Marley & Me: Life and Love with the World's Worst Dog

by John Grogan | Biographies & Memoirs |
ISBN: 9780060817084 Global Overview for this book
Registered by krl112 of Hawthorne, New Jersey USA on 9/16/2008
Buy from one of these Booksellers:
Amazon.com | Amazon UK | Amazon CA | Amazon DE | Amazon FR | Amazon IT | Bol.com
16 journalers for this copy...
Journal Entry 1 by krl112 from Hawthorne, New Jersey USA on Tuesday, September 16, 2008
From bn.com:

"Is it possible for humans to discover the key to happiness through a bigger-than-life, bad-boy dog? Just ask the Grogans.

John and Jenny were just beginning their life together. They were young and in love, with not a care in the world. Then they brought home Marley, a wiggly yellow furball of a puppy. Life would never be the same.

Marley grew into a barreling, ninety-seven-pound streamroller of a Labrador retriever. He crashed through screen doors, gouged through drywall, and stole women's undergarments. Obedience school did no good -- Marley was expelled.

But just as Marley joyfully refused any limits on his behavior, his love and loyalty were boundless, too. Marley remained a model of devotion, even when his family was at its wit's end. Unconditional love, they would learn, comes in many forms.

Marley & Me is John Grogan's funny, unforgettable tribute to this wonderful, wildly neurotic Lab and the meaning he brought to their lives."


Journal Entry 2 by krl112 from Hawthorne, New Jersey USA on Tuesday, September 16, 2008
This book is scheduled for an international Bookray. If interested, please PM me with your location and shipping preferences.

Here are the rules for the book ray:
1. Please journal as soon as you receive the book and again after you read it and mail it to the next person. This will help everyone else keep up with the book's current location.
2. Put the book at the top of your TBR pile (after the book that you are currently reading and any other rings/rays that arrived before this one.)
3. If you don't think you will be able to read this book within a reasonable time (approx. 1 month) after receiving it, please let me know before the book is mailed to you. I will be happy to move your name down on the list if needed.
4. After you read the book, please PM the next person on the list for their address. If you get the next person's address from RABCK.com, you may want to PM them just to ensure that the address has not changed.
5. Mail the book to the next person on the list using the cheapest shipping method available.
6. PM me if you have any problems with contacting the next person so I can help with trying to contact her/him.
7. The last person to receive the book should try to keep the book moving by ray-it-forward, RABCK/wishlist request to another Bookcrosser, if possible. Last resort, it is ok to wild-release. I just ask that you do not sell the book.

Here is where the book will be traveling. This will be updated as others join:

Mozette, Australia (Intl)
easterngirl71, Illinois (US only)
whiskeyjane, New Mexico (US)
ladybug74, Alabama (US)
sarkiegirl, California (US/Intl)
teeney, Illinois
imawinn2, Wisconsin (Intl)
mrbaggins1, South Africa (Intl) asked to be removed
pinkbug1, Japan (Intl)
j4shaw, Australia (Aus/Intl if needed) asked to be removed
Davis59, Australia (Intl)
Jean-Sol, Australia
Tinina67, Australia (Intl)
kbmarsh, UK (UK only)(asked to be skipped)

sheepette, UK (UK only) <----lost on its way here

As stated below, this copy was lost on its way to sheepette. She was kind enough to use her own copy to make this bookray continue on its journey. The link for the new copy is here.

lidlekiwi, UK (UK only)
turnpages, UK (UK/Europe)
Vamperstein8782, UK (UK/Europe)
Angel135, UK (UK/Intl)
LadyTrinity, Norway (Europe)
solskinn, Austria
Martjxox, Italy (Europe)
EmgeeNL, The Netherlands (Europe)
Sarahmuh, Sweeden (Intl)
whitecliffs, Australia (Intl)
HunterRyu, US (US/Intl)
cheli-garza, US (US)


The last person on the list, please continue to ray-it-forward. Look on wishlists, post on a thread, etc. Thanks!

Here is the link to original post in the forums for the bookray. If you liked the book, and think it should be considered by others, bump it up.

I list my bookrings at The Bookring Directory!


Journal Entry 3 by krl112 at Bookring/Bookray, -- By post or by hand/ in person -- Canada on Saturday, September 27, 2008

Released 15 yrs ago (9/27/2008 UTC) at Bookring/Bookray, -- By post or by hand/ in person -- Canada

CONTROLLED RELEASE NOTES:

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Wow! The last twenty pages of this book are really hard to read. I really weeped more than I thought I would. I've never lost a pet, but I have been there for my friends that have been through it. This writer is really amazing, and you feel a really strong connection with him and his family. And with their dog, Marley.

Here is one passage at the end of the book that I would like to share:

"Animal lovers are a special breed of human, generous of spirit, full of empathy, perhaps a little prone to sentimentality, and with hearts as big as a cloudless sky."

