Feel This Book: An Essential Guide to Self-Empowerment, Spiritual Supremacy, and Sexual Satisfaction

by Ben Stiller, Janeane Garofalo

"We are professionals. Though not specifically professionals in the field of 'psychology' or 'psychiatry,' we are both highly paid actors and comedians, and as such know more about neuroses than you could possibly imagine. . . ."

If you're tired of following the rules, dating people from Mars and Venus, gorging on chicken soup for your soul, or getting lost on a road less traveled, then it's time you listened to Ben Stiller and Janeane Garofalo, two people who actually sweat the small stuff . . . because, let's face it, if your body doesn't sweat, it dies--much like Ben and Janeane's train wreck of a relationship many years ago. From that experience came wisdom and self-reproachment. Now, in Feel This Book, they tackle the tough

- Is love necessary?
- How can I make money off my spouse?
- Compassion--is it overrated?
- Why can't I sleep around and still love you?
- How many times have you told your significant other that you would pick up something for dinner on your way home from the office, and next thing you knew you're at an all-night eatery with some hermaphrodite you found on the strip, having eggs and bacon at three in the morning?

Through helpful tips, completely fabricated case studies, the six laws of spiritual success, the fourteen by-laws of spiritual awakening, and the twenty-three addendums and sub-laws regarding anything spiritual and successful, Stiller and Garofalo teach such valuable lessons

- When it comes to family, grasp onto the blame and don't let go
- Make the connection . . . between Deepak and Tupac
- Your mother lied; looks are everything, and the sooner you submit and stop denying the inevitable, the happier you will be
- And much more!

Feel This Book. Let it be your path, your compass, your sensible shoes, your Frappuccino®. It's what self-help was meant to be.


From the Hardcover edition.

Genres: Humor, Nonfiction, Comedy, Audiobook, Comedian, Self Help, Memoir

240 pages, Paperback

First published April 27, 1999

About the author

Benjamin Edward "Ben" Stiller is an Emmy Award-winning American comedian, actor, film producer and director. He is the son of veteran comedians and actors Jerry Stiller and Anne Meara. After beginning his acting career with a play, he wrote several mockumentaries, and was offered two of his own shows, both entitled The Ben Stiller Show. After acting in a few films, Stiller had his directorial debut with Reality Bites, and has since written, starred in, directed, and produced over fifty films and television shows. His films have grossed $1.38 billion.

He is a member of the comedic acting brotherhood colloquially known as the Frat Pack. With multiple cameos in music videos, television shows, and films, he may be best known for his roles in Heavyweights, Zoolander, Starsky and Hutch, There's Something About Mary, Dodgeball: A True Underdog Story, Meet the Parents, and Night at the Museum. Throughout his career, he has received several awards and honors including an Emmy Award, several MTV Movie Awards, and a Teen Choice Award. In 2008, Stiller starred in the movie Tropic Thunder, which he also co-wrote, co-produced, and directed.

Reviews

[Jason Koivu · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm afraid I did not feel this.

Almost entirely expendable, Feel This Audiobook by Ben Stiller and Janeane Garofalo, does manage to draw out a laugh or two. Set up to mimic the self-help genre, replete with mood music, the book is successful at mockery.

Even though I own a hardback version, I intentionally chose to listen to Stiller and Garofalo in order to fully appreciate their other forms of witticism, most commonly sarcasm and irony, which don't always translate as well to the written page (well, mostly just the sarcasm). They turn their comedic rapiers, somewhat dulled and dated by time, towards their own relationship with one another, dating in general, money, attractiveness, masturbation and more.

It is a short, light read and if you are a fan of their humor, you will enjoy this. If you are not, Feel This Audiobook will do nothing to alleviate your affliction.

[Patrick · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fake self-help book by the dynamic duo. If Ben Stiller shit in a bucket, I'd be like, "Hey, do you guys want to go check out the new pail of Ben Stiller's poop?"

[Stacey · Rating 3 out of 5]

Another book that I read a long time ago. Some parts of it were funny, some were not.
Janeane Garafalo is one of my favorite funny people. I even had the chance to meet her about ten years ago. :)

[Sean Kennedy · Rating 1 out of 5]

Talk about a major disappointment. I love Janeane Garofalo, but the humour in this book fell entirely flat. I get that it's meant to be a satire of self help books, but it just isn't that funny. Maybe if I heard the audiobook by them performing it, it would be better.

[Taryn · Rating 2 out of 5]

i thought this would be better on tape ("Feel This Audiobook") since they read it so you can get a sense of the delivery... but it was really pretty uninteresting.

