The Catholic Bookworm

Episode 277: Ronda Chervin on her children's book The Girl Who Became a Cat (May 19, 2026)

In this episode of The Catholic Bookworm, Kiki Latimer interviews Ronda Chervin on her children's book The Girl Who Became a Cat. (May 19, 2026) When Melinda’s family evacuates during a Los Angeles fire, she stays behind to save her beloved cats. Faced with danger, she prays for help–and, in a mysterious transformation, becomes like them to lead them to safety. Her courageous journey unfolds across land and sea, guided by faith and love. This imaginative tale becomes a gentle Christian parable of sacrifice, trust, and redemption, reflecting how divine love enters our world to rescue and restore us. The Girl Who Became a Cat by Ronda Chervin | En Route Books and Media [https://enroutebooksandmedia.com/thegirlwhobecameacat/]

Episode 276: Jon Harmon on his novel Scraps of Grace (May 19, 2026)

In this episode of The Catholic Bookworm, Kiki Latimer interviews Jon Harmon on his novel Scraps of Grace. A single father grapples with the loss of self-identity in the wake of trauma, and begins to long for spiritual connection in this literary novel filled with wry humor and wit. Twenty-six-year-old Tyler Manion is overwhelmed by the loss in his life. Six months ago, his wife died suddenly, and tomorrow will be his last day at General Motors. Raising his nearly two-year-old son alone, he puts up a brave front, pretending to have it all together. But he can't seem to focus, and his spiritual attention deficit disorder is keeping him from any meaningful connection with the one who could help him most in his hour of need. A high school girl basketball phenom, a gruff World War II veteran, a hippie nun and a beguilingly brainy graduate student will each help him rediscover his sense of identity, and perhaps find his spiritual bearings. Scraps of Grace opens in Michigan in the summer of 1990, a time of turmoil and of hopefulness, across the world and at home. Often irreverent in tone and detail, Scraps of Grace resides in the conflicted present moment but abides in the eternal. At the end of the book, there is a page of discussion questions for book clubs, designed to deepen readers' literary exploration of the themes of identity loss and spiritual renewal. https://www.amazon.com/Scraps-Grace-Jon-F-Harmon/dp/B0DNGS1R4R/

Episode 275: Ginny Kochis on her book Quirky Catholic Kids: Navigating Neurodivergence with Faith & Joy (May 18, 2026)

In this episode of The Catholic Bookworm, Kiki Latimer interviews Ginny Kochis on her book Quirky Catholic Kids: Navigating Neurodivergence with Faith & Joy. Quirky kids are more: more intense, more active, more emotive, and more sensitive - as much a parent's or educator's greatest challenge as they are their greatest joy. In Quirky Catholic Kids, Ginny Kochis explores the complex journey of parenting and educating "outside-the-box," neurodivergent children - that is, those whose brains receive, process, and express information in unconventional ways - sharing her authentic, often vulnerable, experience as a parent and educator alongside faith-filled strategies designed to help families thrive. Drawing from scientific research, psychology, and her own personal faith journey, Kochis shows you how to turn hurdles into stepping stones of hope. You'll learn effective approaches for processing the challenges, fears, and frustrations common in neurodivergent family life, affording you and your children powerful techniques for gaining trust and perseverance in the valleys. You'll also discover:  * Methods for channeling child behaviors, such as hyperfocusing, to make them fruitful * Step-by-step advice on how to respond to meltdowns and help children regulate their emotions * How to develop social skills through games, role-playing, and stories * Tips on fostering executive functioning skills and navigating difficulties with eating and sleeping * Five ways to evaluate whether inappropriate behavior is a matter of discipline or development * Ways to strike a balance with your child's daily use of screen time * Guides for effective faith formation and parent-child interactions Through the words of Scripture and intercessory prayers of the saints, you will also learn how to combat negative self-talk, grow in temperance yourself, and share these tools with others. Kochis includes several quirky saint examples, such as Carlo Acutis, Dymphna, Joseph of Cupertino, Ignatius of Loyola, Christina the Astonishing, and Servant of God Leonie Martin. A special appendix highlights the talents and struggles of one hundred saints to help you prayerfully discern your child's patron. This invaluable resource also includes best practices for helping your family grow in faith, especially during times when your child is struggling. Quirky Catholic Kids will help you find peace of heart, an anchor in the storm, and the tools you need to support your unique, unrepeatable children. You will see how, by accepting and celebrating God's loving plan for your neurodivergent family, you and your children won't just survive - you'll bloom.  https://sophiainstitute.com/product/quirky-catholic-kids/

