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

Sarah Levy wrote an honest introspection on drinking alcohol. What it means to her and as a society. Categorized as a memoir and social critique was spot on.

I've read a few memoirs about drinking and the spiral of being out of control, hitting rock bottom and finding God. This is very different as it's not preachy and it's incredibly relatable. She didn't find herself homeless without money. On the contrary, she comes from a good home and had a great education. She slips into work parties, meeting clients, and of course going out with friends that all involve alcohol. She points out that as a society these are acceptable invitations to have a drink. But for her it turned out as a way of coping that had serious consequences.

Sarah Levy dives deep into herself and shares her downs as well as the climb back up. I found this book inspiring and I think many readers will recognize a little of themselves in some of the drinking situations.

Thanks to NetGalley, Sarah Levy, and St. Martin's Press for an early arc.

As a sober-curious Gen Z, I was so excited to receive an advanced copy of Drinking Games! This book surpassed my basic expectations of sobriety discussions and talked about mother-daughter relationships, female friendships, and our tumultuous relationships with our own bodies and identities as women in our twenties. So many pages of this book really resonates with me, even though I don’t drink regularly by any means. It was just so fulfilling to see pieces of myself written here in the way she thinks about her mom, her friends, her partner, and her body. I’d really recommend this to just about any young millennial or Gen Z!

▪️REVIEW▪️

Drinking Games ~ Sarah Levy

🙏🏼 Thank you to @sarahllevy and @stmartinspress for this advanced copy!

▪️QUICK TAKE:
* Genre: memoir/social critique
* Pub date: January 3, 2023 (TODAY!)
* Pages: 286
* Gist: a real-deal look at millennial sobriety

Sarah Levy’s daily life in New York almost always included a drink - a work meeting over cocktails, Monday night wine with girlfriends watching the Bachelorette, or a first date cheers with a dirty martini. But Levy’s daily life was also becoming unmanageable and a refusal to “stop digging” towards rock bottom transformed her life, empowering her to use her experiences to spark a sober curiosity in others.

So I have been toying with this idea of sobriety for almost a year now making the timing for this one perfect. I was already open-minded to the relatable wisdom Levy has to impart on her readers so I embraced this full-on. However I don’t think the timing matters - I am certain her honest approach can pretty much be accepted by anyone on the drinking spectrum. The delivery here invites the reader into her life and let’s them think for themselves - she doesn’t claim to know it all, she just knows her own experience and that makes hers a credible commentary. I really, really loved this one - I think Sarah Levy is smart, brave, and I kinda wish she was my friend. An early contender for a top 2023 read for me.

I love this one. I think it’s a great look at our society’s issue with drinking. So many social activities revolve around drinking and drinking heavily and she addresses this. Her writing is superb and makes you feel like you’re talking to a friend. A well done memoir.

I love memoirs and since I decided to stop drinking I especially love drinking memoirs. It seems rare in today’s society for someone to choose sobriety and I love hearing stories of how others live a sober life since drinking is so enmeshed in our culture. Whether or not you have reached an unmanageable addiction to alcohol, everyone who consumes alcohol is consuming an addictive substance. Yet we shame those whose addiction causes harm to their life or others, even though we encourage everyone to start drinking this addictive substance at very young ages. It’s not a mystery why alcohol is destructive to some people, it’s just a matter of timing. Even if you never have an unhealthy relationship to alcohol, it is still poison to your brain and body, yet marketing would have you believe you could not live a normal life without it.

The author starts off with a disclaimer about how she doesn’t think alcohol is bad for everyone and if you can enjoy a drink without blacking out or having bad hangovers then you can continue what you’re doing. Yes, everyone acts differently with alcohol. But this author decided to place all of the blame on herself and none of it on alcohol itself. True, she couldn’t control her drinking to the point where she was consistently blacking out even when she didn’t want to, but she didn’t acknowledge the impossibility of her goal. Alcohol is addictive and the first area of the brain that is damaged when you start drinking is the decision making part of your brain, so it’s no wonder that after your first drink you forget your promise to only have one. Sure, this is harder for some people than others, and I do believe this is related to your motivations for drinking and how you manage your emotions. Some people may not have this problem and can happily have one drink and be finished. But that doesn’t mean alcohol is still harmless to them and only harmful to those that over-indulge.

I feel it’s difficult for me to tell my whole story with alcohol because people will hear that I used to blackout when I didn’t want to and assure themselves that I had to stop drinking because of my own problem. But after all I have learned since choosing to be sober I want to encourage them that even if their drinking is “normal”, alcohol is poisoning their bodies and minds and they could choose to live a fuller, healthier life by giving up alcohol, even if they don’t have a “problem”. I want their eyes to be opened to the facts around alcohol and the effects on humans swept under the rug by marketing campaigns and society’s expectations for what is a normal drinking habit or not. I don’t judge people for wanting to drink, not after it is encouraged for every stage of life, but I want people to see how they are being misled and then make their choice, and the language surrounding the “alcoholic” mask this reality. I’m sure taking all of the blame is a part of Levy’s recovery, but I wished for a different message.

That being said, I found Levy to be incredibly relatable and really enjoyed her writing style. Her memoir is made up of essays cataloguing her worst black outs, insecurities, and transition to sober life. At first I found her stories addicting, probably because I saw so much of myself in her. I also struggled with blacking out, and her stories felt like my own. I didn’t want to put this down. Other things were not as personally relatable to me, like her struggles with social media or dating, but I still enjoyed her essays. One of my favorites was her story about manifestation, I found this fascinating.

I also agreed with Levy when she speaks about the dangers of discounting twelve step meetings. I have also read the anti-patriarchal arguments about how twelve step meetings are harmful and unhelpful to women, and I also disagree. While this may not be the right size fits all approach for everyone, I do believe that twelve step meetings have helped many people, including many women, and to denounce them completely would be a mistake. Do there need to be other acceptable options for reaching sobriety? Absolutely. And anyone needing help in doing so should have a multitude of opportunities to try out. I think this is all Levy wants to portray: that if you are seeking help don’t be afraid to try to find it, you are not alone, and there are so many others like you.

The main message I would like to portray is that you don’t have to have a problem to quit drinking. It most likely doesn’t serve you, except for making you feel like you belong. Those hangovers are direct results of your body recovering from being poisoned, and you don’t ever have to feel horrible again if you don’t want to. Even if you don’t black out, you won’t ever have to cringe at something you did or said that you wish you hadn’t. And instead of numbing your experiences by buzzing down with alcohol, you could instead experience all that life has to offer with a clear mind and strong body. There was a time in your life when you were fun and had fun without drinking, and you can find that version of yourself again if you want to.

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for an ARC of this book.

DRINKING GAMES
Sarah Levy, Author and Narrator Memoir

This book explores the life of the author, a 23 year old alcoholic. It covers what it is like to become sober at a young age.

This book takes on the age old question of how young a person can become an alcoholic. It explores the process of what happens when a younger person questions whether they can really be an alcoholic. There are varying opinions on this subject matter and I love that she opens up to tell her story. I would definitely give this book a 5 out of 5 stars.