“This book is about looking you dead in the eye and calling you out on your shit. Because once you’ve accepted the reality that your choices alone have led you here, that’s when you can actually start to change.”

“Don’t Call Me Sober, Call Me May” is fierce, brutally honest, and completely unapologetic in its message. May Tal doesn’t coddle in the least. Instead, she challenges you, holds up the mirror, and demands accountability. I loved how she ripped apart the traditional narratives we’ve been force-fed for years, especially the flawed foundations of AA and NA. She questions everything we’ve been told about addiction, powerlessness, and identity—and she does it with clarity, conviction, and lived experience.

This book is not just about sobriety. It’s about reclaiming your life on your own terms. It’s about stepping outside the limiting language of “forever broken” and choosing to heal in a way that actually makes sense. May’s perspective is refreshing, radical, and deeply human.

While I don’t personally struggle with sobriety, I have plenty of addicts in my life. May’s insights into accountability, healing, and the flawed narratives surrounding addiction gave me a powerful new perspective on what recovery can (and perhaps should) look like. This book is a feisty, no-sugarcoating eye-opener for anyone ready to rethink the way we talk about addiction. Huge thanks to May Tal, Scribe Media, and Houndstooth Press for the advance copy of this bold, wonderful read. Publishes June 24 2025.

As I write this, I have someone in recovery, and I figured this book would give me a new perspective on traditional resources provided to addicts. I'm honestly not sure I agree with Tal, but I appreciate the insight and bravery that comes with sharing a personal story—especially one that hasn't been written about much. Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC.

Challenging traditional addiction recovery models represents bold thinking in a field often resistant to innovation.