Catholic Book Journal

The Florist's Daughter

The Florist's Daughter by Patricia Hampl

Patricia Hampl's memoir is wonderful, moving and personal. With her dying mother's hand held in her own at the side of a hospital bed, Hampl reflects on the wonderful weight of being a daughter--of both loving, caring for and honoring parents, and receiving parents' love, care, and pride. Her story unravels as a lyrical stream of consciousness, flowing seamlessly as she moves from one mind's image to the next. Deeply reflective prose draws readers into the heart of remembrance--for her family and her beloved St. Paul, and the self that grew with them.

Patricia Hampl's new memoir "offers the bloom of meditation on the mysteries between parents and children, between the past and the present, and between those old adversaries, beauty and truth." --Kristin Ohlson, author of Stalking the Divine

My Life with the Saints

My Life with the Saints by James Martin, SJ

James Martin, SJ, an editor at America magazine and a frequent commentator for the media, has written a “delightful,” (First Things) “Remarkably engaging” (U.S. Catholic) and “an outstanding and often hilarious memoir” (Publishers Weekly). Martin introduces us to 16 of his historical friends and explores their relevance for how we live the Christian life. Some of his friends include Pope John XXIII, Thomas Aquinas, Dorothy Day, the Ugandan Martyrs, and Thomas Merton.

I heard Martin address all those in attendance at the Religious Booksellers Trade Exhibit (May 29 – June 1, 2007.) His address is available as a podcast at www.loyolapress.org.