Chatter on Books

“Revealing” Chatter rolls with David, Torie, and Torie’s sister from another mother Liz Clarke. They do email (keep them coming!), share “worst ever injuries,” and marvel at the late great, Bill Walton’s Grateful Dead obsession. Bill Gates’ summer reading list has few takers; Torie’s most into “The Women,” historical fiction by Kristin Hannah. Multi-talented and trivia superstar Ben Rothenberg zooms in with “Naomi Osaka,” his remarkably revealing bio of a superstar tennis talent whose influence went well beyond the courts on which she played.

“It’s important.” Chatter rolls at the Gaithersburg Book Festival with David, Torie, and Jamie. They rave about now Pulitzer Prize winning author Ilyon Woo whose “Master Slave Husband Wife” was featured on Chatter over a year ago. COB alum Anne Foster joins under the tent to share (again) “The Long War on Drugs,” her 360 degree look at decades of efforts to combat drugs. And she shares what it’s like to be one of David’s oldest and earest friends.

“Let’s get busy living!“ Chatter rolls with David, Claude and Torie. They debrief the Gaithersburg Book Festival and speculate on why whales attacks (aka “Chatter on Whales”). Bobby Gottfried got things going, and Maryland Governor Wes Moore recently signed a law banning book banning. They debate signs you should give up on a book. Award winning, poetry writing and publishing guru Abraham Chang zooms in to share his debut novel. Packed with pop culture and blistering dialogue, “888 Love and the Divine Burden of Numbers” covers love, identity, and Chinese culture in a completely unique way. And he had fun writing it!

Chatter rolls into May with David, Torie, and America’s favorite book festival founder Mayor Jud Ashman. They rave about the Derby, bemoan the celebrification (is that a word?)) of sporting events, and claim to be good sports parents. Jud debriefs on the Gaithersburg Book Festival. Over one hundred authors, events, and workshops – not to mention it’s free and offers free parking. Chatter will be there at 12:15 pm with Anne Foster and "The Long War on Drugs". Award winning and debut novelist Elizabeth O'Connor zooms in from across the pond to share "Whale Fall". Glowing reviews on both sides of the ocean applaud O’Connor’s care in writing the story of a young woman finding herself on a remote Welsh island. We’d add compelling and evocative.

“Relentless.” Chatter rolls with David, Torie, Jamie, and Claude. Jamie’s just back from Costa Rica – a definite yes for travel. They bid a fond farewell to the iconic Eddie Sands, father of David, Steve, and Michael and patriarch of the iconic Calvert Woodley Fine Wines and Spirits. Joe Drape joins to debrief on “Broken Horses,” the NYT expose on horse racing and its darker side. Award winning, best selling, COB alum Susan Page zooms in to share “The Rulebreaker: The Life and Times of Barbara Walters.” Forget everything you thought you knew about the iconic journalist, Walters overcame and endured multiple challenges in her professional quest to be the best. Page conducted over 150 interviews and researched extensively to “uncover so much more” about Walters, as Connie Chung put it. Susan “Goes Local” with DC’s West End Public Library. They serve everyone in a diverse community, but we have to get Susan’s books on the shelves!

“You never know about tomorrow.” Chatter rolls with Torie and COB’s favorite Mayor, Jud Ashman. The eclipse eclipses March Madness. Shout outs to Rob Dundon, Jake, and COB authors in Middleburg Books. They debate the funniest novels (sort of), and Jud briefs the May 18 Gaithersburg Book Festival. Over a hundred authors and events and good weather guaranteed. Plus it’s free. Award winning and thrill seeking author Eric Blehm zooms in with “The Darkest White.” Harrowing and inspiring, his gripping account of the short life of legendary snowboarder Craig Kelly mesmerizes and inspires.

“The book he was meant to write.” Chatter rolls with David, Torie, and Jamie. March Madness rules and inspires book ideas. Torie spots COB authors in airports and on The Atlantic’s best novels list. Best selling, award winning, and all around cool guy James Grady zooms in to share “The Smoke in Our Eyes.” With his typically brilliant writing and imagination, Grady captures a very modern coming of age story. In Going Local, he chats up the Toole County Library, his favorite place in Shelby, Montana.

“Secrets that should be told.” Chatter rolls in like a lion with David, Torie, Jamie, and special guest Ann Hornaday. In addition to the usual, they’re talking about non-books things like Caitlin Clark – awesome. Award winning Wash Post movie critic Ann Hornaday joins for Oscar buzz and what makes a good book into a good movie (or not!). NYT bestseller Liza Mundy zooms in to share “The Sisterhood,” her revelatory history of the role of women in the CIA. With meticulous research and wonderful storytelling, Liza tells important stories unheard for too long. As part of COB’s “Go Local,” she chats up her favorite libraries and independent bookstores. DC’s MLK Library gets her nod for a Chatter on Books donation.

“It’s really life lessons.” Chatter rolls with David, Torie, and celebrity mixologist Rodney Ferguson. They break down the Super Bowl and marvel at the life well lived by remarkable publisher (think “Jaws,: “The Exorcist,” and “Catcher in the Rye”). Student of life and former Mafia associate Louis Ferrante zooms in to share “Borgata: Rise of Empire, a History of the American Mafia.” Ferrante blends personal anecdotes with a remarkable grasp of history to track the rise of organized crime in America. This is part one of a trilogy – he will be back!

