Chatter on Books

“Disturbing and inspiring.” Chatter wraps up February with betting, debates and a deeply provocative book. David, Torie, and Jamie revisit Super Bowl betting – the most ever – and its societal impact. They agree on the Roald Dahl censorship debate (it’s all about context). Award winning and brilliantly original Tiffany McDaniel zooms in to share “On the Savage Side.” Called “exceptionally inventive” by the New York Times, McDaniel weaves a magical tapestry of lives connected by addiction but defined by much more.

“Total page turner“ Chatter rolls with a Feb 14 special – sort of. David, Torie and Jamie break down the Super Bowl. All the guys say no romance in their reading history.  They cover book recommendations for Valentine’s Day, some are serious, and some are not. Best selling and creative writing teacher of older adults Ana Reyes zooms in. She shares her deeply disturbing and “can’t put it down” “The House in the Pines.” At turns troubling and always mesmerizing, it’s about friendships and memory and is the definition of psychological thriller.

“Commonality“ David briefs the Super Bowl. Jamie breaks down the “balloon incident.” Torie, David and Jamie play “if you liked this book on Chatter, get this one,” aka book recommendations. They fawn over COB alums Brendan Slocumb and Silas House, both finalists for the 2023 Southern Book Awards. Writer, teacher and semi-pro football player, David Wright Falade zooms in to share “Black Cloud Rising,” about a brigade of Black soldiers in the Civil War. The New York Times calls it “a straight-up page turner.”  Yes, and even more it’s a highly nuanced focus on race, identity and family. 

“The fragility of life.” Claude kicks things off with big literary news. Manny has a book! "It's Okay to Be Me!" , his uplifting story of how he doesn’t let stuttering hold him back. Jamie breaks down ChatGPT for Torie and David with real-life examples from the world of Chatter. Amita Parikh zooms in to share “The Circus Train,” her profoundly moving and entertaining saga of a European circus train under the shadows of war and persecution. Based in World War II, the questions of discrimination, bravery and love are timeless.

“Changing women’s sports for the next twenty-five years.” Chatter rolls with David, Torie and Torie’s sister from another mother Liz Clarke. They break down “Spare” – who lets somebody put some of that in print?  Award winning Andrew Maraniss zooms in to talk about “Inaugural Ballers,” the story of the first U.S. women’s Olympic basketball team. Praised for writing stories with larger social messages, Maraniss uses meticulous research and extensive interviews to tell the story of the unknowns who paved the way for generations to come.

“They were boys.“ David, Torie and Jamie ring in the new year with chatter about resolutions, reading’s health benefits and the incredible Robert Caro. They talk with Heidi Powell and Hope Harrod of An Open Book Foundation, a terrific DMV organization that connects students with authors, illustrators and their books to foster a lifelong love of books. Iconic writer Buzz Bissinger zooms in to share “The Mosquito Bowl,” superbly researched and passionately written, it’s about brotherhood and bravery and country. John Grisham says it’s destined to be a classic.  Yep.

“Hope.” Chatter rolls into the holidays with David, Torie and COB fave Michael Croley. Mike shares his piece in Esquire, a tribute to his late brother and the healing power of golf. Award winning and multi-talented author Silas House zooms in to share his latest, “Lark Ascending.” Ostensibly about a boy in a not too distant future dystopia, it’s really about grief and survival and humanity. It’s unlike anything else out there. 

Don and Petie Kladstrup – “Champagne Charlie: The Frenchman Who Taught Americans to Love Champagne.” COB has a double header.  Wash Post editor and writer and author of the Miss America history “There She Was,” Amy Argetsinger joins David and Torie.  They break down Christmas movies and books and the women crushing best sellers lists. Award winning journalists who love wine, baseball and France, Don and Petie Kladstrup, zoom in from Paris to share “Champagne Charlie,” the remarkable story of the 1850s Frenchman who stormed America, drove sales and almost died when charged with spying for the Confederacy. Then a COB fave, Kate Anderson Brower, returns with “Elizabeth Taylor: The Grit and Glamour of an Icon,” the extraordinarily comprehensive authorized biography of the legendary icon whose life as mother, wife, actress and activist is so much more than you knew.

“You don’t get a Pulitzer!“ Torie, David and Jamie break down the World Cup, gaslighting, goblin mode and Dylan. Pulitzer Prize winner Andrew Sean Greer zooms in to share “Less is Lost.” On the road with Arthur Less, a “minor American novelist,”  who’s trying to pay down bills, reconcile relationships and find himself. Along the way there’s a pug named Dolly, an Rv called Rosina and a litany of almost literary events. It’s like Chris Buckley and Hunter Thompson – but better. 

“It takes courage to be an adolescent.“ It’s the annual Thanksgiving Chatter family special!  Renaissance man Nevin Martell and celebrity mixologist Rodney Ferguson join Torie for talk about twitter, drinks, and even a few book related topics. Multiple award winner and multi-talented Bob Brush zooms in to share “The Piazza – Stories from Piazza Santa Caterina Piccola.” Lovers, beggars, royalty and more share hopes, desires and fears in the shadow of impending catastrophe. Beautiful writing enhanced with stunning illustrations by Scott Howard.