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  • The Sober Diaries

  • How One Woman Stopped Drinking and Started Living
  • By: Clare Pooley
  • Narrated by: Karen Cass
  • Length: 10 hrs and 12 mins
  • 4.7 out of 5 stars (1,108 ratings)
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The Sober Diaries cover art

The Sober Diaries

By: Clare Pooley
Narrated by: Karen Cass
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Summary

Like many women, Clare Pooley found the juggle of a stressful career and family life a struggle, so she left her successful role as a managing partner in one of the world's biggest advertising agencies to look after her family.

She knew the change wouldn't be easy, but she never expected to find herself an overweight, depressed, middle-aged mother of three who was drinking more than a bottle of wine a day and spending her evenings Googling 'am I an alcoholic?'

This book is the bravely honest story of a year in Clare's life. A year that started with her quitting booze and then being given the devastating diagnosis of breast cancer. By the end of the year she is booze-free and cancer-free, no longer has a wine belly and is two stone lighter and with a life that is so much richer, healthier and more rewarding than ever before. She has a happier family and a more positive outlook.

Sober Diaries is an upbeat, funny and positive look at how to live life to the full. Interwoven within Clare's own very personal and brilliantly comic story is research and advice as she discovers the answers to questions like:

  • How do I know if I'm drinking too much?
  • How will I cope at parties?
  • What do I say to friends and family?
  • How do I cope with cravings?
  • If I stop drinking, will I lose weight?
  • What if my partner still drinks?

And many more.

©2017 Clare Pooley (P)2017 Hodder & Stoughton Limited

What listeners say about The Sober Diaries

Average customer ratings
Overall
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  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    3 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars

Bit too Fulham for me!

I had just finished Catherine Gray s brilliant 'joy of being sober' and desperately wanted more so picked this. I enjoyed it to begin with but it soon became so grating! Chablis, Waitrose, My days in Cambridge, My friend s country party, boarding school tales... Ugh!
I'm sure it is tough being sober whoever you are and whatever your background but for me i wanted more stuff that I could relate to... Joy of 'hitting the slopes' with alcohol free apres ski, 3 weeks in Cornish house on the beach or Caribbean holidays as rewards are out of reach surely for most of us? I also cringed when she was so lucky to get an appointment with Mr Bigg, the cancer specialist, through a friend... This is privileged, very privileged and not for most of us...that actually made me cross and in no way connected... I don't suggest i wouldn't do the same in the same position(I'm not) however to share it with your readers is unfair... I think :(

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18 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Inspirational

this book will make you laugh (out loud!) and likely get you from the get go (it did me!) Clare has helped me start a new AF journey which is exciting and challenging all at once. I wouldn't have started without the help of Clare and her inspired story! if you want to cut down drinking, moderate, stop or just want a good book that will make you laugh at and feel good reading - get this. I found myself missing Clare and her family when I had finished and want to be her friend!!!

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16 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    2 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    1 out of 5 stars

I really couldn’t finish this book. Not for me.

I’m really sorry to be what appears to be the only person that couldn’t bare this book.
Initially I loved getting into Clare’s story and the narration really is excellent. But at points I felt like it was comparable to a Sophie Kinsella novel- extremely successful woman/ perfect life. Born into a wealthy life- had a good start in life, with great parents. Goes for nights out to the House or Lords, happy marriage, healthy children. Has nice holidays bla bla bla.

Essentially this nice lady is comfortable & freedom of movement (denied to people who broke and have no prospects) to make her own choices and has the support of her husband, who is a good man.

So I broke off from listening to this book with 5 hours to go, in tears. The penny dropped that I could no longer identify with this lady. Yes to a degree she is alcohol dependent, like so many of us. However I thought if she is struggling, what hope is there for me. Even worse, what hope is there for others trapped in worse life circumstances.

This book just wasn’t for me. A book that has been an absolute tonic is The Joy of being Sober by Catherine Gray. Although our lives are different she projects so much hope. I’ve stopped drinking and am accepting the change well. It’s not hard when you look at the bottles of booze as poison. I lost my mum 20 years too soon (according to research) because of her drinking habit and my sibling is a raging alcohol tumbling through chaotic hell- I couldn’t recommend this book to her, but I have found others more suitable.

Again great narration and great for yummy mums.

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14 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars
  • KS
  • 12-02-18

Enjoyed whilst reassessing my drinking habits

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

yes - I have recommended to friends. I like the perspective it gives on drinking

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

The moment when Clare's friend sent her the AA coin.

Any additional comments?

I unexpectedly enjoyed this book - going into it not really sure whether I had a problematic relationship with drinking and coming out of it completely reassessing my attitude towards it, particularly around my children and how it affects them. This book also manages to remain light hearted and not in the least bit preachy whilst hammering home a very serious message.

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12 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    2 out of 5 stars

Author is somewhat irritating

There is some interesting and entertaining material, however, the author comes across as egotistical with a strong sense of her own self importance. The long-suffering yummy mummy act swiftly wears thin.

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6 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    4 out of 5 stars

Enjoyable (but very yummy mummy)

A well written and brilliantly narrated book, which is very much in the self centred world of the middle class yummy mummy. If that is not your world, you may struggle to get as much out of the book as others clearly have. I did develop huge sympathy for the husband however.

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4 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Loved it!

This is a great book and really inspiring for anyone trying to give up the booze and become sober. It's really helped me in my own journey.

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4 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

A piece of gold

Immensely thought provoking nourishment, superbly written and narrated, I’m reading it again now, I feel this may just be what I need to terminate my deadly relationship with booze. Thank you Clare, Sobergirlone Soberistas xxx

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3 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Funny and empowering

This is a great start for anyone wanting to make a change. You don’t need to be at at home mum or even an alcoholic. It’s for anyone daunted by how life can sometimes overtake you during middle age and make you lose sight of yourself. It’s made me feel like change is possible and that I can take back control.

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3 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

A Book We Can All Relate To

What made the experience of listening to The Sober Diaries the most enjoyable?

The Sober Diaries are easy to listen to, informative, real life and the message is enhanced with appropriate humour.

What did you like best about this story?

Many books about going sober are written by self-proclaimed alcoholics that hit rock bottom.Claire's book is different, she was a 'normal' 3-6 large glasses of wine a day drinker, has a good career and family. Many of us can see ourselves as 'normal' drink too much imbibers and can relate to Claire's diary entries as they reflect ourselves. We are functional and never need a park bench, yet, we have an unhealthy relationship with the booze.

Have you listened to any of Karen Cass’s other performances? How does this one compare?

I have not listened to any other performances by Karen Cass. This performance is one of the best read audio books I have listened to.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

A moving part was Clare's cancer and not having a drink to numb things when told she had it. I had cancer and chemo over many months on two separate diagnosis a few years ago and I can relate what was going through her mind. She was so strong, it would have been easier to reach for the bottle as she had only been alcohol free for a few months at the time.

Any additional comments?

Although I drink alcohol, I have not had any since listening to The Sober Diaries. Perhaps I will ditch the booze permanently as it does not contribute anything to my life (I'm crazier at parties when not drinking as no one can point the finger and say 'he must have had a few!'

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3 people found this helpful