Better Words

We were lucky enough to record this episode together in a studio at Vanishing Point Records in Chesterfield. We kick off with a wrap-up of our reading stats for the year: how many books and pages, the moods and re-reads.*Accessed through our work/from the publisher2024 debut book:Caitlin: The Heir Apparent by Rebecca Armitage*Michelle: Confessions by Catherine Airey*Non-fiction:Michelle: John and Paul: A Love story in Songs by Ian Leslie Caitlin: The Third Gilmore Girl by Kelly BishopAustralian book:Michelle: Consider Yourself Kissed by Jessica StanleyCaitlin: Until the Red Leaves Fall by Alli Parker*Romance: Michelle: Swept Away by Beth O’Leary Caitlin: An Academic Affair by Jodi McAlisterFiction: Michelle: The Offing by Benjamin MyersCaitlin: Ever Blessed by Olivia O’Flynn*Young Adult:Michelle: Red Flags by Sophie Jo*Caitlin: Grumpy Darling by Alexandra Moody*Most surprising:Caitlin: Fake by Stephanie WoodMichelle: The Lamb by Lucy RoseFavourite cover:Caitlin: A Smart Girls Guide to Second Chances by Steph Vizard*Michelle: Sad Girl Hours by Anna Zoe Quirke*Recommendation for each other:Michelle: The Wedding People by Alison EspachCaitlin: *Until the Red Leaves Fall by Alli ParkerWorth the hype:Michelle: Atmosphere by Taylor Jenkins ReidCaitlin: Sunrise on the Reaping by Suzanne CollinsBooks on our radar for 2026:Yesteryear by Caro Claire Burke Motherfaker by Anna Brook-MitchellThe Ending Writes Itself by Evelyn Clarke*Esther is Now Following You by Tanya Sweeny*Heartstopper volume 6 by Alice OsemanThe Silent Appeal by Janice HallettCaller Unknown by Gillian McAllisterWhatever Happened to Madeline Stone by Louise O’NeillFruit Fly by Josh SilverThis Book Made Me Think of You by Libby PageSurvival Show by Juno DawsonHopeless Romantics by Mhairi McFarlaneOur Perfect Storm by Carley FortuneFavourite TV:Michelle: The AmericansOutrageousSupernaturalDaddy IssuesCaitlin:Fresh Off the BoatSeverenceHeated RivalryFavourite films:Michelle: Civil WarThe Thursday Murder ClubLily & Stitch (live action)Downton Abbey: The FinaleCaitlin:September 5Wicked: For GoodThelmaFavourite podcasts:Michelle: Just The GistBig Small Talk ‘Big Talk’ episodes Last Podcast on the Left episodes on Heinrich Himmler and The Great Molasses FloodCaitlin:Pulp KitchenGood HangHamish & AndyBut for your convenience, here's everything else we mentioned in this episode:Ready Player One by Ernest ClineThe Beatles by Hunter DaviesKatabasis by RF KuangThe Book Thief by Markus ZusakWings: The Story of a Band Rivals by Jilly CooperThe Dry Heart by Natalia GinzburgPicnic at Hanging Rock by Joan LindseyThe Job Share by Sophie JoHeartbreak Era by Sophie JoAll Fours by Miranda JulyLiterary Legends Reading Challenge The GoldmansThe Stringer: The Man Who Took the Photo (film)Zootopia 2Celebrity TraitorsSpotlightThe Rest is EntertainmentInside Out 2Enjoyed this episode? Please share it with a bookish friend to help spread the word.We've ⁠got a Substack publication⁠ now! On the last day of the month, we share recommendations for two things we reckon you should read/watch/listen to. The beauty of Substack is you can revisit all our old editions and comment on our episode updates to share your thoughts. ⁠Come say hi!⁠Connect with us on Instagram: ⁠@betterwordspod

