From the number-one bestselling author of Running with Scissors and Dry comes Augusten Burroughs's most eagerly anticipated collection yet: true stories that give voice to the thoughts that we all have but dare not mention. It begins with a Tang Instant-Breakfast Drink television commercial: "Yes, you, Augusten. You were great. We want you." I can now trace my manic adult tendencies to this moment. It was the first time I felt deeply thrilled about something just a fraction of an instant after being completely crushed. I believe those three words "We want you" were enough to cause my brain to rewire itself, and from then on, I would require more than other people....- from Magical Thinking's "Commercial Break" A contest of wills with a deranged cleaning lady. The execution of a rodent carried out with military precision and utter horror. Telemarketing revenge. A different kind of "roof work." Dating an undertaker who shows up in a minivan. This is the fabric of Augusten Burroughs's life: a collection of true stories that are universal in their appeal yet unabashedly intimate, stories that shine a flashlight into both dark and hilarious places. With Magical Thinking, Augusten Burroughs goes where other memoirists fear to tread.
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"Funny, witty, moving, shocking, and simply intriguing little book! The stories really give you a glimpse into the author's personality and quirky mind. Not for everyone, but I found myself laughing out loud at times. Augustus Burroughs has a way of making even the most disturbing stories humorous."
— Sandra (4 out of 5 stars)
" ...what else can I say? The guy is a genuis! "
— Jillian, 2/20/2014" ...what else can I say? The guy is a genuis! "
— Jillian, 2/20/2014" I love pretty much everything i read by Burroughs and Sedaris and this is no exception. If you liked Possible Side Effects and Running with Scissors this one will not disappoint. "
— Tanya, 2/16/2014" "It's okay." Not as good as Scissors. "
— Chary, 2/16/2014" I love pretty much everything i read by Burroughs and Sedaris and this is no exception. If you liked Possible Side Effects and Running with Scissors this one will not disappoint. "
— Tanya, 2/16/2014" "It's okay." Not as good as Scissors. "
— Chary, 2/16/2014" Love this guy. I want to take him home "
— Tricia, 2/15/2014" Love this guy. I want to take him home "
— Tricia, 2/15/2014" I loved this book! This is probably my favorite book by Augusten Burroughs. It was extremely funny and sad at the same time. I would be laughing hysterically one page and crying the next. "
— Lindsey, 2/13/2014" I loved this book! This is probably my favorite book by Augusten Burroughs. It was extremely funny and sad at the same time. I would be laughing hysterically one page and crying the next. "
— Lindsey, 2/13/2014" i love augusten burroughs. "
— molly, 2/6/2014" i love augusten burroughs. "
— molly, 2/6/2014" A guilty pleasure! This book is sharp and poignant. It waivers between hilarious and uncomfortable to read...but is hard to put down once you start it. "
— Darin, 1/17/2014" A guilty pleasure! This book is sharp and poignant. It waivers between hilarious and uncomfortable to read...but is hard to put down once you start it. "
— Darin, 1/17/2014" He's no David Sedaris, but it's amusing in a disturbing way. Not surprising, if you're familiar with his autobiography, Running with Scissors. "
— Casie, 1/11/2014" I grew up in the same area...reading his stories is like a blast from my own childhood. I love his sassy style... "
— Lori, 1/11/2014" He's no David Sedaris, but it's amusing in a disturbing way. Not surprising, if you're familiar with his autobiography, Running with Scissors. "
— Casie, 1/11/2014" I grew up in the same area...reading his stories is like a blast from my own childhood. I love his sassy style... "
— Lori, 1/11/2014" Tons of funny stories. Very light hearted book that will keep you in a good mood. "
— Leah, 12/29/2013" Tons of funny stories. Very light hearted book that will keep you in a good mood. "
— Leah, 12/29/2013" Short stories from Augusten Burroughs life. Good times! "
— Tracy, 12/28/2013" Short stories from Augusten Burroughs life. Good times! "
— Tracy, 12/28/2013" Funniest book I've ever read! "
— Adrian, 12/26/2013" Funniest book I've ever read! "
— Adrian, 12/26/2013" See my review for "Possible Side Effects" "
— Emily, 12/23/2013" See my review for "Possible Side Effects" "
— Emily, 12/23/2013" Not really big on short stories but most of these were really funny. "
— Reagan, 12/17/2013" Not really big on short stories but most of these were really funny. "
