A review by hanelliott7
Quit Like a Woman: The Radical Choice to Not Drink in a Culture Obsessed with Alcohol by Holly Whitaker

challenging hopeful informative inspiring reflective medium-paced

3.25

Though I found parts of the authors experience incredibly powerful and insightful and the information shared in the first half of the book engaging and eye opening, the latter half of the book falls apart with a lot of “do this because it worked for me” sort of recommendations such as drinking hot lemon water, doing yoga, and many references to traveling to Italy (which we can all definitely afford and do at a moments notice). I think overall this book provides great insight to the history and insidious nature of alcohol culture but the #girlboss theme throughout the book mixed with some critique on the editing/writing style left me skimming the last half. It felt like someone edited in “social justice disclaimers” and notes after the book was written including the last chapter on how much of an activist the author is (but then also makes the claim that Gandhi was “addicted to his cause?). The author also leans hard into shock value from sharing explicit details of her story to randomly talking about her sex life or other trauma with little warning or care. There is a sharp turn at the half way mark that goes from powerfully connecting her experience with research and history to feeling like you’re watching a morning routine video on YouTube sponsored by her recovery program. Recommend for those interested in the topic of living alcohol free but know what you’re in for. 
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