Tarkin's Top Shelf

In this episode of "Tarkin's Top Shelf," Mark and Becca are joined by the creative mind behind "Star Wars: How NOT to Eaten Get by Ewoks," and the "Be More" books, Christian Blauvelt ! As always, your hosts go-over your favorite (and, maybe, your least favorite) Star Wars books, and this show showcases Christian's handbook on Galactic Survival Skills and how to avoid the dangers of traveling in a...

In this episode of "Tarkin's Top Shelf," Mark, and Becca review Star Wars: Spark of the Resistance by Justina Ireland and Disney Books. This book is the first of the "Journey to Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker" series and sets the stage for the upcoming final film of the Skywalker Saga. Your hosts cover character growth, plot development, and world-building heading into "The Rise of Skywalker," b...

In this episode of "Tarkin's Top Shelf," Mark and Becca review "How Not To Get Eaten by Ewoks," "Smuggler's Guide," "Be More Lando and Be More Leia," and then top it off with the finale of all finales, "The Skywalker Saga" by Delilah S. Dawson! But first, your hosts go over the latest in Star Wars Book News, Empire Magazine Cover Reveals, and more. Oh! "Tarkin's Top Shelf" has a little announcemen...

"Tarkin's Top Shelf" welcomes Jeffrey Brown to the show to talk about Star Wars: Rey and Pals . In this episode, Mark and Becca take a break from the seriousness of fandom and get back in touch with their inner-child by chatting with New York Times Best Selling Cartoonist and Author, Jeffrey Brown . As they recount scenarios from Star Wars: Rey and Pals, they unleash the fun side of Star Wars and...

"Tarkin's Top Shelf" heads to Batuu as they review Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge: Black Spire by Delilah S. Dawson . In this episode, Mark and Becca journey to Galaxy's Edge , figuratively, of course, and delve into Dawson's all-immersive literary adventure located at Black Spire Outpost, and follow General Organa's top Resistance Spy, Vi Moradi on her mission to recruit and build a new base for the re...

"Tarkin's Top Shelf" reviews a bit of Batuu with Star Wars Galaxy's Edge: A Crash of Fate and Star Wars: Myths & Fables by Disney Books and Lucasfilm Press. In this episode, Mark and Becca discuss the fundamentals of writing styles between both books, genre, and pictorial skills as well. But first, your hosts go over the latest in Star Wars News and possible "Negotiations." Help us spread the word...

In this episode of "Tarkin's Top Shelf," Mark, and Becca review Star Wars Thrawn: Treason by Timothy Zahn and Del Rey Publishing. Thrawn Treason is the third installment of Zahn's Thrawn series. Additionally, they go-over the plot, subplots, and characters for a thorough review of what may be the last we see of Thrawn from a literature lens. But first, Mark and Becca discuss some of the recent Sta...

"Tarkin's Top Shelf" welcomes a special guest to the show. Actually, in a way, you could say she's royalty. Please join Mark and Becca as they welcome the "Heart of the Galaxy" and the first Rebel of the Alliance, the voice of Padmé Amidala from Star Wars: The Clone Wars , Cat Taber ! In this episode, Cat Taber joins the hosts of "Tarkin's Top Shelf" to talk all things Padme' Amidala, and yes, the...

Is the Skywalker Saber equivalent to the Elder Wand ?  Well, in this episode of "Tarkin's Top Shelf," Mark and Becca discuss the similarities and possibilities between these two franchises that make this idea plausible. Your hosts will dovetail back between books, comics, and of course, on-screen materials to support their point of view and notions. But first, they go over the latest in Star Wars...

Alphabet Squadron, suit up! In this episode of "Tarkin's Top Shelf," Mark and Becca review the first part of a new trilogy, Star Wars: Alphabet Squadron by Alexander Freed and Del Rey Publishing . They dive-in on the characters and their backstories, and what makes them tick. Also, they touch on setting the stage for what's to come in the next two parts of this crossover event. But first, Mark and...

"Bright Suns to you!"   Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge , where Books meet World. Or, Galaxy? In this episode of "Tarkin's Top Shelf," Mark and Becca discuss the current bridging of literature with the tangible in the galaxy far, far away . Only, that galaxy isn't so far away after all. That said, you could say, Star Wars , itself, is "On Planet." For those that don't know, "On Planet" is the Batuu phras...

In this episode of "Tarkin's Top Shelf," Mark, and Becca take the time to reminisce about Star Wars : Episode I: The Phantom Menace. They talk about their initial thoughts from 20 years ago, how the story has evolved or changed over the past two decades, and the comparison of Terry Brook's novel adaptation to the actual film. But first, Mark and Becca discuss the latest in Star Wars News, the Vani...

