The Read to Recovery collection is discreetly located on the second floor of the library within “the stacks" to provide our community with low-barrier access to recovery resources and harm reduction.
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The Plain Language Big Book has been written to present the original ideas and same spiritual message of the Big Book, Alcoholics Anonymous in simpler language.
Out of stock. Karen Casey's daily meditation books have guided millions through their recovery and their daily lives, providing serenity and a happier more peaceful life. She has written eloquently about almost every facet of recovery and how to live a sober, balanced life by trying to live in the present, one day at a time. Peace a Day at a Time offers a meditation for every day of the year, opening with a quote and following with a brief essay and a takeaway message.
The “Twelve and Twelve” contains 12 essays by Bill W. that expand upon each of the Steps — the A.A. program of recovery — with helpful examples and personal insights, and another 12 that explain how the Traditions protect the unity of Alcoholics Anonymous. Originally published in Grapevine in 1952, Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions is used today by A.A. members and groups worldwide.
Available as eBook and eAudiobook on Hoopla
Known as the "Big Book," the basic text of Alcoholics Anonymous has helped millions of people recover from alcoholism since the first edition appeared in 1939. Chapters describing the A.A. recovery program — the original Twelve Steps — and the personal histories of A.A.'s co-founders remain unchanged since the original, while new stories have been added to the personal histories with each edition.
Available as eBook and eAudiobook on Hoopla
This practical booklet demonstrates through simple examples how A.A. members throughout the world live and stay away from that "first drink" one day at a time. Covers topics such as attending events where alcohol is served, relationships in sobriety and much more.
Available as eBook and eAudiobook on Hoopla
After a loved one dies, each day can be a struggle. But each day, you can also find comfort and understanding in this daily companion. With one brief entry for every day of the calendar year, this little book by beloved grief counselor Dr. Alan Wolfelt offers small, one-day-at-a-time doses of guidance and healing. Each entry includes an inspiring or soothing quote followed by a short discussion of the day’s theme. This compassionate gem of a book will accompany you.
This gentle and profound collection of 365 meditations reminds us that letting go is a daily practice that sets everything free, from the author of Codependent No More.
These Twelve Steps, adapted nearly word-for-word from the Twelve Steps of Alcoholics Anonymous, have been a tool for spiritual growth for millions of Al‑Anon/Alateen members. At meetings, Al‑Anon/Alateen members share with each other the personal lessons they have learned from practicing from these Steps.
Nar-Anon members share their experience, strength and hope in writing. This daily reader carries the message of Nar-Anon recovery to those who suffer the effects of another’s addiction.
The ACA Fellowship Text (commonly referred to as the Big Red Book or BRB) is a meeting book, Steps book, Traditions book, workbook, and group guide. The ACA Fellowship Text was anonymously written by ACA members and provides guidance on working the 12 Step ACA program leading to recovery from the effects of growing up in an alcoholic or otherwise dysfunctional family. ACA WSO has adapted AA's Steps (with permission from AA) to address the effects of childhood trauma and neglect, and offer hope to ACAs worldwide.
Basic introductory book for teens affected by someone else's drinking. Easy‑to‑understand explanation of alcoholism and the Alateen program.
The classic guide for dealing with grief and loss. Daily reflections to find solace in our own lives, and comfort in the connection of sharing these meditations with countless others.
A guidebook and emotional companion, this self-love workbook helps you explore any thought, question, or feeling you may have about suicide. And with personal stories and global resources to use, you can be connected with a community that experiences the same emotions and thoughts as you do. So instead of being alone in your healing journey, you can overcome any crisis by connecting with the support and affirmations you deserve
Hey, Kiddo is a profoundly important memoir about growing up in a family grappling with addiction, and finding the art that helps you survive.
Available as eBook and eAudiobook on Hoopla
Melody Beattie’s compassionate and insightful look into codependency—the concept of losing oneself in the name of helping another— has helped millions of readers understand that they are powerless to change anyone but themselves and that caring for the self is where healing begin
Many in recovery turn to the Twelve Steps to overcome their addictions, but struggle with the spiritual program. But what they might not realize is that Buddhist teachings are intrinsically intertwined with the lessons of the Twelve Steps, and offer time-tested methods for addressing the challenges of sobriety.
Get Your Loved One Sober describes this multi-faceted program that uses supportive, non-confrontational methods to engage substance abusers into treatment. Called Community Reinforcement and Family Training (CRAFT), the program uses scientifically validated behavioral principles to reduce the loved one's substance use and to encourage him or her to seek treatment. Equally important, CRAFT also helps loved ones reduce personal stress and introduce meaningful, new sources of satisfaction into their life.