Episode 274: Phil Lawler on his novel Ghost Runner (May 12, 2026)

In this episode of The Catholic Bookworm, Kiki Latimer interviews Phil Lawler on his novel Ghost Runner.  Philip Lawler, one of America’s most respected Catholic writers and cultural critics, bursts onto the fiction scene with a riveting debut novel that plunges readers into the hidden battles of the Church in the 1980s. Lawler exposes beneath the surface of parish life and chancery politics a world of secrets, compromises, and spiritual warfare — where the faithful struggle to survive and a young priest discovers that he has a special mission — and powerful enemies. At the center is Fr. Andy Miller, freshly ordained and already under fire. Forced into sessions with a psychologist, Miller finds that his candid inner voice collides with the stark realities of an archdiocese in which corruption festers and power eclipses truth. Yet through humor, humility, and flashes of startling grace, he fights to shepherd his flock and live out a priesthood that may come at great personal cost. The story races from Boston’s parishes to the danger zones of war-torn El Salvador, where Miller’s quest thrusts him into peril and political intrigue. Shadowing his path is his brother Peter, a high-ranking official in the Reagan administration, whose own battles in Washington entwine with Andy’s in ways neither could predict. With every turn, the tension mounts — lives hang in the balance, faith is tested, and the line between betrayal and redemption blurs. More than a thriller, this is a profound spiritual journey. Lawler pulls readers into the struggle to discern spirits, to cling to God in the face of corruption, and to discover peace through surrender to His will. Along the way, the true beauty of the Church and the essence of the priestly vocation come alive. This is not just a novel. It is a heart-pounding, soul-stirring plunge into faith under fire. Once you enter Fr. Miller’s world, you won’t be able to put the book down. Ghost Runner: Phil Lawler: 9798889116028: Amazon.com: Books [https://www.amazon.com/Ghost-Runner-Phil-Lawler/dp/B0FWXTDQ77/]

Episode 273: Monica Tanner on her book Bad Marriage Advice (May 11, 2026)

In this episode of The Catholic Bookworm, Kiki Latimer interviews Monica Tanner on her book Bad Marriage Advice: Debunking Myths That Will Make You Miserable and What To Do Instead. What if the marriage advice you’ve been following is quietly sabotaging your relationship? From “never go to bed angry” to “happy wife, happy life,” couples are bombarded with clichés that sound wise but often leave them feeling disconnected, resentful, or questioning whether lasting love is even possible. In Bad Marriage Advice, relationship and intimacy coach Monica Tanner debunks the myths that hold couples back and replaces them with clear, compassionate strategies for real communication, lasting connection, and renewed intimacy. Drawing on over two decades of lived experience, a thriving coaching practice, and a faith-centered perspective, Tanner offers a refreshingly honest roadmap to creating the kind of marriage that feels safe, passionate, and built to last. Whether days or decades into your relationship, you’ll learn how to:  * Communicate without mind-reading or walking on eggshells * Rekindle emotional and physical intimacy * Navigate conflict with confidence and compassion * Grow together instead of growing apart  Based on the fifteen most common pieces of advice couples are given, this book offers practical alternatives that work in the real world, not just in theory. This is more than advice -- it’s a lifeline. With warmth, clarity, and a coach’s insight, Monica Tanner helps couples move from frustration and survival to connection, joy, and a deeply fulfilling marriage. Happily Ever After isn’t a myth; it’s a choice. And it starts now.  https://www.amazon.com/Bad-Marriage-Advice-Debunking-Miserable/dp/B0FQ46HG3S/