Journal Entry 1 by EllyMae58 from San Diego, California USA on Monday, June 23, 2003

Running with Scissors is the true story of a boy whose mother (a poet with delusions of Anne Sexton) gave him away to be raised by her unorthodox psychiatrist who bore a striking resemblance to Santa Claus. So at the age of twelve, Burroughs found himself amidst Victorian squalor living with the doctor?s bizarre family, and befriending a pedophile who resided in the backyard shed. The story of an outlaw childhood where rules were unheard of, and the Christmas tree stayed up all year round, where Valium was consumed like candy, and if things got dull an electroshock- therapy machine could provide entertainment. The funny, harrowing and bestselling account of an ordinary boy?s survival under the most extraordinary circumstances.
 

Journal Entry 2 by EllyMae58 from San Diego, California USA on Sunday, November 23, 2003

Journal Entry 3 by EllyMae58 from San Diego, California USA on Sunday, November 23, 2003

Journal Entry 4 by illinicheme from Novato, California USA on Thursday, December 11, 2003

Arrived today. Thanks ellymae58! Look forward to reading this and passing it along. 

Journal Entry 5 by illinicheme from Novato, California USA on Wednesday, May 19, 2004

This is a very well-written memoir. I continuely shook my head in disbelief at the circumstances that Augusten Burroughs has survived. It is amazing what people can triumph over, especially with humor intact.

I am sending this book to jamesmum in thanks for her generosity in sending me Chariots for Apollo. 

Journal Entry 6 by jamesmum from Richmond, British Columbia Canada on Friday, May 21, 2004

Thank you thank you thank you! I promise to pass this along after I've read it. Just let me say it again: Thank you!

UPDATE 8/4/04: I have started a second ring for this book. if you joined, but don't see your name on the list below, please see my journal entry for the second copy here

Bookring #1

Shipping order:

• Scarlett17 (UK; anywhere)
  
• PlatypussJ (UK; anywhere)
  
• SpiderChic (UK; anywhere)
  
• Pauloca (Portugal; anywhere)
  
• LilKandyStar (Canada; USA preferred)
  
• MommyMace (MA; anywhere)
  
• Nafyboocs (MD; USA preferred)
  
• SqueakyChu (MD; USA only)
  
• Editorgrrl
  

• Barker-TX (Texas; anywhere)
  
• GaySocialWorker (TX; USA preferred)
  
• Weeblet (Virginia; USA preferred)
  
• Nicole4 (Illinois; USA preferred)
  
• IndyMomTo2 (Indianapolis; USA preferred)
  
• Tenneh (Nebraska; USA preferred)
  
• SilverStarry (California; USA preferred)
  

Journal Entry 7 by Scarlett17 from Bexley, Kent United Kingdom on Tuesday, August 03, 2004

Arrived today, safe and sound! I finished reading my last book this morning, so that was perfect timing and I shall start it straight away. 

Journal Entry 8 by Scarlett17 from Bexley, Kent United Kingdom on Thursday, August 05, 2004

Oh my God, there are some people who should not be allowed to work with children or vulnerable adults and Dr. Finch is most definitely one of them. This memoir was a description of a highly disturbed and disturbing childhood, and it's amazing that anyone could have emerged from this experience as a normal adult, let alone one with such sense of humour. Augusten Burroughs tells of physical, mental and sexual abuse from seemingly all the adults who were meant to have protected and raised him, and from the children whose unorthodox childhoods he was forced to share by a mother who was incapable of looking after him and the manipulative and, frankly, sick psychiatrist into whose care he was entrusted.
This book is really quite disturbing; you have to laugh at the situation or you would end up as twisted as the doctor who created it.

Sent to Platypussj today (7th August). 

Journal Entry 9 by platypussj from Colchester, Essex United Kingdom on Tuesday, August 10, 2004

Delivered safely today. Thank you Scarlett17 

Journal Entry 10 by platypussj from Colchester, Essex United Kingdom on Tuesday, August 17, 2004

Astounding. There were several times during reading where I was slackjawed; when I wasn't, I was laughing. 

Journal Entry 11 by platypussj from Colchester, Essex United Kingdom on Sunday, August 22, 2004

Sent to SpiderChic. 

Journal Entry 12 by spiderchic from Droylsden, Greater Manchester United Kingdom on Tuesday, August 24, 2004

Yay received this book today. Shall get straight onto it. Thank you 

Journal Entry 13 by spiderchic from Droylsden, Greater Manchester United Kingdom on Saturday, August 28, 2004

Finished this book last night. What a bizarre childhood, I kept shaking my head and thinking nah this can't be true. Very well written.
Thank you for sharing. 

