The loss of friends and career along it's destructive path and her subsequent recovery. Read honest and unbiased product reviews from our users. I never thought about being sober. Traces of wine dating to 7,000 BC have been found in China. This was such a weird read for me because even though I agreed with everything the author was saying about how fucked up our alcohol obsessed society is, I STILL find myself thinking, "God I'd be a boring loser if I didn't drink." Phone orders min p&p of £1.99. I love a glass of wine but it is seldom one glass an. Alcoholism does seem to be having a moment right now: Amy Liptrot's very well received 'The Outrun' and very recently Leslie Jamison's 'The Recovering: Intoxication and its Aftermath' cover similar ground as Gray's memoir. Catherine's experiences through her drinking were very open and honest. The authors tone was completely non judgemental. The Unexpected Joy Of Being Sober Review Wow, I had no idea that alcohol is so bad for you and that being sober is something to be extremely grateful for! Whether you are going cold turkey or trying your sober-curious hand at Dry January this year, Catherine Gray provides an ideal practical solution with The Unexpected Joy of Being Sober … However - there were chapters that I wish had been approached a bit differently. I don’t think any drugs require encouragement or advertising and it’s sad that people don’t realize that alcohol can be addictive. She tells her story with no holds barred, and I can't think of a better book to inspire anyone who thinks that their drinking might be a problem. However I did struggle with some of the writing style and sentence structure, having to reread several passages only to still not get it, which was probably just me. They didn’t pass the ‘moderate use of an addictive drug’ challenge. Even if you're not, still worth it! It particularly highlights the insidious way alcoholism removed her personality. Apparently 43% of British women and 84% of British men want to drink less; spending on booze, fags and drugs has recently fallen below £12 a week “for the first time ever”; and a recent survey found that 43% of Brits had been teetotal over the past week. Whilst going through the peak of her addiction, the author had an enviable career writing for one of the UK’s best selling women’s magazines and a supportive network of friends and family. Catherine writes a "warts and all" personal experience of her steady decline. As an adult, she continued to drink while managing to hold down a series of successful jobs, writing for magazines like, Let me start by saying I love this book. But she goes beyond just horror stories to look at alcohol's role in our society and make you sit up and take notice even if you don't think you're a problem drinker. It's a great, honest book that gives a realistic perspective on drinking problems. Traces of beer have been found in large stone tubs in the world’s oldest known building, Göbekli Tepe in Turkey, which dates from 11,000 BC; it seems that before humans had even settled down to agriculture, our hunter-gatherer ancestors were meeting up to share a beer. She made some good points and I’m glad she put in scientific, marketing, societal and health information. Then within the first few minutes of listening to it on Audible, I knew it was a great book to start a new journey with. It’s written in a witty and wry way and never judgemental. I always thought of drinking wine as being sophisticated and I wanted to be a certified wine snob as soon as I could. But this is not, as she makes clear, a disinterested analysis; the reason she feels so strongly is that her own drinking habit nearly killed her. Until one evening not too long ago left me wanting to stop. You can still date, and dance and have sex. Its popularity will hopefully make people notice that as a society we have a problem with alcohol. Alcohol is the only drug where, the second you stop taking it, you’re seen as being too weak to handle it. Alcohol has performed an important social function for most of human history, as Mark Forsyth shows in his old-fashioned booze-loving book, A Short History of Drunkenness. After reading Catherine Gray’s experience, and the first book I read, I’ve come to realise that maybe my relationship with alcohol wasn’t as. Overall I had a good time reading this book and I do also recommend it as a gift for any friend/family member who is struggling with alcohol addiction. Why is it so hard to say, “I don’t drink”? But her case is still extreme; many of us will have managed to drink alcohol, even drink too much alcohol, for much of our lives without waking up in a police cell or becoming suicidal. My only issues are her obvious privilege, it sometimes felt very out of reach and a little out of touch? “The Unexpected Joy of Being Sober” perfectly captures the difference between the expectation and the reality of quitting drinking. I actually had Catherine's book in my queue for a long time and