GIVEAWAY & REVIEW: Katie Up and Down the Hall by Glenn Plaskin

Product Description

A personal memoir by bestselling author and celebrity journalist Glenn Plaskin, KATIEis a moving story about a man who discovers the true meaning of family after adopting a cocker spaniel puppy. Through the magnetic personality of his mischievous dog, the author soon makes powerful connections with several of his down-the-hall neighbors in a high-rise located in the unique Battery Park City neighborhood of Lower Manhattan. First, Katie trots into the lives of Pearl and Arthur, a warm-hearted elderly couple just a few doors down from Glenn. Later, John, a single Dad, and his rambunctious young son, Ryan, also move in and are seduced by Katie's charms.

All of their lives are profoundly changed as they are transformed from neighbors to friends to family, with Pearl as matriarch. The motherless boy finds a "Granny"; his Dad inherits a mother, Glenn discovers a confidante. Set in New York City, we witness nearly sixteen years of antics and family adventures spanning Hollywood high times, bad health, accidents, blustery winters, even the terrors of 9/11. Through it all, the family clings to each other, sharing a deep bond that give each comfort, support and security.

Based upon a widely-read article in Family Circle, here is an unforgettable story about the love that makes a family-one that transcends the hard realities of time, tragedy, and inevitable loss.

About the Author

Plaskin, a resident of New York City, is surrounded by more than 300 dogs in his Battery Park City complex, a neighborhood that inspired this book and the remarkable events in it.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 272 pages
• Publisher: Center Street (September 8, 2010)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1599952548
• ISBN-13: 978-1599952543

SOURCE:  PUBLISHER

MY THOUGHTS:

ABSOLUTELY LOVED IT

Glenn Plaskin writes about his dog Katie and how she unites a group of neighbors so that an apartment building of people truly become family.  I fell in love with the cover of this book and the story is equally admirable.  The story takes you through Katie's life of glamor as a model, meeting the rich and famous and a general bringer of good moods.  Katie even gets to meet her namesake, Kathryn Hepburn!  The story is much more than the life of Katie and includes the people she becomes close to and puts a smile on their faces.

I especially enjoyed the author's writing style and how this book developed into a book about relationships and how not being related can still make you a family.  The greatest point in the book is the caring and commitment Plaskin shows to Pearl, an elderly neighbor.  He struggles to help her adjust to her old age and then makes sure she gets the care she needs.  On the other side is Ryan, a young boy who moves into the apartment and captures everyone's heart, including Katie who has a strict no child rule.  My biggest complaint is there are not many pictures of Katie, but I did find some on the author's site about Katie -- www.katiebook.com.  Any dog or memoir lover is going to really enjoy this one. 



WANT TO WIN A COPY OF THIS BOOK?

Please use a NEW AND SEPARATE comment for each entry.

Contest is open to anyone with a US or Canadian mailing address (sorry, no PO Boxes)
Winner will be chosen by Random.org on 9.23.10
Winner will have 48 hours to respond to email or a new winner will be chosen
This giveaway is sponsored by Hatchette Book Group and up to 3 copies will be available depending on entries.

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