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BPO Recommended Reading => Book Club & Noteworthy Reads => : NoDogNow January 24, 2006, 03:11:45 PM

: Marley and Me: Life and Love with the World's Worst Dog (John Grogan)
: NoDogNow January 24, 2006, 03:11:45 PM
My friend Desi, who for some reason known only the the god of over-neatness will NOT keep more than 1 bookcase in her house, gave me this medium-sized hardback last night as I was leaving.  She got it for Christmas, and loved it (but doesn't love it enough to replace one of the books on the only shelf with it.)  "Here, you'll like this, it's funny--like those vet books you bought the kids.  Take it home."  (I gave the kids a boxed set of Herriott last summer.)

"Desi, this is a new book."

"I know, that's why I'm giving it to you.  If I ever want to read it again, I can borrow if from you."

(Desi is one of the 2 people in the world who I lend books to--and she's the only one who gives them back.  I have to smuggle my 'lent' books out of my mother's house by the sackful, usually under cover of darkness.) 

So I brought it home. 

It being a TAR-less Tuesday, I didn't even bother turning on the TV.  I just put on my sleep shirt, got a mug of ice water and a bag of sunflower seeds, smooshed my pillows around, curled up in my flannel sheets and cracked the book.  It was about 9:30.

About 3 pages in I started giggling. 

About 7 pages in, I started to laugh. 

About 15 pages in came the first guffaw. 

At 11:45, a pounding rattled my security door.  It's the neighbor, in his robe, slipperless and mad.  "What the h*ll is going on over here?  I'm trying to sleep!"

"Sorry.  Sorry.  My book is too funny."  This is emphasised by the fact that I am, in fact, still snickering.

"Well, quit reading it if you can't laugh quieter.  I have to be to work at 4:00!"

I couldn't put it down, though; I was too close to the end.  I returned to my flannel sheets and rearranged my pillows to read on my tummy, with a laugh pillow carefully propped under my chin, to muffle the noise. 

At 12:15, I was sobbing helplessly. I went to sleep with a headache from crying;  I still have it.

It's everything everybody who wants a dog needs to be warned about, and everything everyone who has a dog knows and loves about their own.   

You have to read this book. You will laugh for 270 pages, see it coming for 15 pages, and bawl like a baby to the end of the book.  But it's worth the crying headache.   

: Re: Marley and Me: Life and Love with the World's Worst Dog (John Grogan)
: newflvr January 24, 2006, 04:30:21 PM
Okay, okay!!!  I'll get it, but I HATE crying!  I just HATE IT!!!!  Do I have to read the end of the book???
: Re: Marley and Me: Life and Love with the World's Worst Dog (John Grogan)
: NoDogNow January 24, 2006, 04:42:43 PM
Yes.  You are not allowed to have all the fun giggling without paying the price of the tears later. 

Plus, the giggle at the end of the book won't be nearly as healing if you aren't sobbing when it arrives. 




: Re: Marley and Me: Life and Love with the World's Worst Dog (John Grogan)
: MustLove Dogs January 24, 2006, 04:44:32 PM
I started reading it, and it's soooo good!!! {I'm only on the 2nd chapter}

My sister read it and raves about it.

Awesome book
: Re: Marley and Me: Life and Love with the World's Worst Dog (John Grogan)
: newflvr January 24, 2006, 05:14:43 PM
GROWLS.....oka y....I'll get it...I'll read it.....I'll giggle.....I'll cry.  GROWL!!! 

.............. .sheesh!!!  I take that it this is our February book????
: Re: Marley and Me: Life and Love with the World's Worst Dog (John Grogan)
: cricket36580 January 24, 2006, 06:04:44 PM
I read it Christmas night.  Had the same experience only I cried for a couple of days thinking about Bella!  I almost couldn't get throught the last of the book cause I cried and cried.  That has to be one of the most heart rending books in history!  But I'm still laughing too...Especial ly about the 1st obedience class!  I can SOOOO relate!
: Re: Marley and Me: Life and Love with the World's Worst Dog (John Grogan)
: NoDogNow January 24, 2006, 06:30:53 PM
Well...I don't know if it's the February book, but it's an IRRESISTIBLE book.   :D

: Re: Marley and Me: Life and Love with the World's Worst Dog (John Grogan)
: Perdi's Mom January 24, 2006, 06:33:32 PM
i Have it right now and just started it.  I can't wait to finish it already!
: Re: Marley and Me: Life and Love with the World's Worst Dog (John Grogan)
: Magnus January 24, 2006, 06:57:34 PM
Now I definitely gotta get this book!! As if running after a 9 week old mastiff isnt time consuming enough LOL!
: Re: Marley and Me: Life and Love with the World's Worst Dog (John Grogan)
: DixieSugarBear January 24, 2006, 11:23:46 PM
We have to add this one to the book list. 

Lisa

I read it Christmas night.  Had the same experience only I cried for a couple of days thinking about Bella!  I almost couldn't get throught the last of the book cause I cried and cried.  That has to be one of the most heart rending books in history!  But I'm still laughing too...Especial ly about the 1st obedience class!  I can SOOOO relate!
: Re: Marley and Me: Life and Love with the World's Worst Dog (John Grogan)
: Boobearsmom January 25, 2006, 11:29:30 AM
This was such a good book!!  Unfortunately the crying part for me came at work while I was on lunch.  I started bawling at my desk  :(  Luckily when I went in to give my supervisor a message, she didn't notice my runny nose or red eyes  :'(
: Re: Marley and Me: Life and Love with the World's Worst Dog (John Grogan)
: DixieSugarBear February 02, 2006, 10:50:40 AM
Marley and Me is our book of the month.
: Re: Marley and Me: Life and Love with the World's Worst Dog (John Grogan)
: Kiahpyr February 02, 2006, 05:30:50 PM
I'm so bummed. I really want to read this book, so I went to the library today to check it out. All the copies were checked out and there's 100 people on the waiting list. The library did order 20 more copies. I might see if I can find it online.
: Re: Marley and Me: Life and Love with the World's Worst Dog (John Grogan)
: kathryn February 02, 2006, 06:10:51 PM
I got my copy a couple of weeks ago and I just started reading it today.  It's too funny.  I have had some flashbacks to my Lab/Dalmation girls.  So that just makes it even funnier to me.

