Review: Sober Stick Figure

Amber Tozer grew up in an environment where alcohol was readily available – several relatives “drink too much” and her mother owned a bar – and had her first drink when she was seven years old.  She worked hard in high school but started binge drinking.  Still, it seemed she had things under control.  After college, she headed to New York on her own and started drinking in earnest.  She blacked out often but still managed to work.  She discovered the comedy scene and got hooked, eventually moving to Los Angeles to pursue that career.  It was there that she hit rock bottom and realized she had to do something.

Tozer shares her story of alcoholism and recovery in her memoir, Sober Stick Figure.  She is frank and honest and doesn’t mince words.  I found her writing engaging and was fascinated by her story even when it made me cringe.

Sprinkled throughout the book are crude drawings that, for me, were unnecessary.  Tozer’s got quite a story and I don’t think it needs the gimmick of the drawings to sell it.

Pick this book up if you enjoy memoirs and/or great human stories.

Review copy provided by Running Press.  I am an Indiebound Affiliate.