The literature

Ruhig · Senior Member

The literature

Neophyte · Senior Member

12&12 by far. I only read the bb if I don't hit a meeting, and feel I need one. Other than that I have my 12&12 next to my step work and living sober in my car.

Tanin · MIP Old Timer

If I can pick only one, it'd be the 12&12. It is the best resource on the 12 steps. Written to "broaden and deepen" our understanding of the steps, after more than 12 years of experience in newly formed AA, using the newly writtten steps in the BB. It is indispensible to working the steps. And it has the same level of extensive explanation for the 12 Traditions -- which are crucial to the viability of AA. Very simply put: no Traditions, no AA.

Stepchild · MIP Old Timer

Big Book...That's my Bible.

Col · MIP Old Timer

For me? The Big Book.. Definetly

Mr_David · MIP Old Timer

Ruhig wrote:
There are a few main books mentioned repeatedly in the meetings. And ofcourse pamphlets. So, what's your favorite? Your go to? Mine is living sober. Love that book.

"Living Sober" is a great book, so is "As Bill Sees it." My standard go to book would have to be the "12&12", though. The essays were brilliantly written, in my opinion. I also like "24 Hours a Day" or "The Little Black Book", whichever you choose. "Came to Believe" and "The Big Book" are two of my favorites as well. I hope this helps.

Pythonpappy · MIP Old Timer

Sorry, ... I don't have a favorite 'go-to' book ... ...

I have several that are sitting right in front of me as I type this, can't do without them ... for me ... they work together to reveal to me the 'whole picture' ... Just one book doesn't do it for me ...

(Bible, AA Big Book, 12X12, The Shack) (I have many others that are valuable, but these are indispensable)

odat · Senior Member

Well, I basically study and practice AA literature in the order and the way they were intended.

First is of course the Big Book. I have never felt God in any book before like I do in that beautiful God-given masterpiece.

I also study & practice the 12 & 12.

I look at Daily Reflections every day, too.

I also use an Alanon daily meditation book every day.

Stepchild · MIP Old Timer

odat wrote:
First is of course the Big Book. I have never felt God in any book before like I do in that beautiful God-given masterpiece.

Well said....I couldn't agree more.

Db1105 · Senior Member

The Big Book and The Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions. My non AA favorite is the Twenty Four Hour a Day Book.

Tanin · MIP Old Timer

Book Description

The twelve steps tap into the essential human process of change and will be regarded as one of the intellectual and spiritual landmarks in human history. Patrick Carnes

It was out of his reverence and respect for the wisdom and therapeutic value of the Twelve Steps that Carnes wrote A Gentle Path through the 12 Steps, now a recovery classic and self-help staple for anyone looking for guidance for life's hardest challenges.

Hundreds of thousands of people have found in this book a personal portal to the wisdom of the Twelve Steps. With updated and expanded concepts and a focus on the spiritual principles that lead to lifelong growth and fulfillment, Carnes' new edition invites a fresh generation of readers to the healing and rewarding experience of Twelve Step recovery.

Here are the reviews:

http://www.amazon.com/Gentle-Path-through-Twelve-Steps/product-reviews/1592858430/ref=cm_cr_dp_see_all_btm?ie=UTF8&showViewpoints=1&sortBy=bySubmissionDateDescending

vixen · MIP Old Timer

I love the Big Book and the 12 and 12. The Bible isn't program literature but it is certainly crucial to my sobriety. :)

Ruhig · Senior Member

David- I truely have a new appreciation for the daily meditations book. I have several versions I've recently dusted off.

Pythonpappy · MIP Old Timer

Caution Ruhig ... ... ... I have 11 meditation books from the past ... all good ... But there is such a thing as 'over-doing' it ... you said:

I have several versions I've recently dusted off.

Ya see, my two brain cells can only absorb so much at a time ... in my early attempts to sober up, I lost myself into all these books and sayings ... but instead of enriching my knowledge, they served to make things more complex(too much to think about at one time) ... I was trying to excelerate my sober stability and made it weaker ... Kinda' like eating too much of one thing, I got sick of it ... "Moderation in all things" is a good 'out-look' to have ...

Today I read a little every day ... this allows me to learn and soak in an important lesson and be more likely to retain the lesson ... trying to concentrate on 11 different daily meditation books was the wrong approach for me ... my brain could not handle all the info ... of course you are a sharp young girl, maybe you can handle it, or maybe you don't go to the extreme I did once ... just concerned of your sober foundation is all ...

Love ya,
Pappy

Rob84 · MIP Old Timer

Col wrote:
Haha.. I bought a ton of recovery related literature before being told multiple times to not explore too many avenues at the onset of sobriety. One of these books is entitled " A Gentle Path Through the Twelve Steps" lol. My sponsers all "through that s**t away, if you're going to do it right, it's not going to be 'gentle' ".. Hahaha.

