Book-Bat

Which are better: characters that exemplify who we wish to be, or ones that remind us of who we already are? Jason and Karlissa discuss the Bible, superheroes, Sonic the Hedgehog, and even throw in a reference to Disney's "Treasure Planet"! “When a character is relatable, the audience can see themselves in them, and they are more likely to invest in their story.” - neilchasefilm.com/relatable-char...

Jason and Karlissa discuss magic: a topic that sometimes gets brought up in Christian circles concerning fantasy. Together, they consider the complexities that often get overlooked. Resources used: “The Gospel According to Tolkien” (Ralph C. Wood); “Narnia, Middle-Earth, and the Kingdom of God” (Mark Worthing); “The Fellowship: the Literary Lives of the Inklings” (Philip and Carol Zaleski); and a...

Jason tells the story of how he discovered Brian Jacques’ Redwall series; then he and Karlissa give some ideas on where to find fantasy books. Books Mentioned and Corrections: The Heart of George MacDonald (edited by George MacDonald scholar Rolland Hein), The Gospel According to Tolkien (Ralph C. Wood), The Green Ember (S.D. Smith), Tales from the Perilous Realm (J.R.R. Tolkien). This episode is...

Karlissa and Jason share their lists of fantasy books that deserve more attention: forgotten books from renowned authors, personal favourites, and recognized classics that are just hard to market. Recommended books: Phantastes (George MacDonald), The Children of Hurin (J.R.R. Tolkien), Lilith (George MacDonald), The Thrawn Trilogy (Timothy Zahn), Out of the Silent Planet (C.S. Lewis), Tales of the...

What is manga? What makes it similar to our comic books and graphic novels, and what’s different? And why is Christian media largely lacking in graphic novels and the like? Main resource:  New York Public Library - https://www.nypl.org/blog/2018/12/27/beginners-guide-manga This episode is from back when the Book-Bat podcast was focused on Christian fantasy books. Visit book-bat.com/about to l...

Who was George MacDonald? And why are his works a vital part of Christian Fantasy? Ten things you should know about this oft-forgotten author. George MacDonald's stories include: "Phantastes," "Lilith," "At the Back of the North Wind," "The Princess and the Goblin," "The Golden Key," "The Light Princess," and more. “Christian Fantasy 101” has become To Narnia and Beyond ! Explore the fantasy novel...

Discover the origins of six popular fantasy beings, followed by a conversation about one never-used creature. Resource: Tony Allen's "The Mythic Bestiary"

More random discussions about the state of fantasy! Are there any discernable trends in Christian fantasy? Are they different than the trends in secular fantasy? Are there any untapped markets (noteworthy subgenres or mediums) that Christians have largely not pursued? We share our opinions, tangents, and queries! Books mentioned: Warriors series (Erin Hunter), Redwall series (Brian Jacques), Tomo...

Karlissa and Jason answer an array of questions about books, reading, and Christian fantasy! Do we take Lewis’ advice and reread books? Do we need more thoughtful influences shaping Christian fantasy authors, and does the level of academic rigor found in Lewis and Tolkien still exist in the Christian fantasy landscape? We share our opinions, tangents, and queries! Correction: Phantastes (George Ma...

CS Lewis: one of the most famous Christian fantasy authors, writer of the acclaimed Chronicles of Narnia, author of multiple apologetics books defending the Christian faith… and a more complicated person than we may imagine. Jason reacts to ten surprising facts about C.S. Lewis that Karlissa has found during her research. Where was Lewis actually born? What was his official career? Who was Arthur...

What is “Christian fantasy,” and how are we using that term? First, we explore the complexities involved with defining whether a book is ‘Christian’ or not. Then, we look at the roots of the fantasy genre; and finally, give an overview of the fantasy book scene today. Resources: Mark Worthing's Narnia, Middle-Earth and the Kingdom of God ; another helpful book to consider is Daniel Silliman’s Read...

Welcome to the Book-Bat podcast! Hear how we began our podcast, seeking to help readers navigate the world of Christian Fantasy books! Our podcast is cohosted by Karlissa J, fantasy author, and Jason, husband and fellow creative. Find out more about our goals for Book-Bat and how we engage with fantasy - books and otherwise, Christian and non - by visiting book-bat.com/about ! Books mentioned: Out...