In this episode, Caitlin gives you dozens of recommendations for brilliant Aussie rom-coms. While Michelle chats briefly about Paul McCartney's new book, Wings: The Story of a Band on the Run. For your convenience, here's everything else we mentioned in this episode:Man on the Run (upcoming Amazon documentary)Wings Deluxe Collection on vinyl (also available to stream on Spotify)Daisy Jones and the Six by Taylor Jenkins ReidThat Island Feeling by Karina May (listen to our interview with Karina here)The Matchmaker by Saman ShadThe Cicada House by Ella Ward*Ever Blessed by Olivia O'Flynn*Rival Darling and Grumpy Darling by Alexandra Moody* An Academic Affair by Jodi McAlister (listen to our previous chat with Jodi here)What Did I Miss by Holly Brunnbauer*A Smart Girl's Guide to Second Chances by Steph Vizard*Love Overdue by Ali Berg and Michelle Kalus (listen to Caitlin's full rec here)Love and Other Scores by Abra Pressler (Caitlin's full rec)Ghosted by Amy Hutton (listen to our interview with Amy here)Drive Me Crazy by Lizzie Dent*Sex Lives of Married Women by Saman ShadJenna Lo Bianco (The Italian Marriage, Love and Rome, Venetian Lessons in Love, and Love, Al Dente)Natalie Murray (Lights, Camera, Love and Love, Just In)Anita Heiss (Not Meeting Mr Right)Engaged Apparently by Amy AndrewsThe Wedding Forecast by Nina Kenwood (listen to our interview with Nina)Enjoyed this episode? Share it with a bookish friend to help spread the word. We've got a Substack publication now! On the last day of the month, we share recommendations for two things we reckon you should read/watch/listen to. The beauty of Substack is you can revisit all our old editions and comment on our episode updates to share your thoughts. Come say hi! Connect with us on Instagram: @betterwordspod

In this episode, we're chatting about:The secret skill of book signingsGirl Dinner by Olivie Blake*Park Avenue by Renée Ahdieh*The Americans (TV series)The Buccaneers (TV series)*Accessed through our work/from the publisherBut for your convenience, here's everything we mentioned in this episode:Lucy Worsley (British historian and author) – we didn't mention but you can listen to her brilliant BBC podcast Lady KillersKatabasis by RF KuangThe Great (TV show)Mad Men (TV show)The real-life inspiration for The AmericansMorning Wars (TV show)Enjoyed this episode? Please share it with a bookish friend to help spread the word. We've got a Substack publication now! On the last day of the month, we share recommendations for two things we reckon you should read/watch/listen to. The beauty of Substack is you can revisit all our old editions and comment on our episode updates to share your thoughts. Come say hi! Connect with us on Instagram: @betterwordspod

In this episode, we're discussing The Names by Florence Knapp. Unlike review episodes, book club chats will include some spoilers (although we'll still try to keep things vague). About the book:It is 1987, and in the aftermath of a great storm, Cora sets out with her nine-year-old daughter to register the birth of her son. Her husband intends her to follow a long-standing family tradition and call the boy after him. But faced with the decision, Cora hesitates, questioning whether it is right for her child to share his name with generations of domineering men. Her choice in this moment will shape the course of their lives.Seven years later, her son is Bear, a name chosen by his sister, and one that will prove as cataclysmic as the storm from which it emerges. Or he is Julian, the name his mother set her heart on, believing it will give him the opportunity to become his own person. Or he is Gordon, named after his father and raised in his image - but is there still a chance to break the mould?This is the story of three names, three versions of a life and the infinite possibilities that a single decision can spark. It is the story of one family and how love endures, no matter what fate has in store.*Michelle received a copy from the publisherHere's everything else we mentioned in this episode:Sliding Doors (film)Lessons in Chemistry by Bonnie GarmusConsider Yourself Kissed by Jessica StanleyThe Treasures by Hariette EvansEnjoyed this episode? Share it with a bookish friend to help spread the word. We've got a Substack publication now! On the last day of the month, we share recommendations for two things we reckon you should read/watch/listen to. The beauty of Substack is you can revisit all our old editions and comment on our episode updates to share your thoughts. Come say hi! Connect with us on Instagram: @betterwordspod

In this episode, we're chatting about seasonal reading: what we're looking for and what it means to us. Then we share some recommendations for the summer ahead in the Southern Hemisphere and autumn vibes for our Northern Hemisphere pals. Enjoy! For your convenience, here's everything we mentioned in this episode:Australia's Top 100 books countdownBoy Swallows Universe by Trent DaltonThe Book Thief by Markus ZusakThe Hottest 100 Australian songsGravity Let Me Go by Trent DaltonThe Offing by Benjamin MyersLove and Other Scores by Abra PresslerFive Bush Summers and Love Clare FletcherThat Island Feeling by Karina MaySwept Away by Beth O’LearyOne Golden Summer by Carley FortuneThe Summer I Turned Pretty seriesKatabasis by R.F KuangHungerstone by Kat DunnThe Lamb by Lucy RoseCarmilla by J Sheridan Le FanuDracula by Bram StokerThe Treasures by Harriet EvansBuckeye by Patrick RyanSad Girl Hours by Anna Zoe Quirke (this was gifted by the publisher)Our previous interview with Anna about Something to Be Proud OfRewitched and Uncharmed by Lucy Jane WoodThe Dead Romantics by Ashley PostonMake Me A Monster by Kalynn BayronEnjoyed this episode? Share it with a bookish friend to help spread the word. We've got a Substack publication now! On the last day of the month, we share recommendations for two things we reckon you should read/watch/listen to. The beauty of Substack is you can revisit all our old editions and comment on our episode updates to share your thoughts. Come say hi! Connect with us on Instagram: @betterwordspod