I get what you're sponsor is saying. Early on, reading too many different takes on a step or steps. I have found that just using the Big Book the first time throught the steps seems best for the people I work with.

The 12 and 12 is great for the traditions and gives good insight on most of the steps, but if you really want to confuse a new person have them read the section on the 4th step, I still can't figure out what Bill was trying to say there.

IMO, if you have been sober awhile and want to dig deeper into each step and recovery get "The Little Red book" from Hazelden. It was first published in 1946 (About 10 years before the !2 and 12), it really just takes the information in the Big Book and takes it to another level. The author was tries to be very humble and seemed very careful not to try and supercede or outshine the BB or change anything about the AA program, the even called it a "Little" book when they could have easily made it a physically larger book.

A lot of groups don't sell it, it is a little pricey @ about $12.00 group cost, but it is really a gem that seems to get swept under the table in a lot of areas because it is Non-conference, which basically just means the conference isn't getting and profits.

-- Edited by Rob84 on Sunday 26th of August 2012 10:59:35 PM

justadrunk · MIP Old Timer

Excellent post Pappy = I can relate. Glad to hear I am not alone in this! I read "todays gift" from Hazleden each morning right now.

Ruhig · Senior Member

Eleven? Really? No. I have three. One aa based, one aisian proverb based and another more pagan based. I used to read one in the morning, another on my lunch break to refocus and the last before bed to calm my mind. But eleven??? I'd be screwey too.

Col · MIP Old Timer

Haha.. I bought a ton of recovery related literature before being told multiple times to not explore too many avenues at the onset of sobriety. One of these books is entitled " A Gentle Path Through the Twelve Steps" lol. My sponsers all "through that s**t away, if you're going to do it right, it's not going to be 'gentle' ".. Hahaha.

bbthumper · Member

The Big Book is my number one go to. Thats our program.
Outside of that, Dr Bob and the Good Old Timers is probably my favorite. One of the best accounts of the history of our program in my opinion. And Funny!

Stepchild · MIP Old Timer

Rob84 wrote:
IMO, if you have been sober awhile and want to dig deeper into each step and recovery get "The Little Red book" from Hazelden. It was first published in 1946 (About 10 years before the !2 and 12), it really just takes the information in the Big Book and takes it to another level. The author was tries to be very humble and seemed very careful not to try and supercede or outshine the BB or change anything about the AA program, the even called it a "Little" book when they could have easily made it a physically larger book.

Great book.....Recommend it!...I used it along with the Big Book doing the steps.

Tanin · MIP Old Timer

Rob84 wrote:
Col wrote:
Haha.. I bought a ton of recovery related literature before being told multiple times to not explore too many avenues at the onset of sobriety. One of these books is entitled " A Gentle Path Through the Twelve Steps" lol. My sponsers all "through that s**t away, if you're going to do it right, it's not going to be 'gentle' ".. Hahaha.
I get what you're sponsor is saying. Early on, reading too many different takes on a step or steps. I have found that just using the Big Book the first time throught the steps seems best for the people I work with.
The 12 and 12 is great for the traditions and gives good insight on most of the steps, but if you really want to confuse a new person have them read the section on the 4th step, I still can't figure out what Bill was trying to say there.
IMO, if you have been sober awhile and want to dig deeper into each step and recovery get "The Little Red book" from Hazelden. It was first published in 1946 (About 10 years before the !2 and 12), it really just takes the information in the Big Book and takes it to another level. The author was tries to be very humble and seemed very careful not to try and supercede or outshine the BB or change anything about the AA program, the even called it a "Little" book when they could have easily made it a physically larger book.
A lot of groups don't sell it, it is a little pricey @ about $12.00 group cost, but it is really a gem that seems to get swept under the table in a lot of areas because it is Non-conference, which basically just means the conference isn't getting and profits.

Books such as the GPTTS or the Little Red Book (which I used early on) are good aids to understanding the 12 steps. Both have the same pedagogical goals--including greater understanding and practice of the Steps.

Coincidently, the Gentle Path Through the Steps book was being discussed recently over on Sober Recovery. A nice mix of comments there:

12 Step Workbook

http://www.soberrecovery.com/forums/alcoholism-12-step-support/266764-12-step-workbook.html

I liked the "sacred text" issue and the "profit" motive point.

-- Edited by Tanin on Tuesday 4th of September 2012 06:45:50 PM

Rob84 · MIP Old Timer

Interesting Tanin,
tle
I have not heard of the GPTTS until you mentioned the book. I will download and check it out. I do think worksheets are helpful when used properly.

I can see where some people (probably mostly men) would be biased against the book based on the "Gentle Path" title, where as the BB gets us geared up using terms like rigorous, fearless, pride leveling, any lengths, etc.

If it gets you to understand and work the 12 steps to your potential, I'm openminded.

From a pure marketing perspective, I like the Vince Lombardi appoach, maybe it's a guy thing LOL??