I'm an animal lover, and I completely agree with this. For those of you that are animal lovers, you would love this book. I'm offering this as a bookray--because this book is too good to keep. I would love to share it with as many people as possible.

Well, this book is starting its first journey today. It will be flying all the way from New Jersey, the land of the Sopranos and Frank Sinatra, to Queensland, Australia, the Sunshine State. I've been lucky enough in my life to travel to Queensland, and it is truly a beautiful place. Mozette, you are up next. I hope you enjoy this book as much as I did.

Journal Entry 4 by Loey from Brisbane, Queensland Australia on Tuesday, October 7, 2008
This book showed up today as part of the bookring. I began reading it straight away. I'm sure to be finished with it quickly as it's about dogs... and who doens't like dogs? They're so cute!

Journal Entry 5 by Mozette from Logan City, Queensland Australia on Saturday, October 11, 2008
Okay, I've done the dumbest thing! Yep, I was over at Loey's house for a visit on Wednesday and decided to journal this book there, but I forgot that she had logged onto BookCrossing. And without checking the name in the corner, I journalled this book and it ended up on Loey's list and mussed up the bookring just a tad. I'm sorry to all about this. I swear to the Book Gods that it won't happen again... am I forgiven? Hope so because this is one hilarious book! I'll be finishing it before the end of next week - I know it!

Journal Entry 6 by Mozette from Logan City, Queensland Australia on Tuesday, October 21, 2008
Oh! What can I say? I laughed, shook my head and could relate to John Grogan and the antics his loping Labrador got up to! What a wonderful read! I was up until 12:45am this morning finishing the book with tears in my eyes for the last two chapters of the book; know exactly how it felt.

Have the klennex handy... for the tears of joy and happiness and sadness too.

Journal Entry 7 by Mozette at Alton, Illinois USA on Tuesday, November 4, 2008

Released 15 yrs ago (11/4/2008 UTC) at Alton, Illinois USA

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What a wonderfully beautiful book about the life and times of a gorgeous dog. Anyone who's had a darling woofy in their lives and had to let it go to chase rabbits in the meadows of heaven will love this book and remember their dog(s) fondly; as I did all the way through this book.
Now, it's off to easterngirl71 in the USA.

Journal Entry 8 by easterngirl71 from Alton, Illinois USA on Thursday, December 18, 2008
I just got back home from a short vacation in CT. The book was waiting for me. I will begin to read it now!!

Journal Entry 9 by easterngirl71 from Alton, Illinois USA on Tuesday, December 30, 2008
This book was a really good read. I don't think that I would have the patience for a dog that misbehaved. It brought back memories of other dogs I have had through out my life, it was nice to remember some of the dogs that I grew up with! It just goes to show you how attached to a pet you can get. They are like family. I had to put my cat to sleep when my son was born, she was only 5 and had severe kidney problems. I can remember that it took a very long time to be able to move on. That is the hardest thing for a pet owner to have to do. Excellent book!!

Journal Entry 10 by easterngirl71 at Alton, Illinois USA on Tuesday, December 30, 2008

Released 16 yrs ago (1/5/2008 UTC) at Alton, Illinois USA

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Sending to whiskeyjane, fellow bookcrosser, next in line to read the book ring. So off to New Mexico!!

Journal Entry 11 by whiskeyjane from Albuquerque, New Mexico USA on Saturday, January 10, 2009
Book arrived safely in today's mail. I will read it next. Thanks!

Journal Entry 12 by whiskeyjane at -- Mail or by hand -rings, RABCK, meetings, New Mexico USA on Wednesday, January 21, 2009

Released 15 yrs ago (1/22/2009 UTC) at -- Mail or by hand -rings, RABCK, meetings, New Mexico USA

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CONTROLLED RELEASE NOTES: Finished reading the book and enjoyed it very much. Ready to go in the mail to Ladybug74. Will mail via media mail soon.

Journal Entry 13 by ladybug74 from Dothan, Alabama USA on Monday, February 9, 2009
I received this in today's mail and will start reading it tonight. Thanks for allowing me to participate in the bookay!

Journal Entry 14 by ladybug74 from Dothan, Alabama USA on Wednesday, February 11, 2009
I enjoyed this book, thought it's not the type that I typically read. I laughed out loud at times because Marley reminded me of my dogs or dogs that I've had in the past. We actually had a Labrador Retriever when I was a teenager that chewed the vinyl siding off the back of my mom's house. They are a handful, but great pets. Thank you krl112 for sharing this book with us!

