Sobering Thoughts, a memoir about the humor and horror of living with alcoholics. The effects of alcoholism in the family last more than a lifetime.

They are passed down to your children even if you, yourself, did not become an alcoholic. Family alcoholism can deeply affect your development, personality, and expectations for life.

More than any other wish I could wish, I wish and hope that my experiences and realizations will make you more aware of the beliefs and conclusions you have made about life, about your life, that have their origins in the disease of alcoholism. And, by opening to greater awareness you, too, will move toward healing and freedom.

In Sobering Thoughts, through illustrative stories from my family life, from recovering alcoholics, and from people traumatized by alcoholic behavior, I explore a path toward wholeness. Along the way, I found a funny-awful list of words related to drinking and drunkenness; smart people helped me explore U.

S. alcoholism by the numbers; I collected quotes from alcoholic writers and recovering addicts; and offered Al-Anon essays and other tales of redemption.

"I have ingested this memoir as one whole story–it is profoundly moving. Angel is a marvelous storyteller and a skilled wordcrafter.

The rhythm of her sentences carries me along. Her language is vivid, specific, full of flavor, image-rich.

This candid telling is the first memoir I’ve read about growing up as a child of alcoholics. The details, the repetitions of behaviors, the feelings and coping mechanisms…I love this book.

It is so, so brave. "—Leiah Bowden, artist and author of Amidah in the Pandemic: Received Blessings"Angel Booth has accomplished something remarkable with her new book Sober Thoughts: a memoir/alcoholism, family, courage and redemption.

By sharing with us the impact of growing up with an alcoholic mother, she has opened a window for us to look through to see what it’s like to suffer the paradox of living with alcoholism. She tells us … “My mother was one of the kindest people I have ever known, and she abandoned us all for her daily drinking.

She could be rational, cautious and caring, and she put us at risk many times because she was drunk…she was maddening to live with, yet we loved her. This is the crazy-making, human complexity of alcoholism.

”This book is a must read for anyone living with the difficulty of addiction, either personally or with loved ones. The book contains many references that can be followed for help and support.

"— Gary Sherman, Psychotherapist, teacher and author of Tales of a Committed Visitor: Living and Learning as Spirit in Form. "Reading about addiction as a disease had a great impact on me.

Angel’s compelling narrative, sensitive and insightful reflection, the close look at herself through what she experienced is inspiring, and helps me on my journey. Angel’s book has made a difference in my life and I am very grateful for learning through her experience.

"—Lynn Lowery, author of the memoir Southeast 37th Street"Exploring co-dependency, this memoir contains helpful, thought provoking considerations and guidance. My hand is itching for my pen and journal! I am inspired, awed and humbled by Angel’s story.

Vulnerably sharing her discoveries encourages me, and gives me permission to scratch in me what is covered with compost, my own vulnerability. I anticipate the turning of the soil.

"—Korie Shokmalli, RN, BA, Holistic Healer and Teacher. .