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Tarkin's Top Shelf

A Star Wars literary podcast that strives to deliver an educational and yet, entertaining analysis and outlook, pertaining to the new canonical novels/YA books from the galaxy far, far away. In other words, Becca and Mark are your guardians to the Whills and your librarians to the long-lost Jedi Archives.
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Now displaying: 2017
Dec 20, 2017

Welcome to Tarkin’s Top Shelf! The only Star Wars Literature Podcast on the internet that dissects and analyzes your favorite, and maybe, least favorite canon books. In this episode, Mark, and Becca welcome the entire cast from Idiot's Array Podcast for a spectacular Roundtable event! It's a combo show! Initial reactions to Star Wars: The Last Jedi and Del Rey's 'Canto Bight!' It's a No-Holds-Barred discussion, upfront and honest reviews, without the negativity.

 

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Dec 7, 2017
 

Tarkin's Top Shelf #26: 'The Last Jedi' and The Brightest Light Casts the Darkest Shadow! 

Welcome to another edition of Tarkin's Top Shelf! In this episode, Becca invites Ryder Waldron from Idiot's Array Podcast to join her in a thought-provoking discussion. They focus on a specific analogy from Matthew Stover's novel adaptation of Star Wars: Revenge of the Sith and how it ties-in with Star Wars: The Last Jedi. 

After a bit of news coverage, they get right into their main topic, connecting the literary-verse to the big screen. They dive into an in-depth conversation on Matthew Stover's analogy, "The brightest light casts the darkest shadow."  

That said, will this analogy show up in The Last Jedi? Is it already a theme? A curse the Skywalker bloodline carries over and over, generation to generation? The brighter the light, the darker the shadow? After all, you can't light a candle without casting a shadow.

 

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Nov 25, 2017

Welcome to Tarkin’s Top Shelf, the only Star Wars Literature Podcast on the internet that dissects and analyzes your favorite (and maybe least favorite) canon books. In this episode, Mark and Becca go over Disney's "The Legends of Luke Skywalker." They break down the six stories and go into a bit of creative theoretical thinking as they connect the storytelling to "The Last Jedi." But, before they dive in with both feet on Luke's Legends, your hosts discuss the current Entertainment Weekly News and New TV Spots for Star Wars: The Last Jedi.

 

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Nov 9, 2017

Welcome to another edition of "Tarkin's Top Shelf"! Mark and Becca are back to continue their discussion on Star Wars: From a Certain Point of View. In this episode, they pick up right where they left off. As they discuss the next ten stories, they do a little creative theoretical thinking as well. After all, it's all about connecting canonical content from the books to the screen, and everything else in between.

Mark and Becca have a quick chitchat to catch up on the latest Star Wars Rebels and the impending Star Wars: The Last Jedi art book. Once they're all caught up, they get down to business breaking down the next section of stories. So, get cozy by the fire and check out their assessments on Star Wars: From a Certain Point of View.

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Oct 19, 2017

Welcome back to another episode of Tarkin's Top Shelf. The only Star Wars Literature Podcast on the internet that dissects and analyzes your favorite (and maybe least favorite) Canon books. In this episode, Mark, and Becca give their perspectives on Star Wars: From A Certain Point of View. Of course, the book contains 40 stories to commemorate the 40th year of Star Wars. But, your hosts will be looking at the stories in groups of 10 per episode. So, sit back and keep warm by the fire, and allow Tarkin's Top Shelf to shed some light on Star Wars literature.

 

News:
  • Star Wars: The Last Jedi Trailer
  • The Official Theatrical Poster for The Last Jedi
Main Topic:
  • Breakdown: the 1st 10 stories of Star Wars: From A Certain Point of View:
  • Raymus by Gary Whitta
  • The Bucket by Christie Golden
  • The Sith of Datawork by Ken Liu
  • Stories in the Sand by Griffin McElroy
  • Reirin by Sabaa Tahir
  • The Red One by Rae Carson
  • Rites by John Jackson Miller
  • Master and Apprentice by Claudia Gray
  • Beru Whitesun Lars by Meg Cabot
  • The Luckless Rodian by Renee Ahdieh

 

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Oct 4, 2017

Welcome back to another episode of Tarkin's Top Shelf. In today's show, Becca, and Mark go over the latest Star Wars novel from Del Rey Publishing: PHASMA! They dissect and analyze her mystique and origins. Phasma Fact 101: if Phasma knows you know her secrets, you will die. So, BEWARE and listen at your own risk.

Star Wars: PHASMA is written by Delilah S. Dawson and is part of "The Journey to The Last Jedi" series.

