Search - Dry : A Memoir

I really enjoyed this book, I don't think you have to read "Running with Scissors" first, but if you do, You really need to read this book next! they are totally different but with the same great humor.

I thought in the first book he writing his experiences as he remembered them as a child and that is really different than how we would see those experiences as an adult, which is what makes it so hard for people to believe. In this book he is writing his experiences as an adult.

I find it refreshing that throughout his life and books he focuses on the positive and not the negative like so many other memoirs. He was luckily blessed with an incredible sense of humor that allows him to remain afloat in a world of crap.

I don't think he at says "look at me I have a messed up life aren't I so funny and fabulous" to me he's funny and fabulous IN SPITE of his messed up life... and I've only read two of books but I don't recall his ever thinking he was fabulous. I suppose people think that if he was beaten down his whole life he should act more like it - I'm glad he doesn't!

For people who have not had such a "perfectly normal" life his books are better than therapy! and in his books you can find "hope"


....of having a smile at the end of your worst day ever.

I have read two books by Burroughs and will read no more. I find him a bit too precious; "look at me, I had a messed up life. isn't it funny and aren't I fabulous?" Fans of memoirs and especially RUNNING WITH SCISSORS will find this followup interesting, I am just not one of them

We meet a smoother more polished writer in this book than in his earlier 'Running with Scissors'. This time the story almost seems more personal to him and we follow along from the beginning when he is forced into rehab (though he doesn't believe he needs it or belongs there) through the end where he finally does become 'dry'. I would really recommend this to those who have an addict in their lives- whether their friend or family member is clean or using, this book gives us a better glimpse into the mechanics of addiction as it details and stresses the fine points of temptation that the sober take for granted and the addict probably never can.

For those who may be uncomfortable with the homosexual topics: relationships and acts are discussed however, they are not, for the most part, depicted in as blatantly shocking a manner as in 'Running with Scissors'.

Running with Scissors by Augusten Burroughs hooked me on his life and writing. This is a book I won't forget. His struggles about quitting drinking reminded me of my struggles with food addiction. No matter what diet, eating plan, exercise, etc. - I still want to eat too much and eat what I want. When I want. I especially want to eat this way when I'm eating a strict good food plan. :-) It's just not easy. Life is complicated. My past enters in. My emotions determine a lot.

I love Augusten's views on life, relationships, love, work. He's so normal and insightful, yet thinks he's a mess. As do we all on some occasions. Augusten shuns a former boyfriend, not giving him the time this friend needs, only to find out too late how much he loved his friend. Why didn't he show him how much he loved and needed him while there was still time? One of the dilemmas of life....May of us have been there, regarding parents passed on, children, etc.

Augusten represents us all. We're all human beings. Sometimes jerks, sometimes loving, sometimes we mess up bigtime, sometimes we keep it together...just barely. LOVE, love, love his memoirs. I've ordered 2 of his other books and right now, he is all I want to read. His appalling upbringing (Running with Scissors), his work in advertising & jerks encountered, his friends - like the National Enquirer - "I want to know".

I thoroughly enjoyed this. I have become a real fan of Augusten and his wry perspective on life- he manages to take his craziness and make it understandable and real.

Great continuation of Burroughs previous memoir, but tackling different issues, therefore with a slightly different tone. This one is just as witty and very well written.