Journal Entry 15 by ladybug74 at Bookring, A Bookring -- Controlled Releases on Wednesday, February 11, 2009

Released 15 yrs ago (2/11/2009 UTC) at Bookring, A Bookring -- Controlled Releases

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mailed to the next participant, sarkiegirl

Journal Entry 16 by sarkiegirl from La Quinta, California USA on Wednesday, February 18, 2009
Hi!! I got the book today!! They are all coming pretty close. Now I have two. But, I will start this and try to get it out there to the next person as soon as possible!! wheeeee!! I've been wanting to read this for a long time!

Journal Entry 17 by sarkiegirl from La Quinta, California USA on Saturday, February 28, 2009
At first, I was wondering, "Did I overhype another book in my head, because I heard so many great things about it?" After I cried before the 50th page, and then cried for the last 20 pages, I guess the answer is no. It does live up to it's hype.
I'm sure that the book would have still affected me if I did not have a dog, but since I do, it got me to thinking about my own, Ginger, and maybe how she is NOT the world's worst dog. Yes, she chewed a hole right in the middle of the floor when we were gone. Yes, she tore the stuffing out of the couch. Yes, she gets a little snippy with other dogs when they are trying to have their way with her. But, she's far from terrible.
I love that the author didn't play her up to be perfect. He told it like it was, and reminded others that you shouldn't get rid of your dog just because it can be destructive sometimes. (Sadly, I have heard this from owners on more than one occasion.) :(
Anyway, I'm rambling.
I loved the book, and I'm ready to pass it on!!

Journal Entry 18 by sarkiegirl at Nashville, Illinois USA on Saturday, February 28, 2009
see the next one

Journal Entry 19 by sarkiegirl at Palm Desert, California USA on Saturday, February 28, 2009

Released 15 yrs ago (2/28/2009 UTC) at Palm Desert, California USA

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I made a mistake on my release notes. I'm not releasing it IN illinois, I'm releasing it TO illinois,
so, maybe I'm supposed to put my state and city?
I don't usually send books to people, sorry!!

Journal Entry 20 by teeney from Nashville, Illinois USA on Thursday, March 5, 2009
I just got it today.

Journal Entry 21 by teeney from Nashville, Illinois USA on Saturday, March 7, 2009
It was okay. I wasn't entirely sure I wanted to read it, but I decided if the opportunity arose I would. Well, I read it, and I don't feel any better for doing so. It was just "okay". I'm not a dog lover, and I haven't owned MY OWN dog since I was 14 (all the dogs are family dogs, and I rarely have any input or activeness in their lives). I still say it was just okay. I am glad I read the book, as opposed to listening to it, because there is way more vulgarity than I'm used to, and I listen to books with my three-year-old around.

Journal Entry 22 by imawinn2 from Neenah, Wisconsin USA on Sunday, March 15, 2009
Marley & Me arrived in yesterday's mail. I will start on it this right away. Thanks for sending it this way teeney.

Journal Entry 23 by imawinn2 from Neenah, Wisconsin USA on Saturday, March 28, 2009
I am so glad to have read this book. Although personally, I have never had a dysfunctional pooch in all the years of living with family dogs, my Uncle, on the other hand, had a yellow lab that fell in that category. Buffy, in one of her "moments", once ate the corner off my Grandma's garage when tied up in the yard during a visit. Anyway... back to the story.

I give Grogan and his wife the title of sainthood for living through and accepting Marley's behavior and escapades. If there is ever a testimony to love in a relationship, this is one. It is an enlightening and inspiring story of Marley, who loves his family unconditionally and truly enjoys the simple pleasures that life offers, and the Grogan family who learn to love a living creature for WHO they are, despite their many shortfalls and weaknesses. These are lessons that many humans have yet to grasp despite countless life examples shown to us and some of our religious teachings. Unconditional love - a very wonderful and powerful trait/gift but extremely hard for people to attain.

Btw... despite the warnings of the last 20 pages, I still cried. I've been there and done that and I empathize with anyone who had to go down that road.

I will be sending this book off to pinkbug1 a.s.a.p.

3/30/09 - Marley & Me has been left at the Appleton, WI post office and will be traveling to pinkbug1 in Japan. Happy Travels! Happy Reading!

Journal Entry 24 by pinkbug1 from Monterey, California USA on Friday, May 15, 2009
Just got this in the mail, can't wait to read! I'm gonna read it right away!

Journal Entry 25 by pinkbug1 from Monterey, California USA on Tuesday, May 26, 2009
Pretty hilarious! Although I must say I think my dog is the "worlds worst dog" ha ha, just joking. This is a great story about how even a crazy destructive dog can bring out the best in a family.
All I can say about this book is if your prone to crying over animal stories like me, then have a box of tissues with you when you reach the end.
Ready to go to South Australia!

Journal Entry 26 by Davis59 from Uraidla, South Australia Australia on Thursday, June 11, 2009
Marley and Me arrived today in the beautiful Hills of Adelaide, South Australia. Will begin reading straight away.