Journal Entry 14 by spiderchic from Droylsden, Greater Manchester United Kingdom on Tuesday, August 31, 2004

Sent this to Pauloca today 

Journal Entry 15 by Pauloca from Coimbra (cidade), Coimbra Portugal on Monday, September 06, 2004

I got it today from SpiderChic.
I am not going to be able to read until nest week, but I promisse to do so as soon as I can. 

Journal Entry 16 by Pauloca from Coimbra (cidade), Coimbra Portugal on Monday, September 20, 2004

Bizarre but interesting.
I am waiting for LilKandyStar's adress to send it along.
 

Journal Entry 17 by Pauloca from Coimbra (cidade), Coimbra Portugal on Tuesday, September 21, 2004

Sent to LilKandyStar, in Canada, today. 

Journal Entry 18 by lilkandystar from Winnipeg, Manitoba Canada on Tuesday, September 28, 2004

received today .... started reading 

Journal Entry 19 by lilkandystar from Winnipeg, Manitoba Canada on Thursday, September 30, 2004

This book was amazing.
THere was a few parts that kinda disgust me that a person can do that to people.
I had huge hate for the "dr", from the very begining I wanted to punch him in the face. He was disgusting, vile, inhumane.

SOme parts made me realize that my life wasnt all that bad, and now i cherish everything I do have.

I hope Augusten is having a beautiful life.

memoirs, the best therapy

waiting for pm to ship
 

Journal Entry 20 by lilkandystar at Bookring/ray in Hopkinton, Massachusetts USA on Friday, October 15, 2004

Released 7 yrs ago (10/15/2004 UTC) at Bookring/ray in Hopkinton, Massachusetts USA

WILD RELEASE NOTES:

RELEASE NOTES:

 

Journal Entry 21 by MommyMace from Hopkinton, Massachusetts USA on Tuesday, October 26, 2004

Received in the mail a couple days ago. I have already begun the book last night. Will journal again later! 

Journal Entry 22 by MommyMace from Hopkinton, Massachusetts USA on Sunday, October 31, 2004

CRAZY!! Fascinating. I cannot believe a person survived that childhood.. His book was very interesting, and sorry to say, Augusten, but entertaining too. My favorite image is of the Finch family sitting in their yard-sale-front yard. Great book! I can't wait to read the next one!

PM-ing Nafyboocs for her address... 

Journal Entry 23 by nafyboocs from Fallston, Maryland USA on Monday, November 22, 2004

The book arrived last Wednesday and I finished it up this weekend.

I can't believe what a crazy childhood this guy had. It's amazing that he was able to survive it and become a productive memer of society. My life seems so dull by comparison.

I've pm'd SqueckyChu and will pass this on as soon as get an address. Thanks for sharing. 

Journal Entry 24 by SqueakyChu from Rockville, Maryland USA on Monday, November 29, 2004

I got it in the mail today. I'm so excited! That was perfect timing as I just finished another book and had to decide what to read next. Decision made! :-) 

Journal Entry 25 by SqueakyChu from Rockville, Maryland USA on Wednesday, December 08, 2004

I enjoyed reading this book.

What a horrible, painful childhood this young man had. I'm glad that his journaling carried him through and that he was able to realize his dream of becoming a writer.

This is the second book of his that I have read. He is quite funny and uses his sense of humor to present those shocking things that made up his childhood in a way that is a little less offensive to his readers.

I'm now mailing the book to Editorgrrl. Thanks for sharing it, jamesmum! 

Journal Entry 26 by editorgrrl from New Haven, Connecticut USA on Saturday, December 18, 2004

Journal Entry 27 by editorgrrl from New Haven, Connecticut USA on Sunday, February 13, 2005

The blurbs compare this book to David Sedaris, David Sedaris writing The Hotel New Hampshire, David Sedaris meets John Waters, and to A Heartbreaking Work of Staggering Genius. I'd say David Sedaris meets J. T. LeRoy. I can't wait to read the sequel, Dry. 

Journal Entry 28 by editorgrrl at Controlled Release in Controlled Release, --by post or by hand (ie ring, ray, RABCK, trade) -- Controlled Releases on Saturday, February 19, 2005

Released 7 yrs ago (2/19/2005 UTC) at Controlled Release in Controlled Release, --by post or by hand (ie ring, ray, RABCK, trade) -- Controlled Releases

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