If you enjoy reading novels by Augusten Burroughs then you might also like the following authors:
David Sedaris is a humor writer known for sharp wit and brutally honest reflections on daily life and family chaos. If you enjoy Augusten Burroughs’ dark humor and candid storytelling, Sedaris’ collection “Me Talk Pretty One Day” might be a refreshing find.
The book spans Sedaris’ life between North Carolina, New York, and eventually Paris. He tackles the weirdness of language barriers, culture shock, awkward childhood memories, and family antics all with a self-aware eye.
There’s one story about his struggles to learn French when he moves to Paris—embarrassing himself and misunderstanding others repeatedly—that sums up Sedaris’ humor perfectly. His writing feels conversational, a mix of absurdity, vulnerability, and social satire.
Books by Jeannette Walls often appeal to readers who enjoy Augusten Burroughs’ honest and darkly humorous approach to storytelling. In her memoir “The Glass Castle,” Walls shares the true story of her unconventional childhood with extraordinary openness.
Her parents were eccentric and deeply flawed, leading their children through chaotic adventures and hardships across America.
Despite poverty, neglect, and constant instability, Walls recounts her experiences without bitterness, illuminating resilience, family bonds, and complex love. Fans of Burroughs’ style will appreciate Walls’ ability to balance tough realities with warmth and gentle humor.
Elizabeth Wurtzel was an American writer known for her deeply raw autobiographical style. Her memoir, “Prozac Nation,” captures the chaos and intensity of living with clinical depression.
Wurtzel begins her story during her teenage years, painting vivid scenes of what life feels like when sadness never lifts and emotions spin out of control.
She writes honestly, holding nothing back as she describes her struggles with relationships, academic pressure, therapy, and medication. Through her experiences, readers get an intimate look at mental health and the often complicated journey toward healing.
Fans of Augusten Burroughs’ honest exploration of troubled family dynamics and mental health challenges in books like “Running with Scissors” may feel a connection to Wurtzel’s straightforward and heartfelt storytelling.
Jenny Lawson is an author known for her sharp wit, honest perspective and quirky sense of humor. Her memoir, “Let’s Pretend This Never Happened,” is a hilarious yet brutally honest look at life’s absurd moments and personal struggles.
Lawson shares stories from her childhood in a small Texas town with an eccentric taxidermist father and her later experiences with anxiety and awkward interactions. Her writing style combines vulnerability with humor, creating moments readers can both laugh at and relate to.
For those who enjoy Augusten Burroughs’s candid storytelling and unique voice, Jenny Lawson offers a similarly irreverent and genuine reading experience.
Mary Karr is an American memoirist known for her sharp wit, honesty, and powerful storytelling. Her memoir “The Liars’ Club” takes readers on a journey through her childhood in a rough-and-tumble Texas town during the 1960s.
Karr writes from the perspective of her younger self, capturing both the humor and chaos of family life with alcoholic parents. Fans of Augusten Burroughs will appreciate Karr’s blunt, raw delivery and her talent for turning dark situations into vivid, unforgettable scenes.
If you enjoy Augusten Burroughs’ candid storytelling and sense of humor, you might appreciate Jonathan Ames. Ames writes with honesty, humor, and an eye for life’s absurdities.
In his memoir “What’s Not to Love?,” Ames presents funny but relatable essays that explore his quirky experiences. He openly shares stories about awkward romantic encounters, his neurotic worries, and misadventures in everyday life.
Ames’ stories feel intimate and real, reminding readers of familiar, uncomfortable moments we don’t usually discuss openly. His straightforward, self-deprecating style makes his writing entertaining and uniquely personal.
Books by Lori Gottlieb might appeal to readers who enjoy Augusten Burroughs’s honest and personal reflections. Gottlieb’s “Maybe You Should Talk to Someone” offers a behind-the-scenes look at therapy from both sides of the couch.
As a therapist herself, she suddenly finds herself confronting personal struggles and enters therapy with another professional, leading to thoughtful insights and raw moments readers may find relatable.
The book showcases her own emotional ups and downs, alongside the stories of several compelling patients she treats. Gottlieb’s openness, humor, and self-awareness create a narrative that is authentic and thought-provoking.
Books by Chuck Palahniuk often explore unconventional characters, dark humor, and edgy situations, perfect for readers who appreciate Augusten Burroughs. His novel, “Fight Club,” introduces an unnamed narrator, bored by his routine and sleepless nights.
