Chatter on Books

By Torie ClarkeSociety & Culture Arts Books

Chatter on Books episodes

January 14, 2020 Susan Page - The Matriarch: Barbara Bush and the Making of an American Dynasty
Looking up words. Michael goes all Tom Jones on college books that mattered. New year’s reading resolutions — more fiction for Torie, non-fiction for Michael and classics for David (but no Moby Dick!). Susan Page’s incomparable reporting and unparalleled access to Barbara Bush’s diaries make The Matriarch a stunner.
50 min
December 17, 2019 Erica Wright - Famous in Cedarville
“Snakes in the house.” Michael debriefs the President’s Cup briefly. Jeanne does Kerouac’s accidental review. The gang debates the decade’s best and worst of the decade. Erica Wright talks Tennessee, poetry and and her engrossing book Famous in Cedarville
1 hr 5 min
December 10, 2019 Ben Raby: 100 Things Capitals Fans Should Know & Do Before They Die
Stras leads; Michael smiles. Luke of Monumental talks all things literary at MSE — Elena writes, Natasha, Bradley and Sheldon read w/ kids. And we love Ted’s book, of course! The gang recalls sports books they loved. Media MVP Ben Raby covers the highs and lows and musts of true CAPs fans.
47 min
December 04, 2019 Gene Weingarten - One Day: The Extraordinary Story of an Ordinary 24 Hours in America. “The Letter F”
Michael debriefs Thanksgiving (a success). Jeanne has a list —- where are the women? Two time Pulitzer winner Gene finds the exceptional among the normal in One Day.
1 hr 5 min
November 26, 2019 Jeanne Safer — I Love You But I Hate Your Politics.
“About that turkey smell...” Turkey Palooza! Lots of advice for Michael’s Tgiving. Politics doctor Jeanne Safer offers up sage advice for loved ones with political divides. Don’t mix politics and alcohol and keep your voice down! DC’s best, Nevin Martell, talks Founding Farmers/Red Truck cookbooks, the wonders of duck fat and calms Michael’s concerns about that turkey smell.
57 min
November 19, 2019 Richard Armstrong - The Don Con
“Captain Kirk Gets His Carpaccio.” Happy birthday Margaret Atwood — even if we don’t read your books. Jeanne, David, Michael and Torie all distrust blurbs. Richard Armstrong talks mobs and movie stars and Shakespeare and The Don Con, where mafia meets comic-con.
1 hr 7 min
November 05, 2019 Kathleen Barber: Are You Sleeping (aka Truth Be Told)
Improbable! The NATS with David who is back! Michael loves “real” reading to the munchkins. Jeanne convinces Torie on Books of the Century. Kathleen Barber combines murder mystery w/ social media and crushes with Are You Sleeping, soon to be Truth Be Told on Apple TV.
54 min
October 29, 2019 Steve Vogel Betrayal in Berlin: The True Story of the Cold War’s Most Audacious Espionage Operation
Michael’s back! Wash Post Book Critic Ron Charles covers Ebook battles, Anonymous and the better Booker Prize winner. Steve Vogel talks spies and tunnels and who will star in Betrayal in Berlin. Deserted Island goes dark for Halloween.
52 min
October 22, 2019 Tope Folarin - A Particular Kind of Black Man: A Novel
Moral of the story: Listen to the man next to you on the plane. NATS fever reigns at the undisclosed location. Pros and Cons of literary awards (mostly pro). Jamie, Jeanne and Torie give personalized book picks. Tope Folarin wows us with A Particular Kind of Black Man: A Novel, a gripping and unique take on identity in America.
1 hr 7 min
October 15, 2019 Carrie Callaghan: A Light of Her Own
NATS, literary cocktails and a Dutch painter rediscovered.

David reports on “two games away” NATS. Rockstar mixologist Chantal creates cocktails that cover literary trains, Tara and trips. Jeanne curates impeachment books. Featured author Carrie Callaghan rediscovers a painting heroine from 17th century Holland.
52 min

About Chatter on Books

From the publisher's feed

Chatter On Books is a weekly podcast hosted by Torie Clarke, with co-hosts Claude Jennings and David Aldridge, plus a rotating crew of writers, journalists, and the occasional welcome surprise.