The Life of Our Lord Charles Dickens

I got this book for Christmas from my mother, and I plan to read it to my grandchildren. The book was written during the years 1846 to 1849 for Dickens children, and by his request not published for 85 years. He wanted his children to learn about the life and teachings of Jesus, in the simple language of any father telling a story. He sums up the Christian message by telling them always to do good, even to those who aren't good to us, and to always be kind and forgiving.I think it is going to be a wonderful read-aloud.

Dreams From My Father Barack Obama

I enjoyed it. Good insight into our new President. A personal search for roots that is maybe a little self involved, but it reads like a novel, and has great descriptions of his working as a community organizer in Chicago, and of his travels in Africa.

The Hummingbirds Daughter

This is Pasadena's One City One Story selection for this year; I mailed it to mother and forgot to write the authors name. It is somewhat true, based on stories the author heard as he was growing up. Takes place in Mexico in about 1880, during the rule of Proferio Diaz, and during what Father Dermot calls the revolutionary period.This one sticks with you because of the details of life in the time; I want to write more after Mother reads it. The author will be invited to speak, and I hope I can go hear him.

The End Of the Pier Martha Grimes

This is another of Father Dermots books. A good murder-mystery, but really the story of the odd central character, and characters around her. Great descriptive characters, and setting, in a small town in New England.

London Transports Maeve Binchy

While I was in Mexico I borrowed two books from Father Dermot; this was one of them. He said he likes the way Maeve writes but she is "very middle-class." He is right-her characters are very well-drawn, and her plot lines are really interesting. This book is short-stories, and I really liked them. I still am worried about Father Dermot though, because the stories deal with lesbianism, abortion, shop-lifting .... hmmmmm