I never could have turned down an opportunity to review a book called Drinking Diaries: Women Serve Their Stories Straight Up. Lord knows I have a few stories myself and I’ve seen a few stories unfold right before my eyes. I was even more curious when I found out that the book was based on a blog. Leah Odze Epstein and Caren Osten Gerszberg started the drinkingdiaries.com to allow women a safe place to talk about their experiences with alcohol. They found that many woman had a story. They wanted to start a non-judgmental place to share stories and now we have the book. Drinking Diaries is a collection of several women’s stories on alcohol. This encompasses much more than drinking. Before this book I never took the time to connect that even not drinking has to do with alcohol and a person’s relationship to it. I found this point of view fascinating.
Thoughts on the Drinking Diaries:
Honestly, I was amazed. Most of the time when people say they have a drinking story it’s either funny or tragic, in Drinking Diaries we get a much varied look at alcohol and woman. At first I found the book quite sad, and not what I was expecting. Then I was drawn in by the stories of the women that didn’t drink and how their lives had been shaped by alcohol. Whether it was wanting to save a man from himself or to not be like their own mother, these stories are so powerful. It truly proved to me that every woman does have a drinking story. Now don’t get me wrong their is some humor involved here as well, but all of these tales lead the reader into thought about their own relationship with drinking. As a mom of two that like a good glass or two of wine it made me more aware of where alcohol stands in my life.
Take a peek at this video to get a taste of Drinking Diaries:
I say pick up the Drinking Diaries for your book club and share it with your friends! This is one book you won’t have any trouble discussing.
Disclosure: I received a copy of this book to facilitate my review- all thoughts are my own.