|
Marley Crashes The Quill Book Awards
Saturday, September 02, 2006
I know I've been quiet the last couple weeks, and that's because the Grogan clan has been away on vacation. As we do every year, we packed up the mini-van and headed for Michigan, where both Jenny and I grew up, for a two-week stay. We visited relatives and friends -- and soaked up our beloved Great Lakes, staying both on Lake Michigan (near where Jenny and I met at our first newspaper jobs) and with our good friends the Kellys (you'll find them on the acknowledgement page) at their cottage on Lake Huron. It was at this cottage where I wrote the chapters about Marley's descent into old age. Despite a fair amount of rain, we still had a fun relaxing time -- and we got in four picture-perfect beach days. So all in all, a successful trip.
While we were gone, Gracie lived in high style with our neighbors, Kim and Bob, whom Jenny and I have officially knighted "The World's Nicest Neighbors." Gracie enjoyed it so much, she didn't want to come home. "What have YOU done for me lately?" her expression seemed to say when we greeted her.
While we were up in northern Michigan, exciting news broke: Marley & Me has been nominated for The Quill Book Award in two categories: memoir/biography and audio book. It's also in the running for the overall Book of the Year award. The Quills are a big deal in the book publishing world. They're kind of The People's Choice Awards of literature. Booksellers and librarians nominate their favorite picks as finalists, and then the general reading public gets to vote, via email. Last year, the Quill Book of the Year went to J.K. Rowling. Bob Dylan won best biography/memoir for ”Chronicles: Volume One.”
A Reuters news story published when the nominees were announced called this year's competition wide open. "With no Harry Potter book published in the past year, there was no clear front runner for book of the year, which will be chosen by the public in online voting from a list of nominees in 19 different categories."
The Reuters story (http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/14470051/) described The Quills this way:
"The Quills, now in their second year, are hoping to challenge the more staid National Book Awards and the Pulitzer Prizes, which have tended toward works with strong literary merit but sometimes little public recognition. The award’s promoters aim to promote literacy and gain the kind of recognition that the Booker Prize bestows on British authors. The nominees were chosen by 6,000 booksellers and librarians from among English language books marketed to the United States in the year to June 30, 2006."
It continued: "The memoir and biography category is likely to attract much attention, with big names such as CNN correspondent Anderson Cooper for 'Dispatches from the Edge' and Joan Didion for her story of bereavement 'The Year of Magical Thinking.' Another popular favorite in the running against them is John Grogan’s 'Marley and Me,' a hugely successful book about his dog that has dominated the best-seller lists this year."
So now it's in your hands, book lovers. As far as I can tell, you can only vote once per email address (not that this author attempted to vote for himself more than once or anything!).
To see a full list of nominees and cast your votes, please go to: http://www.thequills.org/2006.html.
You can also vote by going to the marleyandme.com home page and clicking on The Quills logo at the top of the page.
Voting is open through September 30. The awards will be presented on Oct. 10 and the ceremony will be broadcast by NBC on Oct. 28.
I spent 13 years yelling, "No, Marley! No!" Now I'm shouting: "Go, Marley! Go!"
Arf!
posted by John Grogan at 5:56 AM
 
4 Comments:
<< Home
Previous Posts
|
|
|
John,
I've already voted, but just in the categories I'm familiar with. I did chose your book for book of the year, autobiography and audio book of the year. Good luck, and, of course, congratulations on your fabulously endearing book.
Even though I've never had a lab, I grew up with golden retrievers since I was six months old. The first was Clancy, a great noble dog, who being a male, was frequently interested in propogating his kind, even with young children (today, we might be concerned this was a canine pedophile). He was my first love and when he became so crippled from arthritis, I could not bring myself to say good-bye to my old friend. I was only 14 and did not have much experience or exposure to death.
My latest dog, Chloe, is 4 years old; also a golden. Her personality is enthusiastic and fun, to say the least. She, like so many other dogs, is doing the training in our family, serving to break-up family spats, getting her family to provide her treats and hiding away from those loud thunder claps and firecrackers! My wife, who said that "I am NOT a dog" person on the second day after she arrived at six weeks of age, now loves her more than almost anything. (She kisses Chloe more than me!) She, however, does not want to read Marley because she knows she'll cry. I will keep trying to encourage her to read it by telling her that your book reminds us that all life comes to an end and the memories left behind are what lives.
I hope to meet you someday to express my appreciation to you personally, but I imagine that line goes for miles! I, of course, will see the movie when it is released, but I'm sure it won't be as good as the book.
It'll be my pleasure to vote for Marley & Me!
And hey, John -- when are you going to make it down to Memphis, TN?! I've been busy getting family and friends to read all about Marley, so there shouldn't be a shortage of people to come meet you. Come on down and have the best BBQ in the country! ;)
I just finished your incredible book. My eyes are still swollen from the tears I cried over the loss of your precious dog, Marley. I have always had dogs and currently have a Golden Retriever and 3 little Brussel Griffons. I can't imagine life without them. I have had my share of dog losses and know exactly what you went through. Thank you so much for sharing your story so transparently. I voted for your book in the categories it was listed in.
Congratulations on your Quill nomination, John! Marley and Me was a wonderful book. I'll vote for you! I could SO relate to your story, having recently lost a "Marley" of my own. Thanks so much for such great story telling. Marley's up there cheering you on, saying, "Go John, Go!"