Chatter on Books

“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!

“Choices.” Chatter rolls with David, Torie and Jamie. They rave about Deeshaw Philyah (seven figure deal for two new books) and Nane Kwame Adjei-Brenyah (nominated for National Book Award) and pile on Jann Wenner (what a jerk). Award winning author and teacher Brando Skyhorse zooms in to share “My Name is Iris.” It starts out as one thing and subtly shifts to a searing take on family, identity, and intolerance. Washington Post critic Ron Charles calls it “ominous social satire” and asks “could there be a more incisive diagnosis of our era?” It’s terrific.

“The best of friends.“ Chatter rolls into fall with favorite alums and powerful friendships. David, Torie, and Louis Bayard share their summer vacations. COB listener Bobby Gottfried has rare good news on book banning. The best of friends and award winning writers to boot, Marie Benedict and Victoria Christopher Murray zoom in to share “The First Ladies” about the extraordinary partnership between civil rights activist Mary Bethune and Eleanor Roosevelt. As COB alum Sadeqa Johnson said in her blurb: “The timely story encapsulates the unmovable power of when two strong minds come together in the name of justice and equality.”

“Harrowing.” Chatter rolls with Torie, Jud Ashman, Marc Sterne, and Lily Martin.  Jud and the Gaithersburg Book Festival team already looking ahead to 2024.  Marc schools the gang on big generational changes in tennis and the graciousness of a runner up. Lawyer turned writer Philip Jett zooms in to share “Stranded in the Sky – The Untold Story of Pan Am Luxury Airliners Trapped on the Day of Infamy.” Jett combines meticulous research with deft storytelling. “Stranded in the Sky” brings vivid accounts of the most luxurious airliners in the world trapped in the vast Pacific Ocean as the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor and other targets.

“Fearless.” Chatter rolls with David, Claude, Torie, and newly promoted Content Manager Lily Martin. They kick around more book banning (really? The Bible now?) and more on Threads (we’re there). Lily breaks down YA for the more mature Chatterers and names Leah Johnson as one her favorites in the genre. Award winning athlete and long-time on air host and reporter, Lisa Cornwell zooms in to share “Troublemaker.”  She reveals details of her childhood success as an athlete, her battles with personal demons, and friends in very high places. As a veteran voice at Golf Channel she fearlessly tackled the toxic environment she encountered as a woman in a decidedly male culture.

“The future needs a seat at the table.” Chatter rolls with David, Torie, Jamie, and Content Manager Lily. Lily  wins the pop quiz on best sellers. Unlikely TikTok star gets the best seller treatment. Lily enlightens again, this time on TikTok’s new publishing arm. Big brains Andy Hoehn and Thom Shanker zoom in to share “Age of Danger – Keeping America Safe in an Era of New Superpowers, New Weapons, and New Threats.” National security veterans of many years, Hoehn and Shanker break down the major challenges the U.S. faces and what should be done about them. The takeaway? Be afraid. And somewhat encouraged.

“Keep making friends.” Chatter rolls into July with Torie, Claude, Renaissance man Nevin Martell and Intern/Content Manager Lily Martin. They marvel at Legos and Nevin’s status as the “Anthony Bourdain of foraging.”  Award winning David Von Drehle zooms in from the heartland to share “The Book of Charlie.”  David’s neighbor, Dr. Charlie White, thrived through more than a century of change with resilience, grit and ever present stoicism. There are epic journeys, medical innovations, heartaches, and loves.

"Isolation.“ June races by as Chatter rolls with David, Torie, Jamie, and Intern/Content Manager Lily Martin Current events is up first as they break down subs, Russia and NBA phenoms. Hard to tell who will do better as a presidential candidate – David or Jamie. Academy award nominee Iris Yamashita zooms in to share “City Under One Roof.” Yamashita’s story telling prowess is obvious in her tantalizing and sometimes dark look at a murder in a small town with complex relationships.

“A different path.” Chatter rolls with David, Torie and NYT writer Joe Drape. They praise the Goddess (aka Dolly), read email (only the good ones), and bemoan the state of horse racing. Award winning and truly original author Nana Kwame Adjei-Brenyah zooms in to share “Chain Gang All-Stars.” His debut novel, “Chain Gang” pits two women gladiators against each other in a fight for freedom that’s about so much more than you think. Read the footnotes. Adjei-Brenyah’s stunning writing makes every page a delight to read.