Kat
: Re: Marley and Me: Life and Love with the World's Worst Dog (John Grogan)
: Kiahpyr February 03, 2006, 12:54:00 PM
Tajsa,

I don't know if this helps but it was on sale at Barnes and Noble for $13.85.

Julie

Thanks! I'm going to see if I can find it today.
: Re: Marley and Me: Life and Love with the World's Worst Dog (John Grogan)
: aggghgmom February 03, 2006, 04:55:43 PM
Well I have been on the waiting list for the library for over a month so I decided to buy it today.  $14.99 at BJ's.  I wish I knew about Barnes and Noble earlier since I have a gift card from there, oh well.

Happy reading everyone!!

Randy
: Re: Marley and Me: Life and Love with the World's Worst Dog (John Grogan)
: Fumble February 03, 2006, 05:13:18 PM
i went and looked everywhere on this little island of cape cod! and nobody has it!! :(  i'm going to have to call around sometimes this week to see if they got their shipments in yet
: Re: Marley and Me: Life and Love with the World's Worst Dog (John Grogan)
: newflvr February 05, 2006, 11:00:41 AM
Instead of the Super Bowl, I spent the afternoon with Marley and he's everything Nodog said he was.  I laughed, giggled, snorted, and sobbed.  I HATE sobbing!  but it is everything that we love dogs for and more.  Thanks for the suggestion, Nodog!!!  It was a great one!!!
: Re: Marley and Me: Life and Love with the World's Worst Dog (John Grogan)
: amberdoggoneit February 05, 2006, 05:50:14 PM
OK i looked everywhere and everyone is sold out of it or agian there is a waiting list.  So i have ordered it from barnes and nobles on line and will get it in a couple days.  I cant wait!
: Re: Marley and Me: Life and Love with the World's Worst Dog (John Grogan)
: Fumble February 15, 2006, 07:28:46 AM
okay i HAVE TO SHARE THIS!  i'm reading marley and me.. and this morning i got up really early because i have to drive an hour and half to work today.. and fumble, while i was in the bathroom, decided to get the book off of my bed and start to eat it.  talk about the life and love of the worlds worst dog! i caught him before he ate the entire binding!  lol!!!  :P ::) he cute though, so i guess i'll keep him!  ;)
: Re: Marley and Me: Life and Love with the World's Worst Dog (John Grogan)
: DixieSugarBear February 15, 2006, 09:12:08 AM
He was just doing a Marley type thing.  I am reading it now and it is great!

Lisa
: Re: Marley and Me: Life and Love with the World's Worst Dog (John Grogan)
: EllieAndBlu February 15, 2006, 09:49:01 AM
Loved the book!  I laughed.... I cried.... but mostly I felt warm & fuzzy inside while/after reading about that lovable Marley!

I am looking forward to March's book club selection - whatever it may be.
: Re: Marley and Me: Life and Love with the World's Worst Dog (John Grogan)
: NoDogNow February 15, 2006, 04:26:25 PM
and fumble, while i was in the bathroom, decided to get the book off of my bed and start to eat it.

He must have read ahead of you and is trying to protect you from the crying at the end.   ;)


: Re: Marley and Me: Life and Love with the World's Worst Dog (John Grogan)
: kathryn February 16, 2006, 11:33:54 PM
I just finished reading this book.  I loved it but I might have to debate the no drinks before reading the ending.  I didn't have any and I hate to cry. 

Kat
: Re: Marley and Me: Life and Love with the World's Worst Dog (John Grogan)
: Bear February 17, 2006, 02:47:10 AM
I too read this book! and a great book it was. It serves to remind us so many things about dogs of course, and even ourselves. People in general need to pay more attention to the things they do in life, especially when it comes to breeding dogs, having children, anything that involves introducing life  into the world. The story makes me want to send this book to every backyard breeder in the world as a perfect illustration of how any bit of neglect in breeding will effect not only the dog and his life, but also the families, doctors, babysitters etc who open their hearts to care for them.
: Re: Marley and Me: Life and Love with the World's Worst Dog (John Grogan)
: Magnus February 22, 2006, 10:07:25 AM
I just heard today on the radio that he just sold the rights for the book and a movie is in the works. Apparently this book has touched more than just dog owners. Now I definitely need to make time to read it.
: Re: Marley and Me: Life and Love with the World's Worst Dog (John Grogan)
: MustLove Dogs February 22, 2006, 12:38:59 PM
I haven't quite finished the book yet, but I felt a lot of it was more about his personal life than about the dog. It is a good book though  :)
: Re: Marley and Me: Life and Love with the World's Worst Dog (John Grogan)
: Kiahpyr March 05, 2006, 07:39:11 PM
I finally went to barnes and noble to buy the book. It was on sale! It took me two days to read it. I couldn't wait to find out what Marley did next. It was a really good book!
: Re: Marley and Me: Life and Love with the World's Worst Dog (John Grogan)
: Fumble March 05, 2006, 07:41:30 PM
i'm right at the end and am finding it very difficult to finish without tearing up..
: Re: Marley and Me: Life and Love with the World's Worst Dog (John Grogan)
: nickerbokker March 05, 2006, 08:12:48 PM
hands down...my favorite book ever.  that's all i have to say, best book ever.