The Pageturning Report: June 2024

A new job! Books galore. Reviewing Star Wars: The Acolyte. And more!

In yesterday’s post, I announced that I just landed a new job as a history educator and guide at the Raynham Hall Museum here on Long Island! This opportunity came completely out of the blue, and I’m so excited to begin this new phase of my career!

Don’t worry, I’ll still have plenty of time for writing and for updating this newsletter. In fact, I hope to share some insights into museum life in future posts and explore some of the incredible history I’ll be learning about.

Reading Life

I found plenty of time for reading in June, usually in the evenings. Spiritual biographies and history were on my literary menu over the last few weeks. Here’s a rundown of all the books I’ve finished this month:

• But I Have Called You Friends: Reflections on the Art of Christian Friendship by Mother Mary Francis, P.C.C. — A wonderful series of meditations on authentic friendship. Mother Mary Francis has such a clear and engaging style!

• A Man of the Beatitudes: Pier Giorgio Frassati by Luciana Frassati — I honestly didn’t know much about Blessed Pier Giorgio before picking up this engrossing biography. I stayed up late to finish it!

• Blessed Carlo Acutis: A Saint in Sneakers by Courtney Mares — Another biography that saw me staying up past midnight to finish it. Blessed Carlo is the standard bearer for holiness in the Millennial generation and is one of my new favorite saints.

• Gregor Mendel: The Friar Who Grew Peas by Cheryl Bardoe, illustrated by Jos. A. Smith — As a children’s book author, I’m always eager to read kids nonfiction books. The illustrations are charming and the story of Mendel’s life is fascinating.

• Brilliant! 28 Catholic Scientists, Mathematicians, and Supersmart People (2nd Edition) by David Michael Warren, illustrated by Jaclyn Warren — Beautifully illustrated, this children’s nonfiction book brings the lives of Catholic scientists to life in a vibrant way. I was even inspired with some ideas for future kidlit projects of my own!

• Meditations at Midnight: Poetry and Prose by Gary Jansen — The author was kind enough to send me a review copy of this fascinating collection of essays and poems. Be on the lookout for an author interview in the not too distant future!

• Nuclear War: A Scenario by Annie Jacobsen — This nonfiction book reads like a thriller and is more terrifying that many horror novels I’ve read! A sobering read, but important for understanding what’s at stake in the new Cold War between the U.S. and Russia.

• Empires of the Normans: Conquerors of Europe by Levi Roach — A fascinating deep dive into the kingdoms of the Normans, from England to Sicily and beyond. Easy to read, with a colorful cast of historical characters. If you enjoy Medieval history, check it out!

• Dinosaur Sanctuary, Vols. 1 & 2 by Itaru Kinoshita — If any manga was made especially for me, this is it! Follow the adventures of a spunky young zookeeper trying to build a career at a dinosaur park! (And, unlike many other manga titles, this one is kid friendly!)

  

  Photo by Olga Tutunaru on Unsplash

New Articles

Word on Fire

If you’ve read this newsletter for any length of time, you probably know that I love Star Wars. In terms of fantasy sagas that have shaped my imagination (and yes, Star Wars is fantasy in a sci-fi setting) the stories and characters of that “galaxy far, far away” are second only to the exquisite beauty of Tolkien’s Middle-earth legendarium.

Recently, I had the splendid opportunity to interview author

Eric A. Clayton

about his new book, My Life with the Jedi: The Spirituality of Star Wars, available now from Loyola Press. Clayton and I discuss how the Star Wars universe can serve as a guide along our own spiritual journeys. 

Author Eric A. Clayton on Star Wars and Ignatian Spirituality

I believe that prayer points us to God and to God’s will. God’s great dream for our lives is the thing that gets us out of bed in the morning. But we have to discover that, one day at a time. We have to weigh all the many options of life and discern which resonates most deeply with us. . . .

Look at [Luke Skywalker]: There’s nothing inherently bad about his life as a moisture farmer. But Luke wants to make his mark on a larger galaxy. This want—first manifested as a desire to join the Imperial Academy and then fine-tuned into his role as a Rebel leader—reveals a need. Luke needs community, to get out into the galaxy to fulfill his destiny, to bring an era of peace and justice. His personal need corresponds with the need of the galaxy at large. But he is just one character.

We look at our values, how God is asking us to manifest them in the world. We look at what we want—holding all things lightly—and then seek to discover what we actually need . . . and how that need corresponds to the needs of our world.

Photo by Venti Views on Unsplash

And please don’t forget to check out Clayton’s own author newsletter

Story Scraps

, right here on Substack!

Podcast Life

June was another busy month of podcasting! The new Star Wars miniseries Star Wars: The Acolyte is in full swing, and I’ve had a blast reviewing each new episode with the SQPN crew.

Meanwhile, I just had a fantastic discussion with

Andrew Snyder

and co. over on the

Mythic Mind

Fellowship podcast! Our wide-ranging discussion covered the beauty of literature, the philosophy of science, and the meaning of history. Plus, I muse about my own plans for continuing my education, and reveal some tidbits about my work-in-progress sci-fi novella Field Station Delta.

Secrets of Middle-Earth

As we continue our walk through The Silmarillion, my cohosts and I discuss the tragic kinslaying of the elves, the pride of the Noldor, and Fëanor’s dreadful oath that would bring doom to Middle-earth.

Before the upcoming big budget Hollywood film was announced, there was a fan film about the hunt for Gollum! My cohosts and I dive in to review the movie. Plus we geek out over all the recent Middle-earth news: The Rings of Power, War of the Rohirrim, and more!

Of the Sindar, the Sun and Moon, and the origins of Men—We discuss the next part of The Silmarillion in our ongoing deep read series, and discuss the themes of light vs. dark, life and death, and the gift of mortality.

Secrets of Star Wars

The Acolyte is here and so is our review of the first 2 episodes — we praise the new characters, the worldbuilding and the show’s themes of faith, forgiveness, and justice.

The Acolyte’s third episode is an extended flashback to Osha and Mae's childhood. The panel and I explore the spirituality of the Jedi versus the Witches of Brendok and the themes of community, individualism, and the Body of Christ.

Who is the Master? Who is the Acolyte? The panel and I explore the character dynamics between the twin sisters, as well as themes of destiny, power, and corruption of institutions, with parallels from the Arthurian legends.

Secrets of Movies & TV Shows

The 100th Bomb Group was dubbed “The Bloody 100th” during World War II in Europe. In this review of the Apple TV+ war drama Masters of the Air, my cohosts and I discuss the new series; the courage, heroism, and human frailty of men at war; and the moral complexities of so-called strategic bombing.

Up in the sky! We discuss the 1978 Superman: The Movie and its lasting cultural impact: the Christ-like symbolism of Superman, the themes of heroism and moral integrity, and the timeless struggle of good vs evil.

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That’s all for this issue of The Pageturning Report. If you’ve just discovered my little corner of Substack, I invite you to subscribe and to share this post with someone, perhaps a fellow writer, podcaster, or museum professional who might be interested in my work. This newsletter only exists with the support and interest of my readers and followers.

And please, don’t hesitate to leave a comment! I love hearing from my subscribers.

Until next time, take care, God bless, and happy reading!