Sober Curious

The Blissful Sleep, Greater Focus, Limitless Presence, and Deep Connection Awaiting Us All on the Other Side of Alcohol

By: Ruby Warrington

Narrated by: Ruby Warrington

Length: 6 hrs and 33 mins

Publisher's Summary

Would life be better without alcohol?

It’s the nagging question more and more of us are finding harder to ignore, whether we have a “problem” with alcohol or not. After all, we yoga. We green juice. We meditate. We self-care. And yet, come the end of a long workday, the start of a weekend, an awkward social situation, we drink. One glass of wine turns into two turns into a bottle. In the face of how we care for ourselves otherwise, it’s hard to avoid how alcohol really makes us feel: terrible. 

How different would our lives be if we stopped drinking on autopilot? If we stopped drinking altogether? Really different, it turns out. Really better. Frank, funny, and always judgment-free, Sober Curious is a bold guide to choosing to live hangover-free, from Ruby Warrington, one of the leading voices of the new sobriety movement.  

Drawing on research, expert interviews, and personal narrative, Sober Curious is a radical takedown of the myths that keep so many of us drinking. Inspiring, timely, and blame-free, Sober Curious is both conversation starter and handbook - essential information that empowers listeners to transform their relationship with alcohol so we can lead our most fulfilling lives.

©2019 Ruby Warrington (P)2019 HarperCollins Publishers

Kinda confusing

There should be a big disclaimer on the cover about author's addiction to astrology, taro cards, energy levels and white supremacy problems. It's hard to relate seriously to the main content of the book because of it. You can skip the last chapter though and try your best.

Be aware that author's "drinking problem" is one drink in a month.

Related to, and thoroughly enjoyed the first half

The core concept of the book related to moderate-heavy social drinking, the benefits of getting "sober curious", and defeating a social reliance to alcohol was enjoyable, but the author really lost me when she started HEAVILY wedging in her politics with references to Black Lives Matter, white privilege, "systemic" oppression etc. The connection to the core message was loose, at best. The spiritual elements were far too "out there" for me as well.

Good take-a-ways

The book makes some really good points regarding the impact of alcohol and the benefits of abstinence from it. I found the reading to sound a little “mechanical” at times and, beyond the physical wellness discussed, the spiritual aspects of the book were a little “out-there” for me (toward the end I found myself skipping forward through parts that I felt were a side step away from the message I bought this book for).

Sobriety thru New Age energy vibe chanelling

this book had about 20 minutes worth of common sense benefits from being sober and then the rest of it was fairly woo oriented as far as how to channel your energy better in sobriety through various New age techniques. not exactly what the title suggests.

really gives spect strategy

This book builds on the Naked Mind movement shifting the thinking of people from “its not a big deal “ to drink if I am not an “alcoholic “ to an acknowledgement of the alcoholic dependence and overuse of every day life. She carefully avoids creating shame and presents such a believable version of a better life if sobriety that I ran out of excuses not to try it.

If you're looking at this book ... you need it.

This is such a helpful and honest book. It isn't preachy or judgemental. And if you're thinking about it, then it's definitely worth a listen.

surprisingly great little spiritual book

I really enjoyed Ruby's journey. She's practical, honest, smart & knows what works for her.
I respect that.
Having been sober curious myself for at least 10yrs, Ive pretty much eleminated alcohol from my life over the past 15 mos.
And that works for me & my body.

She never goes into the huge financial benefits of not drinking. You save a ton!

I encourage more people to be present & sober.
Thank you for this great lil giude, Ruby!

The message sunk in quickly

I've never been a heavy drinker but love a good old session from time to time. As I get older, the hangovers get worse and my mind becomes a haze. Ruby put the cards on the table and put the fact that she has stopped drinking booze in a realistic non-condescending manner that most people can relate to.

Not relatable

This book was odd, as she didn't seem to have an issue with alcohol so why did she write it? She's not qualified on the science of alcohol, and not an alcoholic... So I'm not sure why anyone would read this book, as it's not a scientific book, and her memoirs aren't relatable to the alcoholic.