didn't feel the urge to pick it up. Amazing, right?”, “When people become addicted to alcohol, it’s seen as their failure. Uplifting in its positive approach to life afterwards and the rewards of being sober. I thought that I was normal and that is the way it goes. It didn't cross my mind because I didn't think I had a problem. Free UK p&p over £10, online orders only. I did not agree with the author on a couple of points so that might be one reason. To order a copy for £7.64 (RRP £8.99) go to bookshop.theguardian.com or call 0330 333 6846. It never ceases to amaze me that although I choose not to drink, I spend a lot of time reading about how and why people don’t and their journeys of recovery. I’ve pledged to go 100 days without alcohol, I feel great already - long may it last. Booze – a demon we’re better off without, or a social lubricant down the ages? This is a fabulous book, funny, scary and absolutely sells the benefits of going sober. It was a scary time, but I knew this was time. However I did struggle with some of the writing style and sentence structure, having to reread several passages only to still not get it, which was probably just me. Free UK p&p over £10, online orders only. This book makes being sober seem not only possible, but life-affirming. Going sober will make you happier, healthier, wealthier, slimmer and sexier. Because we now expect the pleasure of a croissant, a hot shower, a … Then within the first few minutes of listening to it on Audib. The Unexpected Joy of Being Sober – A Reader Review Written by Mike J . There’s no set script with the book. In fact, sober life offers you the whole rainbow: rather than spending all day sleeping off your hangover, you can leap out of bed at seven and go for a 10-mile run, join your friends for a jolly brunch, before spending the afternoon “deep diving into Aladdin’s Cave vintage shops for bargains”. After reading Catherine Gray’s experience, and the first book I read, I’ve come to realise that maybe my relationship with alcohol wasn’t as bad as I thought it was, but I identify so much with some of Catherine’s thought processes during her time of addiction. Read 5 reviews from the world's largest community for readers. The Unexpected Joy of Being Sober by Catherine Gray 5,385 ratings, 4.34 average rating, 360 reviews Open Preview The ... , The Unexpected Joy of Being Sober. I recommend those who drink even moderately to read it. I gave up alcohol, with the aid of another book on the subject 7 weeks ago, and have decided to regularly read other people’s journeys as encouragement. $6.99 On itunes Buy on Amazon. If you’re considering sobriety, or just want to know more for someone else’s sober journey, I would definitely recommend this one. Hmmm. To see what your friends thought of this book. They failed at drinking! THE … This book was recommended to me and the lack of judgey tone and Catherine’s personable relatable history really hit home. Goodreads helps you keep track of books you want to read. She had been drinking since the age of 12, when she discovered that it allowed her to overcome her natural shyness. This book is alright. I didn’t … The book felt alienating at times, but I understand that it is ultimately a drinking memoir and that my experiences won’t always be reflected. I enjoyed the book and found it helpful, and I’m glad there’s now a book from a young, British, female author about sobriety. A well written and painfully candid book detailing a successful woman's decline into alcoholism. Part autobiography, part health book, there are stories and anecdotes in the book to which we can all relate. I love a glass of wine but it is seldom one glass and I didn’t become that sophisticated wine snob. Well written and thought provoking. In The Unexpected Joy of Being Sober, Catherine Gray shines a light on society's drink-pushing and talks to top neuroscientists and psychologists about why we drink, delving into the science behind what it … I will probably still pick up the other book I had on my tbr forever which is The Unexpected Joy of Being Single, as it was the one I wanted to read from this author in the first place. I’ll be honest I bought this on my kindle after a few too many g and ts on my birthday because I felt ropey and wanted to cut down on my drinking! It’s not at all “preachy” or “annoying” - just sets out Catherine’s story in a way that is easy to relate to. and the fact that she’s a white woman continually using the word tribe was frustrating. The book is available in paperback and e-reader editions, and well worth adding to your sober … It’s truly bizarre.”, YA Debut Is an Ojibwe Murder Mystery Ten Years in the Making. I’ve been, after all, sober for a year and a half myself. Like “Don’t get me wrong. In The Unexpected Joy of Being Sober, Catherine Gray shines a light on society's drink-pushing and talks … The author does a good job of explaining the science behind this. This is the type of book one would read at the start of the