At the start of 2010, I unconciously made a promise to myself that I will read only happy, feel- good books. This was more to lift my spirits up and smile than to feel pain, sadness et all! Well I need to be happy and smiling and with the stress of everyday life, this small little thing never seems to be the case with me and I am sure a good makes-you-smile book is all I need to pump up my spirits.
And well like a breath of fresh air, Marley & Me was just the book I needed!
I guess Marley lifted my spirits up and I was laughing out loud most of the times. A mood-booster, I can well imagine what a pain-in-the-a**, he was! But somehow, you just could not hate him... there was something new to find out in every chapter of this book and the only thing I was sad about was not ACTUALLY seeing him in action :) After this my only wish would be to see some Marley pics and videos :)
I however saw this video where you see him the way he was.. all through the book Grogan keeps on telling you about his size but it never really dawned on me until I saw this video. This is actually the shooting of a movie in which Marley "acted" as himself :)!! The movie's name is - Last Home Run, I am definitely going to try get a DVD if possible :D!
I guess you can see from the above video how it would have been really difficult to manage this utterly nurotic, full of JOY and life Marley, I love him and I LOVE this book as well. There are many quotes in this book that time and again would have resonated in every dog-owners mind who loved his faithful friend! I leave you with some quotes and some parts that had me laughing out loud and I hope you pick this one if it is there in your piling TBR pile :) and laugh! I surely want to goto my mom's place and give my stubborn, utterly spoiled dog a sweet hug and kiss :)
I just remembered what my husband said to me about our dog a few days back ... " You know you 3(mom, sis and me) never treated our dog as a dog! So it doesnot really know how to react like one :D.." LOL! I was like so true :) :)
S
Being considerate, Marley never puked on the hardwood floors or even the kitchen linoleum if he could help it. He always aimed for the Persian rug.
-pg. 90
I had never thought of Marley as any kind of role model, but sitting there sipping my beer, I was aware that maybe he held the secret for a good life. Never slow down, never look back, live each day with adolescent verve and spunk and curiosity and playfulness. If you think you’re still a young pup, then maybe you are, no matter what the calendar says. Not a bad philosophy for life, though I’d take a pass on the part that involved vandalizing couches and laundry rooms.
-pg. 168
Marley reminded me of life’s brevity, of its fleeting joys and missed opportunities. He reminded me that each of us gets just one shot at the gold, with no replays. One day you’re swimming halfway out into the ocean convinced this is the day you will catch that seagull; the next you’re barely able to bend down to drink out of your water bowl.
-pg. 213
In the lonely blackness, I could almost taste the finiteness of life and thus its preciousness. We take it for granted, but it is fragile, precarious, uncertain, able to cease at any instant without notice. I was reminded of what should be obvious but too often is not, that each day, each hour and minute, is worth cherishing.
-pg. 228
Go get your copy and read it! Or may be give it to someone who really needs the laughs and the smiles, just like Shona who gave me her copy of this wonderful read! THANK YOU Shona!
Here is a link of the Author's website.
A link to photos of Marley :)
Thank you John Grogan for such a delightful book :)
16 comments:
Glad you found a book that made you smile. I won a copy and also listened in on the interview of John Grogan on Blog Talk Radio with Jennifer from Book Club Girl. He's an interesting man. We watched the movie as a family too and it was a lot of fun. Hope you find another book to lift your spirits.
I reviewed Moby Dick by Herman Melville and Mrs. Dalloway by Virginia Woolf this week if it interests you. That's a good week for me.
I've never had pets but I love dogs :) This book sounds like just the best feel-good therapy needed!
I love dogs and I love books about dogs, or any other animals for that matter.
The only reason I never picked up this book is that someone told me the dog dies in the end. And I didn't want to be sobbing.
But these sentences you have here really make me want to read this novel
I'm not even an animal lover but I thought the movie was adorable. I have the book on my shelf and I hope to read it this year. Thanks for the review Veens!
I haven't read this one because I was convinced I would be sobbing by the end, but you make it sound so happy! What's a girl to do?
Terrific review, Veens!
I love how this book is based on a true story--or rather it IS a true story. When John Grogan started to include himself--and his wayward dog, Marley--into his writing, he found that people were interested. There's a message here for most writers--put yourself into your work (unless you must only report the facts).
I saw and loved the movie but didn't read the book because a friend told me it was very sad!
great review... i havent read the book.. but i simply loved the movie. it left me in tears for a long time after it ended.
it is a delightful book alright!! i LOVED it...
nice review :)
Loved your review, I read this one last year and loved it too. The movie was really good but I'm a big sook and I cried at the ending.
I wasn't sure about this book, but your enthusiasm is contagious.
I listened to this on audio with my husband awhile back, and boy, did I bawl my eyes out. It's such a sweet story. Have you seen the movie? My daughter and I watched it recently, and we both cried and cried.
--Anna
Diary of an Eccentric
I totally enjoyed reading this book...so moving!
This sounds really good! We've watched the movie several times and really enjoyed it, though it elicited a few tears. :-)
I loved his book The Longest Trip Home, so I went right out and bought this but haven't read it yet. It sounds like I need to move it to the top of the TBR pile.
I read this book with my 7yrold a few months back, he was realy sad when we were done..
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