He meets the enigmatic Tyler Durden, who pulls him into an underground world of bare-knuckle boxing, chaos, and rebellion against consumer culture. Palahniuk’s sharp wit and satirical take offer a provocative look at modern life.
If Augusten Burroughs’s raw honesty and unique observations appeal to you, Palahniuk may offer a fresh voice you’ll enjoy.
Readers who enjoy Augusten Burroughs may also appreciate Anne Lamott, an author known for her honesty and humor in exploring life’s messier moments. Her memoir “Traveling Mercies” dives into her journey toward faith and spirituality from unconventional angles.
Lamott doesn’t shy away from her struggles with addiction, motherhood, or self-doubt. Instead, she shares her experience with authenticity and wit. Her stories about stumbling toward grace through life’s imperfect episodes offer both comfort and laughter.
If you connect with Burroughs’ openness about life’s awkward truths, Anne Lamott’s voice might resonate strongly with you.
Michael Cunningham is an American author known for his insightful storytelling and vivid portrayal of complex human emotions. If you like Augusten Burroughs for his honest and emotional narratives, Cunningham’s “The Hours” could resonate deeply.
The novel intertwines three women’s lives from different time periods, each connected through Virginia Woolf’s book “Mrs. Dalloway.”
There’s Virginia herself in the early 20th century struggling with her writing, Laura Brown in 1950s suburban America feeling trapped in domesticity, and Clarissa Vaughan in late 1990s New York, who is planning a party for her friend battling illness.
Cunningham seamlessly weaves their stories together, subtly exploring the characters’ hidden yearnings and struggles beneath ordinary life’s surface.
Bret Easton Ellis is an American author who writes stories that explore modern life with dark humor and sharp social criticism. His novel “Less Than Zero” captures the empty lifestyle of wealthy Los Angeles teenagers who struggle through boredom, drugs, and disconnection.
The main character, Clay, returns home from college for winter break, only to find his friends caught in dangerous indulgences and moral decay.
Readers who enjoy Augusten Burroughs’ exploration of personal challenges and brutally honest writing will find a similar appreciation in the raw commentary and direct style of Ellis.
Books by Sloane Crosley offer witty and honest storytelling, perfect for readers who appreciate the sharp humor of Augusten Burroughs. In her essay collection “I Was Told There’d Be Cake,” Crosley reflects hilariously on everyday absurdities.
She recounts personal mishaps and odd encounters, from navigating awkward social moments at weddings to the unexpected challenges of apartment living in New York City. Her stories are funny because they’re relatable.
Crosley captures the highs and embarrassing lows of life with humor and insight. Fans of Burroughs’ candid, humorous memoirs will find Crosley’s voice refreshing and entertaining.
Hunter S. Thompson is a bold, unapologetic author known for his fearless approach to storytelling. If you enjoy Augusten Burroughs’s humorous and brutally honest style, you might appreciate Thompson’s book “Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas.”
This story follows journalist Raoul Duke and his attorney Dr. Gonzo on a chaotic and absurd adventure through Las Vegas, fueled by drugs, excess, and a wild search for the American Dream.
Thompson’s writing captures the craziness and contradictions of 1970s America with wit, insight and a sharp, critical eye. If you’re drawn to authors who break boundaries and offer sharp commentary on society, Hunter S. Thompson is worth exploring.
If you enjoy Augusten Burroughs’s blunt and deeply personal storytelling, you might appreciate the works of August Strindberg. Strindberg was a Swedish playwright and novelist known for exploring complicated human relationships with raw honesty.
In his novel “The Red Room,” he humorously portrays the challenges young writers and artists face in Stockholm society. The book follows Arvid Falk, a passionate but frustrated journalist dealing with hypocrisy, ambition, and disillusionment.
Strindberg sharply critiques societal norms yet maintains a witty, satirical touch that keeps readers connected to each character’s struggles and aspirations.
Books by Sarah Hepola bring honesty and humor to life’s messy sides. In her memoir “Blackout: Remembering the Things I Drank to Forget,” Hepola confronts her troubling years of heavy drinking and the moments she lost during alcohol-induced blackouts.
She describes her journey toward sobriety with insight, vulnerability, and sharp wit. Readers who value Augusten Burroughs’ candid style in portraying life’s tough realities may find a connection with Hepola’s fearless honesty and engaging storytelling.