Out of stock. A revolutionary guide to trauma recovery through healing your nervous system from a renowned Somatic Experiencing Practitioner
Out of stock. A collection of readings that moves through the calendar year one day at a time: A.A. members reflect on favorite quotations from the literature of Alcoholics Anonymous. The volume focuses on all Three Legacies of Recovery, Unity and Service.
Available as eBook and audiobook on Hoopla. Also available in Spanish.
An essential recovery tool for compulsive gamblers, this book offers hope, support, and guidance. Addressing the issues and fears facing compulsive gamblers in recovery, these books remind readers of progress made and work yet to be done.
Trauma and Recovery is revered as the seminal text on understanding trauma survivors. By placing individual experience in a broader political frame, Harvard psychiatrist Judith Herman argues that psychological trauma is inseparable from its social and political context. Drawing on her own research on incest, as well as a vast literature on combat veterans and victims of political terror, she shows surprising parallels between private horrors like child abuse and public horrors like war.
Out of stock. Designed for people affected by the addictive behavior of a loved one, this 138 page Handbook contains 14 sections with a wide range of topics including: Change and Motivation, Positive Communication, Healthy Boundaries, Safety and Support, Coping with Lapses, Disable the Enabling, Trust and Forgiveness – and much more. It can be used in conjunction with attendance at SMART Family & Friends (F&F) online or community meetings, or on its own.
This book offers strength, practical advice and an aid in grief recovery for parents and families, gleaned not only from personal experiences but also from meeting with many parents through their out-reach program,"G.R.A.S.P."(Grief Recovery After Substance Passing)
Out of stock. This book is about mutual aid: why it is so important, what it looks like, and how to do it. It provides a grassroots theory of mutual aid, describes how mutual aid is a crucial part of powerful movements for social justice, and offers concrete tools for organizing, such as how to work in groups, how to foster a collective decision-making process, how to prevent and address conflict, and how to deal with burnout.
Out of stock. The definitive, paradigm-shifting guide to healing intergenerational trauma—weaving together scientific research with practical exercises and stories from the therapy room—from Dr. Mariel Buqué, PhD, a Columbia University–trained trauma-informed psychologist and practitioner of holistic healing
Loss is always hard, but when someone you love dies of an accidental drug overdose, the grief that follows can be especially painful and challenging. Readers will learn ideas for coping in the early days after the tragic death, as well as ways to transcend the stigma associated with overdose deaths.
NA's primary book of recovery containing “Our Program” explaining the NA Fellowship and “Our Members Share” that includes personal stories from members worldwide
This anthology contains 56 stories retired from the first three editions of the Big Book of Alcoholics Anonymous.
Available as eBook on Hoopla. Also available in Spanish and French.
The book’s diverse essays emphasize each writer’s journey to recovery, providing hope for individuals suffering with an eating disorder and their loved ones. In addition to these highly personal, vulnerable essays, the book includes informative sections with insights from mental health professionals on topics such as how families can help loved ones affected by eating disorders and males with eating disorders.
This guide will help you with such tools as: How to react when your child has been using substances and when he has NOT been using; How to utilize your support network as effectively as possible; Getting more of what you want to see from your spouse and less of what you don't; How to talk to your partner so that you are more likely to be heard; How to take care of yourself all along the way.
This guide will help you with such tools as: How to react when your child has been using substances and when he has NOT been using; How to co-parent and collaborate as effectively and smoothly as possible; Getting more of what you want to see from your child and less of what you don't; How to talk to your child so that you are more likely to be heard; How to take care of yourself all along the way
The Invisible String offers a very simple approach to overcoming loneliness, separation, or loss with an imaginative twist that children easily understand and embrace, and delivers a particularly compelling message in today's uncertain times.
NA It Works How and Why interprets the principles of recovery used by Narcotics Anonymous. Twenty-four chapters offer insight on each Step and Tradition.
Narcotics Anonymous Step Working Guides are meant to be used by NA members at any stage of recovery, whether it's the first time through the steps, or whether they have been a guiding force for many years. This book is intentionally written to be relevant to newcomers and to help more experienced members develop a deeper understanding of the Twelve Steps.
Out of stock. The SMART Recovery Handbook will provide you with a number of tools and ideas to help you toward your ultimate goal of recovery from addictive behaviors.
