Chatter on Books

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 3rd Battalion, 5th 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.