Marley and Me
Monday, February 27, 2006
Howard & Me
Marley has posthumously made a lot of new friends through his story, but one friend I never in a million years would have guessed is.....Howard Stern. The celebrity shock jock last week on his new show on the Sirius Satellite Network talked about my book, Marley & Me. In fact, he talked about it on three different days.
As Howard described it on the air, his girlfriend, Beth, had bought him a copy of Marley & Me for Valentine's Day and he was reading it on a flight to visit his daughter in college. The flight was very turbulent and the flight attendant noticed Howard crying. She approached him and asked if he was OK. It wasn't the bumpy flight, he told her; it was the book he had just finished reading, Marley & Me. He then went on to describe how the book changed the way he looks at relationships -- with his girlfriend, his children, his friends, and, yes, his English bulldog, Bianca. I was later interviewed (by cell phone as I drove to the airport in Phoenix after a book event) on his station's Howard 100 News about the effect my book had on him.
In a letter he wrote me afterward, he put it this way: "Marley touched me and opened me up so much. Your story made me realize that it is the tough times and how we handle them that defines a relationship." He added: "I am spreading the word about your book."
As if I hadn't noticed. And when Howard Stern spreads the word, people listen. Lots of people. My marleyandme.com website drew more than 200,000 hits the day Howard gushed on-air about the book. Wow. (The web address also appeared in a story in The New York Times last week on America's bad-dog phenomenon, and that also contributed to the high number of hits. The Times story is at: http://www.nytimes.com/2006/02/23/fashion/thursdaystyles/23dogs.html?_r=1&oref=login
)
Thank you, Howard Stern. Thank you.
posted by John Grogan at 7:14 PM
 
9 Comments:
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Amazing. Howard creates such a loud, defiant, and brash persona, and yet, lo and behold- he has feelings! Remind you of anyone? Downright Marley-esque.
http://honeaexpress.blogspot.com/2006/02/marley-me.html
I just finished Marley & Me. He sounds like my one-year-old Maggie, who is a dog of questionable heritage. She's destroyed sunglasses, underwear, shoes, a couch....I just scolded for eating what was left of dinner of the counter. But I sped through the book, tears of laughter streaming down my face. I must admit that I stalled the last 50 pages; I knew how it would end. I finally finished it this evening, and couldn't help but cry over our Buffy. She died at the age of 13, and was part cocker and part golden retriever. She wasn't a 'bad dog,' but one I miss even now, some two years later.
Thanks SO much for this wonderful book. I have called all my friends and family, imploring them to buy the book. I'm not loaning mine out....I'm reading it again.
Only a dog lover would know the love our four-legged friends bring to our lives!
~~~Cathy
You know i felt the same way Howard does when I read your book, i cried and laughed at the same time. It was an awesome book.
I heard about Marley and Me on Howard Stern's show and bought a copy yesterday. I have not been able to put it down since, neglecting work. It is a great and touching story that made me cry and give my lovable Shitz Zhu, Freddie, a big hug. Congratulations on a great book!!!!
Josh
p.s. Not all little dogs are yappy, prima donna, Boca Raton types described in your book.
It confirms to us that you can't judge a book by its cover--meaning Howard Stern. Of course, your book pulled me in by ITS cover! It was everything I hoped it was going to be and more!
Back on Howard, I saw his press release to the CBS suit on TV the other night. I'm glad he loves your book and story. I wouldn't want to be the CBS guy!!
Well, the story of your book came also to Guatemala, today I read an article written about your book, that´s how I got to your page.
I simply love dogs, and I´m waiting for your book to come to my country.
Congratulations on your success.
Zulmy, Guatemala.
P.D. I have two wonderful dogs, mine is an almost three years old Dobermann (lovely, they are pure love inside) and my borther has a six year - Weimaranner (he is a little bit crazy and he think´s he is the center of the Universe)
Howard's comments are the reason I picked up the book in the first place. I figured if Stern liked it that much, I knew that I would. And did I ever...I finished it about an hour ago and still have a lump in my throat. Best book ever!
Gayle, Grand Rapids Michigan
As a person who adamently DOES not like Howard, I am pleasently surprised by his response to your amazing book! Congratulations on your success and I will see you on Saturday in Clifton, NJ. I have 2 copies for you to sign!!
Regards, Jessica
This entry cracked me up. On Sunday, I was traveling back from Florida after a Caribbean vacation with my new boyfriend. He was sleeping but woke up as I finished Marley & Me on the flight - I was crying as I read the final chapters. He had never seen me cry, so I think he was overjoyed that he saw something new about me. I am going to write about your great book on my own blog...
I have a 92-lb black lab named Louie. He is as dumb as a box of rocks but the most lovable and sweetest friend I've ever had. I wish HE could read the book, but I'll be lucky if he doesn't chew up its edges.
Great work!