Overall mostly helpful and valid points...take what you like!

Like the honesty and sincerity of the author in explaining her own unique journey and her struggles. Perhaps a bit less snark and gratuitous obscenities would have been appropriate, especially while claiming to have emotional maturity. And maybe a bit less thinly-veiled 12-step program bashing? But overall a clear and honest reflection of what works for her.

This book could almost drive me to drink

I listened to the first ten minutes of this and cringed several times.

Firstly, it's narrated by the author. Why not spend a bit of cash and get an actual voice-over artist?

Secondly, it's clear the author is desperate to tap into the American market. In the few minutes I listened to she referred to "the emergency room" instead of "A & E", "college" instead of "uni" and the worst one of all, pronounced "buoyed" like "boo-eed".

If this book had any substance at all then it's a shame as I can't get past this cringeworthy narration.

Inspirational, Ruby is a Sage!

Ruby intelligently unpacks our relationship with alcohol and offers an insightful view of just how much better life could be without it. A great take away is ‘alcohol is not the bad guy, we need to consider the reasons that we drink’. If you think you are drinking too much or thinking about it too much, you should ‘read’ this book. Thanks Ruby!

Largely not relevant but would recommend

Good at outlining and reenforcing the benefits of not drinking alcohol, however largely geared towards people drinking to suppress underlying mental health issues rather than frequent drinking due to a byproduct of socialising. This rendered a lot of this book irrelevant for me. Towards the end it also digresses to delve into inappropriate topics such as white supremacy and ways to save the world. Not what we signed up for when choosing this book. That being said, I would recommend this book. It does a good job of reminding you of how alcohol consumption limits your potential in many areas of your life.

Like reading a script

This book sounded like someone reading a script. There was nothing engaging about it at at!! It was like listening to a robot!! Enough to drive you to a drink!! Maybe in paperback it works but worst audio book ever,

Life changing listen!

A friend recommended this to me as I was embarking on Sober October to raise money for Macmillan Cancer Support. It hadn’t really occurred to me to continue after October as I didn’t consider my drinking to be all that problematic - especially as I have recently cut down, more as part of a health and weight loss drive.

Well, as soon as I started listening, I was hooked! Ruby Warrington speaks my language and I immediately found it entertaining and amusing which is probably what drew me in and didn’t make me want to give up after the first few chapters or feel too uncomfortable with the premise.

There were so many lightbulb moments and quotes I wanted to steal that I decided to buy the hard copy so I could refer to it as many times as I like/need. Suffice to say it’s helped me on my Sober October journey so far but also led me to the decision to quit drinking altogether, something I’m not sure I’d have even considered doing without the eye opening messages conveyed in this book.

I’ve just ordered her first book Material Girl Mystical World and can’t wait to get started. Spirituality is another thing that I’m open to learning more about as I’m sure that Ruby’s down to earth, well researched and natural style will give me all the inspiration I need to choose the best path for me.

Bravo Ruby for starting a movement that will surely make a huge difference to anyone that it touches.

Self indulgent nonsense

This is terrible. Please see Clare Pooley, Catherine Grey, Holly Whittaker or Kristi Coulter instead!

insightful

loved this. found it very illuminating. and the light ruby shines is not judgemental AT ALL <3

Eye opening

This book is well written and opens your eyes and mind to how alcohol effects the brain and body. Wish I knew this decades ago.

Unfortunately, one star.

I don’t like writing bad reviews, but unfortunately I feel compelled to on this occasion.
Personally I need a bit of help, like many others, but this book offers me very little.
Along with the undertone of self gratified back slapping, which is entirely nauseating, I have to agree with some others in the reviews.
I tried to stick with it after a very poor intro, but as it went on it got progressively worse.
Im sure it’s helped a few, but it’s not for me.

Couldn't stop listening.

Ruby touched on everything I had been thinking about as I start to become Sober Curious. I thoroughly enjoyed her writing and her connection with her audience.