Journal Entry 27 by Davis59 from Uraidla, South Australia Australia on Friday, July 3, 2009
Just finished - I enjoyed it, and could really relate to the antics of Marley, found myself chucklng out loud many times. Well written, however I think you definitely have to be a dog owner to fully appreciate a book like this. The ending was pretty sad, I watched the movie straight away and must admit to shedding a tear at the end. I really liked John Grogan's thoughts at the end, on a dog's unconditional 'love' for their owner. "A dog judges others, not by their colour or creed or class but by who they are inside". It's on the way to Jean-sol.

Journal Entry 28 by wingJean-Solwing from Melbourne CBD, Victoria Australia on Friday, July 10, 2009
I found the book on my return from a short holiday in Port Fairy (beautiful sunny winter weather, by the way...).
I've been wanting to read that book for a while so thanks krl12 for the bookring and thanks Davis59 for sending it to me from SA.
A few other books to read first... I'll be back for more.

Journal Entry 29 by wingJean-Solwing at Bookring, A Bookring -- Controlled Releases on Thursday, July 16, 2009

Released 14 yrs ago (7/15/2009 UTC) at Bookring, A Bookring -- Controlled Releases

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Had fun reading this book over 2 days. I love animals although I'm a cat person myself, but I have so many friends with dogs that I had no problem identifying with many of the situations. An easy and fun read, and yes, I cried at the end!

It's now on its way to Tinina67.

Journal Entry 30 by Tinina67 on Monday, July 20, 2009
Arrived today safe and sound. Already started reading it. :-)

Journal Entry 31 by Tinina67 on Wednesday, July 22, 2009
Funny and heartwarming! Had to laugh a lot about Marley - great story, I really enjoyed this book.
Thanks for including me.

Journal Entry 32 by Tinina67 on Monday, July 27, 2009
On its way to Sheepette. Travel safe and enjoy the book.

Journal Entry 33 by Tinina67 on Tuesday, September 22, 2009
Unfortunately Marley is still travelling somewhere between Australia and the UK. Sheepette bookmooched another copy of this book to continue this as a ring. Here is the link to the new book: http://www.bookcrossing.com/journal/7495492 .
I hope the old book will be found one day.
And thank you so much Sheepette!!!

Journal Entry 34 by wingsheepettewing from Totton and Eling, Hampshire United Kingdom on Monday, October 5, 2009
Yeah! it's finally arrived. not a lost little book after all.


Journal Entry 35 by wingsheepettewing from Totton and Eling, Hampshire United Kingdom on Monday, October 26, 2009
Sorry, for the delay in this books next travels. I thought it deserved a rest before it went off again.

I offered it up on the rings/rays forum and nobody wanted it, so I recently offered it as a Ray-it-forward on the Random acts forum and had an interested party.

Planning to send out, hopefully tonight.
(this is the 1st time, i've mailed outside my country so am quite excited.

Journal Entry 36 by chamonix44 from Almelo, Overijssel Netherlands on Friday, October 30, 2009
Thank you sheepette. The book arrived today. I can't start reading it just yet,as I have a few books first which I must get read and mailed out before Christmas, but I will start on it as soon as I can, and afterwards I will ray it forward. :))

Journal Entry 37 by chamonix44 from Almelo, Overijssel Netherlands on Tuesday, February 23, 2010
I am going to start reading this book today. I am also reading two other books so it may take me a week or so. I will write my review here after I have finished the book, so watch this space.......

Journal Entry 38 by chamonix44 from Almelo, Overijssel Netherlands on Sunday, March 7, 2010
I found this book very sad in places, just like the other readers before me. Why do I always read these sort of books in public places when I know I'm going to end up with tear-filled eyes ?! After I finished the book I looked at all the photos of Marley inside both the front and back covers, starting at a young age and going into old age. It's nice that the photos are there. I shall be sending this book on to dutch-book soon, if she still wants it.

Journal Entry 39 by chamonix44 from Almelo, Overijssel Netherlands on Sunday, March 14, 2010
I wrote to dutch-book but she has already read it. So I now I must find someone else to send it to.

Journal Entry 40 by chamonix44 at Sittingbourne, Kent United Kingdom on Friday, June 11, 2010

Released 13 yrs ago (6/12/2010 UTC) at Sittingbourne, Kent United Kingdom

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I am sending this book to star69 as promised. This book is in a bookray so please do ray-it-forward to someone else after you have read it at your leisure. Thank you. I hope you enjoy it.

Journal Entry 41 by star69 at Sittingbourne, Kent United Kingdom on Wednesday, June 16, 2010
Got this today in the post. Have seen the film and can't wait to read the book. Thanks Chamonix44 makes a change for you to be sending me a book! Thanks for the little bookmarks too.

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