I'm Good Enough, I'm Smart Enough, & Doggone It, People Like Me!

by Al Franken, Stuart Smalley

The ultimate meditation book, not to be grandiose...

Take a hilarious, healing journey with Stuart Smalley as he careens down the road to Recovery.  For one entire year Stuart recorded an affirmation a day...except when he had taken to his bed (but that's Okay)...and the result is the most entertaining and indispensable meditation book ever.

From program wisdom (Denial Ain't Just a River in Egypt!  December 1) to survival tips (When I Go Home to Visit My Family I Will Stay in a Motel! September 26) to some good sound practical advice (I am entitled to file for an Extension on my Income Taxes!  April 15th), Stuart's affirmations will empower you!

Work, Friendship, Love, Spirituality, Codependency, Self-Esteem, Acceptance...Stuart deals with it all.  And as you share his ups and downs, his triumphs and shame spirals, you will come to see the ultimate truth of Stuart's March 21st   Today I Will Laugh--At Least Once!

Genres: Humor, Fiction, Politics, Self Help, Adult Fiction

352 pages, Paperback

First published October 1, 1992

About the author

Alan Stuart "Al" Franken is an Emmy Award–winning American comedian, writer, progressive political commentator, and, recently, politician. He gained fame as a writer and a performer for Saturday Night Live, eventually writing and appearing in several films. Since then, Franken has become more known for his political commentary, writing numerous bestselling books and hosting a nationally-syndicated radio show on Air America Radio.

He is currently the United States Senator from Minnesota.

On February 14, 2007, Franken announced his candidacy for the 2008 United States Senate election in Minnesota as a member of the Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party, and was nominated by that party on June 7, 2008. He won the Democratic Party primary on September 9, 2008, defeating his closest opponent 65% to 29%. He was elected to the Senate, narrowly defeating Republican incumbent Norm Coleman. In 2014 he was reelected to a second term.

Reviews

[DavidO · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really liked this book, and I'll try to explain why. When I started reading it, I expected it to be just endless jokes. But it really wasn't. In fact there are only about two or three real jokes in here. What it actually is is Stuart Smalley writing a years worth of daily affirmations. Unfortunately he isn't very good at writing and it quickly devolves into a diary. Strangely, though, the diary is fascinating. His family, his editor, his friends are all so real, that it feels like a real diary of an obsessive compulsive instead of a pretend one. Somehow it ends up being a novel of sorts and is actually uplifting in its strange way, perhaps because it is cathartic to read about his life.

[Bryan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Al Franken does it again. Here, Franken revises his role as Stuart Smalley, the self-help guru from his SNL days. Stuart Smalley documents each day as he tries to beat his insecurities, his inner demons, and his abusive relationships. His musings would appear moronic to any actual therapist, but are so funny that they will make you forget your own insecurities and inner demons, or at least deem them as not nearly as bad as they once were.

[Laura · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this: “…I have to remember that I am a valuable employee! I should be, I’m a codependent! I think I’ll put that on my resume. ‘Codependent – 1951 to present.’ Will work too hard, be over responsible, and you can pay me nothing. I’ll resent you for it. But that’s okay. I’ll be too scared to say anything.”

[Mary · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book gives me even more reason to love my new senator. It's funny, of course, but also touching. I think this and the movie work much better than the sketch on SNL. You laugh at Stuart, but also see yourself in him.

[Paula · Rating 3 out of 5]

Eh, it was okay. I really liked this SNL sketch, so I guess my expectations were higher. Not as funny as I thought it would be yet, oddly enough, it made me feel much, much better about myself which, if you think about it, is supposed to be the purpose of a "real" self-help book. And, surprisingly, the ending was sort of happy after all. Probably not one I'll read again (it felt like it dragged on and on at times), but it's not the worst thing I've ever read.

[Jonah · Rating 4 out of 5]

One of my students gave this to me to read right after we got done reading both The Alchemist and Tuesdays with Morrie as a class, so this parody of self-help books was especially entertaining! Although it is technically a "daily affirmation" book, the narrator (Stuart Smalley) goes into so much detail that it kind of ends up telling a complete story and therefore reads like a novel. Good, mindless reading that got many a laugh out of me!

