“Creative, original and fun!” Louis Bayard joins David Aldridge and Torie to talk PEN/Faulkner Awards – Deesha Philyw, another COB alum wins, and Louis contemplates his novel, Pale Blue Eye, as a $55 million dollar movie (thus far). Debut author Sanjena Sathian zooms in to talk Iowa Writers Workshop and more. Her book, Gold Diggers, captures coming of age, identity and 21st century life – all in one. Fascinating and inspiring all at once.

Chatter on Books

Sanjena Sathian: Gold Diggers

“Flips the script.“ David and Jamie join Torie to talk big words (when small ones will do). Chatter alum Tope Folarin makes a surprise visit to brief on winning the Whiting Award, one of the top literary prizes for emerging authors. We gloat; he’s gracious. Journalist/novelist Anna North Zooms in to discuss Outlawed, her gender bending take on a western in an alternate past with familiar modern day themes.

Anna North – Outlawed

“These are people.” COB Alum wins PEN/Faulkner and Amanda Gorman poetry crushes on Chatter w/ David, Torie and Mayor of Gaithersburg Jud Ashman. He debriefs on the Gaithersburg Book Festival – all virtual and awesome this year. Sports icon Dave Kindred shares his remarkable reflection on a grandson lost to addiction. It’s a powerful book fueled by honesty and love. Best selling author David Sheff says “…the greatest art can come from the greatest pain and love, and this book is pure art.”  We call it a gift to anyone who has ever loved an addict.

Dave Kindred – Leave Out the Tragic Parts: A Grandfather’s Search for a Boy Lost to Addiction

“It’s about bravery.” Spring breaks with Chatter. Erica Wright and Marc Sterne join David and Torie to talk post pandemic plans and new reading rituals. Best selling fictional history writer Stephanie Dray shares the research and back stories behind “The Women of Chateau Lafayette,” the true story of a castle in France and the remarkable women bound by its legacy. Deserted Island goes on the road with travel adventures.

Stephanie Dray – The Women of Chateau Lafayette

“Let’s Talk About the Nun.” Chatter alum Marc Sterne joins David and Torie and reminds them of just how well read he is. They discuss the NCAA’s total lack of shame when it comes to women and business books that might actually be useful.  Decorated combat Marine and bestselling author Bing West enthralls and inspires with his latest, The Last Platoon. Marines defend a tiny base in a fight to the death with drug lords, Taliban and politics. Having “been there and done that,” West brings stunning accuracy to this graphic odyssey.

Bing West "The Last Platoon: A Novel of the Afghanistan War"

“The Dynasty of Nibbles and Brie” Chatter rolls into March madness with David, Torie and Jamie. Positively inclined reviews are read, and Torie’s angling for a boycott – just a little one. Olga Grushin joins to talk fairy tales, Russian to English, and her new book The Charmed Wife. Torie calls it a cross between Cinderella, Steven King and Freud. Fighting mice, talking teapots and fairy godmothers turned therapist are just a few of the characters in this “fierce feat of imagination” as Jess Walter called it. David crushes Deserted Island with his epic lines from Romeo and Juliet.

Olga Grushin - The Charmed Wife

“The drama is in cut day.” Chatter rolls into March with David, Torie and alum Mike Croley. They brag about Louis Bayard, debate Dr.Seuss, mull pandemic stories (David wonders about flight attendants), and Mike recalls playing catch with Annie Dillard. Writer, editor and illustrator Emily Nemens joins to talk about The Cactus League, her delightful look at the players, fans, coaches, and wives that make the annual pilgrimage known as spring training. Deserted Island goes Women’s History Month.

Emily Nemens – The Cactus League

“Librarians are superheroes!” Torie’s joined by David Aldridge and Chatter alum Angie Kim. They go off the board to talk procrastination, David’s first book and the pandemic (of course!). Robert Jones, Jr. joins to talk about his life, his work and his fabulous debut novel, “The Prophets.” Marlon James called it “Epic in its scale, intimate in its force, and lyrical in its beauty.” Yep.  And we call it wonderful.