[Brent Ecenbarger · Rating 3 out of 5]

We picked this one up from our library as a prize from the summer reading program. I thought it looked funny from the cover and some of the chapter titles. The style of the book is mainly alternating chapters between Stiller and Garafalo, however with the exception of the first few chapters they are all very separate essays that have little to do with each other. Ultimately, your enjoyment of this book will depend on how funny you find the different writers. For me, I enjoyed Stiller's sections which tended to me more narrative/story driven, and also longer. For example, Stiller tells a lengthy chapter about a road trip across America, another about meeting his guardian angel, and another about his relationship with Garafalo. For her part, her chapters are much shorter and often based on her theories and ideas. Although I chuckled a few times in her parts, my laughs were all reserved with Stiller. Some of the humor in here would be considered off color now, which depending on your personality will either be a deal breaker or give you a few extra chuckles of "wow, that would get you cancelled today."

[Karlita · Rating 3 out of 5]

I don't remember much about this book, but I do remember laughing outloud a lot. I remember liking it and recommending it to people. so, i say, give it a try. What's not to love about Ben Stiller and/or Janeane Garofalo?

[Anthony · Rating 1 out of 5]

Ben Stiller or maybe Adam Scott mentioned this book during the "Severance" podcast. I don't remember why it was brought up, maybe they were comparing it to Ricken's book, but either way I was able to get it fairly quickly from the local library. Firstly, it was written in 1999 and secondly, I don't think there was a long waiting line for it as it's not very good.

Even though it was written 26 years ago, the book didn't feel dated, it just simply wasn't consistently funny. I may have laughed out loud once and chuckled a few times, but most chapters were a miss.

Ben and Janeane Garofalo started off the book with a "He Said/She Said" re-telling of a fake story regarding how they met, and their first date. That was pretty funny. Then they took turns writing a chapter each - trying to be witty or funny by giving advice that was mostly derivative. There was one chapter by Janeane that told the reader if you're ugly then you're ugly and there's really nothing you can do about that.

I would have liked more back and forth between them as the lone isolated chapters didn't help the flow of the book. Maybe if they both picked a topic and riffed on it, that would have worked better. Janeane's use of footnotes as kind of a "wink, wink" or "elbow nudge" to make the joke didn't work well as they were more distracting than anything and again impacted the flow.

I like both this actors, especially Ben as of late because of "Severance", but unfortunately, I don't recommend this book.

[Jules Poet · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's a screwy self help book but it still gives insights into the worst traits we can put forth in a relationship and the ways to break yourself out of your ordinary life and find new ways to do old things. Though these two are comedians they don't use slapstick comedy or even regular comedy or even romantic comedy which they are both well known for.... this is more like a stroll down a dark, deep hole of neurotic anxieties and greedy tendencies while being overly narcissistic. But it is advice and it's good advice for those willing to really listen.

[Donald · Rating 3 out of 5]

I think I first read this when it came out, almost 20 years ago. I remember thinking that it was hilarious! Well, some parts were, some weren't. As much as I love her, Garofalo's chapters were more like complaints than humor. Ben's seemed much more humorous. His chapter “History” about their (Ben and Janeane's) relationship was pretty dang funny! As was his brilliantly titled chapter “Tupac vs. Deepak”! "Selfhood" also made me smile, so I put on my CHEERFULHOOD! I'm glad I reread it, and I'm thankful for the smiles!

[Carolyn F. · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm labeling this as non-fiction but it has extreme reactions so there is a little dash of fiction in this book.

It's a he-said/she-said about relationships, etc. It's really funny at times. I read it when it first came out because I had been a huge fan of The Ben Stiller Show. If you can find the book, you should read it.

[Stephen Paul Chase, Jr. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Born Benjamin Edward Meara Stiller on: November 30th, 1965, in Manhattan, New York, and is turning 61 in 2026. It falls on a Monday. His father was born Gerald Issac Stiller on: June 08th, 1927, in Manhattan, New York, and passing away on: May 11th, 2020, in Manhattan, New York, at the age of 92 years, 11 months, and 3 days old.

[Chandra · Rating 2 out of 5]

Two people I think I like but I am never quite sure, as I keep entertaining the idea but am rarely entertained by either. Quick read, finished in a couple hours. A few bits were mildly amusing or even poignant on some level of ironic truth, but I failed to see any of it as humorous.

[Alicia · Rating 2 out of 5]

Leans so very heavily in to the GenX cynical satiricism that I just cannot get into. I had read a quote from this in a piece on Janeane Garofolo in the NYTimes that I adored, and so I picked up a copy; unfortunately, that quotation was really the only high point of the full book for me.

[Sheehan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Gen X represent...

[Lisa · Rating 3 out of 5]

#142 of 150 books pledged to read during 2019

[Haley · Rating 1 out of 5]

I didn’t care for this book. I donated it after reading it. And I liked Janeane’s chapters better than his.

[Stephen Chase · Rating 5 out of 5]

The best book about the author!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Michelle · Rating 1 out of 5]

This was a waste of time & money. Blech.

[Erin · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was a quick, funny book that reads very much like Stiller and Garofalo's respective comedic routines. So much so, in fact, that while reading Ben's chapters, I couldn't help but hear Derek Zoolander's voice. He's sharp, witty, and appears to have a *huge* grudge against Paul Reiser and his "-hood" books (Couplehood, Babyhood, which I've read and enjoyed).

