Quit Lit: Books to Kick-Start Your Sobriety
When I first began exploring what life might look like with less alcohol, I found a handful of books that completely changed the way I thought about drinking, habits and myself. Each one offered a different kind of wisdom. Together, they helped me see that this journey is not about giving something up, but about coming back to who we truly are.
If you are curious about your own relationship with alcohol, these books are like trusted guides. They help you see more clearly, feel more deeply and trust that you already hold the answers within you.
The Alcohol Experiment – Annie Grace
This is a kind and curious invitation to explore your drinking habits for thirty days. Annie Grace combines science, psychology and compassion in a way that feels supportive rather than shaming. It is not about willpower, it is about understanding. The more awareness you have, the more freedom you find.
This Naked Mind – Annie Grace
This book changed everything for me. Annie helps you unpick the conditioning that tells us alcohol helps us relax, have fun or cope with life. She shines a light on all the unspoken beliefs we hold about drinking, and once you see them clearly, you cannot unsee them. It is empowering and deeply liberating.
Why Has Nobody Told Me This Before – Dr Julie Smith
This is not specifically a book about alcohol, but it is an essential companion for anyone learning how to take better care of themselves. Dr Smith offers simple, compassionate tools for managing emotions and building resilience. It helps you understand yourself in a kinder way, which is at the heart of any lasting change.
Push Off From Here – Laura McKowen
Laura’s writing is full of truth and grace. She offers nine reminders that guide you gently towards acceptance and hope. This book tells you that you are not broken and that change begins from where you are, not from where you think you should be. It is a book that helps you forgive yourself and begin again.
We Are The Luckiest – Laura McKowen
This book is raw, beautiful and honest. Laura reframes sobriety as an awakening, not a punishment. It is about living more fully, feeling more deeply and realising that life without alcohol is not smaller, but so much bigger. Her words remind you that you really are lucky to be finding your way back to yourself.
The Unexpected Joy of Being Sober – Catherine Gray
Catherine writes with humour, hope and heart. She shows how life after drinking can be full of energy, connection and genuine joy. She talks about sleeping better, feeling lighter and rediscovering who you are beneath the hangovers. It feels like chatting with a wise and funny friend who understands.
A Way Through the Jungle – Dr Steve Peters
This is a powerful book about emotional intelligence and self-awareness. Dr Steve invites you to look at the beliefs and patterns that hold you back and shows how you can choose differently. It is not about alcohol, but it is about transformation, and that makes it a perfect companion for anyone on a path of change.
The Secrets of Natural Success – William Whitecloud
This book explores intuition, creativity and alignment. William Whitecloud helps you see how life begins to flow when you reconnect with who you truly are. It is about letting go of struggle and trusting yourself again. For me, it speaks to the same truth that runs through all of these books: that we already hold everything we need within us.
Why These Books Matter
Each of these books met me at a different point in my journey. Some challenged me, others comforted me, and all of them helped me see that change begins with awareness.
They remind us that drinking less is not just about what we remove, but what we make space for.
More peace, more connection, more honesty, more life.
If you have ever found yourself wondering, why has nobody told me this before, perhaps this is your sign. You are not alone, and you are already on your way.
These are some of the books I often recommend to clients who are beginning to explore their relationship with alcohol. They open the door to awareness, compassion and self-trust - the same qualities that lie at the heart of my coaching.