I really enjoyed this book. It was very insightful and funny at times. This is definitely a book I'd love to buy as soon as it comes out! Thank you so much NetGalley for the chance to read and review this!

First, thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for this ARC!
When I heard that Augusten Burroughs was writing a new memoir, I was ecstatic. I have read all of his books but one, and have loved them all. Toil & Trouble is nothing short of classic Burroughs with the same wit, humor, and unflinching honesty that we know and expect from him by now. I was unsure how I was going to feel about him writing a memoir about being a witch, but it is just as fantastic as his others. It was interesting learning a little more about his mother, and how she was before she went insane. I like that it wasn't a lecture about what being a witch is like, but more so how his experiences in his day to day life have been aided by his abilities. I loved reading about his life with Christopher, as I think its wonderful that Augusten has been able to create such an amazing and loving life out of his previous one of hardships. If you love reading about Augusten's life and all the crazy things that surround it, you're going to love Toil & Trouble.

Thank you very much for allowing me the opportunity to read this book! I appreciate the kindness. <3

This was an interesting read. I've read most of Augusten Burroughs books, so I knew he had a uniquely chaotic upbringing, but this book showed a completely new facet to him.

Admittedly, I am a huge fan of Augusten Burroughs so when I saw this as an offering at Netgalley, I couldn’t have jumped any faster to click the request button. He could write about horse shit ten times over, and I would leap every time. So, I have known two very lovely people in my lifetime who claimed they are a witch, and I am open minded and have no real reason to doubt their beliefs. I was a bit skeptical on Augusten’s claim but no worries...this book is way more than about witches or witchcraft. He has a compelling story of witchcraft. This book takes a turn from his previous books in that it’s not dark at all. He has found true happiness, and to me this is the epitome of life. To have come from darkness to see the light. I loved it when he said he wouldn’t discuss his marriage because he was so disgustingly happy. I can relate as I also feel that way about my husband of nearly 28 years. Not only is he happy, he is deliriously funny, and I caught myself laughing out loud so many times. Don’t let the name fool you. Toil & Trouble is a wonderful read. Thank you Netgalley for allowing me the privilege of reading one of my favorite authors. When I am asked which author I’d like to meet..it’s Augusten and until a few years ago when I found him there was no other author that I would have said that about. LOL. Thanks again.

Augusten Burroughs returns to the forefront of the memoir genre with this eye-opening book into the world of witchcraft and the "magick" that has permeated his life since childhood. If you thought his book Running With Scissors was unbelievable, then hold on to your hats because reading is believing. It's a fascinating look at what it means to be a witch in modern society as he describes spells he has cast, coincidences that are more than just that, and the art of persuasion through the use of his craft. The suspension of disbelief is mandatory for this entertaining and educational read that he has conjured up.

I will start by saying that I absolutely LOVE Burroughs' mind. He's such a fascinating and relatable writer, and I just can't get enough. He always shares with brutal honesty and humor, and I appreciate that so much. I don't know how wide his appeal will be at my library, but I'm going to be buying a few copies anyway. It'll find its way to the right readers. Thank you so much

Just finished- I LOVE THIS MAN’S MIND!!! What an amazing, entertaining read. Such a great storyteller. I think he could write about walking to the mailbox and it would be captivating. I enjoyed hearing about the crazy neighbors, a killer tree, the realtor and fix-it man friends, his constant worries and life with his husband and dogs in a big black house! What made this really cool was that I started following him on Instagram and could see some of the things from the book so that was fun. They deserve all the happiness life can give them! Now I want to read all his other titles since we both have weird pasts and similar humor. Great book!

Non-starter when, in the first couple pages, character gives a list of things he doesn't believe in and the first one is God. I did not and will not read past that page.

Toil and Trouble is is a book about how to be be joyful and carefree. It’s such a warm life affirming, inspirational book but at same time it’s mysterious, amusing and enlightening. I’m a first time reader of Augusten Burroughs, so I didn’t know what to expect. I was not in the least bit disappointed. This book is fantastic! I highly recommend it! My thanks to Netgalley, the publisher and the author for an advance copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review.

I am a long-time fan of Augusten Burroughs and I have read and loved everything he's written but I was not sure about this one because of the witchcraft. I was wrong to be cautious. This is vintage Augusten, comforting and beautiful, like sitting down with an old friend. Unlike much of his previous writing, this is a book about being happy and what it took to get there. It’s life-affirming (still darkly humourous) and enlightening. Keep an open mind and you will love it. Burroughs, now in his fifties, is coming to terms with his difficult past and has made peace with many things, including his troubled relationship with his abusive mother. But fear not: happy Augusten is still every bit as edgy and hilarious as tormented Augusten. This book is both inspiring and laugh-out-loud funny. Highly recommend.

This is Augusten Burroughs best work, yet.
His description of what witchcraft is will change everything in the genre of "occult" books.
After having read multiple dozens of books on witchcraft, I have never heard it explained so clearly.
Also, the entertainment value of all his memoirs is inestimable.
If someone I know doesn't enjoy his work, it is the exact type of red flag over our potential friendship that my dog not liking them is.