Recovery Reads: Recommendations for Book-Lovers
Recovery Tools from Asana Recovery, May 5, 2023
If you love reading, you’re probably always looking for recommendations for good books. And, if you want to stay connected to recovery - while also learning new things about the incredible adventure of getting/staying sober - reading is a great way to do it!
Here’s the caveat: Asana Recovery does not endorse any of these books. They are personal recommendations from other individuals trudging the road of recovery. Additionally, none of these are “approved” literature from any 12-step program. However, there is no “only way” or “right way” to do recovery, so we hope you can find information and inspiration in these good reads.
This Naked Mind: Control Alcohol, Find Freedom, Discover Happiness & Change Your Life. You don’t have to identify as an “alcoholic” to want to stop drinking. “Packed with surprising insight into the reasons we drink, it will open your eyes to the startling role of alcohol in our culture. Annie Grace brilliantly weaves psychological, neurological, cultural, social and industry factors with her extraordinarily candid journey.” - GoodReads.com
We Are the Luckiest: The Surprising Magic of a Sober Life. In this sobriety memoir, writer Laura Mckeown “in the midst of early sobriety, when no longer able to anesthetize her pain and anxiety, realized that she was actually the lucky one. Lucky to feel her feelings, live honestly, really be with her daughter, change her legacy. She recognized that “those of us who answer the invitation to wake up, whatever our invitation, are really the luckiest of all.’” - Amazon.com
Pack of Two: The Intricate Bond Between People and Dogs. A book about finding love and meaning in a life once devoted to drinking. “At the age of 36, Caroline Knapp, author of the acclaimed bestseller "Drinking: A Love Story," found herself confronted with a monumental task: redefining her world. Eighteen months to the day after she quit drinking, Knapp stumbled upon an eight-week-old puppy at a local animal shelter, took her home, and named her Lucille.” - Google books
The Four Agreements by Don Miguel Ruiz. A useful guide for anyone who wants to live a life with less conflict - both internal and external. With four practical guidelines, this book offers simple solutions applicable across different cultures and generations.
If the Buddha Got Stuck: A Handbook for Change on a Spiritual Path by Charlotte Kasl. An “empowering balance of spiritual and psychological wisdom. This wise yet lighthearted book [is]…full of insight from Buddhist and other teachings that emphasize the joy that comes with letting go of fears and attachments, If the Buddha Got Stuck is an inspirational and practical roadmap to a happier, more peaceful, and more fulfilling life.” - Amazon.com
Sober Curious: The Blissful Sleep, Greater Focus, Limitless Presence, and Deep Connection Awaiting Us All on the Other Side of Alcohol. Yeah, the title explains the book in a nutshell. However, the interviews with experts, research on the topic and personal narratives from writer Ruby Warrington make it more interesting than you’d expect. “Inspiring, timely, and blame free, Sober Curious is both conversation starter and handbook—essential reading that empowers readers to transform their relationship with alcohol, so we can lead our most fulfilling lives.” - Amazon.com
The Body Keeps the Score: Brain, Mind, and Body in the Healing of Trauma. “In The Body Keeps the Score, [Dr. Bessel van der Kolk] uses recent scientific advances to show how trauma literally reshapes both body and brain, compromising sufferers’ capacities for pleasure, engagement, self-control, and trust. He explores innovative treatments—from neurofeedback and meditation to sports, drama, and yoga—that offer new paths to recovery by activating the brain’s natural neuroplasticity.” - Amazon.com
Remember “reading” is versatile these days, so if you don’t actually want the reading but want to benefit from the book, get an audiobook! Download it on your phone or tablet so you always have something to read, wherever you are. And, you don’t have to spend any money: Your local library can hook you up with audiobooks, play-aways or good old fashioned, paper-and-binding books