Brian.Reads

DUA LIPA HAS THE BEST BOOK CLUB ON THE INTERNET!

The Radical Optimism Tour brought so much into my life. The album is pop perfection, and somehow, while touring the world, Dua still made time to talk books and bring a literary conversation to New York City through her book club, Service95.

I met so many fabulous new friends at a dinner Dua and Service95 hosted in Brooklyn last summer.

It was also the first time I found myself seated next to the author who inspired me to write the thriller that’s still missing from bookshelves. If you look closely at the picture of Dua taking a selfie with the bookish crowd at NYPL Bryant Park, you’ll see us. The moment is perfectly captured in time. I never thought I’d get the chance to tell this author how one sentence in one of his books pushed me to write a thriller with a reliable sober protagonist at the helm.

More than anything, though, it’s a reminder of connection. Music brings people together, but sustained conversation brings out our humanity. In fact, I wrote an article on it over at The Sober Millennial Substack.

Ok, I’ll be living inside my TV watching the Radical Optimism Tour on YouTube, where it’s streaming in full right NOW!

“The Midnight Library” was the first book I picked up in early sobriety, nearly seven years ago.

“The Midnight Train”feels like another gift, and it’s just as beautiful.

Truly worth the wait.

It’s surreal to even say this: I have been sober for seven years today.

I don’t track my sobriety in an app or wake up and tick another box on a sobriety clock. But I do return to one photo in particular, thanks to the power of Google Photos, and when I look at that Brian from seven years ago, I mostly feel compassion for him. I wish I could give him some grace before he starts down the long, difficult, deeply rewarding road ahead.

Sobriety has become one of my great superpowers. It has given me the chance to meet extraordinary people, build deeper relationships, and, most importantly, return to my own body.

For so long, I tried to numb the feelings wrapped up in perfectionism and anxiety. I didn’t know there were other tools that could help me break through. Getting sober made those tools possible for me.

I am a huge proponent of SSRIs. They saved my life, and I don’t say that lightly. I am also a huge proponent of cognitive behavioral therapy, psychiatry, friendship, sunlight, long walks, and touching grass whenever the world starts to feel too loud.

The world opens up when you get sober. For me, it took more than six attempts to get and stay sober, plus a dream from my grandfather, which I write more about in my book, The Afterparty: An Open Invitation to Sobriety, out May 2027.

For anyone struggling, I hope you give yourself grace. Addiction does not discriminate. And if you love someone who is struggling, I hope you practice empathy wherever you can.

Sobriety only comes when someone truly wants it, but no one gets there alone. Each day can still bring its own struggle. But each day can also bring its own blissful little rainbow of life in technicolor, with absolutely no hangover.

What a great weekend with at ThrillerFest 2026! There’s nothing quite like the thriller community. I couldn’t stop smiling this entire weekend.

Such an incredible pleasure to be a panelist amongst these all-stars, too.

Until next year! 🔪🫶🏻

And just like that… season one of Shelf Care Society by .Reads: The Podcast is a wrap 🤍

The idea for this podcast had been simmering since last fall, but it took a gentle nudge from and her team to finally begin. Start the podcast. Have the conversations you want to hear. Highlight the authors you love. So I did.

I’m still wrapping my head around the fact that so many brilliant, generous writers said yes to coming on the show. Each conversation felt like settling into a living room with a close friend and a cuppa tea, talking about life, identity, creativity, and of course, books.

To everyone who listened, shared, messaged, or encouraged me along the way, thank you. Truly. The response has meant more than I can put into words.

Season 2 is already taking shape, but for now I’m reveling in this gratitude.

All episodes of season one are out now wherever you listen to podcasts 🎧

Have you read any of these books, or are they on your TBR?