In this episode of "Tarkin's Top Shelf," Mark, and Becca review "Dooku: Jedi Lost" an audio drama by Cavan Scott. Unlike their past reviews, this one is the first of its kind. Instead of covering cover to cover or page by page, Mark and Becca are evaluating an all-new format which includes a whole cast of voice actors telling the story through narration and character interaction. But, before they...

In this episode of Tarkin's Top Shelf, Mark and Becca recap the Lucasfilm Publishing Panel from Star Wars Celebration Chicago. They go over the impending Star Wars books from Del Rey, Disney Press, DK Publishing, Insight Editions, Abrams Books, and more! In addition to that, Mark and Becca take a closer look behind the authors and the mysterious works known as "Project Luminous." But first, they d...

In this episode of Tarkin's Top Shelf, Mark, and Becca are thrilled to finally discuss, Star Wars: Master & Apprentice by Claudia Gray. Your Hosts are just getting back from Star Wars Celebration Chicago, but they're ready to get back down to business. Jedi business that is. This review covers the core characters and focuses primarily on character backstory and plot. Also, in addition to the book...

Tarkin's Top Shelf is LIVE from Star Wars Celebration Podcast Stage! Join your hosts Mark and Becca as they take to the Star Wars Celebration Podcast Stage and take you on a literary journey across the stars in a galaxy far, far away. This discussion covers every parsec of story possibilities from the books, on-screen, and everything in-between. Joining them on this bookish adventure are their hon...

Welcome to the Tarkin's Top Shelf Roundtable at Star Wars Celebration Chicago! In this episode, Tarkin's Top Shelf welcomes The Cantina Podcast and Kanata's Castle to the show. All three podcasts sit down and discuss the upcoming Episode IX Panel and what they expect the fans will see. From fan theories to canonical theoretical thinking-it's one helluva discussion! So, don't miss out! Sit back and...

Please join Tarkin's Top Shelf in welcoming, a very talented wordsmith, a gifted published writer, a New York Times Best-Selling author, and a Star Wars fanatic from behind the pages, the lovely E.K. Johnston ! In this episode of Tarkin's Top Shelf, Mark and Becca get behind the guise of Star Wars: Queen's Shadow as they sit down with E.K. Johnston and discuss everything and anything about Padme'...

In this episode of "Tarkin's Top Shelf," Mark and Becca continue the Flight of the Falcon series with Lou Anders ' Star Wars: Pirate's Price ! But, before they discuss Hondo Ohnaka, the greatest pirate in the galaxy and hero of the Rebellion, they lightspeed into Star Wars Celebration News, Season Finale of Star Wars Resistance , and Leia's Top Spy, Vi Moradi in Galaxy's Edge: Black Spire ! Help u...

In this episode of "Tarkin's Top Shelf," Mark, and Becca review the long-awaited novel, Star Wars: Queen's Shadow by E.K. Johnston. Finally! More Padme' Amidala content and greedily, we want more. That said, Mark, and Becca dive-in and revisit one of Star Wars most beloved and remarkable characters of the entire saga, Padme' Amidala. This novelization takes place after Queen Amidala's two terms as...

In this episode of "Tarkin's Top Shelf," Mark, and Becca discuss the evolution of manipulation in Star Wars. Star Wars has always touched on relatable dynamics, and the manipulation between master and apprentice is no exception. But, the times have changed, and so have the characters in the galaxy far, far away. And yes, each generation has a story, but with each generation, the pattern not only c...

Timelines collide as Dark Disciple meets The Clone Wars. In this episode, Mark, and Becca take a closer look at Christie Golden's Star Wars: Dark Disciple and how certain plot points may align with the final season of Star Wars: The Clone Wars . But first, Mark and Becca go over the latest Star Wars news. Starting with the recently released official key for Star Wars Celebration Chicago by Paul Sh...

Han Solo, the Iconic Smuggler, Rogue, and Hero of the Rebellion. In this episode of "Tarkin's Top Shelf," Mark, and Becca go-over Gina McIntyre's Star Wars Icons: Han Solo . Insight Editions and Gina McIntyre collectively capture the scruffy-looking nerf herder through an evolutional journey from concept art, first drafts, to casting, Harrison's performance, a rebirth in Solo: A Star Wars Story wi...

Another year means a time for reflection, Star Wars: The Last Jedi, one year later. In this episode of Tarkin's Top Shelf, Mark, and Becca discuss the most controversial Star Wars movie of all-time and where their views stand now, one year later. But first, they go over the latest Star Wars news beginning with the announcement of Black Panther's composer, Ludwig Göransson joining the galaxy far, f...

In this episode of "Tarkin's Top Shelf," Mark, and Becca recap the Heroes, Scoundrels, and Villains of Star Wars from 2018! Yes, it's time to pull the Star Wars Bookends off the shelf, the Top Shelf, and highlight the literature aspects that had an impact or enriched/enhanced the Star Wars Universe in some way, making said books essential to the Star Wars storyline. But, before your hosts' dust of...