While reading Janeane's chapters, I envisioned Daria from MTV's show of the same name. I know Janeane didn't do the voice of Daria, but the woman who did sounds exactly like her. Janeane's comedic writings are just as academically inflated as her standup, and for that, she will always be one of my favorite female comics.

After reading this, you will be no more enlightened about self-empowerment, spiritual supremacy, or sexual satisfaction, but you will have a smile on your face and a few good jokes to share with friends.

[Bardin · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a pretty good book, but frankly, I think Ben Stiller deserves more of the writing credit. I think he wrote roughly 80% of the thing. Plus, his stuff was just, frankly, funnier, and that is no big slight to Jeanine Garafalo, who I am a big fan of. Jeanine had her moments, and some of the quotes (which you can see in Goodreads itself) are hilarious, but Ben Stiller came up with some great ideas including a phony self-help term (that I can't remember) that describes some sort of prayer/poetry that you say while performing bodily functions. His "road-trip" section is quite humorous as well. The sections about the Stiller/Garafalo toxic relationship are quite enjoyable as well (as is watching a train wreck, I suppose). I wouldn't necessarily read this over and over again, but it is a fine, entertaining tome nevertheless.

[Brenna Flood · Rating 1 out of 5]

I love their comedy (i.e. Ben Stiller Show, Mystery Men, etc.), but...

Firstly, I felt like some of the narration read like they were exercising an inside joke between the two of them through their writing. An inside joke where they were discussing how we, the reader, are suckers for buying their book.

Secondly, while I'm one for dark humor and abundant sarcasm, their use of it left the filmy residue of depression. I just felt *sad* for them.

And finally, if you are going spin a comedy yarn using the stereotype of the Irish (using drinking, leprechauns, the color green, fiddles) could you please do it with an approach that isn't so overwhelmingly dull?

Shelving this, with doubts that I'll ever finish. If I'm in a particularly self-flagellating mood, I know where to turn.

[Charlotte · Rating 2 out of 5]

I'm a big fan of Janeane Garofalo and a pretty big fan of Ben Stiller too, but I found this collection of satirical self-help essays to be inconsistent, at times phoned in, and overall less that I expected from these comedic heavy hitters. The most redeeming chapter was a neurotic confession from her about the conflict between a healthy bowel and a healthy love life. But the extent to which I enjoyed it says more about me than the quality of the book. Maybe not a total "skip" but certainly not a "must read."

[Heather · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this book when it first came out and it was HILARIOUS. So fitting for that time period when Oprah was "queen" of self help book reviews and show topics, stars were talking about their own b.s. enlightenment stories, etc. My favorite part of the book is when Ben talks about his "P.H.A.N.T.O.M."s . The book would most likely not be as funny if someone were to pick it up and read it today unless maybe they are in their late 30's or older. Janine G. has become a crabby old nincompoop since this book and I probably won't ever revisit the book because she is zero fun now.

[Ej · Rating 3 out of 5]

I don't remember many details ...but I do remember that the book , though not a page turner , was funny enough . It's not meant to be a well written account of the trials and tribulations blah blah blah blah...it's meant to just be off the cuff and sarcastic , which it manages to pull off. Not the best read of your life ...but it's light enough , easy enough to put down , and the layout presented in a manner that makes this a fairly entertaing "potty-time" read (and that's not a BAD thing.)

[Matt Shaqfan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Life lessons, spiritual guidance, and relationship advice from Ben Stiller and Janeane Garofalo. Pretty much trading off every other chapter Stiller and Garofalo throw in their two cents on what to make of this stupid life. Like any good "humor" book it's a quick read, but also crucial to a "humor" book, is that is was funny. I laughed more at Stiller's stuff, but that might just be because Janenane Garofalo uses much bigger vocabulary words that I didn't understand.

[Samantha · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is mocking the whole He Said/She Said layout as Stiller and Garofalo alternate writing chapters (the first two are each person's account of how they were set up, got loaded, and got it on). They're funny people and they write some funny stuff but ultimately the book is just kind of ehh. It lacks focus and really suffers because of it.

[Bunny · Rating 3 out of 5]

When I requested this book from the Ravelry Book RAK, I suspected I would enjoy Janeane's part more than Ben's. If I'd trusted my instincts, I would've skipped Ben's all together.

I should've stuck with that instinct.

Five stars for Janeane's chapters. Ben Stiller has never done anything that makes me a fan of his, and this book is no exception.

[Damion]

This book is two things to me: a portrait of young adults in the disgruntled but optimistic Nineties and a portrait of young adults who are everyone I know right now. The hangover Fastermation is sheer brilliance.

[Lauren · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very funny. At first attempt, one might think Stiller and Garofalo are writing a serious book, but they're not. Or maybe they are, but in a bitingly backwards sarcastic way that has lent itself to innumerable witty quotes and much snorted laughter.