New York Times best-selling author Augusten Burroughs, has recently released the paperback version of his third critically-acclaimed book, “Magical Thinking: True Stories.” “Magical Thinking” is a collection of short essays and stories written with forthright and sharp humor.

Burroughs first gained popularity as an author with his first two memoirs “Running with Scissors,” which focuses on his bizarre childhood and “Dry,” which details his battle with sobriety in the 1980s. Both books take a brutally honest, yet humorous look at the unusual, and at times, seemingly tragic events that Burroughs has experienced throughout his life.

“Magical Thinking” uses the same sadistic and truthful humor, but instead reveals short chunks of Burroughs’ life. He takes everyday experiences, from first dates, to a trip to the dentist, and tells them with a twist that leaves the reader shocked but laughing at the same time.

Essays such as “Debby’s Requirements,” which details Burroughs battle with his money-hungry cleaning lady, and “Model Behavior” which tells the story of his stint at the Barbizon School of Modeling, take a hilarious look at what it is like to live inside Burroughs’ mind.

Amid the humor of the stories though, Burroughs does take on some serious issues, such as his struggle dating and finding love as a gay man. The faint-of-heart be warned though, Burroughs’ outspoken humor is not for the easily-offended. In telling these stories, he spares no detail, even his shockingly honest thoughts that most people would never dare admit to having.

One thing that can be frustrating to the reader at times is the way Burroughs hints at several events in his life but does not elaborate on them, such as his childhood. Because other portions of his life have been detailed in his previous memoirs, reading “Magical Thinking” on its own at times can leave something to be desired for the reader.

The hints he drops about his unusual childhood, one in which his mother gave him up to be raised by her psychiatrist, leaves the reader itching to read his other books. Despite this, “Magical Thinking” still stands well on its own and leaves its readers invested in Burroughs and wanting to know even more about his odd yet comical life.