaks down why overthinking happens and how it impacts your well-being, then offers tools to overcome it—without overwhelming you with jargon or complicated theories. From mindfulness exercises to cognitive restructuring techniques, each strategy is designed to be actionable and easy to incorporate into daily life.
9. Push off from here
Allison McCulloch’s Push Off from Here is an honest, no-holds-barred guide to navigating the often turbulent waters of early sobriety. With a focus on the emotional and psychological truths that shape recovery, McCulloch provides nine powerful lessons that can help anyone stay grounded, even when things feel overwhelming.
What makes this book so relatable is McCulloch’s raw vulnerability. She shares her own struggles with addiction, gives you a sense of understanding. The nine essential truths she lays out are straightforward yet profound—reminders that sobriety isn’t about perfection, but about learning to embrace the mess and grow from it.
Through these truths, McCulloch emphasizes that recovery is a process, not a destination. She offers practical wisdom for confronting the tough moments. Whether you’re just starting out or have been sober for a while, Push Off from Here is a compassionate and motivating guide to help you push through challenges and keep moving forward.
For anyone looking for a real, heartfelt approach to sobriety, this book will inspire you to face your fears, embrace your progress, and trust that better days are ahead.
10. Blackout
This book hit home for me. There is nothing more powerful than being able to resonate with someone else’s experiences.
Sarah Hepola offers a candid and emotionally raw account of her battle with alcohol, exploring the ways drinking stole memories and distorted her sense of self. This memoir is a powerful reflection on how alcohol can shape our lives, and the painful yet liberating process of reclaiming those lost years.
What makes Hepola’s story so relatable is her honest portrayal of the highs and lows of addiction. She writes with vulnerability, acknowledging the moments of both shame and exhilaration, while unraveling how alcohol served as both an escape and a barrier to living authentically. Her narrative isn’t just about addiction—it’s about identity, memory, and the truth of what it means to face the parts of yourself you’ve tried to forget.
Hepola’s witty, sharp writing style makes tough topics more approachable, and her reflections on the chaos of blackout drinking are gripping and thought-provoking. Through her journey of healing, Blackout becomes a reminder that it’s never too late to remember who you are and rebuild your life without the haze of alcohol.
I can go on and on and on with this list. But, I hope these top 10 can be of service for you. I would love to hear from you and know what you think! Please feel free to share any of your personal favorites with myself and the community. Drop any recommendations you might have in the comments!
I will also attach a free digital download below. This is an additional list of 50 addiction recovery memoirs that I have personally read and favorited. I feel like they all should be recognized and shared. The messages of hope, strength, and resilience within these stories is truly moving. Enjoy :)
