• This Is How

  • Proven Aid in Overcoming Shyness, Molestation, Fatness, Spinsterhood, Grief, Disease, Lushery, Decrepitude & More. For Young and Old Alike
  • By: Augusten Burroughs
  • Narrated by: Augusten Burroughs
  • Length: 6 hrs and 31 mins
  • 4.1 out of 5 stars (574 ratings)

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This Is How  By  cover art

This Is How

By: Augusten Burroughs
Narrated by: Augusten Burroughs
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Publisher's summary

From the #1 New York Times best-selling author of Running With Scissors comes a groundbreaking book that explores how to survive the "un-survivable" and will challenge your notion of self-help books.

To say that Augusten Burroughs has lived an unusual life is an understatement. From having no formal education past third grade and being raised by his mother’s psychiatrist in the seventies to enjoying one of the most successful advertising careers of the eighties to experiencing a spectacular downfall and rehab stint in the nineties to having a number one bestselling writing career in the new millennium, Burroughs has faced humiliation, transformation and everything in between.

This Is How is his no-holds-barred book of advice on topics as varied as:

  • How to feel like crap
  • How to ride an elevator
  • How to be thin
  • How to be fat
  • How to find love· How to feel sorry for yourself
  • How to get the job
  • How to end your life
  • How to remain unhealed
  • How to finish your drink
  • How to regret as little as possible
  • And much more

Told with Burroughs's unique voice, black humor, and in-your-face advice, This is How is Running With Scissors - with recipes.

©2012 Augusten Inc. (P)2012 Macmillan Audio

What listeners say about This Is How

Average customer ratings
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  • Overall
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    5 out of 5 stars

A Bold, Fresh Perspective In "Self-Help"

If you could sum up This Is How in three words, what would they be?

Little. Yellow. Different. Just kidding. Groundbreaking, hilarious, moving.

What did you like best about this story?

It is a new take on the rather tired, be peppy all the time, say affirmations and forcing yourself to be happy...none of that works.

Have you listened to any of Augusten Burroughs’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

I've listened to Burroughs' work before - all of them in fact - and was starting to feel that his most recent work was becoming well-tread familiar territory. This one shatters it. He is most definitely back! I've always enjoyed his reading performances.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

Actually, I was moved by every chapter because he completely discusses what he believes the heart of the matter in any personal issues. It's sound advice when you've given up all of the empty self-help hype, forced happiness and seminars.

Any additional comments?

If you've never read his work before, listen to this then "Running With Scissors" to get the background on how and why his advice hits home - he has a wealth of experience from his life and freely admits it. I actually wish that he'd have another book covering even more difficult topics. That's how much I enjoyed it.I laughed out loud on many, many occasions because Burroughs cuts right to the core immediately by systematically going against virtually every principle that is recommended in a typical self-help book...and why many of us never finish them. Hilarious, offbeat and painfully honest - I absolutely loved it!

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16 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

I loved this book

This is my first Burroughs. I've listened to all Sedaris and Klosterman and people have said Burroughs is similar. I expected this to be funnier than it was. It was very dark but it felt so honest and ego free. This book took me on a roller coaster ride of emotions. I went from comfortably thinking "oh, I feel bad for people like that" to "ouch, he just described me perfectly." Burroughs turns on a spot-light and never relents. I liked it so much, the minute I finished it I started it over and listened to it all over again.

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14 people found this helpful

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A different side of Augusten Burroughs

Hat's off to Augusten Burroughs for treating these subjects with a good dose of reality. I hate the tippy toe way so many of these very LIFE ALTERING events are usually treated in self-help books. I have experience a few myself and I agree with Mr. Burroughs about how you get through and go on. Too many of us wallow away our lives in whatever misery trips us up and can't get a grip on coping and continuing. I plan to listen to this book again and again - just to feel that good ol' kick in the pants to keep me motivated. It is on my iPod and not coming off! Thank you Augusten!

