With the cold weather coming, or maybe even already engulfing your local environment, it’s important to remember how much we can get a sense of warmth and a side of smiles with a yummy beverage. In addition, autumn brings with it some of the year’s favorite flavors, whether it’s pumpkin, chocolate, nutmeg, or just that classic roasted malt you have come to expect from your favorite brewery’s seasonal offering. With all that in mind, now is a great time to stock up on some of the best NA beers this season offers, and here they are!

“The Unexpected Joy of Being Sober” by Catherine Gray profoundly impacted my sober journey. It was not just a book for me; it was a roadmap filled with insights, wisdom, and unexpected joys that transformed my perspective on a life sans alcohol. 

Gray’s narrative is a compelling blend of personal experience and insightful reflection. She takes readers through her own struggles with alcohol, the societal pressures surrounding drinking, and the liberating journey to sobriety. What sets this book apart is Gray’s honest and relatable voice. She doesn’t sugarcoat the challenges but presents them with vulnerability and authenticity, making her story deeply resonant for anyone facing similar battles. 

“Substance,” starring Demi Moore, is a cinematic exploration that beckons our attention to the intricate and often harrowing journey of aging as a woman in a beauty-obsessed society. Directed with an acute sense of psychological tension, it strikes many chords—particularly for those who have navigated the turbulent waters of self-worth, superficiality, and societal expectations.

After many years of living a sober lifestyle, I have grown tired of how addiction gets played out stereotypically on our big screens. Please don’t be another sad show that throws shade at 12-step rooms and minimizes the work and rewards after putting the bottle down. I fell in love with this new series within the first handful of scenes, cheering the words “FINALLY” loud enough to startle my now snoring pups.

I want to be a girls’ girl about this. I really do.

When Chrissy Teigen announced she’s 52 days sober again (Read about it here on Page Six), I wanted to be nothing but supportive. That’s the right thing to do, right? Here’s a woman in the public eye being vulnerable about relapse, about the seductive lie of “mindful drinking,” about starting over. That takes guts. And I know there are women out there who will see her story and feel less alone.

But I’m annoyed. And I’m being honest about that because honesty is kind of my whole thing as a woman in long-term recovery. (Also note, I don’t do it perfectly, so step back, haters.)