In this episode, we're chatting about:Michelle's birthday trip to The Lake District and our excitement for the bookish girl autumn Maisie Peters is teasing with her new singleCaitlin's brief thoughts on The Life of a ShowgirlKalynn Bayron's supernatural twist on Mary Shelley's classic Frankenstein (which Michelle hasn't read)An update on Michelle's journey through watching SupernaturalSecond-chance dual timeline rom-com Love Overdue by Ali Berg and Michelle Kalus For your convenience, here's everything else we mentioned in this episode:We love the vibe from everything Maisie Peters has teased about her new album'Our Review of Life of a Showgirl' by the Shameless podcastOur interview with Kalynn BayronKatabasis by R.F. KuangMary and the Birth of Frankenstein by Anne EekhoutScot and Bothered by Alexandra KileyWhile You Were Reading and Fancy Meeting You Here by Ali Berg and Michelle KalusThe Smart Girl's Guide to Second Chances by Steph VizardEnjoyed this episode? Share it with a bookish friend to help spread the word. We've got a Substack publication now! On the last day of the month, we share recommendations for two things we reckon you should read/watch/listen to. The beauty of Substack is you can revisit all our old editions and comment on our episode updates to share your thoughts. Come say hi! Connect with us on Instagram: @betterwordspod

In this episode, we're discussing Rytual by Chloe Elisabeth Wilson. Unlike review episodes, book club chats will include some spoilers (although we'll still try to keep things vague). About the book:Marnie Sellick is adrift when she lands a job at the coveted, mysterious beauty brand rytuał cosmetica.The enigmatic founder and CEO, Luna Peters, takes a liking to Marnie, and as the two grow closer Marnie becomes intoxicated by the life that Luna, and rytuał, can offer her.But all is not what it seems at rytuał. Luna has a cult-like hold over the all-female staff, and that’s not to mention what happens at their weekly Friday Night Drinks.As Marnie edges closer to the darkness at the centre of rytuał’s millennial-pink facade, cracks begin to show. Luna is hiding something, but will Marnie uncover the truth – and the role Luna has cast her in – before it’s too late?Here's everything else we mentioned in this episode:Shameless (podcast)Sounds Like a Cult (podcast)Cultish by Amanda MontellAll I Ever Wanted to Be Was Hot by Lucinda PriceEnjoyed this episode? Share it with a bookish friend to help spread the word. We've got a Substack publication now! On the last day of the month, we share recommendations for two things we reckon you should read/watch/listen to. The beauty of Substack is you can revisit all our old editions and comment on our episode updates to share your thoughts. Come say hi! Connect with us on Instagram: @betterwordspod

In this episode, we're chatting about:Rewitched and Uncharmed by Lucy Jane WoodThe Book Thief by Markus ZusakThe Newsreader (TV series)But for your convenience, here's everything we mentioned in this episode:Sabrina the Teenage Witch (TV series)Charmed (TV series)Mhairi McFarlane booksBeth O'Leary booksMarkus Zusak's 20th anniversary posts on InstagramBoy Swallows Universe by Trent DaltonTwilight by Stephanie MeyerThe Guardian's review of The Newsreader season 3Fake (TV series)Fisk (TV series)The Summer I Turned Pretty (TV series)Enjoyed this episode? Share it with a bookish friend to help spread the word. We've got a Substack publication now! On the last day of the month, we share recommendations for two things we reckon you should read/watch/listen to. The beauty of Substack is you can revisit all our old editions and comment on our episode updates to share your thoughts. Come say hi! Connect with us on Instagram: @betterwordspod