“Ferrari Brain” Chatter rolls with Claude, Torie, and Jamie. They hope the best for King Charles, and Torie gets to rave about Pebble Beach. The “most checked out books” includes “The Snowy Day,” and Jamie’s all over it. Prolific writer and book doctor Mark Wish zooms in to share his (according to Torie) somewhat autobiographical “Necessary Deeds.” Wish’s protagonist is a literary agent turned convict, imprisoned for a crime of passion. “Necessary Deeds” quickly goes down a twisting and wonderful mind path of revenge and redemption.

“Effects that last a lifetime.” Chatter rolls into 2024 with David, Torie, and Jamie. They praise Tara VanDerveer, the winningest NCAA basketball coach, break down self-publisher Beatrix Potter, decide that dogs rule and we all have a ton of books. Longtime journalist Chip Reid zooms in to share “Battle Scars.” Twenty years after embedding with the 3 Battalion, 5 Marines in the Iraq War, Chip tells their stories of bravery, comradeship, and how the war changed their lives. Terrifying and inspiring all at once.

“Empathy” Chatter rolls into the holidays with David, Torie, Marc Sterne and our favorite Mayor Jud Ashman. Book news (COB authors continue to crush “best of” lists) and holiday gift ideas start things off. Jud pitches us all on poetry – Billy Collins might just be the exception (and who knew Marc was a fan?). Rebecca Renner zooms in with “Gator Country,” her fascinating and beautifully written look at the complex intertwining of people, creatures, and plants all struggling to survive.

“They fought.” Chatter rolls into the holidays with David, Torie, and Jamie. They do their own version of “deserted island” (some go practical) and all are conflicted on book recommendations for holiday gift buyers. Just peruse Chatter on Books and you’ll find so many good ones. Business leader, Tommy Hilfiger pal, and former Wienermobile ambassador Doug Melville zooms in to share “Invisible Generals,” his deeply moving story of family, race, and indomitable will. It’s an important story and a fabulous read.

Chatter rolls with David, Torie, and Jamie. Favorite childhood toys start things off. They all rave about COB alums who continue to crush “best of 23” lists. It turns out high school students are stealing and reading books — is that a good thing? Historian, teacher and longtime DA friend Anne Foster zooms in to share “The Long War on Drugs.” Beautifully written and meticulously researched, Anne’s book takes a 360 degree and highly illuminating journey around the decades old efforts to combat drugs.

“Glamour bomb.“ Chatter’s annual family Thanksgiving show rolls with David, Torie, renaissance man Nevin Martell, and celebrity mixologist Rodney Ferguson. They catch up on book news as COB alums Ilyon Woo and David Von Drehele crush “best of 2023” lists. COB fave Karin Tanabe zooms in to share “The Sunset Crowd.” Any time a review has you and Gatsby in the same sentence you know you’ve got something good. Karin’s searing prose and uncanny cultural instincts capture Hollywood fantasies and the American dream. And the gang goes deep on imposter syndrome.

“They’re just the best.” Chatter rolls with David, Torie, and her sister from another mother Liz Clarke. They agree no one really understands sign stealing. Of course the Puritans were the first book banners! Dr. Jen Golbeck, creator of the Golden Ratio, and award winning writer Stacey Colino zoom in to share “The Purest Bond – Understanding the Human-Canine Connection.” Golbeck and Colino put the science behind the physical, emotional, and cognitive benefits that come with having a dog in the house. With research and real-life stories they demonstrate how dogs help us live better lives.

“Making it possible.“ Chatter rolls with Torie and Jamie as David cheers on his beloved American Eagles at their season opener. Torie and Jamie kick around some book news, sort of but mostly talk about gambling. CIA military analyst Lena Andrews zooms in to share “Valiant Women: The extraordinary American servicewomen who helped win World War II.” She tells long neglected stories of the women from every race, creed, and walk of life who served and fought in every service, combat theater, and nearly two-thirds of all occupations. Without them, the war would not have been won, and Andrews brings their stories to life with meticulous research and compelling writing.

“Wasn’t worth the pencil.“ Chatter rolls with David, Torie, and Jamie. Claude recounts his weekend covering the “triathlon of equestrian sports” in Maryland. They review status of the Musk and Sam Bankman-Fried books (Musk still beating SBF), and Torie revels gently about Jann Wenner’s book not doing well. They kick around the latest AI debate: Okay to use authors’s work to “train” AI? Nobody likes it, but nobody knows how to fix it either. Author Edward Carey zooms in to share “Edith Holler.” Truly original, it draws upon his writing, illustrating, and playwrighting experience. Fantastical and current all at the same time, “Edith Holler” is deep and highly entertaining at the same time.

“There is no learning without love.“ Chatter rolls with David, Torie, and Chuck Culpepper. They revisit the women’s world cup in New Zealand and Australia and catch up on the Michael Lewis book about Sam Bankman-Fried (maybe not his best yet?). In the spirit of the baseball playoffs they pick best baseball books ever. Journalist Bruce Schoenfeld zooms in to share “Game of Edges: The Analytics Revolution and the Future of Professional Sports.” He combines masterful storytelling with extraordinary insider access to tell the fascinating stories about the tech savvy people who are transforming every aspect of sports. Optimistic or pessimistic about the future of sports?

“What makes us human?“ Chatter rolls with David, Torie, and Jud Ashman. David wins the Faulkner birthday pop quiz. They break down new books on Elon Musk and Sam Bankman-Fried (two good authors but the subjects?). They cover the good, the bad, and the ugly of blurbs (do they sell books?). COB fave and award winning, best-selling author Angie Kim zooms in to share “Happiness Falls.” Angie combines beautiful writing with a truly original story that prompts thought-provoking insights into what’s really important in life. And please check out Rob Dundon’s 3rd Annual Alzheimer’s Fundraiser Raffle & Auction for Cathy’s Legacy , a good cause combined with terrific books!