Sobriety starts as survival. It starts with a decision to stop hurting ourselves in the same old ways. But over time, it becomes something deeper — something sacred. The longer we’re sober, the more we realize this isn’t just about saying no to a drink. It’s about saying yes to a fuller, truer, more connected life.
At some point, recovery becomes a spiritual practice. Not necessarily religious, but deeply rooted in what makes us feel most alive. It’s the quiet that settles in after a hard cry, the moment your breath catches at the sound of rain, the way a line of poetry can knock the wind out of you because it feels like prayer. That’s the kind of spirituality that sustains sobriety. One that reminds us there’s something larger and kinder at work, even when the world feels loud and unsteady.
If you’re looking to tend that spiritual part of your recovery, here are a few books that have walked with me:
- Salt + Honey by Isabel Abbott — a raw, poetic exploration of embodiment, grief, and desire as sacred.
- Sober Spirituality: The Joy of a Mindful Relationship with Alcohol by Erin Jean Warde — gentle guidance on healing the soul beneath addiction.
- Anam Cara by John O’Donohue — Celtic wisdom on friendship, belonging, and the holiness of everyday life.
- Braiding Sweetgrass by Robin Wall Kimmerer — a love letter to reciprocity and the intelligence of the natural world.
- If Women Rose Rooted by Sharon Blackie — a reclaiming of myth, wildness, and feminine power.
- This Here Flesh: Spirituality, Liberation, and the Stories That Make Us by Cole Arthur Riley — a lyrical meditation on memory, justice, and the sacred stories carried in our bodies.
- The Universal Christ: How a Forgotten Reality Can Change Everything We See, Hope For and Believe by Richard Rohr — a spacious view of God’s presence in all things.
- Devotions by Mary Oliver — because poetry counts as prayer.
- How to Love the World edited by James Crews — poems that open the heart right when you need it most.
- The Body Is Not an Apology : The Radical Power of Self Love by Sonya Renee Taylor — radical self-love as a spiritual and political path to liberation.
- All About Love by bell hooks — a gospel of love as the ground of healing, justice, and transformation.
These books are companions for the days when you need a reminder that recovery isn’t just about staying sober. It’s about becoming more alive, more tender, more yourself.
THIRSTY FOR WONDER: at The Sober Curator, led by Anne Marie Cribben—a passionate recovery coach and spiritual companion based in Washington, DC—offers 1:1 coaching, spiritual guidance, and recovery support rooted in compassion and empowerment. As the creator of The Wellspring: A Celtic Recovery Journey, Anne Marie blends the Celtic calendar with sobriety, connecting participants to ancient wisdom and the rhythms of nature.
A fierce advocate for sobriety as liberation and self-love, she challenges the targeted marketing of alcohol to women and champions authentic, joyful living. Her work goes beyond addiction recovery, fostering a life of vibrancy, purpose, and connection.
TSC LIBRARY: Welcome to The Sober Curator Library! We don’t just read books; we immerse ourselves in literary journeys, tune in on Audible, and craft insightful reviews. Our digital shelves are organized into four genres: #QUITLIT, Addiction Fiction, Self-Help, and NA Recipe Books.
A Disco Ball is Hundreds of Pieces of Broken Glass, Put Together to Make a Magical Ball of Light. You are NOT Broken, Friend. You are a DISCO BALL!
Resources Are Available
If you or someone you know is experiencing difficulties surrounding alcoholism, addiction, or mental illness, please reach out and ask for help. People everywhere can and want to help; you just have to know where to look. And continue to look until you find what works for you. Click here for a list of regional and national resources.
