Stay ConnectedChatter 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.
Every week, the gang sits down with a new author, debates what they’re reading, and lets the conversation wander wherever it wants to go. It’s the kind of show where the guests are interesting, the hosts are opinionated, and nobody’s pretending this is a book club.
Chatter rolls with Kevin Stanfield, David, Jamie, and Torie. The jury is out on AI, but Torie is confident the Commanders are cursed. Trouble in Dollywood. Bigger trouble in Ukraine whose literary culture is being wiped out. Best selling author John U. Bacon zooms in to share "The Gales of November." His deep research and brilliant storytelling combine to keep you enthralled from prologue to final page. Bacon has produced the definitive account of the storm, ship, and 29 sailors at the center of the haunting maritime disaster. It's terrific!
Chatter rolls into fall with Claude, David, Jamie, and Torie. They pay respects to Dolly, the great one and reflect on the 9/11 25th anniversary. "The Pitch" is down to three finalists — Chantel Acevedo and "Cages," Melissa Faliveno and "Hemlock," and Tom Lin and "Babylon, South Dakota." Prolific writer, Fulbright scholar, and DMV native Camille Acker zooms in to share "A Very Special Episode." It's about Black TV (sort of) and a lot about family, race, class, and identity. And it totally surprises — in a good way.
Chatter rolls with Claude, David, Torie, and COB fave Louis Bayard. They cover dance clubs, Pale Blue Eye(s) and Commaders fans. They marvel at Iowa City, home to everyone who's writing a book. Literary legend (and Lou's pal) Thomas Mallon zooms in to share two books from his exceptional and large collection of work — "A Book of One's Own" and "The Very Heart of It." The first captures the hearts and souls of diverse people and places in time. "The Very Heart of It" vividly portrays the terror of the AIDS epidemic and the vibrant cultural scene of 1980s New York. Mallon's a legend and a true writer's writer.
"Agency" Chatter rolls with Claude, David, Jamie, and Torie. They're sad the World Cup is done and doubt the US Mens team will be in the final four any time soon. Jamie introduces another new independent bookstore, The Brady Readery in Laytonsville, MD. Veteran and woman owned, the hope is it becomes a community hub. Author Emma Styles Zooms in from the UK to share her latest, "The Shark." Against a fierce Australian backdrop, two girls — unlikely allies — kidnap a suspected serial murderer. Bracingly written, "The Shark" underscores the fine line between hunter and hunted.
"Walking away from loneliness and toward community." Chatter rolls with Claude, David, and Torie. They break down the country's 250th, World Cup drama and James Grady's continued roll. Best selling author, tattoo expert, and Today Show fave Isaac Fitzgerald zooms in to share "American Rambler." Following in the footsteps of the real Johnny Appleseed, Fitzgerald's journey shows the power of walking, reflection, and community. Plus he's a hell of a fun guy.
"Remember we are we's not I's." Chatter rolls with Claude, David, and Torie. They break down the World Cup and the Williams sisters owning Wimbledon. Maggie Robe of Flyleaf Books joins to nominate Melissa Faliveno and her book "Hemlock". Can't say it any better than the book jacket: "A Woman haunted by a dark inheritance returns to the woods where her mother vanished, in this queer gothic novel — a butch black swan." Writer, speaker, father, traveler, one time clown Bruce Feiler joins in to share "A Time to Gather." Crossing six continents and 16 countries, Bruce chronicles the history of rituals (think before organized religion), demonstrates their powerful impact and shares ways to incorporate them into meaningful lives.
"Why is it always Florida?" Chatter rolls into June with Lauren at the wheel, David in NBA land, and Torie assisted by Lu Lu. Gayle from Wonderland Books nominates their DMV author, Jeffrey Katz. His 2026 book "Unsettled Ground" is a deeply personal examination of Germany's attempts to confront and meaningfully address the Holocaust. COB alumni and fave Erica Wright zooms in to share her latest novel, The Museum of Unusual Occurrence, the first in the new Psychic City Mystery Series. Family, friendships, and murder in a town that's a true original. Erica's also got A Buyer's Guide to the Afterlife coming out soon, demonstrating her serious poetry chops on the beauty and fragility of the ecosystem. Erica does not sleep.
"Black leather jacket." Chatter rolls with Claude, David, Torie, and icon James Grady. David did indeed cry at his son's graduation, and Torie lived Book Fair-palooza in Gaithersburg and Oyster Bay. Miami literary legend Mitchell Kaplan of Books & Books joined in to nominate Chantel Acevedo for "The Pitch." Her new book "Cages" is out in June. Crossing Cuba, London, and Miami, it reveals themes of love, exile, and identity. Jim shares back stories about Robert Redford and the incentive to write his latest, "Shadows on Sidewalks." As Bob Dylan said, " sex and politics and murder is the way to go if you want to get people's attention." Grady will get lots of attention with "Shadows," yet another reason The Washington Post compared his writing to George Orwell and Bob Dylan.
Chatter rolls with Claude, David, Torie, Mike Croley, and Jud Ashman. Mike introduces Reggie, the cutest new member of the Chatter family. Staying with animals, Cherie DeVaux, first time female trainer to win the Kentucy Derby, gets her due. Somehow (no featured author?) the team reveals porn star names and why LIV golf is going away. Jud gets us back on track with the May 16 Gaithersburg Book Festival where Torie and Claude get to interview award winning author Jason Mott. Then Torie's on the road to Oyster Bay, N.Y. for the May 16-17 Gold Coast Book Fair where she'll moderate a panel with Isaac Fitzgerald and Bruce Feiler.
"Whatever he does he hits!" Chatter rolls with Claude, David, Jamie and Torie. Claude shares his Sperryville golf success, and David summarizes the NFL draft. Shane Mullen joins from the midwest with two authors nominated for "The Pitch," Tom Lin and Soman Chainani. They're current and creative and inspiring. 21st century renaissance man Berner zooms in to share "Becoming Legend." He calls it an "instructional manual for all aspiring entrepreneurs," and it showcases his remarkable life and success against significant odds. As Snoop Dog said, "I love it when my fellow rap comrades diversify their portfolio with books of information and knowledge."
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