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Katie Up and Down the Hall: The True Story of How One Dog Turned Five Neighbors into a Family Audiobook
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(3.06) - 435 listener ratings
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Publisher 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.
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"This book is good for those who love to read stories about dogs, especially dogs who touch others and join people together. That is exactly what this is about, and it really made me think of the current situation I'm in. I just lost my dog that I got when I was 6 years old and seeing the hardships of losing Katie that Glenn goes through and the advice his friends give him really opened my eyes. An inspirational story. I didn't want to put it down, and luckily I had plenty of time to read it all the way through in only a few sittings."
— Sarah (4 out of 5 stars)
Quotes
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“Katie is an absolutely delightful story, so much more than a memoir. It is a wise and moving story of love found and shared on life's journey and then the inevitable separation. Reading it you will smile even as your eyes sparkle with tears.”
— Mary Higgins Clark -
“God can appear in many disguises—even as a dog—bringing people together in a spirit of love. All I can say is that I felt 'really good' after reading Glenn's superb book—there can be no higher endorsement.”
— Wayne Dyer, New York Times bestselling author -
“Katie Up and Down the Hall is an absolute delight, a lovely book, and, of course, I fell in love with that beautiful little blond girl. She is a keeper ”
— Betty White -
“Katie types, she models, she uses a remote, she changes the lives of everyone around her—and she's got a great wardrobe! What dog (other than my own, of course) can do all that? Well Katie can—and it's a fabulous, heartfelt book.”
— Joan Rivers -
“Katie is a dream come true to the various families living on her floor in a New York apartment. Her heart is so big that she adopts them all, making you wish you were one of them.”
— Mary Tyler Moore
Katie Up and Down the Hall Listener Reviews
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" Good read. Animal lovers will really enjoy this one. Single man with his dog and how this dog brought this New York Apartment Floor together. She was truly a "social" gal. Lots of laughter and some tears. Enjoyable, worthwhile, quick read. Happy reading... "
— L, 2/3/2014 -
" Plaskin's book about his little Cocker Spaniel Katie and their lives together in Battery Park, NYC is a must-read for anybody that enjoys relationship-centered books. Although Katie is the catalyst for many of Plaskin's friendships, the book is about more than just Katie. It is about how we touch those around us, and how our family can be made up of more than just blood relatives. This book is very well-written and compelling. "
— Kelly, 1/28/2014 -
" If you know me, you know I love all animals, and that I've been rescuing dogs, cats, and parrots for years. Despite that, I just couldn't get into this book. I couldn't relate to the neurotic author who started out afraid of dogs, and wasn't excited by the celebrity anecdotes. I much preferred "Homer's Odyssey" in the genre, "I'm a New Yorker who survived 9/11 with my special pet", although it's obvious YMMV because I'm the only person here who isn't in love with "Katie Up and Down the Hall". "
— Leigh-ann, 1/23/2014 -
" A great story, not well-written, in my opinion. But I couldn't put it down. Well, I read it very quickly to find out what happened, but in a sort of skimming fashion. "
— Carol, 12/31/2013 -
" I want to be Katie! "
— Karen, 12/17/2013 -
" Enjoyable, sweet story, but almost a bit too sweet. I did find the narrative regarding September 11 very interesting. "
— Stephanie, 10/10/2013 -
" Easy read that will make you cry your eyes out! The true story of how DOG made FAMILY! "
— Caleb, 12/28/2012 -
" Sweet story, but predictable and not very well written. "
— Jackie, 8/6/2012 -
" Very touching true story about the how a special dog brought several neighbors together as a true family. "
— Joan, 7/13/2012 -
