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. 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 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…
"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…
"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…
"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…
"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…
"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…
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…
"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. 21 st century renaissance man Berner zooms in to share "Becoming Legend." He calls it an…
Chatter rolls with Claude, David, Torie, James Grady, and Chatter's favorite Mayor, Jud Ashman. The wrap up March Madness and Torie's Duke animosity. James Grady's soon to be released "Shadows on Sidewalks" getting terrific buzz. Jud previews the May 16 Gaithersburg Book Festival. Free attendance, free parking, and over 130 authors, workshops, kids' events, poetry competitions and more. COB fave…
"Women versus nature?" Chatter rolls with Torie, David, and literary icon James Grady. They revel in UConn's win and Torie's roll in it. Is there anything good about AI in writing? Award winning, best selling and favorite Australian author Charlotte Wood zooms in from down under to share "The Natural Way of Things." Originally published ten years ago it's eerily current. Imprisoned in an…
