This Is How

This Is How is a self-help book by memoirist Augusten Burroughs that takes a direct approach to handling life's major challenges. The book addresses topics ranging from grief and addiction to shyness and aging, drawing from Burroughs' personal experiences. The author wrote this guide in response to readers who repeatedly asked how he survived his own life difficulties. Rather than offering standard self-help platitudes, Burroughs presents unvarnished advice based on his own path through trauma and recovery. Through chapters focused on specific struggles, the book provides concrete strategies for moving forward through crises and personal challenges. Burroughs shares both successes and failures from his journey while outlining practical approaches to change. The work stands apart from typical self-help texts through its emphasis on radical self-honesty and personal accountability rather than positive thinking or external validation. Its central message centers on the human capacity to face reality and take action even in seemingly impossible circumstances.

Readers describe This Is How as a straightforward, no-nonsense self-help book that differs from typical motivational texts. Many note that Burroughs' direct writing style and personal experiences resonate more than traditional therapeutic advice. Readers appreciated: - Raw honesty and lack of sugar-coating - Practical, actionable steps rather than platitudes - Dark humor throughout serious topics - Personal anecdotes that illustrate key points Common criticisms: - Harsh, blunt tone can feel aggressive - Some advice oversimplified - Repetitive in sections - Title and marketing misleading about book's content Ratings: Goodreads: 3.9/5 (12,000+ ratings) Amazon: 4.4/5 (900+ reviews) Sample reader comment: "Finally, someone who doesn't tell me to think positive thoughts or visualize success. Just real talk about doing hard things." - Goodreads reviewer Some readers noted the book works better when read in sections rather than straight through, as the direct style can be overwhelming.

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🔸 Unlike his previous memoirs like "Running with Scissors," Burroughs wrote "This Is How" without using his signature dark humor, choosing instead to maintain a serious, direct tone throughout. 🔸 The original manuscript for "This Is How" was nearly twice as long as the published version, with Burroughs extensively editing it down to maintain its sharp, focused message. 🔸 Before becoming a writer, Burroughs worked as a successful advertising copywriter in New York City - a career that helped shape his direct, persuasive writing style. 🔸 The book's full title, "This Is How: Proven Aid in Overcoming Shyness, Molestation, Fatness, Spinsterhood, Grief, Disease, Lushery, Decrepitude & More for Young and Old Alike," is deliberately provocative and spans 23 words. 🔸 While most self-help books focus on positive thinking, Burroughs actively challenges this approach in "This Is How," arguing that accepting negative realities is more effective than trying to reframe them positively.