Augusten Burroughs Books in Order

Where to Start Reading Augusten Burroughs

For most readers, the absolute best starting point is Running with Scissors (2002). This breakout memoir is the cornerstone of Burroughs' literary career, chronicling his bizarre and unsettling teenage years living with his mother’s eccentric psychiatrist. It establishes his unique voice—blending dark humor with raw vulnerability—and introduces the core family dynamics that reappear in his later works.

If you prefer a story centered on adult struggles rather than childhood trauma, Dry (2003) is another fantastic entry point. It focuses on his fast-paced career in advertising, his descent into severe alcoholism, and his rocky journey through rehab and early recovery. Both books represent Burroughs at his storytelling peak and can be read independently, though they are best appreciated when read in close succession.

The Core Memoirs in Chronological Order

While Augusten Burroughs published his memoirs as standalone snapshots of his life, they form a cohesive narrative when arranged chronologically. Reading them in this order allows you to follow his life progression from early childhood to middle age:

1. A Wolf at the Table (2008) – Though published later, this memoir serves as a chronological prequel. It focuses on his early childhood and his terrifying, cold relationship with his father, John G. Robison, providing vital context for the family breakdown that led to his placement with a psychiatrist.
2. Running with Scissors (2002) – Covers his chaotic adolescence (ages 12 to 17) living in Northampton, Massachusetts, in a household filled with patients, adopted kids, and eccentric rules.
3. Dry (2003) – Follows his life in his twenties and thirties as a copywriter in New York City, dealing with the high-stress advertising industry, addiction, rehab, and the loss of a close partner.
4. Lust & Wonder (2016) – Chronicles his adult relationships, dating misadventures, and the realization that his professional manager and long-time friend, Christopher Shellum, was actually the love of his life.
5. Toil & Trouble (2019) – Explores his marriage to Christopher, their move from Manhattan to rural Connecticut, and Burroughs' life as a practicing witch, reflecting on a legacy of magic passed down from his maternal ancestors.

The Essay Collections and Non-Fiction

In addition to his narrative memoirs, Burroughs has published several collections of autobiographical essays and hybrid self-help guides. These do not follow a strict timeline but offer hilarious, bite-sized glimpses into his daily thoughts and life experiences:

• Magical Thinking: True Stories (2004) – A collection of humorous and bizarre real-life anecdotes ranging from his childhood copycat commercial antics to adult dating disasters.
• Possible Side Effects (2006) – Another compilation of essays focusing on his quirks, life annoyances, and funny personal revelations.
• You Better Not Cry: Stories for Christmas (2009) – A festive but characteristically dark collection of holiday-themed memoirs, showcasing disastrous Christmases from childhood to adulthood.
• This Is How (2012) – A hybrid memoir and unconventional self-help book. Burroughs uses his own survival strategies to offer blunt, funny, and comforting advice on overcoming grief, addiction, and low self-esteem without relying on traditional platitudes.

Fiction & Children's Literature

While famous for his non-fiction, Burroughs has also stepped outside the memoir genre:

• Sellevision (2000) – Burroughs' debut book is a satirical, fictional novel that exposes the chaotic behind-the-scenes drama, greed, and secrets of a home shopping television network.
• Chloe & Crow (2023) – Also published as My Little Thief in the US, this is Burroughs' first picture book for children. Illustrated by Bonnie Lui, it tells the story of a girl named Chloe who befriends a mischievous crow, celebrating unexpected friendships and empathy.

Companion Memoirs: The Brother Connection

To fully appreciate the world described in Burroughs' memoirs, readers should also look to the work of his older brother, John Elder Robison. Robison's bestselling memoir Look Me in the Eye: My Life with Asperger’s (2007) details the exact same turbulent childhood from a completely different perspective. Reading the two brothers' books side-by-side offers a fascinating, multi-dimensional look at their family dynamics, their parents, and how two very different children survived the same household.

What to Know Before You Start

Before diving in, new readers should prepare for Burroughs' style. He does not shy away from graphic discussions of abuse, mental instability, neglect, and severe addiction. However, he handles these subjects with a resilient humor that keeps the narrative from becoming entirely bleak. Additionally, readers should note that the Turcotte family (the real-life family depicted in Running with Scissors) filed a lawsuit claiming defamation, which resulted in a settlement. Later prints of the book contain a disclaimer stating that the family disputed some events, and referring to them as an eccentric family rather than a typical household.