Chatter on Books

“With malice toward none…“

It’s election eve, and the watch word is context.   Mike Croley, Chatter alum and author of Any Other Places, returns as a panelist and to talk his latest work, Midland: Reports From Flyover Country.  The gang is horrified by anthropodermic bibliopegy and inspired by Oprah’s idea of “comfort books.”  Historian David S. Reynolds joins to share new and meaningful insights into the 16th President with his remarkable Abe: Abraham Lincoln in His Times.  Think you know everything about Lincoln?  Think again.

“Lawn darts!”

Jamie McIntyre returns to Chatter to talk foreign hacking -- it’s more than elections.  On the lighter side, who knew Pat Conroy wrote a cookbook?   Matthew McConaughey’s memoir Greenlights gets a red light from the gang.   Jess Walter, author of NYT best seller Beautiful Ruins, joins Chatter to talk about his new book The Cold Millions.  Set in Spokane in the early 1900s, the intimate look at family, class, loss and hope eerily echos modern times.

“What do we excuse because of fear?”

Noir thriller and Chatter alum E.A. Aymar (aka E.A. Barres) joins David and Torie to talk about his upcoming book They’re Gone. Email for David – he’s a popular guy.  October 19 is a big day in literature and focus of the pop quiz -- everyone wins.   Famous in Cedarville author Erica Wright comes back, too, this time with Snake, the addictive and deep dive into these “crawling contradictions.”  Phobias large and small take center stage in Deserted Island.

"I wish I knew how to quit you  “ 

Outstanding journalists, podcast hosts and authors Jessica Luther and Kavitha Davidson join David and Torie. Kavitha wins the pop quiz (she knows her Truman Capote).  They debate the best of the worst in literature.  Kavitha and Jessica talk fans and the ethical/moral/legal issues that imbue just about every sport.

“....the difference between a marriage and a fabulous first date.”

Chatter alum Kathleen Barber joins David and Torie to talk babies and awards in the time of pandemics. Best selling author Barbara Kingsolver shares her thoughts on life, society and her latest work, How to Fly, a “can’t put down”  collection of poems covering everyday to universal.

"My dad was an activist.“

RBG love flows on Chatter.   David, Liz Clarke and Torie share favorite stories about Ruth Bader Ginsburg. Liz updates on the WFT.   Torie gets her Steeltown girl on as Jim Rooney talks about his book “A Different Way to Win” that chronicles Dan Rooney’s life as NFL owner and diplomat.

“The truth and how you know what it is.”

Terrific special edition of Chatter on Books with David and Torie.  Legendary author and international best seller Ken Follett joins to talk about his craft, meticulous research and his latest -- The Evening and the Morning -- stunning prequel to Pillars of the Earth.

It’s Back-to-School for Chatter!  Jamie joins Torie to talk Covid staycations, a book by him and what college freshmen are reading this fall.  No, it’s not Station Eleven!  First-generation Capricia Penavic Marshall shows us how international protocol can help every person, business and country with her book Protocol – The Power of Diplomacy and How to Make it Work For You

“You can feel the weather.”

Wrapping up COB’s summer, David and Torie are joined by WashPost Film Critic Ann Hornaday.   Ann breaks down the pandemic impact on film.   Legendary author, director, screenwriter and actor John Sayles talks about being an “Original Independent” and his new book Yellow Earth.  “All hell breaks loose” in a small North Dakota town when layers of shale oil are discovered.  Deserted Island mixes authors, movies and John Sayles’ genius.

“Write from where you are.”

Best selling author Scott Turow joins Chatter Alum Angie Kim,  David and Torie.  They talk books they pretend they’ve read, and Scott wins the pop quiz (Iceland, really?).  Scott and Angie trade legal thriller angles – it’s a master class.  Torie raves about Scott’s latest book, The Last Trial, and everyone loves David!