Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC of this book. I've been alcohol free for 3.5 years, and was looking forward to this memoir. The writing was fine, the narrator was a little self-obsessed, but it was a memoir so mostly forgivable. I think it's good to have more stories of people finding themselves through sobriety, so ultimately it was worth the read.

I decided to read my copy of DRINKING GAMES over the long holiday break, and I enjoyed it so much! Part memoir/part essay, author Sarah Levy is completely transparent, sharing her honest struggles with alcohol in her 20's and 30's, which led to her sobriety.

In a time where most of us are still figuring out who we are, and trying to navigate life as a young adult, I loved the honest approach that Sarah gave us readers. I found myself nodding along, remembering plenty of times that I used the crutch of alcohol, whether it be for social occasions, or to add confidence.

I read both the physical and audiobook copies, and really enjoyed that the novel was read by the author.

*many thanks to St Martins Press and Macmillan Audio for the gifted copy for review

As someone who's been alcohol-free for 1.5 years, I love reading different sober/alcohol-free stories - even if they differ from mine (like this one) there's always something I can relate too. I'm glad I've been seeing this one read by a few people I follow on Instagram - I think it will resonate with a lot of millennial women!

This was such a raw, honest, and very captivating memoir. I love that Levy gave us such a way into her struggles with alcohol.

Seeing the presences that alcohol can take on in other's lives is often so eye opening. Levy was brilliant in giving her own firsthand experience while also, in my opinion, being a steward of paving the way for others to heal.

Bravah!! This was fantastic.

Drinking Games by the awesome @sarahllevy was such a terrific memoir to start my year with and one worth getting on your tbr this year.

Sarah is exceedingly vulnerable and transparent as she shares her struggles with having a healthy relationship with alcohol in her 20’s and what led her to becoming sober. She doesn’t hold back as she bluntly describes how off the rails she would spiral when drinking and how deeply that lifestyle affected every other aspect of her personality. Her unflinching reflections are beautifully written and never once does she veer into pity or preaching. Instead it’s like sharing a conversation with a good friend, and really getting to know someone on the deepest levels.

I’m confident that many readers will see aspects of themselves in Sarah’s essays, navigating our messy 20’s, trying to figure out who you are, how you fit into the world and what balance and identity look like for you. I enjoyed so many pieces of this book and how it prompted me to think about who I am continuing to develop into and how I can be present in navigating the direction I go. Exactly the mental challenge I love as we embark on a fresh year.

Be sure to check this one out - and many thanks to @stmartinspress for the copy!

This memoir is more a collection of essays exploring Levy's path before, to and through her sobriety. Her openness and vulnerability are interspersed with self-depricating humour and biting wit. While I felt some chapters were definitely stronger than others, it presents a clear voice and one which many millenials will relate to, whether they are on their own sobriety journey or not.

Oh how I wish I read this book 10 years ago. Or 15 years ago. But I read it today, and you should too.
Levy writes about partying and getting blackout drunk in her 20s due to pretty serious anxiety. And living through it, which is, frankly, a miracle. This is a book of essays so there's a little repetition but it flows very well. Highly recommended to those with anxiety, battling alcoholism, or unsure of what your next steps should be.

Drinking Games is an honest, no bs look at a millennial woman's road to sobriety. I loved it, it felt like a friend talking to me over dinner about what happened and how she decided to become sober. I think Sarah does a lovely job of detailing the unexpected stigma of becoming sober. It's almost a damn if you do, damn if you don't situation. Either stay out of control and be judged on your behavior or take care of yourself and still be judged by how it makes other people feel. I can't wait to read more by Sarah!

Thank you SMP and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review. As someone who lives a sober life, this was a great read. A lot of what the author wrote about resonates deeply with me. Great read for anyone curious about sobriety, new to it, or even sober for years.

Drinking Games was quite an enjoyable “quit lit” memoir written by Sarah Levy. While I am personally a huge Schitt’s Creek fan and LOVE a good memoir, you should definitely look elsewhere for that celebrity vibe as it was not even mentioned once. Truth be told- it didn’t need that name drop. Sarah Levy’s story stands on its own as a courageous , brutally honest, and frightening look at her relationship with alcohol and drinking culture, in general.

This is definitely a book for those who enjoy memoirs (celebrity or other) and those interested in taking a closer at the impact of alcohol in their lives. Pub date was earlier this month - January 3, 2023.

Thank you so much to the author, St. Martin’s Press, and NetGalley for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

This was an entertaining read but I feel like we could have benefited by more depth from the earlier part of the authors life and why her addiction really started. She made the actual getting sober part seem a lot easier than it seems to be for some.

Such a beautifully written memoir! Thank you for giving us insight to your journey to becoming sober and your struggles with alcoholism.

ARC provided in exchange for an honest review.