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12 people found this helpful

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    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

Honesty for when things really are awful

For me, This is How is the perfect book at the perfect time. I personally hate platitudes, dishonest positive thinking, and trite prosaicism. Augusten Burroughs writes brilliantly for the person that is hungry for honesty. Sometimes things really are awful, and Burroughs offers logical and reasonable cogitations for these times in our lives.

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9 people found this helpful

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    2 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars
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    1 out of 5 stars

A guru-vy snooze

Don't judge this book by it's cover. It's not a witty, hip, comment on self help. It's a fairly plodding, uninspired attempt to be helpful.

I think it's a shame Augusten Burroghs didn't take the time to address the serious issues in the book with his demonstrated skill. The lackluster prose and preachy "we're talking about you, not me" content was a terrible departure from his usual work. Imagine Miley Cyrus singing Wagner. A perplexing, painful experience.

I love you, Augusten. "Dry"'s one of my favorite books. But you need a new editor, agent, publisher or just someone who will hold you to your talent and not just cash in on your past. Be great.

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6 people found this helpful

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Wonderful, inspiring, insightful

What a wonderfully candid, thought-provoking, and truly interesting book. I was already a Burroughs fan when I happened upon this thoroughly enjoyable read. I strongly recommend it for anyone seeking straight talk, delivered with just the right dose of self-effacing humor.

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6 people found this helpful

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    3 out of 5 stars
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    2 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars

Not the story I thought

Would you try another book from Augusten Burroughs and/or Augusten Burroughs?

Yes

Would you be willing to try another book from Augusten Burroughs? Why or why not?

I am a big Augusten Burroughs fan — I loved Dry, and Running with Scissors. I thought that this book would be like his others, but not so.

How did the narrator detract from the book?

The author reading his own work — he sounds incredibly sarcastic. Not the way he sounds in my head when I read him.

Was This Is How worth the listening time?

I did not get through the second chapter. Oh well.

Any additional comments?

I love Augsten Borroughs, but this book just did not capture my attention like an audio book needs to.

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5 people found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars
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Augusten Is Hilarious!!

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Of course!

What other book might you compare This Is How to and why?

His other books, because he reads them.

Which character – as performed by Augusten Burroughs – was your favorite?

himself.

What’s an idea from the book that you will remember?

Self Help affirmations are bs!

Any additional comments?

I will always be loyal to Mr. Burroughs.

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    5 out of 5 stars
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Powerful and direct advice that worked 4 me....

Would you consider the audio edition of This Is How to be better than the print version?

The audio version is so much more compelling and inspirational than the print version. A night and day difference.

What did you like best about this story?

Burroughs offers insights to problems from real life experiences that so many people experience everyday. He presents ideas in a fresh manner that are instantly usable. I really admire his courage to reveal so much without the stain of self pity.

What about Augusten Burroughs’s performance did you like?

Burroughs is unflinching and direct when he addresses problems. Nothing is sugar coated.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

Burroughs thoughtful analysis of a grim situation and declaring with great compassion that there is another way to solve a problem or deal with a tough uncomfortable moment in life. A game changer for me and those I've recommended the audio version to as a gift. That life really is incredible miracle and you are a part of that miracle....

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4 people found this helpful

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    4 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

Inspiring/Heartbreaking

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Yes; maybe to a person who feels unlucky in love or who has recently lost a close relative. Bear in mind, this is not exactly a self-help book. It's an essay, it's actual literature, written to resemble a self-help book.
Some passages are laugh-out-loud funny, some are inspirational. Some parts are very touching and actually made me cry.

What other book might you compare This Is How to and why?

Dry, by the same author.

Have you listened to any of Augusten Burroughs’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

I have read his other books (I especially love Sellevision) but had never heard his voice before.

What’s an idea from the book that you will remember?

If you're not aware of the context, you might believe something terrible happened, when it really wasn't that bad.

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