In this episode of The Catholic Bookworm, Kiki Latimer interviews Fr. Nicholas Gregoris on his book A Concise History of a Hundred Years of Papal Teaching on Catholic Education. (April 16, 2024) Fr. Gregoris, who served as the major translator of a book entitled The Mission of Catholic Schools: A Century of Reflection and Direction, has provided in this short volume a full introduction to the thousand-page collection of magisterial teachings on primary and secondary Catholic education over the past hundred years. https://enroutebooksandmedia.com/ahundredyears/

In this episode of The Catholic Bookworm, Kiki Latimer interviews Andrew Koltuniuk on his role as Director of Video Production at John Paul the Great Catholic University (April 4, 2024) John Paul the Great Catholic University is a unique community of artists and innovators, centered around our faith in Jesus Christ and the beauty of the Catholic faith. We strive to create a campus environment where students grow in their relationship with Christ through Sacred Scripture, the Sacraments, and the Magisterial teaching of the Catholic Church. https://jpcatholic.edu/

In this episode of The Catholic Bookworm, Kiki Latimer interviews Karina Fabian and Dcn. Steve Lumbert on their book There You Are God! Finding God in the Everyday. A Devotional. Far too often, we expect God to show Himself in grand ways yet ignore when He makes His presence known in the day to day. Neither Deacon Steve nor Karina had dramatic conversions. Rather, God led them into deeper faith through the seemingly minor details of life: pot of rice, a habit of prayer, a frustrating flight home, or a barefooted stranger. This father-daughter team have written a delightful, quick book about finding God in the day-to-day. With thought-provoking quotes, heartwarming stories, Bible verses, passages from the Catechism of the Catholic Church, and simple exercises the reader can fit into his or her daily routine, they help others recognize God's presence. Great for the casual or converting Catholic longing for something more in their relationship with God, or the "advanced" Catholic wanting light spiritual exercise. https://www.amazon.com/There-You-Deacon-Steven-Lumbert/dp/1956489169 Karina Fabian is a cradle Catholic and current president of the Catholic Writers Guild. She’s been writing professionally since 1996, writing articles, short stories and novels for Catholic and secular audiences. He has over 40 novels out, featuring dragon detectives, nuns working in outer space, insane psychics, and zombie exterminators. She is the mother of four children, all adults now. She and her husband live in Florida where she writes and he builds rockets. Deacon Steve Lumbert converted to Catholicism in his 40s and dove in whole-heartedly. After being a Colorado State Trooper for 30 years, he turned his service to the Church, becoming a deacon just in time to baptize his youngest grandchild. He spent over two decades in various positions from parish administrator to leading the diaconate program for the Pueblo diocese. Married for 57 years, he and his wife live in Florida where he serves as deacon of St John the Evangelist Parish. Together, they wrote “Why God Matters,” republished as “There You Are, God!” Under the original title, the book received the Catholic Writers Guild Seal of Approval and the Christian Small Publisher Award. Questions:  - How did you come to write this book? - It’s republished with a new title—why is that? - Why do you think it’s important to see God’s work in the everyday of our lives? - Is this book good for non-Catholics? - What do you hope readers get out of the book? - What was it like collaborating together? - Steve, you’re a convert—what brought you to the Church? - Karina, tell us quickly about the Catholic Writers Guild.

In this episode of The Catholic Bookworm, Kiki Latimer interviews Ellen Kolb on her book Pro-Life Journeys: An anthology from Leaven for the Loaf, a Granite State pro-life blog (March 26, 2024) Since 2012, Ellen Kolb has been writing at leavenfortheloaf.com about the pro-life movement, with a focus on New Hampshire. Pro-Life Journeys is an anthology of posts from the blog's first decade, telling the stories of people working to defend human dignity and build a culture of life. Compiled in the wake of the Supreme Court's Dobbs decision, Pro-Life Journeys is not about current headlines. Instead, in a collection of essays spanning a decade, it's about people whose work is building a foundation for the future. From the State House in Concord, Ms. Kolb reports on legislative battles that carry lessons for activists everywhere. She interviews women who have found their way to pro-life work via unexpected paths. She travels to a regional conference to listen to a woman confronting terminal cancer who speaks out courageously against assisted suicide. While in the Nation's Capital for the March for Life, she hears from unconventional pro-life allies who defy stereotyping. The inspiring people described in Pro-Life Journeys reflect many facets of pro-life work. There are essays about New Hampshire activists as well as people who have made their mark nationally. Some of the activists share the author's Catholic faith, while others hold a firmly secular worldview. What they have in common is a commitment to peaceful pro-life action. https://www.amazon.com/Pro-Life-Journeys-anthology-Granite-pro-life-ebook/dp/B0BQ3TJ7X6/