I really loved how Sarah Levy narrates her own book! It’s so wonderful to hear her read the story, which is only hers to tell. I haven’t read a memoir in quite sometime but really enjoyed this one! I come from a family of alcoholics so I always knew I was prone to drinking and made the decision in my early 20’s that I wasn’t a fan so I can see where the author is coming from. It’s so easy to get sucked down the rabbit hole and spend your life clawing your way out. I really appreciated her realness and how self aware she now is about her addiction and hope others will read this book and see that there can be a light at the end of the tunnel, if only you manifest it!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read this amazing book.

Sarah Levy's "Drinking Games" explores the role alcohol has in young lives. This book should be on the "mandatory reading list' of every high school and college student.
Sarah draws us in to all the effects of alcohol in this society and the challenge of not being a part of it. It's an honest look at how our choices with drinking affect our lives over many years and how, without the alcohol, Sarah Levy sees the world and her beautiful self through new eyes.

Her story covers so many emotions and at times is funny in a dark way. Her path to sobriety brings her the gift of a successful writing career and a life of love she so deserves.

This life changing book is a must read.

Wow. To my fellow millennials - I hope you consider picking this up.

What a vulnerable and heartfelt memoir, and one that absolutely hits hard. I feel like a big part of 'millennial culture', or at least for those of us that experienced college, drinking became a huge social event that carried into our everyday lives post college. What used to be left for frat basements or bars on the main drag in our college town has now turned into drinking after work and drinking at every 'social event'.

I think this is a must-read for anyone, not just millennials, that are toying with the idea of going sober or are interested in learning more. This may read too young for other reads, but as a fellow millennial - this is a memoir that everyone should attempt to pick up.

I do feel like this was a collection of essays instead of a memoir, but either way - amazing. The courage that this took is astounding and I'm glad that memoirs/essay collections like this are getting published. The realm of toying with the idea of starting a sober journey needs more than self help books. This is it.

- DRINKING GAMES is part substance abuse memoir, part dissection of the larger role alcohol plays in our lives today.
- I liked Levy's point that she and many others convince themselves that their drinking isn't a problem because they can still hold down a job, friends, etc., and pointing out that not only is "rock bottom" different for everyone, but that you don't need to reach it to change your relationship to alcohol.
- I am someone who quit drinking relatively recently, and something that really resonated with me was Levy's description of how small things suddenly bring outsized joy. For me, when not dealing with the highs and lows that come with drinking, I began to find great pleasure in things as small as a fuzzy blanket or a new kind of candy.

I thought this was a really well written book as well as a book that needed to be written. I think any memoir about sobriety is needed however reading one that I feel like is more “realistic” to who I am as a person is eye opening. The realization that alcoholism does not look the same across the board is important so hearing about someone’s journey to sobriety is powerful. I thought the discussion around how alcohol plays a role in social culture was an important discussion and I loved that there was also discussion on approaching these social situations while sober. I found this story compelling and it is making me think more carefully about my relationship to alcohol and the impacts it has on peoples lives.

First, Levy is so incredibly brave and vulnerable sharing her story. Because drinking is such an accepted, celebrated, even - aspect of our society, I believe many can sweep its potential severity under the rug quite easily. But the fact of the matter is that alcoholism is one of the most problematic issues of our culture. I, for one, applaud those who speak candidly about their experiences with alcohol and their choice to live an alcohol-free lifestyle. For whatever reason, there's almost a stigma that you can't have a fun and fulfilling life without alcohol, but as Levy writes, it's absolutely possible, and maybe even desirable. I do not have an issue with alcohol - I can take it or leave it - but I know that's not the case for a lot of people. Levy struggled hard and made so many questionable decisions while under the influence. Her essays (I wouldn't classify this as a memoir as much as I would an essay collection) are raw, honest, and introspective. Not only does she examine the culture around alcohol and recovery, she also tackles other issues like anxiety, body image, and life beyond drinking.

This has to have been one of my favorite memoirs that I have read in a long. Sarah Levy was raw, she was honest and she told her story in such a wonderful way. I do wish there was a little more of what may have led her down that road..
I think it takes a lot of courage to admit you have a problem and a lot of courage to go for help.

I truly loved that she shared it with us.

Thank you so much to #Netgalley and the publisher for the Arc

review ✨

This memoir follows Sarah Levy’s drinking experience — from high school, undergrad, and into her late 20s living in NYC and working at a startup. Sarah walks through her decision to get sober and the impacts this made on friendships, dating, her past eating disorders, and her career.

Sarah’s voice is clear and powerful — so much in her experience as a millennial woman I could relate to. I could not put this book down! Really commend her brutal honest and bravery through her journey.

I especially loved the chapters about her wedding and planning it — so many gems I highlighted. Also loved the chapters on her experience living in NYC and critique on wellness and influencer culture/social media addiction.

I wished Sarah had spoken more about her privilege attending private schools and an Ivy League and having her parents fund her lifestyle until she landed at the startup a couple years post-grad — this a little bit glossed over IMO.

Overall loved this and would highly recommend to other women in their 20s/30s!!

Thank you to @netgalley and @stmartinspress for an eARC of this book!

🕰 published 1/3/23 — out now!!
📖 288 pages
💜 read if you liked Untamed or Blackout
✨ 4.5 stars