Book Club Monday #19: This is How by Augusten Burroughs

This week, I'm finally writing about This is How: Proven Aid in Overcoming Shyness, Molestation, Fatness, Spinsterhood, Grief, Disease, Lushery, Decrepitude & More. For Young & Old Alike by Augusten Burroughs.

You know, I really wanted to like this book. I thought it would have the same prose and style as Burroughs' other books, have the same magic. I was left sorely disappointed. I actually disliked it so much that I couldn't even finish it. Typically, Augusten Burroughs has a can't-put-it-down effect on me - but not this time. This time was just a bit blah. 

I liked a few parts, and even chuckled at a few others - overall, though, this was not my favorite of his novels, and is definitely not on par with some of his other works, such as Running With Scissors.

If you're a fan, I'd say check it out - you may feel differently about it than I do. For me, though - this one gets a big old 'eh'.

Book Club Mondays: "Running With Scissors"

 

Since getting a Kindle of my own as a birthday gift from my parents back in December, I have found a new appreciation for e-book reading that I never thought I would have. Of course, life has a way of screwing us out of the best laid plans so I haven't been able to use it much, but I'm attempting to get back into it. Prior to that, I'd rented an older version Kindle from our local library and read several books, both old and new, and figured it was a good enough time as ever to get back into a normal posting schedule, as well!

Running With Scissors by Augusten Burroughs is one of the most well-known novels of my time, at least, and spawned not only eight weeks on the New York Times bestseller list, but many conversations about how some individuals treat their children, which I believe is what was intended. The book tells the story of his downright bizarre childhood, in which his mother sent him away, to live with her psychiatrist. It was good enough to spawn a film, which was released in 2006.

For me, Running With Scissors is the kind of book I could (and have) gone back to two times, even three times, and still enjoy every second of reading. There is always something new to find out, and a different facet to the story. I believe that's a big reason I keep going back to it - as an adolescent (the first time I read the book), I could see myself in the same position - granted my mother was a crazy person - and I believe that's what has always made the book that much more real to me.

If you want a story that can put a chill in your bones and a thought in your head, look no further than Running With Scissors or any of Burroughs' other novels.