Scan barcode
aecinf's review against another edition
3.0
I read this book for Sober October. It comes off as a beach-read, a memoir of a high-power hard-working woman who becomes addicted to alcohol and cocaine. Little attention is paid to her actual sobriety. Rather, most of the book recounts the decline leading up to her conversion.
stephaniexpink's review
5.0
this book really resonates with me-authentic, honest and relatable. it really highlights the diversity of addiction as well as the complexity of it
rachelellyn's review against another edition
5.0
Having come from a family with alcoholics, this was a fascinating look into an addict's life and recovery process from inside their head.
racheldiskin's review against another edition
Reread for my 5 year soberversary đź’—
stephanie_turner1983's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
fast-paced
5.0
bookslifeandeverythingnice's review against another edition
4.0
I received this book for free through Goodreads Giveaways. As always, an honest review.
Girl Walks Out of a Bar by Lisa F. Smith is a memoir about the author’s addiction to drugs and alcohol. It’s a cautionary tale not unlike many other addiction books out there. What sets this book apart is the author’s insight and intelligence about her life with and without drinking. The book starts off with her admitting she has a problem with drugs and alcohol, and needs help. It’s a very bold choice to start with this. The book takes us through her detox and day to day struggle to stay sober. Soon the book jumps back to the author’s childhood to help show how and why she was predisposed to abusing substances. I really appreciated that she discussed the root of her issues, why she started drinking, and then continued to abuse substances for so long. I found her writing very insightful and articulate. I always appreciate very insightful and self reflective memoirs. The novel then moves along to her years of substance abuse. She brought to light the issue of addiction in powerful working women without becoming too preachy or overbearing. I liked that her struggles with addiction aren’t sugar coated. They’re very raw and real to the point of making the reader a little bit uncomfortable, but also at the same time understanding the reason for being so blunt and honest. I thought the book went too quickly through the recovery process, and the process through which she figured out how to stay sober. I thought it would be interesting to hear more of her insight on this process. Overall, I really enjoyed Girl Walks Out of a Bar with it’s cautionary tale, brave choices, and wonderful insight into this woman’s struggles with substance abuse and never feeling good enough. I highly recommend this memoir, and I hope the author writes more novels in the future.
Girl Walks Out of a Bar by Lisa F. Smith is a memoir about the author’s addiction to drugs and alcohol. It’s a cautionary tale not unlike many other addiction books out there. What sets this book apart is the author’s insight and intelligence about her life with and without drinking. The book starts off with her admitting she has a problem with drugs and alcohol, and needs help. It’s a very bold choice to start with this. The book takes us through her detox and day to day struggle to stay sober. Soon the book jumps back to the author’s childhood to help show how and why she was predisposed to abusing substances. I really appreciated that she discussed the root of her issues, why she started drinking, and then continued to abuse substances for so long. I found her writing very insightful and articulate. I always appreciate very insightful and self reflective memoirs. The novel then moves along to her years of substance abuse. She brought to light the issue of addiction in powerful working women without becoming too preachy or overbearing. I liked that her struggles with addiction aren’t sugar coated. They’re very raw and real to the point of making the reader a little bit uncomfortable, but also at the same time understanding the reason for being so blunt and honest. I thought the book went too quickly through the recovery process, and the process through which she figured out how to stay sober. I thought it would be interesting to hear more of her insight on this process. Overall, I really enjoyed Girl Walks Out of a Bar with it’s cautionary tale, brave choices, and wonderful insight into this woman’s struggles with substance abuse and never feeling good enough. I highly recommend this memoir, and I hope the author writes more novels in the future.
dlrcope's review against another edition
4.0
Extra points for the courage it took to be so honest. I think this book will help others who have walked this path, and that’s huge.
hitbooksnotgirlz's review against another edition
5.0
This was an in-depth look into the life and mind of a high functioning alcoholic and drug user. Someone who drinks first thing in the morning, and spends the entire work day waiting for her next drink. It detailed the lengths she went to in order to hide her addiction from her family, friends, and coworkers, and the depression and sense of self hatred that got her started in the first place. It was sad, heartfelt, eye opening and inspiring. It reminded me exactly why I chose sobriety, and why I always, always will.
ashleyholstrom's review against another edition
4.0
Lisa Smith lived a lovely life in the city, rocking it as a lawyer at a prestigious law firm. And then alcohol and cocaine barged in. Girl Walks Out of a Bar is Smith’s whole life through the lens of alcoholism: her insecurity as a teen, her anxiety as a young adult, her stress from a heavy workload as an adult. It all leads up to the day she realized puking and shitting blood was not normal and she checked herself into a detox facility. But the recovery process was terrifying: Was she going to lose all her friends, who gathered at bars? What would she do with all the free time no longer spent with booze?
From 11 Gripping Books about Alcoholism and Recovery at Book Riot.
From 11 Gripping Books about Alcoholism and Recovery at Book Riot.