As booksellers, we have the pleasure of receiving advance copies from some of our favourite authors. Weighty literary heavyweights, thrilling debut novelists and gloriously brown-paper-bag-worthy trash all arrive in mysterious cardboard parcels at our door.The day John’s book arrived brought with it a distinct thrill. As a longtime listener of his podcasts, I assumed this first solo foray into publishing would be an entertaining extension of the ever-expanding John Robins universe.But THIRST is far more than that.The pleasure I got from reading it was not entirely unexpected, of course, but what surprised me was the book’s emotional heft. John’s reflections on addiction, his thoughtful examination of the defining moments of both his youth and adult life, and his candid explorations of self-awareness, self-acceptance and personal accountability all struck a chord.What makes the book so compelling, however, is that these moments of honesty, often painful, vulnerable and self-destructive, are threaded throughout with John’s unmistakable wit. There are nods to the podcasts, brilliantly timed asides and flashes of humour that cut through the darkness at precisely the right moment. The result is a memoir that feels deeply personal without ever becoming self-indulgent: insightful, moving and, quite unexpectedly for a book about addiction and shame, tremendous fun to read.Most impressive of all is the strength of John’s voice on the page. Anyone familiar with his broadcasting will recognise the anxious over-analysis, the forensic self-examination and the sharp humour immediately, but the book also reveals a warmth and sincerity that give it real power. This is not simply a memoir about drinking; it is a thoughtful, affecting meditation on learning to live more honestly with oneself.Congrats HRH (World King) the Rt Hon. Jonny JR John Robins on a truly outstanding book, one that I will be putting into customers’ hands with great enthusiasm for the foreseeable.

I have never suffered or known someone who has suffered from alcoholism or gambling addiction, so I wasn’t sure what I would get from this book - I simply bought it because I’m a fan of John’s podcasts. If you have the same thought and it’s stopping you from buying, I cannot say it more clearly than - buy this book! I have had my eyes opened to a topic that while I hope to never encounter, I am prepared with so much more understanding and empathy for. Written in a raw, honest way (with some humour still sprinkled in), John has done what he does best in addressing a heavy topic so eloquently but not pretentiously. 5* read and I still have a chapter to go!

I was expecting some laughs, chaos, overthinking, and at least one moment of second-hand embarrassment. What I didn’t expect was how moving, honest, and genuinely brilliant it would be. I normally take months or years to finish a book but I polished this off in less then a week. John Robins writes exactly how he speaks: incredibly funny, painfully self-aware, and somehow able to go from a ridiculous story to a genuinely profound insight in the space of a paragraph. One minute I was laughing out loud, the next I was staring into space reconsidering my entire existence. Fans will recognise all the classic Johnisms and catchphrases woven throughout. You won’t be surprised that slotted spoons are mentioned. But what makes this book so special is the honesty. The way he writes about addiction, recovery, relationships, and trying to understand himself is incredibly powerful. It never feels forced or self-pitying, just truthful, thoughtful, and very human. It’s rare to find a book that’s this funny while also having so much depth. Equal parts hilarious, heartbreaking, and hopeful. An absolutely sensational read.

A very insightful account of John's personal experience with/without alcohol, very funny at times as is his skill & a definite interesting read. Pairs well with Elis & John on Patreon!

This book contains a huge dose of humanity. It's not self-absorbed but it is self-aware, and it does not underestimate the Herculean challenges of dealing with addiction, for an addict or for their loved ones. It also addresses how the events and pressures and pleasures of life impinge on an individual's ability to cope. And how to find hope. It's an astute depiction of dramatic - but sometimes hilarious - conflicts and conundrums; better than any novel. It's a bit beautiful. It will speak to you, unless you're tone-deaf to empathy. Get it!