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The Catholic Bookworm

The Catholic Bookworm

By: WCAT Radio
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Summary
 Kiki Latimer interviews Catholic authors who speak about theology, philosophy, spirituality, and literary works.Copyright WCAT Radio Art
Episodes
  • Episode 337: Neal Flesher on his book The Wonderful Wizard of Lies (November 3, 2026)

    Episode 337: Neal Flesher on his book The Wonderful Wizard of Lies (November 3, 2026)
    4 Nov 2026
    In this episode of The Catholic Bookworm, Kiki Latimer interviews Neal Flesher on his book The Wonderful Wizard of Lies.

    The Wonderful Wizard of Lies is a dystopian allegory, reimagining The Wizard of Oz in a world ruled by economic illusion. Dorothy and her companions navigate a surreal financial landscape dominated by debt cycles, automation, and hollow leadership. Through satire and symbolism, the story critiques fiat currency, bureaucratic oppression, and the loss of human dignity in a hyper-optimized society.

    https://enroutebooksandmedia.com/wonderfulwizard/
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    50 min
  • Episode 336: Edward Schallert on his book My Restless Heart Finds Rest in You (November 2, 2026)

    Episode 336: Edward Schallert on his book My Restless Heart Finds Rest in You (November 2, 2026)
    3 Nov 2026
    In this episode of The Catholic Bookworm, Kiki Latimer interviews Edward Schallert on his book My Restless Heart Finds Rest in You.

    My Restless Heart Finds Rest in You by Edward Schallert is a reflective exploration inspired by St. Augustine’s Confessions. Schallert, a retired professor and Cursillo participant, revisits the spiritual journey of Augustine, aligning his personal struggles with Augustine’s reflections. Central to the book is the interplay between faith, reason, and the human inclination toward idolatry.

    Schallert discusses themes like idolatry of intellect, materialism, and worldly pursuits, using Augustine’s experiences as a framework. He highlights how Augustine’s journey—marked by intellectual pride, lust, and misplaced devotion—parallels contemporary struggles. Drawing on Augustine’s insights, Schallert emphasizes the transformative power of grace and the necessity of reconciling faith with reason to attain spiritual growth.

    The author shares his own moments of spiritual transformation, particularly through the Cursillo experience, which reignited his engagement with Augustine’s work. Schallert underscores the importance of surrendering to God’s will, recognizing that true happiness lies in aligning oneself with divine purpose rather than worldly attachments.

    Using Augustine’s meditations, Schallert offers daily reflections, encouraging readers to deepen their relationship with God through prayer, contemplation, and the embrace of grace. This book serves as both a personal testimony and a guide for others seeking spiritual renewal, emphasizing that human restlessness finds peace only in God.

    https://enroutebooksandmedia.com/myrestlessheart/
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    51 min
  • Episode 334: Joseph Pearce on his book Great Books for Good Men: Reflections on Literature and Manhood (October 20, 2026)

    Episode 334: Joseph Pearce on his book Great Books for Good Men: Reflections on Literature and Manhood (October 20, 2026)
    20 Oct 2026
    In this episode of The Catholic Bookworm, Kiki Latimer interviews Joseph Pearce on his book Great Books for Good Men: Reflections on Literature and Manhood (October 20, 2026)

    Originally commissioned by Exodus 90, the pioneering men’s app, these brief but stirring reflections by acclaimed writer Joseph Pearce show how great literature―including poetry―can help every Catholic man striving for virtue and holiness.

    Drawing on luminaries such as Homer, Dante, St. John Henry Newman, Chesterton, Tolkien, and C. S. Lewis, Pearce shows that literature, far from being a dead relic of the past, tackles crucial questions which are directly relevant to modern men. Among the many great books he reflects on for the benefit of men include The Odyssey, The Aeneid, Beowulf, The Divine Comedy, Hamlet, Brideshead Revisited, The Hobbit, Chronicles of Narnia, The Ball and Cross. Some of the classic works of poetry he comments on for men's inspiration include The Hound of Heaven, God's Grandeur, Twelfth Night, The Tiger and If.

    What does Shakespeare say about the dangers of lust? How does God pursue the sinner like a “Hound of Heaven”? What does it mean to be soldiers of Christ on active duty in the Church Militant? What sort of men do we want our sons to become? What does a great poet-saint teach us about the power of the sign of the cross to exorcise demons? How can we nurture a faith which is fearless? In a culture that fosters toxic masculinity on the one hand and effeminacy on the other, the literary giants of the past offer an inspiring alternative vision of true manhood, one that Catholic men are called to embrace as they “work out [their] salvation with fear and trembling” (Phil 2:12).

    Great Books for Good Men
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    44 min
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