Robert Jones, Jr. – The Prophets

“….the high drama of history might be going on….” Whatever happened to Washington’s real birthday?  Chatter alum Chuck Culpepper joins David and Torie to cover Presidents Day, answer emails (kind of sporty) and educate Torie on commonplace books. Novelist Rebecca Sacks joins from sunnier Calif to talk about her book,  City of a Thousand Gates, an enthralling look at the Israeli-Palestinian conflict through the eyes of diverse people with inextricably entwined lives.

Rebecca Sacks – City of a Thousand Gates

 “All Boston all the time.“ Jamie McIntyre and Torie are joined by Lydia McOscar of Brookline Booksmith (thanks Eric Londergan!) They gush about seven time Super Bowl winner Tom Brady (yes, Boston misses him!), Indies in the time of pandemics and Simon Winchester love pouring in. Best selling crime author Lisa Gardner joins to talk about her latest, Before She Disappeared.  A recovering alcoholic spends her life looking for missing people everyone else has forgotten.  Deserted Island gets royal. 

Lisa Gardner – Before She Disappeared

“But they still took away his lands.“ Snow falls in Chatter land.  Jamie McIntyre zooms with David and Torie to de-stress over books, reject Melville and reread some of the greats.  Award winning (and Officer of the Order of the British Empire) Simon Winchester talks about his latest, Land.  With curiosity, relentless research and terrific storytelling, Winchester examines the earth’s billions of acres and what mankind is doing with them.  And shares a recipe for a Rocky Mountain Sneezer.

Simon Winchester – Land: How the Hunger for Ownership Shaped the Modern World

“The Survival Triangle“ Chatter starts out with Tom Brady love and awe.  David, Torie and Jamie McIntyre debate censorship – what is it these days?   John Hudson, the British Military’s Chief Survival Instructor, talks plans and prep and hope.  Forget about a Swiss Army knife.  You need a well-prepared brain, advance planning and well-founded optimism to survive the most difficult challenges, including the pandemic.

John Hudson – How to Survive: Self-Reliance in Extreme Circumstances

“ Be a better person.” David, Torie and journalist Kate Andersen Brower try to make sense of what’s happening in Washington.   Kate’s best sellers, including The Residence, First Women, First in Line and Team of Five take us inside 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue in happier times.   Chatter alum and NYT best selling author Joe Drape returns.   Not with race horses this time but with an inspirational war hero, a behind the scenes look at the Church and an authentic address of his own spiritual journey.

Joe Drape – The Saint Makers: Inside the Catholic Church and How a War Hero Inspired a Journey of Faith

“What am I talking about?” 2021 is off to a flying start!   David Aldridge and Lorraine Voles join Torie and featured author (and Pulitzer Prize winner) Connie Schultz.  They talk new year’s resolutions (we’re for and against them).   Connie crushes the pop quiz on books that changed the lives of famous people.   We love Walter Tevis (he wrote Queen’s Gambit, The Hustler and more) and didn’t know it.   Connie shares her “…voice for the underdog and unprivileged.”   Her novel “The Daughters of Erietown” compellingly shares the hopes and dreams and heartaches of one very real family.

Connie Schultz: The Daughters of Erietown

“Internet Sensation“ Chatter winds up the craziest of years with one of the pandemic’s best stories. David, Torie and Washington Post Book Critic Ron Charles debate the latest Woods to stun the golf world.  Ron breaks down highs and lows of books and authors in 2020.  UK broadcaster Andrew Cotter stays up late to share the back stories of Olive and Mabel, his spectacular Labrador Retrievers who charmed the internet during a very dark 2020.

Andrew Cotter - Olive, Mabel and Me: Life and Adventures with Two Very Good Dogs

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!