Dry January in Manchester Libraries – “Choose Books over Booze”
This January, Manchester Libraries have been working with researchers from Manchester Metropolitan University and local community organisations including Hinterland, Bee Sober and Sober Butterfly Collective as well as national organisations such as AA and Alcohol Change UK to support those having a break from drinking or exploring their relationship with alcohol.
We’ve expanded our collection of books, ebooks and eaudio books, with lots of new books focusing on health and well-being, with a particular focus on Quit Lit:
The #ChooseBooksOverBooze initiative was driven by emerging new research findings being carried out by Yvonne Norris (PhD Researcher), Health & Education Faculty, Manchester Metropolitan University. Katie Ponting, Service Development Specialist for Stock and Reader Development at Manchester Libraries has been supporting the project and ensuring that Manchester Libraries are able to focus on purchasing relevant and accessible books in this area.
What is quit lit?
Quit lit (short for quitting literature) is a growing collection of books and media that helps people think about and take steps to change their relationship with alcohol or other substances. It includes real-life stories, practical advice, and easy-to-understand information, as well as podcasts, blogs, videos, and guided activities. Quit Lit can support anyone who is taking a break from drinking, extending a dry period, or choosing to step into an alcohol-free life.
Why quit lit matters
Quit Lit matters because it offers people accessible, non-judgemental ways to reflect on their drinking and make informed choices about change. By reading the combined personal stories with practical insight, it helps reduce stigma, challenges long-held social norms around alcohol, and provides reassurance that questioning drinking is valid, shared and a positive step. From the early findings of my research and my own experience working in online sober communities, quit lit frequently acts as a gentle and supportive first step. For many people – especially those facing barriers to clinical support – it can offer space to reflect, question, and reassess their relationship with alcohol, with the potential to support initial moves towards an alcohol-free life.
The Temperance Movement: What Did #QuitLit Look Like 100 Years Ago?
On Tuesday 27th January we welcomed Dr Annemarie McAllister, expert and a leading scholar on the temperance movement, to talk about the origins of the temperance movement, highlighting local connections and the range of stories and publications associated with the movement. AnnMarie was joined by Yvonne Norris (Researcher, PhD, MMU), the team from Hinterland bar and representatives from local sober support organisations for a lively discussion about books, reading, well-being and communities.
Interested to know more?
You can find many of these books on the shelf in the Health section in City library or you can reserve books for collection at your branch. If you can’t get to one of our library locations, we have eBooks and eAudiobooks too that you can download to your phone or tablet from home. We’ve collated details of the print and electronic books and some useful resources on our library catalogue.
