Drinking as a Rite of Passage

Koren Zailckas doesn't consider herself an alcoholic, but readers of her book Smashed : story of a drunken girlhood probably would. Koren was introduced to drinking as a teenager by a friend. She continues drinking into high school and college; her drinking quickly turns to excess. Some of it might seem like kids being kids, but Koren explores what kept her drinking, along with why she couldn't seem to stop, even when she wanted to. Truly an eye opening book. Even though I am the about same age as Koren, I found myself thinking of her as a much younger sister, rather than a peer.