year. She also spends a lot of time on the positives and alternatives, making a strong case for the idea that we've all forgotten a little (or never learned) some of the sober social skills that we would've learned in a society with a healthier attitude to drink, and some ideas on how to develop them as things stand. But all in all a really good star. To order a copy for £7.64 (RRP £8.99) go to bookshop.theguardian.com or call 0330 333 6846. Find helpful customer reviews and review ratings for The Unexpected Joy of Being Sober Journal at Amazon.com. Bummer. I was sent this book for review, and put off reading it for quite a while because I really hadn't expected to enjoy it. Be the first to ask a question about The Unexpected Joy of Being Sober. And although we may, occasionally, have made idiots of ourselves, there may have been more positive consequences, too: who knows what proportion of long-term relationships in Britain began under the influence of booze? She's single and was a social drinker at parties and bars who crossed the line at some point and tells the well-travelled path into alcoholic dispair from a very individual story that is easy enough to read but if … While Catherine is now teetotal - and makes no bones about it - this book is useful for anyone who. I’ll be honest I bought this on my kindle after a few too many g and ts on my birthday because I felt ropey and wanted to cut down on my drinking! Your support powers our independent journalism, Available for everyone, funded by readers. Sureshotbooks offers you wide collection of books, magazines and … I can't say I'm going to definitely choose to be sober any time soon, but this book made me feel like I *could*. It’s not at all “preachy” or “annoying” - just sets out Catherine’s story in a way that is easy to relate to. Alcohol is a socially acceptable drug and that is something we all tend to forget. In particular, the section on the way her wardrobe changed- although she was speaking on her own perceptions of the clothes she used to wear, it comes across quite judgemental. I applaud the author for her honesty - hearing about what really happened when she was drinking made the point about being sober much more, well, sobering. And as far as the memoir bit went, I liked it - Gray was brutally honest about the degradation that her addiction dragged in its horrifying wake: the blackouts, the waking up in the beds of strangers; the vomiting in public and the alienation of her friends over a period of twenty years or so. All rights reserved. It particul. There were some funny stories however some very serious ones which was very brave of her to put in to a book for all to read. Screw tops are fine. Really loved this book about sobriety. But all in all a really good start and intro to other books. The Unexpected Joy of Being Sober Anyone with even mild concerns about alcohol consumption should read this. This is the type of book one would read at the start of the year. I’d guess a majority. Melissa. The decision to give up saved her life, and every day since has seemed like a small marvel. The casual tone and tips and links are really helpful. In fact no one I know drinks one glass of anything. Refresh and try again. I am always interested in people's life stories, especially when they are not sugar-coated. 4.5. However, I found this book surprisingly fascinating and thought provoking. Uplifting in its positive approach to life afterwards and the rewards of being sober. A life with zero hangovers, through sober weddings, sex, Christmases and breakups. • The Unexpected Joy of Being Sober is published by Aster. Let us know what’s wrong with this preview of, Published I never thought about being sober. By the time she was in her 20s and working at Cosmopolitan, she had access to countless parties offering free drink, and lost herself in a whirl of wild nights out with semi-celebrities. Catherine Gray uses honesty to arresting effect in this really engaging book. Now that I’m approaching the second half of my life I’m finding that alcohol is everywhere. I always thought of drinking wine as being sophisticated and I wanted to be a certified wine snob as soon as I could. It is impossible to disagree with her argument that our society is a booze-pusher, or that there are many health benefits to drinking less. Far from the stereotype of an ‘alcoholic’. I enjoyed the book and found it helpful, and I’m glad there’s now a book from a young, British, female author about sobriety. Many chapters were really interesting and useful, especially towards the end of the book. The loss of friends and career along it's destructive path and her subsequent recovery. From 171 Ratings. Forsyth documents the dark, addictive episodes – the 18th-century “gin craze”, during which the new urban poor were drinking pints of 80% proof hooch and dying in droves, being a particular low – but also the many ways in which alcohol has lubricated human relationships and held societies together.