Written in simple, straight-forward language, the SMART Recovery Handbook also offers exercises, techniques and strategies to help you with drinking and substance-abuse addictive behaviors (including smoking) as well as behavioral issues including compulsive gambling or sexual activity, self-harm, and eating disorders.
Out of stock. Our earliest experiences shape our lives far down the road, and What Happened to You? provides powerful scientific and emotional insights into the behavioral patterns so many of us struggle to understand.
Out of stock. A pioneering researcher transforms our understanding of trauma and offers a bold new paradigm for healing.
Out of stock. In Co-Dependents Anonymous, members apply the 12 Step principles to their daily lives, so it's not surprising that the book Co-Dependents Anonymous follows a format similar to that of the ""Big Book"" of Alcoholics Anonymous. The stories and principles it contains are uniquely pertinent to anyone coping with codependency and searching for freedom and peace.
Out of stock. Growing Up in CoDA offers a way of understanding our codependency by exploring, accepting, and healing our childhood injuries and losses. By applying the tools of our program, with a new emphasis on inner child work and reparenting, we can grow up emotionally and spiritually, become who we were intended to be, have honest and fulfilling relationships, and live more joyful lives. Includes exercises in each chapter and emotional growth stories from our Fellowship.
Out of stock. 2023 marks the twentieth anniversary of CoDA’s original workbook, our guide for in-depth study of our Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions. The Fourth Consolidated Edition has been expanded and updated with new understanding of the CoDA program of recovery. It includes a description of each step and tradition, its prayer, and a list of study questions. The book can be used by individuals with their sponsor or co-sponsor, in CoDA meetings, and in study groups.
Out of stock. Has a meditation for each day of the year, written by codependents for codependents.
Out of stock - check back soon! This handbook can be used to provide programming in many settings, from reentry programs to recovery residences to educational settings. It is also an accessible workbook for an individual to use in their own self-management journey.
Out of stock. Finding the spark that makes our recovery an ongoing, rewarding, and exciting journey requires active change in our ideas and attitudes. For many of us, this is a shift from desperation to passion." Clean Living is meant to be useful at any stage of recovery, whether it's the first introduction to being clean, or whether Narcotics Anonymous has been a guiding force for many years. This book is intentionally written to be relevant to newcomers and to help more experienced members develop a deeper understanding of personal transformation.
Out of stock. A daily meditation book where each page highlights a spiritual principle with a quotation from NA literature. The excerpt is followed by a reading on the principle and a reflection for the day.
Out of stock. Discover an empowering new way of understanding your multifaceted mind―and healing the many parts that make you who you are.
Out of stock. More daily inspiration from a fresh, diverse perspective. Insightful reflections reveal surprisingly simple things that can transform lives.
Out of stock. Offers a daily recovery principle, topic, NA literature quote, and closing affirmation
Out of stock. When Someone You Love Has Died validates your child's observations and feelings, while also providing strategies to support their ability to cope and to grieve. At the end of the book is a special "Note to Parents" section that helps guide caregivers through these difficult conversations and experiences they may face with their child after a loved one has died.
Mini Read to Recovery collection now accessible in the Henry St. vestibule.
Did you know you can access many of the titles in the Read to Recovery collection on Hoopla? Browse the eBook or audiobook self-help collections. Or access complete list of Alcoholics Anonymous titles.
Mobile Naloxone stand offering 24/7 access to harm reduction. Located outside the Putnam St. entrance of library. Provided by the Saratoga County Health Department.
With gratitude,
Emily Martin, emartin@sals.edu
Mary Ratzer, mratzer@sals.edu
In May 2024, the Saratoga Springs Public Library (SSPL) launched Read to Recovery, a collection that was inspired by the success of a trial project in San Francisco Public Library.
The collection now includes 50+ titles with a limited number available in CD audiobook, large print, braille, American Sign Language (DVD), Spanish, Ukrainian, French, Chinese, and Korean. Topics include 12 step programs (Alcoholics Anonymous, Narcotics Anonymous, Gamblers Anonymous, SMART Recovery, Co-Dependents Anonymous), family resources (Adult Children of Alcoholics, Alanon, Alateen), grief support, spirituality, disordered eating, and trauma recovery. Access to harm reduction and information for local recovery resources, housing, healthcare, crisis support, and suicide prevention is also available.
As of October 2025, Read with Recovery has given away over 1,000+ books!
Read to Recovery would not have been possible without the support of our sponsors!