 

News:

  • Ron Howard is tweeting pictures again using the #UntitledHanSoloMovie hashtag. Was that Kessel?
  • Should we see Kessel on the big screen in the Han Solo movie?
  • Coming soon! Del Rey's Star Wars: From a Certain Point of View on October 3rd, 2017.

 

Mentions:

Topic and Discussion:

  • Star Wars: Phasma--Full Analysis of her Mystique an Origins.
  • Essential Characters and their importance.
  • Con Star Mining Corporation
  • Mad Max "Thunder Dome" scenario and parallels.
  • The (Churrk) Oracle and the Rite of Passage.
  • Similarities and possible symbolism from "The Never Ending Story"
  • Continuity, Connections, and Possibilities for Star Wars: The Last Jedi.
  • Will Phasma's backstory be essential going forward?
  • Where is Captain Cardinal now?

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Sep 20, 2017

Tarkin's Top Shelf is back and ready to discuss the General of the Resistance. But, before she became the General, she was 'Leia: Princess of Alderaan.' In this episode, Becca and Mark analyze one of the most anticipated Young Adult novels from the 'Journey to The Last Jedi.' Yes, that's right, you guessed it, Claudia Gray's 'Star Wars LEIA: Princess of Alderaan.

 

News:

 

Mentions:

 

Topic and Discussion:

  • Star Wars LEIA: Princess of Alderaan by Claudia Gray and Disney Books/Publishing
  • Initial Reactions!
  • Synopsis and timeline of the book
  • Leia’s “Day of Demand”
  • Meet the Organa’s: Senator Bail Organa and Queen Breha
  • The Future of the Rebellion a.k.a. Leia’s allies
  • Padme Amidala Origins
  • Crait and Connections to Star Wars:The Last Jedi
  • Amilyn Holdo: the Star Wars equivalent to Luna Lovegood (Harry Potter)
  • Moff Tarkin: the Party Crasher
  • Obi-Wan Kenobi stories of the Jedi
  • Relevance of “storms”

 

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Sep 1, 2017

In today's episode of Tarkin's Top Shelf, Becca, and Mark sit down and chat over a different kind of Star Wars book. Star Wars 'Super Graphic' by Tim Leong. As your hosts flip through these colorful pages of Star Wars fun, they do their best to connect the galaxy far, far away with Star Wars 'Super Graphic!'

 

News:

  • Target commercial: “Bring your Rey Game” #ForceFriday2

  • Luke comic: Luke, Leia, Han, and Chewie go to Jedha City

 

Mentions:

 

Topic:

  • Connecting the saga continuity with Tim Leong’s distractingly fun ‘Super Graphic’ book

  • Force Abilities that connect throughout the saga

  • Lightsaber Lore and Mythology

  • Size Matters when it comes to galaxy far, far away

  • There are other Jedi Councils?

  • From Naboo, with Love

  • Happily Ever After or Tragic Endings?

  • Dis-members Only

  • R2D2 Odyssey

  • Mind Tricks

  • Luke’s dialogue in the films

  • Chronological Clone Wars

  • Breakdown of Rey’s Force Back (Vision)

 

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Aug 16, 2017
The Rebellion has Hope, but the Empire has Inferno Squad! In this episode, Mark and Becca go over the literary prequel to the upcoming Star Wars Battlefront II video game, "Inferno Squad." From story analysis to character breakdown, this discussion covers more than the book itself. In fact, Mark and Becca go beyond the pages of "Inferno Squad" and connect the dots to other aspects of the continuity.
  • News and Mentions:​
  • Analysis and Discussion:
    • Synopsis of the novel
    • ​Mark and Becca go into a Character Breakdown as they assess the storyline, and how it connects to other aspects of the continuity. ​
    • ​Other than continuity connections, Mark and Becca discuss possible plot lines and book connections to the upcoming video game, Star Wars Battlefront II. ​
Jul 27, 2017

Welcome back to another special edition of Tarkin's Top Shelf! This time, Mark and Becca revisit some old Legends, and the impact of the new canon, and then they venture into the possibilities of what will soon become the 'Journey to the Last Jedi.'

 

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Jun 22, 2017

Welcome back to another edition of Tarkin's Top Shelf! Mark and Becca switch things up a bit as they dive into one of the hottest topics of discussion right now, the Kyber Crystal.  In this episode, Mark and Becca take a look at the continuity surrounding the Kyber through Star Wars literature, both novels and comics, and how they align with the films.

News:

  • Starlight Foundation - Fun Centers https://www.crowdrise.com/tarkinstopshelf
  • iTunes Reviews - Please subscribe today!

Topic:

  • The continuity of the Kyber Crystal and the Mythology of the Lightsaber through literature and film of the Star Wars saga.