In this episode, we're chatting about:Behind the scenes of setting up a new bookshopSeeing The Thursday Murder Club in the cinemaOur thoughts on the movie as an adaptation (yes, there are some spoilers here)But for your convenience, here's everything we mentioned in this episode:The Rest is Entertainment podcast (specifically, the episode 'Noel Clarke Loses to The Guardian' from August 26)Richard Osman on the film's castingEnjoyed this episode? Share it with a bookish friend to help spread the word. We've got a Substack publication now! On the last day of the month, we share recommendations for two things we reckon you should read/watch/listen to. The beauty of Substack is you can revisit all our old editions and comment on our episode updates to share your thoughts. Come say hi! Connect with us on Instagram: @betterwordspod

Oh, hello! We're back and trying a new format. In short: we burnt out and lost the love for making the podcast (although we loved speaking to authors). While we've not been recording podcasts, we have been sharing monthly recommendations on Substack. You can take a look (and subscribe!) here. In this episode, we're chatting about:Watching some classic 2000s TV and the joy of not bingingA preview of books we're excited for coming out in the last months of 2025Our favourite read of the year so farBut for your convenience, here's everything we mentioned in this episode:Veronica Mars (TV)Supernatural (TV)Charmed (TV)The Summer I Turned Pretty (TV)The Traitors UK (TV)Married at First Sight Australia (TV)The Americans (TV)Katabasis by R.F. KuangBabel by R.F KuangYellowface by Rebecca KuangUncharmed and Rewitched by Lucy Jane WoodThe Love Of Our Lives by Emma Steel (listen to our interview)Paper Heart by Cecila Ahern (listen to our interview)Sad Girl Hours by Anna Zoe Quirk (listen to our interview)The Killer Question by Janice Hallett (listen to our interview)When Gavin Met Stacey and Everything in Between by James Corden and Ruth JonesCat: On The Road to Findout by Yusuf/Cat StevensWings by Paul McCartneyThe Mushroom Tapes by Helen Garner, Chloe Hooper and Sarah KrasnosteinIf you missed the 'Mushroom murder' you can catch up with this episode of Just the GistThe Gingerbread Bakery by Laurie GilmoreGravity Let Me Go by Trent DaltonChosen Family by Madeleine Gray (listen to our interview)This House of Grief by Helen Garner (which was picked for Dua Lipa's book club)One Golden Summer by Carly FortuneConsider Yourself Kissed by Jessica StanleyEnjoyed this episode? Share it with a bookish friend to help spread the word. We've got a Substack publication now! On the last day of the month, we share recommendations for two things we reckon you should read/watch/listen to. The beauty of Substack is you can revisit all our old editions and comment on our episode updates to share your thoughts. Come say hi! Connect with us on Instagram: @betterwordspod

