Chatter on Books Torie Clarke

“Let’s get busy living!“
Chatter rolls with David, Claude and Torie.  They debrief the Gaithersburg Book Festival and speculate on why whales attacks (aka “Chatter on Whales”).  Bobby Gottfried got things going, and Maryland Governor Wes Moore recently signed a law banning book banning. They debate signs you should give up on a book. Award winning, poetry writing and publishing guru Abraham Chang zooms in to share his debut novel.  Packed with pop culture and blistering dialogue, “888 Love and the Divine Burden of Numbers” covers love, identity, and Chinese culture in a completely unique way. And he had fun writing it!

Chatter rolls into May with David, Torie, and America’s favorite book festival founder Mayor Jud Ashman.  They rave about the Derby, bemoan the celebrification (is that a word?)) of sporting events, and claim to be good sports parents.  Jud debriefs on the  Gaithersburg Book Festival.  Over one hundred authors, events, and workshops – not to mention it’s free and offers free parking.  Chatter will be there at 12:15 pm with Anne Foster and "The Long War on Drugs".  Award winning and debut novelist  Elizabeth O'Connor  zooms in from across the pond to share  "Whale Fall".  Glowing reviews on both sides of the ocean applaud O’Connor’s care in writing the story of a young woman finding herself on a remote Welsh island.  We’d add compelling and evocative.

“Relentless.”
Chatter rolls with David, Torie, Jamie, and Claude. Jamie’s just back from Costa Rica – a definite yes for travel.  They bid a fond farewell to the iconic Eddie Sands, father of David, Steve, and Michael and patriarch of the iconic Calvert Woodley Fine Wines and Spirits.  Joe Drape joins to debrief on “Broken Horses,” the NYT expose on horse racing and its darker side.  Award winning, best selling, COB alum Susan Page zooms in to share “The Rulebreaker: The Life and Times of Barbara Walters.” Forget everything you thought you knew about the iconic journalist, Walters overcame and endured multiple challenges in her professional quest to be the best.  Page conducted over 150 interviews and researched extensively to “uncover so much more” about Walters, as Connie Chung put it.  Susan “Goes Local” with DC’s West End Public Library.  They serve everyone in a diverse community, but we have to get Susan’s books on the shelves!

“You never know about tomorrow.”
Chatter rolls with Torie and COB’s favorite Mayor, Jud Ashman. The eclipse eclipses March Madness. Shout outs to Rob Dundon, Jake, and COB authors in Middleburg Books. They debate the funniest novels (sort of), and Jud briefs the May 18 Gaithersburg Book Festival.   Over a hundred authors and events and good weather guaranteed. Plus it’s free. Award winning and thrill seeking author Eric Blehm zooms in with “The Darkest White.” Harrowing and inspiring, his gripping account of the short life of legendary snowboarder Craig Kelly mesmerizes and inspires.

“The book he was meant to write.”
Chatter rolls with David, Torie, and Jamie. March Madness rules and inspires book ideas. Torie spots COB authors in airports and on The Atlantic’s best novels list.  Best selling, award winning, and all around cool guy James Grady zooms in to share “The Smoke in Our Eyes.”  With his typically brilliant writing and imagination, Grady captures a very modern coming of age story.  In Going Local, he chats up the Toole County Library, his favorite place in Shelby, Montana.

“Secrets that should be told.”
Chatter rolls in like a lion with David, Torie, Jamie, and special guest Ann Hornaday.  In addition to the usual, they’re talking about non-books things like Caitlin Clark – awesome.  Award winning Wash Post movie critic Ann Hornaday joins for Oscar buzz and what makes a good book into a good movie (or not!).  NYT bestseller Liza Mundy zooms in to share “The Sisterhood,” her revelatory history of the role of women in the CIA.  With meticulous research and wonderful storytelling, Liza tells important stories unheard for too long.  As part of COB’s “Go Local,” she chats up her favorite libraries and independent bookstores.  DC’s MLK Library gets her nod for a Chatter on Books donation.