In this episode of The Catholic Bookworm, Kiki Latimer interviews Fr. Christopher Mahar on his book Finding God in Suffering (February 29, 2024) Why is there so much suffering? How do I make sense of my pain? Father Christopher Mahar responds to these questions and more with empathy, conviction, and hope. Guided by the writings of Saint John Paul II and over twenty years of pastoral experience, Fr. Mahar unfolds the mysterious truth that “even in suffering, we can find love.” His short chapters, reflection questions, and prompts for prayer are a rich companion for those who are suffering and those who love them. https://www.amazon.com/Finding-God-Suffering-Christopher-Mahar/dp/0819827568

In this episode of The Catholic Bookworm, Kiki Latimer interviews Denis Sabo on his 500 stories of Nigerian life and folktales. (February 27, 2024)

In this episode of The Catholic Bookworm, Kiki Latimer interviews Sr. Gianna Casino, LIHM, and Nadia Izotova (illustrator) on their book Puffel (February 20, 2024) A Readers’ Favorite 5-star recipient (2023), Puffel is the tale of an adorable puffin who meets some waddly, new pals! Stunned by their awesomeness, he starts questioning himself, beckoning him on a journey of discovery, imagination, and wonder. Maybe, just maybe, what makes someone special is what makes them shine.This delightful book, based on the profound wisdom of Pope St. John Paul II’s Theology of the Body, will captivate young minds and hearts! https://enroutebooksandmedia.com/puffel/

In this episode of The Catholic Bookworm, Kiki Latimer interviews Chris Riley of Saint John Paul the Great Catholic University on the art of storytelling. (February 15, 2024) Chris is one of the most authoritative figures for the official screenplay format of Hollywood. He is a screenwriter whose first film, After The Truth, an award-winning courtroom thriller written with his wife, Kathleen Riley, sparked international controversy when it was released in Germany. Other credits include 25 To Life, a dramatic thriller for Junction Entertainment and Touchstone Pictures; The Other White House, a political thriller for Sean Connery's Fountainbridge Films and Intermedia; Aces, an action-adventure romance for Paramount Pictures; and a screen adaptation of the book Actual Innocence for Mandalay Television Pictures and the Fox television network.A veteran of the Warner Bros. script department, Riley is the author of The Hollywood Standard: The Complete and Authoritative Guide to Script Format and Style. From 2005 through 2008, he served as director of the acclaimed Act One Writing Program in Hollywood, which trains Christians for careers as writers and executives in film and TV. Chris holds a BS in Telecommunications from Oral Roberts University and was a National Merit Scholar. https://jpcatholic.edu/

In this episode of The Catholic Bookworm, Kiki Latimer interviews Lucy Underwood-Healy on her novel The Guest of Night (February 15, 2024) Three teenagers are drawn into the hidden underside of Elizabethan England: a world where how you pray can get you hanged, and misplaced trust can kill. Catholicism is forbidden in this world, and Catholics walk the line between faith and fear. Protestant Stephen distrusts treacherous Papists but values his friendship with Catholic Hugh; Hugh and Bridget resent Protestant tyranny but find themselves relying on Stephen’s help – and his silence. All of them understand both less and more than their parents realize of the dangers hovering on the margins of their lives. And this is the kind of volatile mix that can put nooses round necks. https://enroutebooksandmedia.com/guestofnight/

In this episode of The Catholic Bookworm, Kiki Latimer interviews Dr. Richard Spinello on his book Four Catholic Philosophers: Rejoicing in the Truth (Jacques Maritain, Edith Stein, Dietrich von Hildebrand, Karol Wojtyła). This book unfolds the intersecting life stories of four important Catholic philosophers of the 20th century, namely, Jacques Maritain, Edith Stein, Dietrich von Hildebrand, and Karol Wojtyla, and examines the salient themes of their respective philosophies. Exploring the lives of these four individuals will unlock for the reader the nature of Catholic philosophy, which always aspires to a higher wisdom and the discovery of the hidden harmony of the universe. The spiritual itinerary of these faithful scholars is part of a larger story, therefore, of the intimate relationship between faith and reason that is at the heart of Catholic intellectual life. https://enroutebooksandmedia.com/fourcatholicphilosophers/