Blackout: Remembering the Things I Drank to Forget

This book is spot on. Different words, a few similar stories, friends and characters stolen from my own life story. Blackouts used to be my safe place, but now working to remember everything is where I feel safe although extremely uncomfortable. Thank you for writing the truth even while you continue to remember what that truth is.

Inspiring read for anyone who struggles with alcohol. This book will make you feel like you can walk away, and it will be really nice. I feel a new confidence after reading this and hope anyone who has a drinking problem or is wondering if they have a drinking problem or even just knows someone with a drinking problem picks this up.

I loved how I could relate with author about some of the things she wrote. I loved her descriptions & outlook drinking & sober. Wonderful read! It made me feel better knowing there are others out there struggling with these issues day in & day out.

I absolutely loved this book...the author's style and voice and ability to articulate her pain so perfectly. In many ways I resemble her and think that could have been my story. I am so glad she survived to tell the tale. Would love to know "the rest of the story".

I just finished this book and cannot say enough about how amazing it was. I related to everything she wrote about, even though our stories are completely different. The book is easy to read and made me want to take off work to finish it!

I really loved this book. It really describes the highs and lows of alcoholism. Some brilliantly funny but scary and horrifying situations make this book a great read while providing hope for those who have suffered or are suffering. Thank you Sarah Hepola!!

All I can say is EXCELLENT.....

She has been there and done that. One of my favorite autobiographies on the topic of alcoholism. She is extremely honest and paints a vivid picture of recovery.

Would highly recommend

Pretty darn accurate. While I didn't find myself in bed with people I didn't know, I did stop drinking many years ago for good reason. The described reactions of "friends" was right on. Glad she has found a different way to live, it does get better and maybe a little easier.

This book is thoughtful, super relatable and touching while still being a fun read. Highly recommend. I flew through this book because I couldn't stop! If this is a struggle you relate to, it will change your life. And if this is a struggle that is alien to you, it will open your eyes to what somebody around you is likely experiencing. This is an important thing to talk about!

The best memoir of alcoholism and recovery I have ever read. At the end of the book I wanted to be her friend. It is so refreshing to see such honesty, vulnerability mixed with HUMOR. This book will help a lot of people struggling with alcoholism to realize that you still CAN have fun and be witty while in recovery. Thank you Sarah for a fresh, humorous, and hopeful story of recovery while still acknowledging the seriously deadly and very scary disease of alcoholism.

This book was very well written and informative. The author's wit and brutal honesty were refreshing. It's impossible to perfectly understand another person's struggle but this book really helps the reader appreciate the challenges and frustrations of the author, while managing to be entertaining (without ever degrading the importance of the lessons learned). Excellent read.

Having just celebrated a year sober (yeah me!) I enjoyed this book. Since getting sober I have reviewed many books like this. I have seen people compare it to Drinking by Caroline Knapp but really the only similarity in my opinion is that they were both women in their 30s when they quit. I related to Sarah a lot - from her escapades to her eating disorder to her figuring out it was time to quit drinking and the pros and cons on AA. She doesnt preach AA which I like. Some authors act like if you dont do AA, you won't possibly be successful. This was a good and entertaining read and also sheds light on the ever troubling blackout. It is nice to always remember my days and nights now. I would highly recommend this book.

Very well written. It's amazing how she survived the things she did while blacked out. A cautionary tale to anyone who drinks extreme amounts but thinks s/he doesn't have a problem. The rationalizations she used really caught my attention.

It was an intriguing book. I never realized until I read this book that I probably had 2 blackouts in my early 20's. But now, I'm approaching 60 years old and never have had one since. Ms. Hepola is a great writer.

This book will scare you straight. How someone could function at work and be a full blown alcoholic is mysterious to me. I have one drink in the evening and I can't get up in the morning. This lady started drinking as a child and is the true definition of an alcoholic. I admire her for stopping after 20 years of heavy drinking. Her story is humorous and sad at the same time. All that lost time...

Whatever your vice, the entertaining yet raw and honest voice that comes through in this book has it all right. Lives are complicated, but can also be beautiful if we learn to let ourselves live truthfully and feel our own feelings, whatever they may be.

Sarah Hepola's analysis of her experience with alcohol and its effect on her development as a woman, on her body, her mind, and sex has created a story that many women can relate to. She is deeply honest and you can't help but empathize with her struggles. An empowering book that you'll want to share.

I learned about a whole different world from the one I know. I didn't understand much about alcoholism, and didn't realize what a blackout was. Seeing life through the eyes of the main character was fascinating.

I bought this book after hearing her interview on NPR one night after work. Her writing style is blunt and hilarious. I've already suggested it to many people, 2 of which who bought it and have read it already and thoroughly enjoyed it.

As a fellow sober Texan who loves music and moved to New York City, this book was incredibly relatable. Hepola describes her drinking and detoxing in such a vivid way. She's open about personal insecurities, mental health, and the fact that sometimes sobriety just sucks.

Thank you for writing this grounded book on recovery.

Excellent book. For anyone that is affected by alcohol either personally or from a family member this book is a refreshing (and often hilarious) look at one woman's realization that things needed to change, and had the courage and grit to actually make it happen. Inspiring and well-written.

A fascinating insight, delivered with clarity and pace. Funny, sad, witty, intelligent, reassuring and uplifting. Credit to the author on her absorbing and honest rollercoaster story of a struggle for survival, told with courage and a gift for observation of the human psyche.

Wow!!! This was a great story of recovery. I felt like I was looking in the mirror at times- what a powerful statement just when we need it the most. Many people suffering from addiction or if someone in your life is this is a great starting point. Funny but not morose- I bought and read this book on my own- scouts honor

Amazing read, felt like I could really relate to many of the things Sarah did. I grew up in the same generation so it hit close to home. I'm sure I will be reading it again on my sobriety journey. I loved her honesty.

This was startling at times in its frankness, but a must read for anyone that has dealt with an alcoholic or addict in their lives. Kudos for an honest look at this terrible disease. Sarah is an excellent writer. Several times I felt like I was there along with her and I am glad she made it to the sober side.

very well written, a true story of the effects of drinking addiction ! This woman is a gifted author. She tells her story of the negative effects of her addiction without pity and how she decided to regain her life without drinks. Splendid

I loved this book. I was astonished at the author's complete honesty. It is not preachy nor self-indulgent. Just honest about her love/hate relationship with alcohol. It is witty, honest and, at times, downright funny. Enjoy.

The author is brutally honest about her struggles with drinking, as well as how she fought to really accept herself while she was drinking.
It is an eye opening memoir which will be of interest to those who still struggle with alcohol, as well as their families and friends .

What an AWESOME book! Very insightful and very well written. Made me laugh out loud many times. So funny! Was sad when the book ended. I really loved it and highly recommend it, especially for anyone in recovery.

I'm a former drinker. And I loooooove reading drinking memoirs. Caroline Knapps' 'Drinking: A Love Story' and Augusten Burrough's 'Dry' are classics - but this one? This one is special. This may be my favorite. What an extraordinary, talented writer. I love her style and I love her story - I was THAT girl, too. This is my story too. And I'm so grateful she wrote it.

I finished this within less than a day, after reading Sarah Hepola's articles for Jezebel "Ask a Former Drunk" a few times since they were published last year. I cried through a good portion of it, because the author's vulnerability and honesty about her experiences resonated so deeply. It never came across as preachy.

This was a very entertaining read. There was more to it as far as self discovery than just drinking. I really respect writers that can be raw and honest even when the image is not very attractive. But beware....this could lead to some serious self reflection....Are you ready?