Welcome to our favourite episode: the yearly wrap! We're sharing our reading stats, 2024 goals and the books, TV, film and audio we loved in 2024. Make sure you're also following us on Substack. On the last day of the month, we share recommendations for two things we reckon you should read/watch/listen to – and we try to keep these separate from regular episode recommendations. The beauty of Substack is you can revisit all our old editions and comment on our episode updates to share your thoughts. Come say hi! Thank you for joining us in 2024 and supporting our wonderful authors. We love hearing your thoughts on the episodes and what books you've been inspired to pick up – even if it's an older episode. You can also connect with us on Instagram @betterwordspodWe're keeping recommendations brief. If we've featured or discussed the book before, we'll link to the episode.Any PR/review copies marked with *We kick off with a wrap-up of our reading stats for the year: how many books and pages, the moods and re-reads. Our awards category of favourite books kicks off at 2023 debut book Caitlin: I Hope This Finds You Well by Natalie Sue*Michelle: The Silence in Between by Josie Ferguson* (listen to our interview)Non-fictionCaitlin: If You Would Have Told Me by John StamosMichelle: Everything is Everything by Clive MyrieBy someone who has never been a podcast guestCaitlin: This Summer Will Be Different by Carley FortuneMichelle: Prima Facie by Suzie Miller* (listen to our book club chat)Australian/UK fictionCaitlin: Appreciation by Liam Pieper* (our interview)Michelle: The List of Suspicious Things by Jennie Godfrey* (our interview)RomanceCaitlin: Sit Stay Love/Love From Scratch by Amy Hutton* (our interview)Michelle: You Belong with Me by Mhairi McFarlane (our 2021 interview)General fictionCaitlin: Tom Lake by Ann PatchettMichelle: Alone in Berlin by Hans FalladaHonourable mention: Family Politics by John O'FarrellYoung adultCaitlin: I’m Not Really Here by Gary Lonesborough* (our interview)Michelle: Dead Happy by Josh Silver (our 2023 interview)Most surprisingCaitlin: How To Kill Your Family by Bella Mackie* (our book club chat)Michelle: The Bee Sting by Paul Murray*Fave CoverCaitlin:  Experienced by Kate Young* (our interview)Michelle: The Beholders by Hester MussonRecommendations for each otherCaitlin: We Could Be Something by Will KostakisMichelle: Factory Girls by Michelle GallenWorth the HypeCaitlin: Tom Lake by Ann PatchettMichelle: I Hope This Finds You Well by Natalie Sue*2025 books on our radar (by authors not previously read)Michelle:10 Marchfield Square by Nicola WhyteA Trial in Three Acts by Guy Morpuss33 Place Brugmann by Alice AustenThe Grapevine by Kate KempAll the Other Mothers Hate Me by Sarah HarmanThe Eights by Joanna MillerCaitlin: Deep Cuts by Holly BrickleyThe Pool by Hannah Tunnicliffe2025 books on our radar (by authors we love)Michelle:Cover Story by Mhairi McFarlaneFamous Last Words by Gillian McAllisterCaitlin: Swept Away by Beth O'LearyGreat Big Beautiful Life by Emily HenrySlags by Emma Jane UnsworthSunrise on the Reaping by Suzanne CollinsTelevisionCaitlin:ShrinkingThe New LookNobody Wants ThisMichelle:SAS: Rogue HeroesThe AmericansEveryone Else BurnsFilmCaitlin:Better ManChallengersMy Old AssMichelle:Midas ManWickedPrima Facie – NT Live re-release (listen to us chat about it here)Books and other things mentionedCaitlin's trip to Prince Edward IslandLiterary Legends StoryGraph challenge for 2025Boy From the Valleys by Luke EvansWrong Place Wrong Time by Gillian McAllisterElphie by Gregory MaguireSo Thrilled For You by Holly Bourne*So Good by Emily EnglishConnect with us on Instagram: @betterwordspod

Jennie Godfrey was raised in West Yorkshire and her debut novel, The List of Suspicious Things, is inspired by her childhood there in the 1970s. Jennie is from a mill-working family, but as the first of the generation born after the mills closed, she went to university and built a career in the corporate world. In 2020 she left and began to write. She is now a writer and part-time Waterstones bookseller and lives in the Somerset countryside.Our interview begins at  24.00We've got a Substack publication now! On the last day of the month, we share recommendations for two things we reckon you should read/watch/listen to. The beauty of Substack is you can revisit all our old editions and comment on our episode updates to share your thoughts. Come say hi! Caitlin recommends: Thoroughly Disenchanted by Alexandra AlmondA time slip novel set in regional Victoria where a couple become stuck in a property. Now, 100 years on they get a visitor who helps them uncover the mysteries of the property. Michelle recommends: Rewitched by Lucy Jane Wood and So Thrilled For You by Holly Bourne*Rewitched is a cosy delight for anyone who grew up watching Sabrina The Teenage Witch. And if you grew up with that? You're probably also the right age to feel like Holly Bourne's new contemporary novel is incredibly relatable. Both are amazing. In this interview, we chat about:Jennie's recollection of growing up during the time police were searching for serial killer The Yorkshire Ripper and how this inspired the novelHow audiences interact with true crime and how we talk about crimes and the impact of crime on everyday peopleThe influences from Jennie's real life that can be seen in the novelThe process from writing to publishing the novel (including how Jennie knew which editor would 'get' the book)Jennie's stint as a bookseller and how this helped her understand the publishing processBooks and other things mentioned:Charmed (TV show)Ghosts (TV show)The Longest Shadow (TV series)The Yorkshire Ripper Files (TV series)Sarah Everard's murder, which happened in lockdown 2021The Peepshow by Kate SummerscaleThe Crime of the Century by Hallie RubenholdFollow Jennie @jennie.godfrey on Instagram and The List of Suspicious Things is available now! Connect with us on Instagram: @betterwordspod

