This Is How: Surviving What You Think You Can't

I was surprised. Still Augusten's usual sense of dark humor, but in the form of a self help book. It was actually categorized to be in the 'self-help' section. I found it to be uplifting and very insightful. Book itself was in good condition (used) and I was satisfied with the transaction.

Some really deep, serious stuff here. Not the usual fare you might expect from my favorite author, and it takes a bit of time to adjust...it's sort of like listening to a British movie...you don't quite get it at first, but once you get the cadence of that accent, it's smooth going. There were times in this book I was actually moved to tears. His 'cut through the BS' talk on death was so refreshing, jarring, and weirdly entertaining that it changed the way I think about such things. I think if you love Augusten Burroughs, you will love this book. And I think if you don't even know who he is, you will love this book.

A straight forward, no-nonsense advice book, written with a lot of humor and practical tips. Sometimes I would have liked longer chapters, but they always give the crucial starting point, and then you have to do the work. I would recommend this to anyone who struggles, and is ready to do the work to be happier.

I've never read anything that resonated such a profound and obvious truth than Burroughs expels in this unexpected come to Jesus kind of moment...throughout the entire book. My life has been forever changed. thank you Mr.Burroughs

Upon seeing the brevity of this book and also usually steering away from the self-help genre, I hesitated making the purchase. I was utterly stunned by the intelligence and perception of the advice; Burroughs gives insight into all kinds of problematic issues that many people deal with - there is no "psycho-babble." He knows whereof he speaks because of his own chilling life experiences. And, of course, one should not be surprised by the humor. I plan to reread it!

(by Wende, Brian's wife, who purchased this book)

One of the most hilariously effective, common sense books on healing I've ever encountered. Almost as good as spending an afternoon with a salty, baldly-honest friend who understands, yet won't let you whine or off the hook. Even the chapters that don't apply contain a generous wisdom that can only help, if you apply it appropriately.

Essential reading if you want to jump-start or re-energize your healing. It can be a slog, because it's a long road to healthy when you only have parts of the map.

This book is a pretty good map, it will help you get there.

Such a great book. Augusten gives his straight-to-the-point opinions on many difficult subjects & I honestly felt he made so much sense. Clear, concise, no BS - not always easy to hear the things he says, but necessary. I've read a million self-help books but this was one I found myself telling everyone about. Highly recommended!

A smart, funny book- To say that Burroughs doesn't believe in sugar-coating things is an understatement! A great read for someone who may really need to work on themselves provided they're ready to face the truth.

Being a big Augusten Burroughs fan, I was surprised by this book. I just couldn't get into it. I tried to read it 3-4 times and it's just not catching my attention. I mostly read on the subway on the way to and from work. Too many distractions. I feel this book needs full attention.

Like many of the other reviewers, I have read nearly all of AB's other work. I've laughed, cried, and highlighted like crazy. I've loaned my copies to friends and family, most of whom really enjoyed them as I did. That's why I put This Is How... on my wishlist immediately when I saw that AB had written a new one. I wasn't sure what to expect, but I thought it would be smart, thoughtful, and funny. Man was I WRONG. I'm only on the "How To Be Confident" chapter, and I simply don't know if I can finish the chapter, let alone the entire book. Yes, the advice given is often so blatantly wrong that it's unreal, but that just shows how self-important AB (thinks) he is with this book. In reality, it seems like AB has lost his mojo. You see, the thing that renders this book unreadable for me is that it is a rambling mess of nonsense. I have found myself reading passages over and over because I have no idea what he is talking about. I'm not a stupid woman, and I read voraciously, so I know that it is not because of something I'm lacking that I cannot understand what AB is saying. It's like he forgot how to write a decent book.

I'm disappointed, and I certainly hope AB's next book (if there is one) is at least a little better and not such a jumble of thoughts sprung from the ego he has developed. We, his fans, deserve better. And so does he.

I intend to update this review to be more thorough, but I have completed 200 pages of the 230 page book, and it has affected me more just in those few pages than many, many other longer and more complex self-help books ever have. Augusten Burroughs has been through it all and lived to tell about it, and he does so in a way that is so refreshingly simple and to-the-point, you know it has to be the truth. Because the truth is not so complex at its core; otherwise, how would anyone ever be happy with themselves? It's not supposed to be so hard, and Augusten Burroughs actually understands that. I've read at least a dozen psychological tomes concerning happiness written by PhD- and doctorate-credentialed authors, and they were very interesting books. But when it comes to the bare-bones of being honest with yourself about your personal happiness, you aren't going to read a better 230 pages than this.

