Justin’s Newsletter: October 2025
Vol. 5, Issue 10
HAPPY HALLOWEEN!
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What’s Up With Me
I’ve been nominated as a finalist again in the Los Angeles Press Club’s National Arts & Entertainment Journalism Awards! This time for the podcast version of my interview with Irish republican politician Gerry Adams on my show “Well Read.” Category: One-on-One Interview, Arts/Culture Personalities. The awards ceremony is December 7. Wish me luck!
Check out my new article in Culture Honey Magazine, about Ireland, Northern Ireland, Gerry Adams, Kneecap, Rory Carroll, and much more.
Two versions of my obituaries of Sidney Kirkpatrick appeared in Pasadena Now and the Village Times Herald (Long Island, NY). Sid’s memorial will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, November 15, at All Saints Episcopal Church in Pasadena. We hope to see you there. Learn more at sidneykirkpatrick.com.
Watch the latest episode of “Pasadena Monthly with Justin Chapman.” This episode features a review of the month’s top stories, a history segment, and an interview with Chris Ramon, president and CEO of Pasadena Humane Society. Read more here.
Around Town
Great Reads
Here are some recommendations for interesting books I’ve read recently:
A Spy Among Friends: Kim Philby and the Great Betrayal—Ben Macintyre
I can’t get enough of the Kim Philby story, the British spy who worked his way up British intelligence before, during, and after World War II, all the time on behalf of the Soviet Union. Macintyre’s books are thoroughly researched and written like novels. Indeed, many of them have been made into movies and TV shows, including this one starring Guy Pearce, which is also well worth checking out.
Time Rider—Tom DeLonge and A.J. Hartley
DeLonge, the guitarist from blink-182, and his company To The Stars have been pumping out a series of great books, and are now working on TV shows as well. This book, with his long-time writing partner, is a fun thriller and page-turner, even though it covers what at first glance may seem like familiar ground: time travel and the Kennedy assassination. Hartley’s world-building skills are on full display here, with a richly detailed future society in 2157 built on fascistic principles that doesn’t seem all that far away.
Spotlight on My Past Stories
With two of my Ireland-related pieces in the issue today, I’m taking a look back at my story in the Irish Post, about Irish journalist Fintan O’Toole.
And read all of my journalism here.