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Confessions of a Caffeine Addict
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252 pages, Paperback
First published July 4, 2010
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Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
March 26, 2015
The editor of this book, and no doubt also the author, Marina Kushner, is a troll among the literary underground. I give this book one star because after previewing it I saw that it is mere propaganda and drivel comprised of forty anonymous contributors who all strangely write in the same exclamatory, babbling fashion. Interesting indeed. And I highly doubt this was just the editor putting her style into play.
I received a message on facebook from one of Marina's many aliases (Sally Mathews) saying she'd like to promote my work. As any struggling author would do, I messaged her back. Then she tells me that the deal is I buy this dumb ebook for 5.99 (and I love that she said included the phrase FOR LESS THAN A CUP OF COFFEE) and she would give me "unlimited shout-outs to her 4700-plus facebook friends. I blocked her right quick. I've also discovered that if you don't go along with her game, she'll write scathing reviews of your books under her many aliases.
Anyways, I hope you didn't fall for it. If you did, go drink some coffee, as that appears to be the best revenge you can get on Ms. Kushner.
I received a message on facebook from one of Marina's many aliases (Sally Mathews) saying she'd like to promote my work. As any struggling author would do, I messaged her back. Then she tells me that the deal is I buy this dumb ebook for 5.99 (and I love that she said included the phrase FOR LESS THAN A CUP OF COFFEE) and she would give me "unlimited shout-outs to her 4700-plus facebook friends. I blocked her right quick. I've also discovered that if you don't go along with her game, she'll write scathing reviews of your books under her many aliases.
Anyways, I hope you didn't fall for it. If you did, go drink some coffee, as that appears to be the best revenge you can get on Ms. Kushner.
October 17, 2014
This person's a con artist.
http://newyork.cbslocal.com/2014/07/2...
http://www.nydailynews.com/news/crime...
If she threatened you into leaving her a good review, blackmailed you, etc you are not alone. Also uses the names Alyn Martin & Deborah Meyer on FB
http://newyork.cbslocal.com/2014/07/2...
http://www.nydailynews.com/news/crime...
If she threatened you into leaving her a good review, blackmailed you, etc you are not alone. Also uses the names Alyn Martin & Deborah Meyer on FB
October 4, 2014
These 40 stories of people who faced severe addiction to caffeine products, such as coffee and soda, are very well told. They range from a working mom who depends on coffee namely, to get through her busy day, to a truck driver who depends on caffeine to get the job done. Many of these stories end with a not so happy ending, ranging from health problems, to yes, even divorce.
Why I give this title 4 STARS: The entire book is very well written and told. I could feel the angst of the people as they relived their most horrid moments of addiction. This book definitely outlines the very real struggle many people face with addiction--especially an addiction that is often overlooked as an addictive substance. Anyone who is experiencing something similar would benefit from reading Confessions of a Caffeine Addict, as a way to see where their possible path may be going. It truly is a very thoughtful and insightful view on caffeine and its dangers.
However, one thing keeps me from giving a full 5 STAR rating--no solid evidence other than the testimonies of what the doctors and medical professionals told the storyteller. For me, I like to know the statistics with actual supporting, verified sources.
Regardless of this detail, I feel this book is a good read on the reality of caffeine addiction, and I highly recommend it.
Why I give this title 4 STARS: The entire book is very well written and told. I could feel the angst of the people as they relived their most horrid moments of addiction. This book definitely outlines the very real struggle many people face with addiction--especially an addiction that is often overlooked as an addictive substance. Anyone who is experiencing something similar would benefit from reading Confessions of a Caffeine Addict, as a way to see where their possible path may be going. It truly is a very thoughtful and insightful view on caffeine and its dangers.
However, one thing keeps me from giving a full 5 STAR rating--no solid evidence other than the testimonies of what the doctors and medical professionals told the storyteller. For me, I like to know the statistics with actual supporting, verified sources.
Regardless of this detail, I feel this book is a good read on the reality of caffeine addiction, and I highly recommend it.
September 21, 2014
Interesting Confessions
Let's start out with the narrator, who was the perfect choice for this audiobook. Yes, I sat through over 6 hours of this great book compiled of 40 different stories. (The benefit of having a Kindle Fire HD). This isn't the first audiobook that I've had the pleasure of hearing, but it brought out something that would've been different than if I read it myself. The humor and confessions of people who truly have a coffee addiction was interestingly bizarre. I, an avid coffee drinker, never thought of the deep, tall 18 oz cups of coffee as an addiction. My favorite story is "stay away from caffeine" (chapter 15), but I thought all stories were great. Loved it! if you can get the audiobook, do it.