Emma Grey is a novelist, feature writer, photographer, professional speaker and accountability coach. She wrote her first adult novel, The Last Love Note, in the wake of her husband’s death. It’s a fictional tribute to their love, an attempt to articulate the magnitude of her loss and a life-affirming commitment to hope, which has gone on to win hearts around the world. In the US, it was selected as a featured title for the Book of the Month and Target Book Clubs, a Washington Post noteworthy book and listed in the top 25 new releases by the American Bookseller’s Association. Emma lives near Canberra, where her world centres on her family, writing, photography and endlessly chasing the Aurora Australis.Our interview begins at  33.00We've got a Substack publication now! On the last day of the month, we share recommendations for two things we reckon you should read/watch/listen to. The beauty of Substack is you can revisit all our old editions and comment on our episode updates to share your thoughts. Come say hi! Mini (film) club: WickedOf course, we had to hold space and discuss the movie of the moment. In short: we loved it. In this interview, we chat about:How can we tell stories about complex issues like violence against women in fiction?Why Emma also wanted to explore amnesia through the storyThe experience of having an American bestsellerThe parenting email that launched Emma's writing careerExploring grief in her first adult novel and the interesting journey to publication via a YA novel inspired by Harry StylesHow Emma dealt with the way the book was received in the UK given the difficult subject matterBooks and other things mentioned:Pulp Kitchen (podcast)Deadpool and Wolverine (film)It Ends With Us by Colleen HooverNational Women's Safety OrganisationTuesday Evenings at the Copeton Craft Resistance by Kate SollyMoms Don't Have Time to Read Books Podcast by Zibby OwensFollow @emmagreyauthor on InstagramPictures of You is available now. The publisher provided us with copies of the book in preparation for the interview. Connect with us on Instagram: @betterwordspod

Pip Drysdale writes ‘sexy-cool’ thrillers with a dash of witty humour. She grew up in Africa, Canada, and Australia, became an adult in New York and London, and lives on a steady diet of coffee, dreams, and literature. Her books — The Sunday Girl, The Strangers We Know, The Paris Affair and The Next Girl — have been bestsellers. She currently lives in Sydney and we're chatting about The Close Up. Our interview begins at  15.00We've got a Substack publication now! On the last day of the month, we share recommendations for two things we reckon you should read/watch/listen to. The beauty of Substack is you can revisit all our old editions and comment on our episode updates to share your thoughts. Come say hi! Caitlin recommends: Lovestruck by Laura Jane WilliamsA very enjoyable Sliding Doors-style concept romance, where a woman manifests her dream life. But which life is the right one?Michelle recommends: Rare Singles by Benjamin Myers*A gem of a novel about an ageing American singer whose trip to a fading English seaside town reveals more than he expected. A heartwarming character-driven novel. In this interview, we chat about:The inspiration for Pip's new novel, The Close UpWhy she wanted to set it in LA and the importance of research tripsHow Pip visualise while writing (and how we read)How Pip uses scent to help her writingPip's process for plotting and writingBooks and other things mentioned:Listen to our previous interview with Laura Jane Williams How to Build a Life with Laura Jane Williams on SubstackThe Husbands by Holly GramazioA Novel Love Story by Ashley PostonNobody Wants This (TV show)Melrose Place (TV show)Follow @pipdrysdale on InstagramThe Close Up is available in Australia and the US now. Thank you to the publisher for providing us with copies of the book to prepare for the interview. Please note that we choose podcast guests independently of Caitlin's job at HarperCollins Publishers. Although her job does help put us in touch with authors, we choose our guests based on what we've enjoyed reading and think you'd find interesting. Connect with us on Instagram: @betterwordspod

Melanie Cheng is a writer and general practitioner. She was born in Adelaide, grew up in Hong Kong and now lives in Melbourne. Her debut collection of short stories, Australia Day, won the Victorian Premier’s Literary Award for an Unpublished Manuscript in 2016 and the Victorian Premier’s Literary Award for Fiction in 2018. Room for a Stranger, her highly acclaimed first novel, was published in 2019. Today we're discussing her new novel, The Burrow. Our interview begins at  31.00We've got a Substack publication now! On the last day of the month, we share recommendations for two things we reckon you should read/watch/listen to. The beauty of Substack is you can revisit all our old editions and comment on our episode updates to share your thoughts. Come say hi! Mini book club: Intermezzo by Sally RooneyOne of the most talked about books of 2024 and not one Michelle even finished. However, Caitlin explains why she enjoyed Intermezzo and who she'd recommend it to. In this interview, we chat about:The inspiration for The Burrow and choosing to explore grief several years on from a traumatic eventHow to strike the right balance between realism and hopeWhy Melanie is so fascinated by mothers and daughters in her writingMelanie's work as a GP and how she started writing Books and other things mentioned:Yellowface by Rebecca KuangRare Singles by Benjamin MyersThe Bee Sting by Paul MurrayAny Ordinary Day by Leigh SalesGary Lonesborough interviewLucy By the Sea by Elizabeth StroutThe Sitter by Angela O'KeefeFollow @cheng_melanie on InstagramThe Burrow is available in Australia and the US now. Thank you to the publisher for providing us copies of the book in preparation for the interview. Connect with us on Instagram: @betterwordspod