[Joanne · Rating 2 out of 5]

Purchased at Boder's off the sale rack for $1.99. Looked interesting & enlightening.

Sometimes Stuart’s “stinking thinking”, dysfunctional life, and multiple 12 step program got to me. Although I do think his year ended on an upbeat note! There were some funny parts and mottos that Stuart coined, but overall I had to push myself to finish the book. Wirtten in a daily diary format, it is easy to read a few pages when you have a short timeframe.

[Ellen · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book is very similar to the movie "Stuart saves his Family". I saw the movie a long time ago. In a way, the movie was better.
You can't help but feel sorry for Stuart. He has to overcome so much when dealing with his dysfunctional family. Fortunately, he does have quite of bit of success for having low self esteem that does help even things out for him. A funny read for anyone who ever had to deal with any family issues.

[Amber · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have seen the movie but hadn't read the book. It was cute, a little over the top (of course) but funny. Also sad. It may or may not have affected my speech patterns for a few days, but that's ok, because I own it.

[Leslie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I always loved this character on SNL. I love how Stuart constantly repeats little phrases that you hear in AA and other 12-step programs. They sound so corny, and Stuart is so sincere when he says them. I laughed very hard several times.

[jacky · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was just waking up and suddenly remembered reading this book like ten years ago. I remember it was written like a journal and was kind of funny. The story was based on the SNL character. It is possible that some of the humor went over my head.

[Nancy · Rating 4 out of 5]

A friend and I were joking about Stuart Smalley's Daily Affirmations, so it occurred to me to look for this on audible. I enjoyed it, but then I've always enjoyed every single thing Al Franken has ever done.

[Cindy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book made me laugh so hard so many times.

It's a touching journal of sorts of a year in the life of Stuart Smalley, Al Franken's well-meaning but unfortunate character from Saturday Night Live. Poor Stuart, lucky us.

[Jessica · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you're a fan of Stuart Smalley then you will enjoy this book.

[Gillian · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book. It was sweet and smart and made me laugh so much. It's even a great self-help book. Daily Affirmation: Next time I visit my family I will rent a car! A true learning tool.

[Carol · Rating 4 out of 5]

Al Franken cracks me up. A self-help book by the one character who should not be trying to help anybody!

[Rivkah · Rating 2 out of 5]

I read this because my sister bought it for me for $2 on clearance. It is rather entertaining...a great bathroom read.

[Marla · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love it! I loved Stuart Smalley on Saturday Night Live. I've read it a few times and I think it's time to read it once more.

[Lynda · Rating 3 out of 5]

Really hilarious. When I read this, I was heavily involved in the recovery movement. I did and still do daily readings. This book poked fun at all that without being mean or degrading.

[Heidi Larew · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book did not require me to think at all. It was the perfect treat for this time in my life. Not for everybody, but there were parts of it that caught me off guard and really made me laugh.

[Ann Brooks · Rating 4 out of 5]

Gifted to me way back when by my now Republican-but-coming-back-somewhat-to-the-center brother.

[Linds · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is funny but then it tries to be a serious book about alcoholism. It's a weird mix, but funny. Mostly. Sometimes.

[明蒂 吳 · Rating 5 out of 5]

So fantastic! Stuart is my hero...

[Jeremy · Rating 4 out of 5]

a really great self help book that starts out as a joke.

[Jim Bosworth · Rating 4 out of 5]

Funny and useful too.

[Alex · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hilarious short book. It makes fun of all of those meditation books. I have it as an audiobook which just adds a whole new layer of comedy. Wonderful!

[Kaethe · Rating 3 out of 5]

I wasn't actually a fan of Franken's character on SNL, but I find his writing amusing. This is a little too much in character, it got old quick.

[Amy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is hilarious, I love to re-read it.

[Danae · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely hilarious

[Kimb · Rating 3 out of 5]

I've never enjoyed the drawn-out nature of SNL sketches so I'm sure why I keep reading entire books based on them.