Let's start out with the narrator, who was the perfect choice for this audiobook. Yes, I sat through over 6 hours of this great book compiled of 40 different stories. (The benefit of having a Kindle Fire HD). This isn't the first audiobook that I've had the pleasure of hearing, but it brought out something that would've been different than if I read it myself. The humor and confessions of people who truly have a coffee addiction was interestingly bizarre. I, an avid coffee drinker, never thought of the deep, tall 18 oz cups of coffee as an addiction. My favorite story is "stay away from caffeine" (chapter 15), but I thought all stories were great. Loved it! if you can get the audiobook, do it.
February 6, 2016
A compilation of 40 stories written by a myriad of coffee drinkers from different walks of life. Each story traces the journey that the caffeine addicts make in order to quit their caffeine habits. Their journeys are rocky and frightening as they suffer ill effects from what they thought was a harmless drug - caffeine.
This book is an eye opener for many who drink too much coffee but don't realize the dangers they are facing. The only negative about this book is the stories are told in a similar fashion almost making them redundant.
I was given this book in exchange for an honest review.
This book is an eye opener for many who drink too much coffee but don't realize the dangers they are facing. The only negative about this book is the stories are told in a similar fashion almost making them redundant.
I was given this book in exchange for an honest review.
December 15, 2014
This is a really helpful book if you are ready to quit caffeine. The stories validated how sick it was making me feel and reminded me that I would feel better once my withdrawal symptoms were over!
April 5, 2019
Many of these stories felt way over the top and unrealistic. I had a hard time getting invested.
December 15, 2014
I received this book from the author for an honest review. Full disclosure: I am a person who sleeps with a night shirt that reads "Need Coffee" - I started this book determined to dislike it. After all, it was suggesting that my beloved coffee was ... addictive! In fact, it even went so far as to put coffee in the same category as drugs.
I am a writer. And I love my coffee. I like lattes and strong black coffee. I am not addicted. That's what I firmed believed when I started this book. Oh, sure, I feel like I need to start my day with coffee but some days I can skip and I'm fine. I don't even miss it.
And coffee has little effect on me. I've always been able to have a late night coffee and fall to sleep with no troubles at all. Deep down I thought I was probably immune to it.
I like tea as well. Black tea with milk (not cream) and no sweetener. I had my first taste of tea when I was about 4 years old and staying with my granny. She would make me milk and tea (emphasis on the milk) and I loved the taste of it.
Coffee I didn't love quite so much. In fact, it wasn't until my last semester of university that I started drinking it. One of my friends drank a lot of coffee and he told me it would give me more energy. So I decided to ignore the horrible taste, mix in copious amounts of sugar and cream, and get the wake up boost everyone at university seemed to enjoy. And just like that I was hooked.
I continued to drink coffee from that moment forward. When my daughter was a baby I was up to 5 cups a day and my doctor told me to knock it off. So I cut back to 1-2 cups a day. But I stayed there. I did stop several times when I did a juice detox but I always went back to my beloved coffee. I wasn't addicted. I just liked the taste.
This book made me look at my coffee habit a bit closer. Every single story featured someone like me. Sure, many of them had a much larger consumption of caffeine each day than I did (one writer was consuming the equivalent to 3 grams of caffeine a day!). But they all felt they didn't have a problem.
This is a fascinating read. It not only chronicles the stories of 40 individuals who struggle with caffeine addition but also outlines intriguing facts about the drug. Caffeine is found in almost all sodas on the market, in many teas and, of course, in coffee. Now I wonder how many individuals I know who are not reliant on caffeine in some way in their lives. I know plenty of individuals who don't drink coffee but most of them drink soda, diet soda or tea. The only tea that is 100% caffeine free is herbal tea. Decaf even isn't so great. And I won't even get started on hidden caffeine in medications and the ominous energy drinks and caffeine pills!
After reading this book, I am taking a good look at my own addiction to caffeine and I've decided that I'm going to avoid this readily available drug for 2015. We'll see how I do. I'm optimistic - I like herbal teas and have mounds of them in my pantry.
I highly recommend checking out this book. It will perhaps make you think twice before you pour your morning dose of java!
I am a writer. And I love my coffee. I like lattes and strong black coffee. I am not addicted. That's what I firmed believed when I started this book. Oh, sure, I feel like I need to start my day with coffee but some days I can skip and I'm fine. I don't even miss it.
And coffee has little effect on me. I've always been able to have a late night coffee and fall to sleep with no troubles at all. Deep down I thought I was probably immune to it.