— Reagan, 12/17/2013" hysterical--laughed out loud (almost as funny as david sedaris) "
— Angie, 11/24/2013" hysterical--laughed out loud (almost as funny as david sedaris) "
— Angie, 11/24/2013" Burroughs' prose, and self-control, gets better as he continues to write. This collection has a few disturbing (the rat one) pieces, but his humor is more mature and he's not afraid to not "wrap up" each piece entirely. It's not his best, but it is good. "
— Meri, 5/30/2013" Burroughs' prose, and self-control, gets better as he continues to write. This collection has a few disturbing (the rat one) pieces, but his humor is more mature and he's not afraid to not "wrap up" each piece entirely. It's not his best, but it is good. "
— Meri, 5/30/2013" Funny, witty, moving, shocking, and simply intriguing little book! The stories really give you a glimpse into the author's personality and quirky mind. Not for everyone, but I found myself laughing out loud at times. Augustus Burroughs has a way of making even the most disturbing stories humorous. "
— Sandra, 4/11/2013" This book created the desire in me to write my own memoir. Augusten is fabulous. "
— Rachel, 3/17/2013" This book created the desire in me to write my own memoir. Augusten is fabulous. "
— Rachel, 3/17/2013" Enjoyed the stories. Not the full "Augusten" I was hoping for. "
— Lori, 3/11/2013" Enjoyed the stories. Not the full "Augusten" I was hoping for. "
— Lori, 3/11/2013" In the same vein as David Sedaris, but much darker. "
— Lauramarie, 2/20/2013" In the same vein as David Sedaris, but much darker. "
— Lauramarie, 2/20/2013" ...Augusten Burroughs has led an incredible life...I'd like to be his pal "
— Sissy, 11/5/2012" ...Augusten Burroughs has led an incredible life...I'd like to be his pal "
— Sissy, 11/5/2012" Absolutely hilarious, especially since I can relate to NYC living. I can't fully relate to the author since I'm not crazy, but I can certainly appreciate his insights. "
— Melissa, 9/23/2012" Absolutely hilarious, especially since I can relate to NYC living. I can't fully relate to the author since I'm not crazy, but I can certainly appreciate his insights. "
— Melissa, 9/23/2012" Burroughs is an amazing short story writer. If you like Gabriel Garcia Marquez, this book is for you. "
— Joselynn, 9/17/2012" Burroughs is an amazing short story writer. If you like Gabriel Garcia Marquez, this book is for you. "
— Joselynn, 9/17/2012" Augusten at his best! "
— Tara, 8/10/2012" Augusten at his best! "
— Tara, 8/10/2012" I couldn't stop laughing while reading this. "
— Laura, 6/17/2012" I couldn't stop laughing while reading this. "
— Laura, 6/17/2012" Laugh out loud funny. Great compilation of stories. "
— Steve, 5/24/2012" Laugh out loud funny. Great compilation of stories. "
— Steve, 5/24/2012" Augusten's sense of humor really kills me. "
— Jennie, 12/11/2011" Augusten's sense of humor really kills me. "
— Jennie, 12/11/2011" i thought i wouldn't like this book at first cause each chapter was a different story, but they were funny and interesting. "
— Kathleen, 10/9/2011" i thought i wouldn't like this book at first cause each chapter was a different story, but they were funny and interesting. "
— Kathleen, 10/9/2011" It took me awhile to get used to his voice--the last few sections were extremely funny, and I found I liked it more than I originally thought I would. "
— Jackie, 9/1/2011" It took me awhile to get used to his voice--the last few sections were extremely funny, and I found I liked it more than I originally thought I would. "
— Jackie, 9/1/2011" A hilarious book of short stories...he is one of my favorite authors. "
— Molly, 7/16/2011" A hilarious book of short stories...he is one of my favorite authors. "
— Molly, 7/16/2011" Quite hilarious and interesting... Augusten Burroughs is brutally honest as always. "
— Falice, 6/20/2011" Quite hilarious and interesting... Augusten Burroughs is brutally honest as always. "
— Falice, 6/20/2011" again, a work of art.... more on this later... love this author! "
— Dawnekins, 6/16/2011" again, a work of art.... more on this later... love this author! "
— Dawnekins, 6/16/2011" He does a great job making the crap he went through seem funny. He does bring to mind D. Sedaris, but more obstinate and stubborn. I think it's just survival traits of an abused and neglected child. Humor helps too. "
— Carolina, 6/14/2011" He does a great job making the crap he went through seem funny. He does bring to mind D. Sedaris, but more obstinate and stubborn. I think it's just survival traits of an abused and neglected child. Humor helps too. "
