This is Donna Mason with the Emmetsburg Public Library and this is our new Readerâs Advisory popcast. In this first talk I am going review the book: Marley & Me: life and love with the Worldâs Worst Dog written by John Grogan. Publisherâs Weekly gives this review: "Labrador retrievers are generally
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This is Donna Mason with the Emmetsburg Public Library and this is our new Readerâs Advisory popcast. In this first talk I am going review the book: Marley & Me: life and love with the Worldâs Worst Dog written by John Grogan. Publisherâs Weekly gives this review: "Labrador retrievers are generally considered even-tempered, calm and reliable--and then there's Marley, the subject of this delightful tribute to one Lab who doesn't fit the mold. ... Grogan's chronicle of the overly energetic but endearing dog is delivered with great humor. Dog lovers will love this account of Grogan's much loved canine."Grogan is the Pennsylvania columnist for the "Philadelphia Inquirer". He is the former editor-in-chief of Rodale's Organic Gardening and served as the managing editor for the national launch of the company's Organic Style. Prior to that, he was a columnist, bureau chief, and reporter at the "South Florida Sun Sentinel" for more than a decade.Marley & Me is the story of the beloved Labrador retriever of John and his wife, Jenny. Early in their marriage, the Groganâs decided that owning a dog would give them a taste of parenthood. They chose Marley, a sweet puppy who grew into a naughty, hyperactive but still lovable canine. The book follows the young Grogan couple as they turn their little Miami house into a home, with the help of a still-puppy Marley. Marley eventually grows into a barreling, ninety-seven-pound stream roller. Grogan chronicles the highs and lows of living with the spunky dog and includes such happenings as eating paychecks, finding the remote control buried in the backyard, scouring through dog's poop to retrieve an 18-karat gold necklace, getting kicked out of obedience school by a trainer Grogan calls "Miss Dominatrix", to teaching Marley to adjust to the arrival of three children. Marley also shuts down a public beach and manages to land a role in a feature-length movie, always winning hearts as he made a mess of things.Despite the insecurities, impurities, and flaws that Marley might have, the Groganâs have stuck with him loyally and truthfully, just as Marley has with them. As the family grows, their love and adoration for Marley grows with them. Marley is their constant companion in the best and worst of times.Then we near the end. Marleyâs body breaks down. By the end, his hearing is shot, teeth are gone, hips are so riddled with arthritis he can barely stand. Despite the infirmities, he greets each day with the mischievous glee.This book makes you laugh through twenty-three chapters and then cry for the last five. You read books to make you feel the emotions, and this book does it all: smiles, laughter, sadness, and tears. Even if youâre not a dog lover, I dare you to read this book and not love it. And if it breaks your heart, then you know it was good. Because thatâs what the best books do.The Emmetsburg Library has Marley and Me in both Audio and large print editions. You can call 852-4009 or email publib@iowalakes.edu to reserve this book. Or http://emmetsburglibrary.blogspot.com/ to hear this review.
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