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3.99 AVERAGE
3.99 AVERAGE
I read this but really ended up skimming it, which I never do. It felt like it was much less a memoir than a lesson in not drinking and that made me pretty pissy toward the author. Then I found out she died. Jeez.
"Then I had an image of every person in that room climbing into bed that night, all fifty of us getting into our beds clean and sober, another day without a drink behind us. It was a simple image but it filled me with a range of complicated feelings: appreciation for the simple presence of all those people; admiration for their courage and strength; a tinge of melancholy for the amount of pain it must have taken each and every one of them to put down the drink; affection for their humanity.
I didn't realize until hours later that there was a name for that feeling. It's called love."
I didn't realize until hours later that there was a name for that feeling. It's called love."
I felt uncomfortable with how often the author used other people's experiences rather than her own
challenging
inspiring
reflective
tense
slow-paced
I’ve found myself compelled to read addiction memoirs lately. And again, I say that every addict’s story is the same. And every addict’s story is different. There’s a lot here that will resonate with anyone who has struggled with addiction.
Her story felt a bit repetitive but that is true for every addict. You keep denying you have a problem. And then you spiral into addiction and keep denying you have a problem. And the cycle repeats itself until you finally are willing to admit that you do have a problem. And then the cycle is broken and you actually begin to have a better life. But until then, it can feel repetitive. And Knapp’s story in particular is deeply poignant and powerful even when it feels repetitive.
This is a good book to read if you are wondering how addiction manifests itself in a person. Or if you think you might have a problem with addiction, this memoir will hopefully open your eyes. If you are struggling with addiction, there is help out there. I urge you to get it. Getting sober is a challenge but it is worth it. Believe me on that.
Her story felt a bit repetitive but that is true for every addict. You keep denying you have a problem. And then you spiral into addiction and keep denying you have a problem. And the cycle repeats itself until you finally are willing to admit that you do have a problem. And then the cycle is broken and you actually begin to have a better life. But until then, it can feel repetitive. And Knapp’s story in particular is deeply poignant and powerful even when it feels repetitive.
This is a good book to read if you are wondering how addiction manifests itself in a person. Or if you think you might have a problem with addiction, this memoir will hopefully open your eyes. If you are struggling with addiction, there is help out there. I urge you to get it. Getting sober is a challenge but it is worth it. Believe me on that.
This book is totally REALLY GOOD. Even if you aren't an alcoholic or even know anyone who is, seriously you should read it. My copy has red underlines all throughout it, highlighting the many pearls of wisdom found within. It's a keeper.
emotional
medium-paced
This hits close to home, on the heels of reading "Almost Alcoholic."
“'Insight,' he said, 'is almost always a rearrangement of fact.'”
“'Insight,' he said, 'is almost always a rearrangement of fact.'”
“Anyone who's ever shifted from general affection and enthusiasm for a lover to outright obsession knows what I mean: the relationship is just there occupying a small corner of your heart, and then you wake up one morning and some indefinable tide has turned forever and you can't go back. You need it; it's a central part of who you are.”
Alcoholism happens to the privileged, to the rich, to the very successful. It is not a picky lover.
This very touching memoir describes in painful detail the highs and lows of alcoholism. It gives a most insightful look at the emotional and physical damage this disease causes to the alcoholic and loved ones closest to them. The author also focuses on the misconceptions out there of what a true alcoholic looks like, especially when it’s a female.
The psychological and emotional components of addiction are the same, whether the focus is alcohol, drugs, or food. Knapp describes her own bout with anorexia and bulimia during her drinking days and how she just swopped one addiction for another, thinking she was getting better.
I have read a few books on addiction but unlike books such as [b:Smacked|633617|Smacked|Melinda Ferguson|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1176526314s/633617.jpg|619911] where the shock value and complete foreignness of crack addiction made for interesting reading, this book allowed for introspection.
It does not try to be funny like [b:Dry|32370|Dry|Augusten Burroughs|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1440657144s/32370.jpg|1825967], (which I didn’t really enjoy), but rather shows how she continued to maintain a highly functional life and career, which only helped to reinforce the denial that drinking was a problem.
Anyone who's ever had a hangover will appreciate the details ☺
Some of the stats quoted were quite shocking (11% of Americans consume 50% of the alcohol in the USA) and how the majority of rehab patients relapse again and again. I was also quite stunned at some of the stories of other recovering alcoholics recalling their worst drinking experiences.
There is an expected amount of disappointment and sadness however I am glad that she eventually found peace as she has apparently passed away at the age of 42.
This is a difficult book to recommend outright but I found it fascinating.
Alcoholism happens to the privileged, to the rich, to the very successful. It is not a picky lover.
This very touching memoir describes in painful detail the highs and lows of alcoholism. It gives a most insightful look at the emotional and physical damage this disease causes to the alcoholic and loved ones closest to them. The author also focuses on the misconceptions out there of what a true alcoholic looks like, especially when it’s a female.
The psychological and emotional components of addiction are the same, whether the focus is alcohol, drugs, or food. Knapp describes her own bout with anorexia and bulimia during her drinking days and how she just swopped one addiction for another, thinking she was getting better.
I have read a few books on addiction but unlike books such as [b:Smacked|633617|Smacked|Melinda Ferguson|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1176526314s/633617.jpg|619911] where the shock value and complete foreignness of crack addiction made for interesting reading, this book allowed for introspection.
It does not try to be funny like [b:Dry|32370|Dry|Augusten Burroughs|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1440657144s/32370.jpg|1825967], (which I didn’t really enjoy), but rather shows how she continued to maintain a highly functional life and career, which only helped to reinforce the denial that drinking was a problem.
Anyone who's ever had a hangover will appreciate the details ☺
Some of the stats quoted were quite shocking (11% of Americans consume 50% of the alcohol in the USA) and how the majority of rehab patients relapse again and again. I was also quite stunned at some of the stories of other recovering alcoholics recalling their worst drinking experiences.
There is an expected amount of disappointment and sadness however I am glad that she eventually found peace as she has apparently passed away at the age of 42.
This is a difficult book to recommend outright but I found it fascinating.
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
relaxing
sad
fast-paced