Steph Tisdell is a rising star of the comedy scene in Australia. Her acting credits include Class of ’07, Total Control, Bump and Netflix Original Love is in the Air, while her writing credits include Fisk, Bump and Rosehaven. Steph lives in Meanjin with her pet parrots, Parky and Eddie. Today we're delighted to discuss her first novel, The Skin I'm In. *There is a lot of swearing in this ep*Our interview begins at  27.00We've got a Substack publication now! On the last day of the month, we share recommendations for two things we reckon you should read/watch/listen to. The beauty of Substack is you can revisit all our old editions and comment on our episode updates to share your thoughts. Come say hi! Caitlin recommends: Taylor Swift Style by Sarah ChapelleRecommended by a Swiftie! This book is a beautiful journey through the eras of Taylor's style, analysing how they work in with her songs. The perfect treat for Swifties. Michelle recommends: The Crow Road by Iain BanksAn all-time favourite book. This is the story of a family, focusing on 20-year-old Prentice, his dad and uncle. It's beautiful, darkly comic and the kind of character-driven story you'll get something new out of every time. In this interview, we chat about:Why Steph wanted to tell this story in novel formatConfronting the dark parts of Australian history in schools and everyday racismSteph's writing process for the book and how it differed from other projects, plus where she struggled versus where she thrivedThe best advice about taking risks in life and creativity (and how this has paid off for Steph)How Steph connected with Layla's voiceBooks and other things mentioned:Brooklyn by Colm ToíbínFollow @stephtisdellcomedy on InstagramThe Skin I'm In is available now. Thank you to the publishers for providing us copies of the book to prepare for the interview. Connect with us on Instagram: @betterwordspod

Kate Young is a writer and cook. Her award-winning Little Library Cookbooks feature food inspired by beloved works of literature. After a sunny Australian childhood, spent indoors reading books, she moved to London, which suited her much better. She now lives in a converted mill in a Gloucestershire town. Today we're discussing her debut novel, a queer rom-com called Experienced.Our interview begins at  30.00We've got a Substack publication now! On the last day of the month, we share recommendations for two things we reckon you should read/watch/listen to. The beauty of Substack is you can revisit all our old editions and comment on our episode updates to share your thoughts. Come say hi! Mini book club: How to Kill Your Family by Bella MackieA book we both missed when it was published in 2021. This is a witty and wickedly funny crime novel about a young woman working through a plan to kill off the members of her extended family. Grace is such an anti-hero we couldn't help but fall in love with her. We give plenty of spoilers in this chat but we give lots of warnings if you want to skip them. In this interview, we chat about:Why Kate lives in the UK even though she grew up in AustraliaKate's amazing New Year's traditionQueer adolescence and working out what you need in relationshipsKate's scientific study of rom-com (and what it reveals about writing them)Writing cookbooks and Kate's journey into writing fictionBooks and other things mentioned:What a Way to Go by Bella MackieThe window display with Spare and How to Kill Your FamilyUnleashed and Unhinged displayLaura Kay (listen to our most recent interview with her here)Emily Henry Casey McQuiston Harriet by Jilly CooperFollow Kate @kateyoungwrites Experienced is now available in the UK and Australia. Michelle bought the book in preparation for the interview, but Caitlin accessed a copy through work as Kate is published by Harper Collins. Connect with us on Instagram: @betterwordspod