I like tea as well. Black tea with milk (not cream) and no sweetener. I had my first taste of tea when I was about 4 years old and staying with my granny. She would make me milk and tea (emphasis on the milk) and I loved the taste of it.
Coffee I didn't love quite so much. In fact, it wasn't until my last semester of university that I started drinking it. One of my friends drank a lot of coffee and he told me it would give me more energy. So I decided to ignore the horrible taste, mix in copious amounts of sugar and cream, and get the wake up boost everyone at university seemed to enjoy. And just like that I was hooked.
I continued to drink coffee from that moment forward. When my daughter was a baby I was up to 5 cups a day and my doctor told me to knock it off. So I cut back to 1-2 cups a day. But I stayed there. I did stop several times when I did a juice detox but I always went back to my beloved coffee. I wasn't addicted. I just liked the taste.
This book made me look at my coffee habit a bit closer. Every single story featured someone like me. Sure, many of them had a much larger consumption of caffeine each day than I did (one writer was consuming the equivalent to 3 grams of caffeine a day!). But they all felt they didn't have a problem.
This is a fascinating read. It not only chronicles the stories of 40 individuals who struggle with caffeine addition but also outlines intriguing facts about the drug. Caffeine is found in almost all sodas on the market, in many teas and, of course, in coffee. Now I wonder how many individuals I know who are not reliant on caffeine in some way in their lives. I know plenty of individuals who don't drink coffee but most of them drink soda, diet soda or tea. The only tea that is 100% caffeine free is herbal tea. Decaf even isn't so great. And I won't even get started on hidden caffeine in medications and the ominous energy drinks and caffeine pills!
After reading this book, I am taking a good look at my own addiction to caffeine and I've decided that I'm going to avoid this readily available drug for 2015. We'll see how I do. I'm optimistic - I like herbal teas and have mounds of them in my pantry.
I highly recommend checking out this book. It will perhaps make you think twice before you pour your morning dose of java!
March 11, 2015
Marina Kushner's "Confessions of a Caffeine Addict" contains 40 essays from men and women who suffered from caffeine addiction. Reading their stories makes one realize that caffeine can be very harmful to a person's health in a number of ways. While we in the United States, and probably in many other countries, view caffeine as a harmless ingredient in coffee and soft drinks, it can take over a person's life and make profound changes in their physical and mental being. Initially, it is usually subtle, but over time, drastic changes can occur. I would recommend this to people who drink large amounts of coffee and soft drinks or consume other products that contain caffeine such as diet pills, Tylenol, and chocolate candies. I'm a coffee and tea drinker, but I know I will watch my intake after reading this book. The book is an interesting and informative read that might just change your way of thinking about caffeine.
May 10, 2015
This book gives us some mildly interesting information about caffeine addiction and offers some case studies. The first several are interesting and well-written, unless Marina KUshner is editing for grammar and structure.
However, the anecdotes vary little -- each a case study regarding what coffee did to them, e.g., driving a truck into a field, becoming to temperamental that the spouse files for a divorce.
I have never been a fan of coffee myself, but I know that it is national drink of the US, and now other countries. I am more of a Coke fiend -- Coke Zero, Caffeine-free Diet Coke, etc.
I have some problems about the way the book was promoted on my PM, but that is an issue I am dealing with now. That said, I did not finish the book, feeling that the point had been made in the beginning and for the second reason I mention.
If it turns out that I was wrong, I will erase this portion of the review.
However, the anecdotes vary little -- each a case study regarding what coffee did to them, e.g., driving a truck into a field, becoming to temperamental that the spouse files for a divorce.
I have never been a fan of coffee myself, but I know that it is national drink of the US, and now other countries. I am more of a Coke fiend -- Coke Zero, Caffeine-free Diet Coke, etc.
I have some problems about the way the book was promoted on my PM, but that is an issue I am dealing with now. That said, I did not finish the book, feeling that the point had been made in the beginning and for the second reason I mention.
If it turns out that I was wrong, I will erase this portion of the review.
November 14, 2014
I read this book after reading The Truth About Caffeine. The stories illustrated here are very real to life and frankly, many people in today's society ought to be reading them. Confessions of A Caffeine addict highlights not only the dangers of being addicted to caffeine, but points out various foods and beverages that contain caffeine - some which are obvious, others which are not.
If you are addicted to caffeine, or are on the way to an addiction, this book is a must-read for you. It will wake you up to the dangers of addiction and for many, could be what helps you finally kick the habit. A former caffeine addict myself, I appreciate how difficult kicking the habit can be. I found this book, and The Truth About Caffeine, to be very motivating!
