Customer Reviews

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

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I have read all of Al Franken's books up to this point with the exception of this one. I had been a fan of Franken since his days of Saturday Night Live, particularly his Stuart Smalley character. This book further demonstrates the depth and intelligence of his humor.

The book is very similar to the movie based on it (Stuart Saves His Family). Having already seen the movie, I was anticipating certain events in the book once I started reading. Despite my previous knowledge, I found the book to be laugh out loud funny. The humor of the Stuart Smalley character is based in him trying to help out others, yet being a mess himself as is demonstrated by his membership in several support groups.

Even people passing through my home who picked this book up from my coffee table and read a few pages have enjoyed what they read. It is not hard to get the joke. This is a easy, but fun read.

I'M GOOD ENOUGH, I'M SMART ENOUGH, AND DOGGONE IT, PEOPLE LIKE ME!, is a year in the life of Stuart Smalley, the character created by Al Franken, seen on Saturday Night Live. The book is written in journal format - each day is a daily affirmation, and Stuart gives us advice and tips on various subjects as he works his way along the road to recovery (he belongs to several 12 step groups).

The book had me laughing so hard - especially the references to the 12 step lingo - he refers to his higher power constantly - and his affirmations themselves are funny unto themselves. Each page is a new day, and a new problem to tackle: social problems, ex boyfriends, jealousies, insecurities... at one point he becomes the executor of a will, of all things! And the book reads as one big gossip-fest.... he rambles on in his journal as if he's talking, and THAT'S okay!!!

I am having a hard time describing this book, but all i can say is READ IT. It had me in stitches!!

I keep this book right here beside me in my home office, so any time I need to get perspective on life I can open it to some random page and read one of Stuart's daily affirmations. Whether I'm in a good mood or feeling down, this book always picks me up! Thanks to Stuart, I now know that "I don't have to beat myself up", "I deserve good things", and "I refuse to live from crisis to crisis"! I have to keep reminding myself about that last one, because my computer connection keeps dropping out as I try to type this review.

I'M GOOD ENOUGH tells the story of how Stuart Smalley (a caring nurturer and a member of several twelve step programs, but not a licensed therapist) deals with his inner critic and his dysfunctional family through the pages of his daily journal. I won't give away the plot, but will just give you a hint that there are lots of ups and downs in Stuart's career and family which help him grow in unexpected ways (such as the day when he notes "This Time I Was in Bed for Only Five Days!")

If you ever need to laugh with love at life's foibles, this is the book for you! OK -- I'm not saying you HAVE to get this book, because then I would be telling you what to do. You are in control of your own life, and things are not black and white! So get this book if your feelings about how you feel about it feel right. I think you'll be glad you did!

When Stuart Smalley first came out I didn't quite see the appeal. Now with 5 years in The Program, I finally get the joke. I have lent this book to a lot of folks in my home group and we all agree that it's pretty impossible not to laugh out loud while reading it. What a funny, smart insightful man. Seriously one of the funniest books I've ever read, though I might not have "gotten it" without my familiarity with 12 step programs.

I keep this book right here beside me in my home office, so any time I need to get perspective on life I can open it to some random page and read one of Stuart's daily affirmations. Whether I'm in a good mood or feeling down, this book always picks me up! Thanks to Stuart, I now know that "I don't have to beat myself up", "I deserve good things", and "I refuse to live from crisis to crisis"! I have to keep reminding myself about that last one, because my computer connection keeps dropping out as I try to type this review.

I'M GOOD ENOUGH tells the story of how Stuart Smalley (a caring nurturer and a member of several twelve step programs, but not a licensed therapist) deals with his inner critic and his dysfunctional family through the pages of his daily journal. I won't give away the plot, but will just give you a hint that there are lots of ups and downs in Stuart's career and family which help him grow in unexpected ways (such as the day when he notes "This Time I Was in Bed for Only Five Days!")

If you ever need to laugh with love at life's foibles, this is the book for you! OK -- I'm not saying you HAVE to get this book, because then I would be telling you what to do. You are in control of your own life, and things are not black and white! So get this book if your feelings about how you feel about it feel right. I think you'll be glad you did!

-- Cynthia Sue Larson
author of AURA ADVANTAGE: How the Colors in Your Aura Can Help You Attain What You Desire and Attract Success

If you know anything about the recovery movement, you know that in addition to being helpful to millions, it can also be saccherine, irritating, and humorless. So can most churches, so that's not a condemnation. But what if the humanity and sweetness of the movement could be captured along with a huge dose of laughter at this lumbering, self absorbed thing? You would have a really special book. Written as a series of daily affirmations, the book reminds us of Richardson's PAMELA (a very early English novel in the form of a series of letters home). In this straitjacket of a form, characters develop, personality is revealed, and we laugh at and with the Recovery world without one jot of cruelty to people's pain or their struggles. This is one of the funniest and best comic novels since Auntie Mame. So raise a non-alcoholic glass to salute Stuart Smalley, who is a little bit of a hero after all.

That may be slight hyperbole. Reading Stuart makes me start talking like Stuart. I think I may _be_ Stuart! This book works both as comedy and, well I'm not sure Al planned for this... as therapy too. I've actually found some strength from both the book and the movie. I'm not kidding. You'll find yourself laughing out loud in public (well, that is, if you read it in public) _and_ walking away feeling better about yourself. I'm not kidding.

I loved this book. It was such an inspiration that I wrote a follow-up meditation book myself for other "alphabet sufferers" such as AA, ACOA, ADHD, CODA, OA and others. Of course I sent it out to Dell publishing but never enclosed an SASE which I later learned is mandatory...I'm so stupid...no that is negative stinkin' thinkin' I made a mistake. And that's o.k. because like Stuart says I am good enough, I am smart enough and doggone it people like me. I am so much like Stuart it's scary. The meditation tape is equally as good (and totally different from the book.) If you tend to take yourself too serious and need to lighten the load a bit get this book. It helps!

Stuart rocks! This book is hilarious and sweet. The humor is pointed yet never mean-spirited. Stuart tells of his life over the course of a year, a year that would probably qualify as the worst for most people, yet for Stuart, one of his best. Every six weeks or so he retreats to his bed, but the inspiring thing is he springs back each time, reminding himself, "I'm good enough, I'm smart enough, and doggone it, people like me". Buy this book for a funny and insightful take on depression.

Mr. Franken, I am waiting for a sequel.

This is one of my favorite books. It's so well constructed and funny. I felt as if I was on a journey along with Stuart. It is more than a humor book.