 “Not your mother’s Hogwarts.” Ed Aymar, also known as E.A. Barres, who does dark stuff and other thrillers, joins David and Torie. They pick sides on the Larson v. Dorland debate (one donated a kidney; the other wrote a story), and all agree that Hillary beats Bill on novel writing. First time novelist and NYT best seller Sasha P. Smith zooms in to share The Witch Haven, 1911 New York City filled with mystery, magic and powerful women. 

Chatter on Books

Sasha P. Smith – The Witch Haven

"It’s a love story.” David and Torie debate the value of 1st Editions, recipes from The Simpsons, and David (almost) crushes the French literary scandals quiz. Award winning journalist and Washington Post Deputy Editorial Page Editor Karen Tumulty zooms in to talk about her remarkable biography The Triumph of Nancy Reagan.  With meticulous research and masterful storytelling, Tumulty writes the definitive biography of the very complex woman who was one of the most influential first ladies.

Karen Tumulty: The Triumph of Nancy Reagan

“Mine.“ Torie, David and Washington Post Book Critic Ron Charles kick off with best selling author Brad Meltzer, who fought the school board that vetoed his books about Rosa Parks and Martin Luther King. He won, by the way. Nghi Vo joins to talk about The Chosen and the Beautiful, her resounding 21st century reflection of the Great Gatsby. With dazzling prose, she weaves race and magic into Fitzgerald’s world, making it relevant.  As author P. Djeli Clark described it, The Chosen and the Beautiful is decadent, visual, imaginative and genius. Up til now, Vo was best known for her acclaimed novellas The Empress of Salt and Fortune and When the Tiger Comes Down the Mountain. The Chosen and the Beautiful puts her on everyone’s list as a major literary voice.

Nghi Vo - The Chosen and the Beautiful

 “Family” David, Jamie and Torie break down Bob Woodward’s new book, and Jamie gives a tutorial on what really happened with General Milley. Award winning (many times over) sports journalist Mirin Fader zooms in to talk about her best seller about Giannis Antetokounmpo, the face of the new NBA and hope for people all over the world. From selling trinkets on the street in Greece as a Nigerian immigrant to NBA Rockstar, Giannis’ story is truly improbable – and captured with a wealth of details and empathy by Fader. 

Mirin Fader – GIANNIS: The Improbable Rise of an NBA MVP

“Be afraid.” Coming back after the August hiatus, David and Claude join Torie to talk tennis, a potential curse on the Washington Football Team, and Dolly Parton – the goddess.  Akashic Books founder and publisher Johnny Temple zooms in to debrief on the advantages of independent publishers, musical inspiration and how he discovered Chatter alum Morowa Yejide. In a crazy “art imitates life” scenario, Nicole Perlroth, NYT cybersecurity reporter, has to reboot her featured author slot due to an Apple spyware breaking story. She comes back on day two to talk about This is How They Tell Me The World Ends, her thrilling take on cyber spies, hackers, arms dealers and the urgent threats we all face.

Nicole Perlroth: This Is How They Tell Me The World Ends

Marc recaps a day of wild weather and great tennis on Day 3 of the US Open, plus he chats with Ed Cohen and Mike Cation, and gives you the highlights from the big matches of the day

Day 3 at the US Open

“Put on earth to tell stories.” Coast to coast heat as David, Torie and P.J. Vernon tackle the Olympics, celebrity memoirs (Torie reads too many) and more.  “Part-time miscreant” and “country as hell”, not to mention award winning and best selling author S.A. Cosby Zooms in to talk about “Razorblade Tears,” his provocative and thrilling novel about race and revenge and redemption.

S.A. Cosby – Razorblade Tears

 “Desert Rose – it Just Worked.“ David, Torie and Marc tackle tennis, more DC books that just don’t capture the city (thus: David’s book!) and the Olympics.  Musical icon and maverick Miles Copeland joins in to share his legendary role in music history (think Police, Sting, the Bangles and more), belly dancing and even the Pentagon. His stories are epic and his impact huge. 

Miles A.Copeland III - Two Steps Forward, One Step Back

“Tuesdays with Morrie crossed with Hoop Dreams” Sort of. Chatter rolls through summer as David, Torie and Jamie read a review, rave about Dolly and debrief Rumsfeld books. Award winning sports journalist and NYT bestselling author Kate Fagan Zooms in. She shares her insights as the “covered and the coverer”, as well as All the Colors Came Out,” her bracingly honest take on her father-daughter relationship and her father’s battle with ALS.  

Kate Fagan – All the Colors Came Out

“Gripping:” The heat is on at Chatter – and everywhere else. The incomparable Kathleen Barber of While You Were Sleeping fame joins David and Torie. They cover DC books overboard, tech giants’ picks (sort of!). South Carolinian gone Calgary writer P.J. Vernon Zooms in to talk Bath Haus, his can’t put down thriller that has twists,  lies and terrifying  emotional roller coasters. 

P.J. Vernon – Bath Haus

"Certified!" Food and drink dominate Chatter this week. Renaissance man Nevin Martell joins David and Torie to talk food, family and travel in a (hopefully) post-pandemic world. Calvert-Woodley honcho Michael Sands gives terrific wine and beer recommendations to accompany barbecue.  That’s in honor of Adrian Miller -- lawyer, food historian, barbecue judge and author of Black Smoke, the story of Black barbecuers and restaurateurs that helped develop an American mainstay. Claude and Torie make a big announcement!

Adrian Miller – Black Smoke: African Americans and the United States of Barbecue

 “Unknowability“ Chatter goes random with Summer of Littles, iTunes review and Jeffrey Toobin (he’s back!). Award winning author Maggie Shipstead joins to talk about Great Circle, her third novel that spans a century, the globe and intertwined lives of two women separated by time and joined by life experiences.  Great Circle entrances with prohibition-era Montana, World War II London and modern day Hollywood. Shipstead’s storytelling makes for gripping reading. 

Maggie Shipstead – Great Circle

 “Magical” It’s hot!  Washington Post Book Critic Ron Charles joins Torie and David to talk going to space, what makes a best seller and what to read this summer. DC native Morowe Yejide shares the back story of Creatures of Passage, her riveting novel that weaves magic and history and stunning prose. The comparisons with Toni Morrison are frequent and apt, but Morowe is her own brand of special. Deserted Island goes for beach reads. 

Morowe Yejide – Creatures of Passage

Government spying, best sellers abroad, and movies dominate COB as Washington Post Film Critic Ann Hornaday joins David and Torie. Author Edward White Zooms in to talk about The Twelve Lives of Alfred Hitchcock, a thoroughly entertaining and fresh look at the legendary film maker and cultural icon. Happy birthday to Bob Dylan for Deserted island.

Edward White – The Twelve Lives of Alfred Hitchcock: An Anatomy of the Master of Suspense “Innovation.“

“Unapologetic.” The Wonderful Wizard of Oz rocks (for over 120 years) and cyber threats terrify. David, Jamie and Torie debate the merits of Dorothy and friends and whether or not we’re sufficiently scared about cyber attacks.  Rockstar journalist Jesse Washington joins to talk about I Came as A Shadow, John Thompson’s autobiography. It’s a bracingly honest look at the NCAA basketball champion, activist and educator whose profound influence goes way beyond the court.

Jesse Washington - I Came as a Shadow

This weekly podcast will be hosted by Torie Clarke with co-hosts David Aldridge, Jeanne McManus and Michael Kornheiser. Each week, they'll have entertaining interviews with authors, plus lively discussions about what they are reading, what they love and what they hate! This show will be many things, but boring won't be one of them!