It’s not that THOMAS CAHILL writes the Reader’s Digest version of history, but he does have the ability to cut through the doldrums of thesis speak and sprinkle in more than a few pop-culture comparisons. Mysteries of the Middle Ages: The Rise of Feminism, Science, and Art from the Cults of Catholic Europe offers an accessible journey through the development of early Roman Catholic thought. Scholarly without being stuffy is a tough line to draw — the book’s sweet color illustrations certainly help. Screw Medieval Times (the restaurant) — just grab a bloody leg of lamb and go hang out with Cahill at the Coolidge Corner Theatre, 290 Harvard St, Brookline | 6 pm | $2 | 617.734.2501.