— Carolina, 6/14/2011" As a first foray into the interesting life of Augusten burroughs, the short story format was perfect. each one was snappy, quirky and funny, something i rarely describe books as. There were times when I genuinely would laugh out loud. And I have read it again, it's one of those kinds of books. "
— Amy, 6/8/2011" As a first foray into the interesting life of Augusten burroughs, the short story format was perfect. each one was snappy, quirky and funny, something i rarely describe books as. There were times when I genuinely would laugh out loud. And I have read it again, it's one of those kinds of books. "
— Amy, 6/8/2011" I enjoyed reading these essays. I think I enjoyed it more having read his memoir about his father first. Funny, tragic and well-written. "
— Virginia, 6/4/2011" I enjoyed reading these essays. I think I enjoyed it more having read his memoir about his father first. Funny, tragic and well-written. "
— Virginia, 6/4/2011" New favorite author - love the way he writes and his stories are amazingly ridiculous "
— Courtney, 6/2/2011" New favorite author - love the way he writes and his stories are amazingly ridiculous "
— Courtney, 6/2/2011" Absolutely love the way Burroughs writes about his life. Short, concise, and hilarious. For those who don't know, he's the author of "Running With Scissors." "
— Donna, 5/17/2011" Absolutely love the way Burroughs writes about his life. Short, concise, and hilarious. For those who don't know, he's the author of "Running With Scissors." "
— Donna, 5/17/2011" Augusten Burroughs is one of my favorite authors. He tells things exactly how they are, and often writes with true emotion. Magical Thinking is much funnier and more light-hearted than some of his other books. It is my favorite of all of his books, though the others are great as well. "
— Meagan, 5/11/2011" Augusten Burroughs is one of my favorite authors. He tells things exactly how they are, and often writes with true emotion. Magical Thinking is much funnier and more light-hearted than some of his other books. It is my favorite of all of his books, though the others are great as well. "
— Meagan, 5/11/2011" Trite B.S. I liked the interview with him the best, other than that he is way to self centered and just plain mean. Doesn't really like people at all, better when he is sober but, who cares. Liked running with scissors better than this self serving tripe. "
— Lara, 5/3/2011" Trite B.S. I liked the interview with him the best, other than that he is way to self centered and just plain mean. Doesn't really like people at all, better when he is sober but, who cares. Liked running with scissors better than this self serving tripe. "
— Lara, 5/3/2011" This book is definitly my favorite so far of his. This author is just hilarious. "
— Lilly, 5/1/2011" This book is definitly my favorite so far of his. This author is just hilarious. "
— Lilly, 5/1/2011" The Chapstick story is the best. "
— Caroline, 4/28/2011" The Chapstick story is the best. "
— Caroline, 4/28/2011" This is totally not the kind of book I would normally read and enjoy, however, I found it hard to stop reading for some unknown reason. "
— Tessa, 4/24/2011" This is totally not the kind of book I would normally read and enjoy, however, I found it hard to stop reading for some unknown reason. "
— Tessa, 4/24/2011" Another great read by Burroughs. He is quickly becoming my go to author when asked for book recommendations! This was another snarky memoir with a few "Omg!" moments. On to the next Burroughs book I go! "
— Christina, 4/19/2011" Another great read by Burroughs. He is quickly becoming my go to author when asked for book recommendations! This was another snarky memoir with a few "Omg!" moments. On to the next Burroughs book I go! "
— Christina, 4/19/2011" If we could do 1/2 stars I would have given it 2 1/2. Some of the stories were entertaining, some I skimmed because they were kind of boring. But as the book went on I liked it more than in the beginning. "
— Sara, 4/11/2011" If we could do 1/2 stars I would have given it 2 1/2. Some of the stories were entertaining, some I skimmed because they were kind of boring. But as the book went on I liked it more than in the beginning. "
— Sara, 4/11/2011Augusten Burroughs is the author of the autobiographical works Running with Scissors, Dry, Magical Thinking, Possible Side Effects, and A Wolf at the Table, all of which were New York Times bestsellers. Running with Scissors remained on the bestseller list for over two consecutive years and was made into a Golden Globe-nominated film starring Annette Bening.