Gary Lonesborough is a Yuin man, who grew up on the Far South Coast of New South Wales as part of a large and proud Aboriginal family. Gary was always writing as a child, and continued his creative journey when he moved to Sydney to study at film school. Gary has experience working in youth work, Aboriginal health, child protection, the disability sector (including experience working in the youth justice system) and the film industry, including working on the feature film adaptation of Jasper Jones. His debut YA novel, The Boy from the Mish, won multiple awards. It was published in the US in 2022 as Ready When You Are. His second novel, We Didn’t Think It Through, was published in 2023. Today we're discussing his new novel, I'm Not Really Here. Our interview begins at  19.00We've got a Substack publication now! On the last day of the month, we share recommendations for two things we reckon you should read/watch/listen to. The beauty of Substack is you can revisit all our old editions and comment on our episode updates to share your thoughts. Come say hi! Caitlin recommends: Gilmore Girls and The Pumpkin Spice Cafe*This autumnal sensation was inspired by Gilmore Girls and although the seasons are different, this is a delightful romantic read. Michelle talks about the books she bought in Edinburgh. Glasgow Boys by Margaret McDonaldA Little Trickerie by Rosanna PikeThe Peepshow: The Murders at 10 Rillington Place by Kate SummerscaleCult Classic by Sloane CrosleyMary: The Birth of Frankenstein by Anne EekhoutAffinity by Sarah WatersHis Bloody Project by Graeme MacRae BurnettIn this interview, we chat about:The very personal experience that inspired Jonah's storyHow the story developed from a dark horror into a contemporary storyWriting authentic teen boysWhy it was so important for Gary to explore the youth justice system through his second book, We Didn't Think It ThroughGary's journey to publication and what it's like to hear from teenage readersBooks and other things mentioned:Nobody Wants This (TV show)Veronica Mars (TV show) Only Murders In the Building (TV show)Gilmore Girls (TV show)Sophie Green (listen to our interview here)Happy Head by Josh Silver (listen to our interview)The Rest is Entertainment podcast episode: Showmance or Romance? Inside Celebrity Relationship ContractsA Monster Calls by Patrick NessPanther by David OwenArt Hour at the Duchess Hotel by Sophie Green (listen to our interview)Banged Up: Stars Behind Bars (TV show)Follow @garylonesborough on InstagramI'm Not Really Here is available now. Thank you to the publishers for providing us with copies of the book in preparation for the interview. Connect with us on Instagram: @betterwordspod

Anna Zoe Quirke is a queer and autistic author and librarian from the North of England. She currently lives in Manchester with her partner, Rachael, and their very angry tortoise, Sheldon. They’re at their happiest writing stories about queer and neurodivergent people finding and claiming their place in the world, exploring the literary wonders of the UK, or making a big ol’ mess in the kitchen baking things for their loved ones. Something to be Proud of is their debut novel.Our interview begins at  15.00We've got a Substack publication now! On the last day of the month, we share recommendations for two things we reckon you should read/watch/listen to. The beauty of Substack is you can revisit all our old editions and comment on our episode updates to share your thoughts. Come say hi! Book club: Prima Facie (NTL re-release)Earlier this year we read and discussed Prima Facie and we finally got the chance to see the National Theatre Live recording of Jodie Comer performing in the West End. We were absolutely blown away by her incredible performance. In this interview, we chat about:The characters of Ollie and ImogenWhy Anna wanted to explore divorce and parental relationships through OllieThe importance of having Imogen's autism part of the storyOllie and Imogen's beautiful friendship love storyNew Writing North and Anna's journey to publicationBooks and other things mentioned:Code Name Verity by Elizabeth WeinRBG (play by Susie Miller)Julia (play)Follow @annazoequirke on InstagramSomething to Be Proud Of is available now! Thank you to the publishers for sending us copies of the book to prepare for the interview. Connect with us on Instagram: @betterwordspod

Welcome to a bonus episode where we catch up on things we've recently bought, read and watched. We've shared bits of this over on Substack, where we post monthly wraps of things we've loved. Books and other things mentioned:Caitlin's trip to PEI Anne of Green Gables by LM MontgomeryI Hope This Finds You Well by Natalie Sue* (listen to Caitlin chat about it here)The Art of Catching Feelings by Alicia ThompsonThis Summer Will Be Different by Carley FortuneThe American Roomate Experiment by Elena ArmasThe Movement by Petra HůlováIf You Change Your Mind by Robby WeberA Five Letter Word for Love by Amy James*Guilty By Definition by Susie Dent*We Solve Murders by Richard Osman*The Examiner by Janice Hallett (listen to our previous chat with Janice here)The Great Gatsby musical Water for Elephants musical The Notebook musicalSuffs musicalOnce Upon a Mattress musicalMrs Doubtfire musical (listen to Michelle talking about John O'Farrell's novel Family Politics here)The makeover montage from Mrs DoubtfireBack to the Future the musicalABBA Voyage Eras: ABBA interview with Vogage producersConnect with us on Instagram: @betterwordspod