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Jun 8, 2017

Welcome back to another edition of Tarkin's Top Shelf! Mark and Becca discuss the Disney Young Adult novel, "Rebel Rising" by Beth Revis. They go over the detailed backstory of Jyn Erso's childhood and upbringing, and how she became a leader and ultimately, the hero the "Rebel Alliance" didn't know they needed.

 

News:

  • Starlight Foundation - Fun Centers
  • iTunes Reviews - Please subscribe today!
  • Vader Comic coming this June - The Origins of Vader’s lightsaber

 

Topic:

  • “Rebel Rising” by Beth Revis and Disney Hyperion Books - released on May 2nd, 2017
  • Continuity - How “Rebel Rising” ties in with Rogue One: A Star Wars Story

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May 18, 2017

Welcome back to another edition of Tarkin’s Top Shelf! Mark and Becca go over the Young Adult novel “Guardians of the Whills,” a tie-in story to the film “Rogue One.” They discuss the character relationship between Baze Malbus and Chirrut Imwe, and the exciting new scriptures of Force lore that act as an introduction to each chapter throughout the book.

Quick News Recap:

  • Partnering with Starlight Foundation: Fun Centers (All info on our twitter & Facebook pages)
  • Book Release Timeline: Coming October 2017, “From a Certain Point of View” will bring together more than 40 authors for 40 stories. Each story is written from the perspective of background characters in A New Hope — “from X-wing pilots who helped Luke destroy the Death Star to the stormtroopers who never quite could find the droids they were looking for,” they say.-Del Rey Books
  • Battlefront II: Inferno Squad-July-Del Rey Books
  • Phasma- September- Del Rey Books
  • September 1 – Leia, Princess of Alderaan by Claudia Gray.-Disney
  • October 31 – The Legends of Luke Skywalker by Ken Liu.-Disney Books
  • Star Wars: the power of the Force - Reference Book - September 1st 2017

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May 1, 2017

This is a special presentation of the entire Making Star Wars Podcasting Network! Live from Orlando, Steele Saunders from ‘Steele Wars’ hosted the entire event from Marlow's Tavern. Steele made his rounds by asking each podcaster their initial thoughts and highlights of Star Wars Celebration.

 

  • *On a side note: there was a little audio trouble so we apologize in advance for that.

  • This is:
    Segment 1 : Tarkin's Top Shelf / Idiot's Array / Force Cult

To hear the remaining segments of this special presentation go to the respective pods:

 

  • Segment 2 : features Rebel Grrrl

  • Segment 3 : features Rogue Won


  • MSW & Erotic Fan Fiction : You can find this special edition on: Now This Is Podcasting or Steele Wars Patreon feeds.

We hope you enjoy and thanks for supporting the MSW podcast network!

Apr 27, 2017
Welcome back to another edition of Tarkin’s Top Shelf! Yes, the “embargo” has lifted, and now, Mark and Becca are ready to tackle the long-awaited THRAWN. So, sit back, relax, and enjoy their “detective work” as they assess one of the most captivating Star Wars characters of all-time.

Episode highlights:

  • Disney’s Rogue One combo: Rebel Rising and Guardians of the Whills due out May 2nd
  • Inferno Squad - July 25th
  • Phasma - Part of the journey to The Last Jedi - due out this September
  • New Leia and Luke books - sometime in October also part of the journey to The Last Jedi.

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Apr 15, 2017

Rebecca is joined by fellow Star Wars podcaster and friend Ryder from Idiot's Array. Rebecca and Ryder take the podcast stage at Celebration Orlando to discus the why the new literary canon is relevant & important to the Galaxy far, far away. Not just in the episodic films of the Skywalker Saga, but to the entire Star Wars universe as a whole. How it connects, expounds, and enhances what we see on screen.


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Guest information

Mar 2, 2017

Mark and Becca have read the final conclusion to Chuck Wendig’s literary trilogy, AFTERMATH: Empire's End ― the most anticipated novel to date! In this episode, your librarians of the Whills go into full detail during their analysis, and nothing is off limits. So, if you intend to listen before you've read Empire's End, consider yourself warned because you will be spoiled.

 

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Jan 19, 2017

Mark and Becca have digested all that they can from Rogue One, now they take on the task of bridging the novels Rogue One: Catalyst and Rogue One's novel to the movie Rogue One: a Star Wars Story. In fact it's such a big task, they invited friend and host of Idiot's Array, Alan Zaugg. So sit back relax and enjoy the friendly analysis.

If you have any questions or comments for the show, please send them to TTSPodFeedback@gmail.com. Please rate, review and subscribe on iTunes. Thank you for listening.

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