The Sober Diaries: How one woman stopped drinking and started living

Excellent and honest... A great book for those of us that have let wine rule our lives. The author takes you along on her honest journey...the good, the bad and the ugly. I read several chapters over again. I truly connected with this book and highly recommend this.

Claire Pooley's *The Sober Diaries* is a life-changing read that helped me quit drinking. What makes this book stand out is how hilariously relatable it is. Pooley's honest, no-holds-barred account of her journey to sobriety is both inspiring and incredibly funny. She captures the ups and downs of giving up alcohol with such wit that you find yourself laughing out loud, even while tackling a serious subject. The blend of humor, raw emotion, and practical advice made it not only enjoyable but also a crucial guide on my own path to sobriety. If you're looking to quit drinking or just want a good laugh, this book is a must-read.

Recommended to all who want a friendly companion and knowledgeable guide through efforts to stop drinking alcohol or abusing other substances. Also helpful to women facing breast cancer diagnosis. Finally, this is an oftentimes humorous look at family life through the lens of a bright, honest and insightful woman/wife/mom/blogger.

This book was brilliant. One of the best “quit lit” books I have ever read. So funny. So real. Most of the time I felt like someone was reading my mind that that this was my story. Guess it’s a common place to be. We are not alone. You should read this.

So much of what Clare wrote hit home for me, even as a man. I am once again on a sober path, and her stories and wisdom have bolstered my efforts.

This book gave me the motivation to quit drinking for good (one month and two days ago). I’ve read many books about sobriety, and this one is my favourite. The timeline format was crucial in helping me know what to expect during the ups and downs of making this lifestyle change. The humour was spot-on and totally took the edge off an otherwise uncomfortable subject. Another reviewer mentioned the references to weight, but they weren’t frequent at all. More like a happy consequence of getting healthier. I appreciated the author’s courage to be upfront about all aspects of the journey. I loved this so much that I went back and read it a second time! Currently waving goodbye to the wine witch for good and riding off into the sunset!

Wow. I did not want this book to end. It felt like I was on the receiving side of a deep and meaningful conversation with a close friend. I’ve been on my own sober journey the last year and have wrestled with many questions that the author brings up from her experience. Some thoughts and questions I hadn’t even considered that after reflecting, are really deep rooted reasons for being sober curious. It feels presumptuous to say everyone should read this because a person has to want to be on this journey for themselves, at the same time, I’m going to have a hard time not telling everyone that they must read this story- :)Truly transformational and I hope those who are curious, questioning their choices, looking for a way out, find this book and start down their path to freedom.

“The Sober Diaries” is a frank, funny at times, incredibly inspiring account of one woman’s decision to stop drinking and start living. Written in a diary format, it gives a day-by-day recount of struggles and successes Clare had to go through on her journey to sobriety. Unlike other similar accounts, this one begins with pretty much a rock bottom, or at least what looked like rock bottom to Clare. Before long, I connected with her to such an extent, I cheered for her when she felt about to break and celebrated her successes after yet another milestone was overcome. I particularly appreciated the ending - so very uplifting and inspiring! A great memoir that, I’m sure, will help many others going through the same struggles.

Great book for the sober-curious reader. It’s not preachy or serious. The author is relatable and highlights the positives of giving up alcohol.

You are actually missing what you think you are winning. 23, almost 24 days, and never looking back. Thank you, Clare.

I was luck enough to stumble across Clare during her interview on Radio 4. I warmed to her straight away and immediately bought this book - which I couldn’t put down and didn’t want it to end. (I’ve just started it again but have been referring back to it endlessly). She writes honestly and really opens up on all aspects of her life (but with humour too), which makes her even more likeable. Clare has also really done her research, this isn’t just a memoir - it is packed full of scientific facts and figures. Most of which are scary reading for those of us who partake in alcohol on any level! But she has put it out there and is educating thousands of people on the toil only small amounts of alcohol can have on your body. She’s not a killjoy though, she’s not bitter that other people can drink and she chooses not to. Instead she has taken sober life by the horns and shown people how liberating life without alcohol can be! Because of this book and her brilliant blog (Mummy was a secret drinker), Clare is reaching out to thousands of people and making genuine changes to their lives forever. I have since read more ‘quit-lit’ and without a doubt this is the best out there. I have raved about it to anyone who will listen and would recommend it to everyone - not just my Mummy friends. Well done Clare (and thank you) we cannot wait for part 2 - what happened next!

Really good! Well written and genuine and funny, very helpful for people wanting to examine their relationship with alcohol without judgement or 'doom and gloom'.

Fantastic read