" This was a wonderful story. It was about an amazing Cocker Spaniel, and also about the families she touched. "
— Faye, 4/27/2012 -
" This is truly one of my favorite books. If you love dogs, you will agree. "
— Maureen, 4/10/2012 -
" A wonderful book! Wonderfully written. This is a book about community, love, what a family really is and of course, the unconditional love of a dog. I just really LOVED it! "
— Sheila, 1/16/2012 -
" Not a bad book. Just a bad choice for me.... "
— Pat, 11/2/2011 -
" Should have thought this over before I read it. Is there a book about a beloved dog anywhere where the dog doesn't die? I sobbed for hours as I read how Katie died as it was identical to my experience wih Wally in June of 2009. "
— Becky, 6/29/2011 -
" I loved this book, it is totally sappy yet wonderful and exactly what I was in the mood for when I read it. It speaks to what family is and means and confirms my long-held contention that dogs are often really angels here on earth. "
— Caroline, 5/3/2011 -
" LOVED it! As a dog lover this hit home! Must read "
— Michelle, 5/3/2011 -
" I loved this book. It was an amazing story about finding family and the journey of life. Pearl and Katie have taken root in my heart and I cherish my own three cocker spaniels so much more after reading how much Glenn loved his. "
— Jeannie, 5/1/2011 -
" This was a wonderful story. It was about an amazing Cocker Spaniel, and also about the families she touched. "
— Faye, 4/29/2011 -
" Sweet and nice, but not great. "
— Eileen, 4/25/2011 -
" This was a really good read. Great stories of how this little dog connected so many people's lives. "
— Margaret, 3/21/2011 -
" The true story of a dog that unites neighbors, this should be heartwarming but isn't because the author is so unlikeable. But as all dog stories go, the dog passes on at the end which piques the loss of all the author's friends. You'll cry for the dog but not for the author. "
— Liz, 2/8/2011 -
" Once I started reading this book, I could not put it down. I finished it in one day! It's a great story about the love between a man and his dog and how so many other lives were touched by Katie! "
— Linda, 2/6/2011 -
" This is truly one of my favorite books. If you love dogs, you will agree. "
— Maureen, 2/3/2011 -
" Cute. A bit gratuitous. I am interested now in living in battery park city. "
— Melissa, 2/1/2011 -
" Good book. I did cry at one point and laugh at others. "
— Thebestdogmom, 1/7/2011 -
" Sweet story -if you love animals,give it a try! "
— Valerie, 1/7/2011 -
" I'm a sucker for dog books and this one is delightful. "
— Paul, 12/31/2010 -
" Another good dog book. This one is a real tear jerker though. A very heartwarming tale of a dog & five people who live on the same hallway in Battery Park City over 15 years. I could not put it down.... "
— Sue, 12/31/2010
About Glenn Plaskin
Glenn Plaskin, a veteran journalist and celebrity interviewer, is the bestselling author of Horowitz: The Biography of Vladimir Horowitz and Turning Point: Pivotal Moments in the Lives of America’s Celebrities. His profiles and columns have appeared in the New York Times, Daily News, San Francisco Chronicle, Los Angeles Times, Chicago Tribune, Family Circle, US Weekly, Ladies’ Home Journal, Cosmopolitan, W, and Playboy. His interview subjects have included such figures as Katharine Hepburn, Nancy Reagan, Calvin Klein, Senator Edward Kennedy, Audrey Hepburn, Elizabeth Taylor, Leona Helmsley, Barbara Walters, Diane Sawyer, Donald Trump, Al Pacino, and Meryl Streep. His television appearances include Today, Oprah, and Larry King Live. He lives in New York City.
About Glenn Plaskin
Joshua Ferris is the author of three previous novels, Then We Came to the End, The Unnamed, and To Rise Again at a Decent Hour and a collection of stories, The Dinner Party. He was a finalist for the National Book Award, winner of the Barnes and Noble Discover Award and the PEN/Hemingway Award, and was named one of the New Yorker's “20 Under 40” writers in 2010. To Rise Again at a Decent Hour won the Dylan Thomas Prize and was shortlisted for the Booker Prize. His short stories have appeared in the New Yorker, Granta, and Best American Short Stories. He lives in New York.