Chatter on Books

“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. 

“Transendence.“ Chatter rolls with David, Jamie, and Torie. They break down the best of children’s books, the amazing Michael Lewis, and finally get to the loss of lit majors nationwide. Adding significantly to the conversation is Lily Martin, COB’s new intern (or title to be determined). Author Laura Scalzo zooms in the share “American Arcadia.” Ostensibly about four young New Yorkers in 1985, Scalzo’s novel weaves compelling characters and life-changing themes in a truly original way.

“Reclaiming history.” Chatter rolls at the Gaithersburg Book Festival with historian, professor, and author Theresa Runstedtler. She shares “Black Ball: Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Spencer Haywood, and the Generation That Saved the Soul of the NBA.” Meticulously researched and compellingly written, the book chronicles and corrects the league’s history, both its “dark ages” of the 1970s and subsequent rise.  She weaves historical insights and social analysis into a fascinating look at how the game was changed and the players launched the NBA into the global powerhouse it is today.

“Truth and hope.” Renaissance man Nevin Martell joins David and Torie to talk food, foraging, and the Gaithersburg Book Festival. They answer emails and talk about life in Washington without Dan Snyder. Award winning writer Cheryl A. Head zooms in to share “Time’s Undoing.” Based on her family’s history, Cheryl expertly weaves one family’s tragedy into a searing portrait of institutional racism and the hope that honesty can produce.

“Worlds colliding.” Jamie McIntyre and Gaithersburg Mayor Jud Ashman join Torie as Chatter rolls into spring. They bemoan what’s happening in horse racing, learn why Gaithersburg is America’s most diverse city, preview the May 20 Gaithersburg Book Festival, and guess famous authors’ day jobs (Jud kind of wins). Best-selling author, journalist, and historian Susan Wels zooms in to share “An Assassin in Utopia: The true story of a nineteenth-century sex cult and a president’s murder.” In a six degrees of separation way, Wels weaves the fascinating true stories of sex-crazed utopian societies, a banished member and the brutal assassination of the 20th president. And don’t miss Horace Greeley, P.T. Barnum, a cross-dressing spy, and female doctor.  Articulate research and compelling writing make it a “can’t put down” book.

“Hell-bent.” It’s a Chatter hall of fame as David and Torie are joined by Angie Kim, Tope Folarin, and Lou Bayard. They bemoan book banning and admit to acceptance speeches never given. Angie previews “Happiness Falls” coming out in September, and Lou raises the curtain on the upcoming PEN/Faulkner Awards. Award winning and best selling author several times over Dennis Lehane zooms in to share  “Small Mercies.” Set in Boston during the explosive desegregation of public schools, “Small Mercies” is unflinching.  Lehane’s masterful storytelling grabs you with its deep dive into power, racism, and the love of a mother. And we think it was cathartic for Dennis.