Marley and Me
Tuesday, July 12, 2005
"First Look" Outtakes
HarperCollins has a cool, reader-driven program called "First Look." As described at http://www.harpercollins.com/firstlook/ it is "a program to preview books in literary fiction, general fiction, suspense, biography, cookbooks, and other genres, with readers who make a difference – you!" Basically, anyone who wants a free book can register at the above address. Readers are selected at random; in exchange for the early look, HarperCollins asks each of them to file a mini-review. The First Look reviews for Marley & Me came in a few days ago and I am happy (all right, I'll admit it, bleepin' relieved) to tell you that 100 percent of the randomly selected readers checked the little box saying they would recommend Marley & Me. And, no, you skeptics out there, they weren't my cousins. Honest, I don't know these people from Adam. I didn't pay them. I didn't offer to send their children to Harvard. I didn't send a selection of Mom's Killer Oatmeal Cookies. Didn't offer to drop by Saturdays to wash windows.
When I say random, I mean random.
A selection of the First Look reviews are now posted on the www.marleyandme.com home page. But I'm getting increasingly comfortable with the author survival tactic known as shameless self-promotion (I hope if I get TOO comfortable with it, you'll let me know)...and I can't resist sharing some of the outtakes. So away we go....in no particular order:
* "I am ever so grateful to First Look for being given the exquisite opportunity to review this book. ... I can't say enough about this book. ... How can John Grogan top this fantastic book?"
* "To say I liked this book doesn't say enough."
* "The writing style is superb, flows like 'butter'."
* "...This is definitely a book you cannot put down or ignore until it's finished."
* "Marley is the dog we've all had or known and still we love him to death."
* "John's voice resonated throughout the course of his story, and the book benefited from Grogan's background in journalism."
* "It is an honest account of living with an energetic Labrador retriever."
* "Marley & Me is truly a wonderful read. I really enjoyed reading about 'life and love' with Marley, 'the world's worst dog'. Anyone who has ever loved an animal will surely relate to reading this gem of a book."
* "As with any good book, you will finish THIS one with a good feeling. This book is really a wonderful tribute to human's best friend."
* "Mr. Grogan is a great writer."
* "It's a great story for anyone who's ever owned a beloved pet, whether that pet is 'perfect' or otherwise. It's also a great book for anyone who likes stories that are funny, sad, humorous, poignant, moving, and just plain enjoyable."
* "First, let me state that you do not need to be a dog-lover to enjoy this book. ... I could not put it down except during the times I was laughing too hard to read or crying too hard to see."
* "I'll be recommending it to others."
I'll stop here. Wow. I must say I am humbled and honored and totally flabbergasted (though obviously not left speechless) by this wonderful, amazing, heartfelt early feedback. As a daily newspaper columnist, I've always said the best part of my job is the interaction I have every morning with readers responding to my words. There is an intimacy there that is hard to describe.
This just might beat that.
Until next time.... jg
posted by John Grogan at 12:53 PM
 
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