Sober Positive: Happily quit drinking and discover the unlimited possibilities waiting for you beyond alcohol

by Julia Carson

Are you worried you might be drinking too much? Fed up of hangovers, hangxiety and feeling below par? Bored of booze culture at home, at work, as a parent? Do you have a sneaking suspicion that alcohol might be standing between you and your best life? Are you wondering if there's another way? Julia Carson found out, quite unexpectedly, that there really is, when she had her last drink of mummy-juice wine in February 2017 and then embarked on a rollercoaster journey of self-discovery in sobriety. Sober Positive is both the story of her journey over the last two years and a detailed road map for anyone else looking for their own way out of the alcohol maze. You may not believe this now, but it is entirely possible to stop drinking and be completely happy. To achieve true freedom from alcohol. To be sober positive. In this book you will learn how to change your mindset about alcohol, how to assemble your own personal sobriety toolbox and how to cope with sober firsts like social events, holidays and Christmas. You will gain insight into why you might be struggling with alcohol and how you can address other compulsive behaviours which may arise in early sobriety. You will develop detailed strategies for self-care and be guided though the deeper work needed to support your physical and mental wellbeing and truly thrive as a non-drinker. You will be helped to navigate changing relationships with partners, children and friends and learn some surprising truths about our best friend booze. So, if you're drinking too much and it's making you miserable, why not take a chance on being sober and happy? You might just find your best life along the way. Julia did and this book contains everything she has learned in the past two years that helped her get there.

352 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 29, 2019

Reviews

[Kathryn · Rating 5 out of 5]

'The Naked Mind' definitely shifted my mindset about why we drink, but Julia Carson's book and story was so so relatable to me. It was as if I was reading about myself! Julia has really helped to cement my own thoughts and feelings about drinking, and I started my Day One whilst reading her brave and open story and it's giving me so much more to research, read and think about in my own sobriety adventure. Thank you Julia.

[Brooke · Rating 1 out of 5]

I'm shocked at how high the ratings for this book are. Carson's blog was probably fun to read, but not enough effort was made to transfer it to a book format. It's lazy, repetitive, and at times vapid. She spends a weird amount of time recommending pseudoscience. I love reading "quit lit" but you'd be better off reading one of the many authors Carson (incessantly and repetitively) parrots than reading this book.

[Kristin Powell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Life changing

I've been dabbling in sober life and quit lit for two years, however never could make the jump into a dedicated sober life. This book struck a cord and helped me make the step. My eyes are open and I feel free to finally live a sober, for the first time I am excited about this decision. Thank you, Julia, I'm finally free too live my best life. Love the list of books and resources at the back of the book,spectacular!

[Izzy Parker · Rating 2 out of 5]

The book was the same content regurgitated over. Wanted to like it a lot more than I did

[shonasbookshelf · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this, learned a lot and would recommend it HOWEVER, my goodness is it repetitive... The book genuinely could have been about 70 pages shorter if she didn't say the exact same sentences 20 times. Maybe it was for emphasis which, to an extent, I get but the number of times certain things were repeated just made them tedious, not impactful.

[Lauren · Rating 2 out of 5]

Finally finished this one. I’m forever trying to drink less since wine makes me feel like crap most times I drink it, but this book was waaaay too long. (I started it in August I think) There are definitely better sober curious books out there😊

[Catherine D · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’ve read loads of quit lit books now and this is one of the best. Lots of relatable advice. Julia references Allan Carr and Annie grace a lot which I’ve read and both are excellent sources!
I like her sober tool box ideas and even the play list she puts at the end. She leaves no stone unturned. Got a bit bored with the chapter where she gets too political and starts talking about Trump and then publishes data stats about how drinking has changed over the years etc.. although relevant to a point, when your reaching the end of the book it made me switch off! Could have just touched on it as a point of reference but was too detailed. Still give 5 stars though as the book was excellent. It is a bit repetitive at times but that is because she is just trying to re emphasis her points as she is very passionate about getting and staying sober. Lots of light bulb moments throughout :)

[Paulina Cayón · Rating 4 out of 5]

I gave this book 4 stars.
It’s kinda hard to rate it because it’s my first quit lit book so can’t compare to any others but it hit home to everything she said and the way she thinks about sobriety and the addictive mind (which I have) about not only alcohol but cigarettes , food, relationships and things in general.
The book can be very repetitive about her life experiences which I get because she mentioned this is her first book.
Julie, if you ever read this thanks for writing this book! And I can totally agree with the way you think about not wanting to labeling yourself , well done 👏🏻.

[Heather Muccio · Rating 3 out of 5]

Great read until the Liberal Progressive Feminism...

It was a great book- until the "woke" comments. Bashing of the US in comments completely turned me off to the end of the book. Clarity is not achieved through one- sided false media reports and narratives. The author likely watches the disgraced CNN network. Frankly it was insulting.
For the record, I am sober and maintaining that decision is why I read this type of literature. Everyone is entitled to their opinion but comments that call an entire country racist are disgusting and simple minded.

[Kim Wilson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good until the end

This was a really good book and I was enjoying it until the end where she went political. That is the last thing I needed to read about and have been avoiding on social media, it had no place in the book. I was shocked that she attacked my president and she doesn't even live in my country. Total turnoff and unfortunate.

[Catriona Griffin · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’ve read several quit lit books and this works for me. I connected with the authors story and it helped that she is from the North of England therefore, understanding drinking culture in the UK. Particularly the north or England and Scotland (where I am from).

This book clicked with me and I’ve not drank alcohol for two weeks. The first two weeks since I was a teenager.

I’d recommend this completely.

[Claire Cooke · Rating 5 out of 5]

A MUST READ thank you Julia

Fantastic Book .....it's right up there with Annie Grace this Naked Mind ...I've read many many books on my quest to stay sober and i can't recommend this book highly enough to anyone on their journey to quit the demon that is alcohol

[Banyan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Funny and Relatable

This is a good book to remind us to stay positive in sobriety … and you don’t have to give up fun! It’s especially helpful if you’re just starting off. Lots of good tips and references to other sources for mindfulness and living a sober-fulfilled life!

[tissy Taylor · Rating 5 out of 5]

Inspirational and honest

Blunt. Hard core. Love calling out big corps and societal glamorizations that are lined by green dollars. I appreciate her honesty

[Claire Ross · Rating 5 out of 5]

Recommended

I’ve taken some great tips from this book to help my own sober journey. I would recommend this book ).

[K A · Rating 5 out of 5]

Makes you think

Just didn’t realise how good I would feel. And it’s only been two months. Looking forward to the future. Just did my first sober holiday and it was great.

[Ed De · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another positive look at living sober

I loved the witty banter and the total honesty of the author. Another book with more tools to get me sober. Many thanks

[Stephanie Mencia · Rating 2 out of 5]

I really wanted to like this book, the beginning was promising but it was super repetitive and basically quoting a bunch of other authors.