If you are addicted to caffeine, or are on the way to an addiction, this book is a must-read for you. It will wake you up to the dangers of addiction and for many, could be what helps you finally kick the habit. A former caffeine addict myself, I appreciate how difficult kicking the habit can be. I found this book, and The Truth About Caffeine, to be very motivating!
November 29, 2014
Addiction is Scary
I grew up with highly caffeinated parents and the abuse that comes with it. So I know firsthand the issues that arise from caffeine. This book goes in-depth to just that the issues and how one can overcome the addiction to caffeine. This book explains how a person may feel like an outcast not drinking means not part of society. I simply believe once the physical withdrawals are over it becomes more about the psychological habits that have been formed over the course of the caffeine addiction. This book is an excellent read for anyone who is struggling with or family of someone struggling with caffeinism. I would absolutely recommend this book to family and friends.
JL
I grew up with highly caffeinated parents and the abuse that comes with it. So I know firsthand the issues that arise from caffeine. This book goes in-depth to just that the issues and how one can overcome the addiction to caffeine. This book explains how a person may feel like an outcast not drinking means not part of society. I simply believe once the physical withdrawals are over it becomes more about the psychological habits that have been formed over the course of the caffeine addiction. This book is an excellent read for anyone who is struggling with or family of someone struggling with caffeinism. I would absolutely recommend this book to family and friends.
JL
October 11, 2014
The forty or so stories that encompass this book about caffeine are both intriguing and strangely familiar. I felt like I could have added another chapter to the book—as the caffeine in tea was what had entrapped me. I appreciated all the different angles the audio book presented and enjoyed the many ‘character’ voices the narrator used. I liked that I could listen to a chapter or two and then come back at another time to hear more. This book is informative and frightening and one I’m sure the coffee/soda industries would love to have banned. Hopefully all listeners will heed the dire warnings of this book! Recommended!
December 17, 2014
If I had the funds, I would buy a copy of this eBook for every person I love! We all know that caffeine use is rampant in our modern culture, but what we don't know is the underlying ill affects it causes (That is until they rear their ugly head.) because the symptoms are often masked and misdiagnosed. This eBook is brimming to the rim with personal story after story. It's not preachy. It's STUNNING and INTERESTING because it's first hand accounts. If you're looking for a compelling read, and if you enjoy growing your knowledge - this eBook is for you. If you, or someone you love, consumes caffeine, get this eBook today! It is worth its weight in gold. Don't you deserve to know the truth?
February 26, 2015
I am not a non-fiction reader. My attention span is short so luckily these are short attention grabbing stories. These stories- confessions, at first seemed incredulous but after reading enough of them I started to look at myself thinking, is there anything that addicting that would lead me to that? Maybe not to their extent, but yeah, I can see myself teetering on the edge of being hooked on coffee. Then it upset me. I like my coffee! I don't want anyone telling me it's bad! If you don't want to feel guilty about your caffeine intake then don't read this book. But if you think you will feel guilty about your caffeine intake then you probably should read this book. Damned either way...
September 2, 2014
A series of short stories about the downfall of too much caffeine. People from all walks of life who've begun with just one cup to get through the day and eventually found themselves hooked to the point of near-death. From students to long-haul truck drivers, to housewives, to white-collar professionals, these people risked emotional, physical, familial, and financial ruin to get their daily jolt. A wake-up call for many who don't realize how devastating a need for caffeine, whether from coffee, pills, or soda can become. Thought-provoking and informative.
April 2, 2015
A serious wake up call
This was a shocking read. I don't think I've read anything quite this jarring in a while. The stories in Confessions really make you stop and think, "wow I didn't realize." It's amazing that caffeine is a legal additive to anything after reading the affects on these peoples' lives. I've certainly stopped to reflect what it's been doing to mine and realized some of the best days I've had in ages were during the year I stopped drinking anything caffeinated. If you're a coffee or a soda junkie this is a must read book.
This was a shocking read. I don't think I've read anything quite this jarring in a while. The stories in Confessions really make you stop and think, "wow I didn't realize." It's amazing that caffeine is a legal additive to anything after reading the affects on these peoples' lives. I've certainly stopped to reflect what it's been doing to mine and realized some of the best days I've had in ages were during the year I stopped drinking anything caffeinated. If you're a coffee or a soda junkie this is a must read book.
January 31, 2015
if you think caffeine doesn't affect your life, you are wrong. Reading this book is a huge wake up call for anyone who drinks caffeinated beverages and shows just how much they can affect your life.
October 21, 2015
A series of essays about caffeine addiction and how it can impact our lives. An amazing book, and I highly recommend it!
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews