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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."

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 David Wright Falade zooms in to share "The New Internationals," out in paperback and joining David'd impressive, eclectic and impactful work.  He writes young adult, non-fiction, and historical fiction with empathy and an academic's rigor.  "The New Internationals" captures the colliding, sometimes clashing challenges of race and identity in post-World War II Paris.

"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 Australian sheep station, ten women endure horrifying treatment and demonstrate inspiring resilience and humanity.

Chatter rolls with Torie and COB fave Erica Wright, and Texas rules the show.  Erica's busy with a new novel and book of poetry and will be back soon to chat about both.  Daylight Savings screwed Micah Williams of Black Pearl Books  who was set to nominate their author for "The Pitch," K.D. Blade.  No worries — writer and artist K.D. stepped up and shared  "Don't Touch My Hair" and her wonderful world of reading, writing, and drawing. Award winning author and teacher April Reynolds zooms in to share "Shape of Dreams, a mesmerizing dive into murder, friendship, and a 1980s community in crisis.  Thank goodness Miss Jordan encouraged April's writing!

"A gift."   Chatter rolls with Claude, David, Jamie, and Torie.  They (finally) break down hockey and romance — and all have their picks for sports romance novels.   Shane Mullen of Left Bank Books in St. Louis joins, sharing the store's back story and teasing his picks for "The Pitch."  Retired Lieutenant General Mark Hertling zooms in with "If I Don't Return," his reflections on life lessons shared with his sons.  Simultaneously accessible and powerful, "If I Don't Return"  offers  meaningful advice on facing all of life's challenges.  It's about so much more than war.

"Bad ass."   Chatter rolls with Claude, David, Torie, and COB fave Louis Bayard.  They revel in the Olympics glow and mourn again Washington Post layoffs, the loss of "Book World" in particular.  Poet, teacher, and inspired author Rebecca Lehmann zooms in to share "The Beheading Game."   Few are brave enough to tackle the well-trod ground of Anne Boleyn, the first of Henry the Eighth's six wives to lose her head.  Lehmann does so with imagination, empathy, and provocative thinking. Could not put it down.