Update
I see the reviews are still just as mixed as when I wrote my original review. I don't know what these critics were looking for when they picked up the book, but the author never claims to be a self-help guru. If you want that sort of thing, there are thousands of other books for you.

Listing the chapters of this book would be lengthy (and not really necessary, since Burroughs does slide from one subject to another every couple of pages whether the chapter title changes or not. For me the book read fluidly from start to finish, like a long (and very good) conversation. The effortless segue-ways from one heavy subject to another are a credit to the author, and even more interestingly, I think it proves the interconnected nature of all the subjects in the book.

Burroughs' themes in the book center around honesty with the self, not giving in to playing a victim in life, and handling the hardest obstacles with grace by accepting the world for what is is, not what you think it should be. Burroughs may not believe in God (though he does not expressly say so either way), but throughout the book, his awe at life is obvious---with both the terrible and the good, the book seems to say, you must accept everything as it is, and keep breathing even when you'd rather not--literally, and to be grateful when you could be bitter, such as at the serious illness of a loved one. The final chapter, "This is Why," is a simple and elegant closing on the nature of human life. Get the book!

On expanding your opportunities to meet a mate:
"Maybe you aren't even aware of how small a geographic circle you live in. But until you've stretched your borders just a little, you can't say you've so much as lifted a finger when it comes to finding love . . . it's unrealistic and passive to expect to meet somebody who shares not only your interests and sensibilities, but also your daily routine."

Concerning weight loss:
"If willpower is required to achieve [a] goal, that's how you know you don't want it enough at a deep, organic level . . . You only need willpower to get what you don't want or what you want to want. . . The reason it's impossible for so many people to ever get thin is because what they truly seek is something that can't be microwaved or ladled into a bowl."

I have read all of Augusten Burroughs books, so I immediately had to buy this one. It is a very different book than he usually writes. I didn't read any reviews, so I didn't know that it was an actual self help style book, although as far as self help books go this is a really pithy, wise piece of work.

This Is How is exactly like Augusten Burroughs : real, raw, and smack in the face true. He gives the benefit of all his experience to the reader in a concise, unique way and it may not be everyone's cup of tea, because a lot of people want someone to hold their hand and tell them everything will be all right if they Only Believe. But that's not life, and that's not reality. Burroughs knows about reality, tough times, addiction, and he certainly knows about heartbreak and the ups and downs that life affords us. I found his advice to be perfectly modulated for an adult and not for the baby ears. He is funny, surprisingly tender at times, and always fresh and forthright. Amusing but also kind of....strict. And that's great when you are really ready to make a change, and not just get the usual pablum that is dished out in self help books. He does;t offer SEVEN WAYS TO NIRVANA or any ridiculous formulas or spiritual woo woo. He offers in self help what his memoirs offer in that genre. This is a great gift and a great help for anyone who is genuinely ready to take a second look at their life and make it better without the b.s.

Erase the post-it note affirmations w the truth about your life. This book is part Buddhist philosophy part reality slap from someone who's seen the darkest life has to offer. Those of us who have been there realize that feeling better does not mean that we will be smiling, Stepford automatons and that the healthiest approach to life is one of radical acceptance. No Hugs here. Bravo.

I have all of Augusten Burroughs books, and this one is my least favorite. It's a book full of self-help sermons and I guess I shouldn't have been surprised, as I researched it's content before ordering the book. But I found myself disappointed. Maybe it's because this book is a retelling of all Burroughs's past experiences, which I've already read about in his other books? I don't know. But in my opinion, the book is redundant and a continuous stating of the obvious.

I don't like psychobabble. Augusten Burroughs writes like he's having a normal conversation and sticks to real language. I don't agree with 100% of what he wrote, but even that with which I disagreed was thought-provoking. He doesn't really tell you how to do things so much as how to not lie to yourself.

I'd say most people looking for something like this will find material to relate to. What isn't relatable is certainly helpful in dealing with other people. I would recommend this to pretty much everyone I know.

Burrough's take on life and all the little things seemed to resound many of the thoughts that go through people's minds that they may not have the courage to voice out loud! His approach is very identifiable and easy to assimilate. Excellent read, I would highly recommend it to anyone who is seeking thought provoking and usable material. Loved it!