Better Words

Welcome to the final part of our 3-part series celebrating the iconic Australian feminist novel My Brilliant Career by Miles Franklin. In this episode, Caitlin and Michelle are diving into the new Netflix series adaptation of this Australian classic novel.  For your convenience, here's everything else we mentioned in this episode: Bridgerton (TV series) Anne of Green Gables Whistle (film) The...

Welcome to the second of our 3-part series celebrating the iconic Australian feminist novel My Brilliant Career by Miles Franklin. In this episode, Caitlin and Michelle are discussing the novel, originally published in 1901.  About the book: Growing up on her parents’ outback farm, Sybylla is desperate to read, write, sing and achieve great things.  Yet her aspirations for a ‘brilliant career’ are...

Welcome to the first of our three-part series celebrating the iconic Australian feminist novel My Brilliant Career by Miles Franklin. In this first part, Michelle is taking inspiration from Just the Gist (our favourite podcast) to tell Caitlin the incredible life of Stella Miles Franklin. We promise you’ll also be obsessed with her by the end of this episode.  Sources:  ‘My Brilliant Career’ by th...

The Heartstopper series reaches its conclusion, with Volume 6 in Alice Oseman's beautiful YA graphic novel series and a Netflix movie. We're discussing both the graphic novel and our reactions to the Heartstopper Forever film. Enjoyed this episode? Please share it with a bookish friend to help spread the word. Make sure you're following the podcast so new episodes appear in your feed a...

This episode Michelle is giving a round-up of crime book recommendations, especially for people who don’t think they’re fans of crime as a genre. Before we get into that, she shares a fun fact about a connection between The Book Thief and Heated Rivalry .  For your convenience, here's everything else we mentioned in this episode: Caitlin’s amazing knitted vest! Garden Yourself Happy by Jonny H...

This episode we’re sharing reviews of recent reads. Michelle discusses The Long Haul by Hannah Doyle and Logging Off by Adele Zeynep Walton. Caitlin talks about George Kemp’s debut novel Soft Serve. For your convenience, here's everything else we mentioned in this episode: Mhairi McFarlane Groundhog Day (film) Palm Springs (film) A Smart Girl’s Guide to Second Chances by Steph Vizard Prima Fac...

In this episode, we’re discussing why book to screen adaptations are so vital for the publishing industry and the incredible stats that show just how many people are starting to read because of what they see on screen. Our main source is the Publisher’s Association report on screen adaptations, released earlier this year. For your convenience, here's everything else we mentioned in this episod...

This episode we’re sharing some reviews of recent reads. Caitlin discusses two graphic novel retellings of Anne of Green Gables: Dan in Green Gables by Rex Ogle and Anne by Kathleen Gros. While Michelle chats about one of her most-anticipated books of 2026, Fruit Fly, by friend of the podcast Josh Silver.  For your convenience, here's everything else we mentioned in this episode: Clueless (fil...

This episode is an extra special one as we welcome Matt Cain back to the podcast to talk about his new venture: he and husband Harry have launched an independent publishing company to get queer voices to mainstream readers. Pansy Books is a brilliant concept, and we are so excited for what Matt and Harry are doing in this space.  We chat about Matt’s publishing journey from crowdfunding to indie p...

In this episode, we're discussing Yesteryear by Caro Claire Burke. Unlike review episodes, book club chats will include some spoilers, although we will give ample warning before we switch from a general chat into spoiler territory. About the book: Natalie lives a traditional lifestyle – and has the social media accounts to prove it. Her charming farmhouse on her working ranch is artfully clutt...

In this episode we’re deep diving into the adaptation of Emily Henry’s The People We Meet on Vacation . Caitlin explains the mysterious changes between the UK and US versions, and we discuss the film.  For your convenience, here's everything else we mentioned in this episode: Hoppers (film) Zootopia 2 (film) Hannah Ferguson on kids being inspiring Man on the Run (film) What Went Wrong (podcast...

In this episode, we’re reviewing Half His Age by Jennette McCurdy and Lost Lambs by Madeline Cash. Both were provided by publishers for review!  For your convenience, here's everything else we mentioned in this episode: Operation Mincemeat musical Come From Away musical  I’m Glad My Mom Died by Jennette McCurdy Slags by Emma Jane Unsworth The Bee Sting by Paul Murray The Greatest Possible Good...

In this episode we’re reviewing Bad Publicity by Bianca Gillam and Esther is Now Following You by Tanya Sweeny.  For your convenience, here's everything else we mentioned in this episode: Red Flags by Sophie Jo Heated Rivalry The Mushroom Tapes by Helen Garner, Chloe Hooper and Sarah Krasnostein Enjoyed this episode? Please share it with a bookish friend to help spread the word. We've ⁠ go...

In this episode we’re discussing things we watched together in January: The Traitors UK, Heated Rivalry and musicals Hercules, and Just For One Day. Caitlin also talks about The Devil Wears Prada and The Mousetrap. For your convenience, here's everything else we mentioned in this episode: Smart Girl’s Guide to Second Chances and The Love Contract by Steph Vizard Caitlin’s rom-com recommendatio...

We were lucky enough to record this episode together in a studio at Vanishing Point Records in Chesterfield.  In this episode, we’re discussing Future Boy by Michael J Fox, which explores how the iconic Back to the Future film was made.  For your convenience, here's everything else we mentioned in this episode: Anne of Green Gables (1980s version) Confessions of a Shopaholic What Went Wrong po...

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 publisher 2024 debut book: Caitlin: The Heir Apparent by Rebecca Armitage* Michelle: Confessions by Catherine Airey* Non-fiction: Michelle: J...

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...

In this episode, we're chatting about: The secret skill of book signings Girl Dinner by Olivie Blake* Park Avenue by Renée Ahdieh* The Americans (TV series) The Buccaneers (TV series) *Accessed through our work/from the publisher But 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 brilli...

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 cal...

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 countdown Boy Swallows Universe by Trent Dalton The Book Th...

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 single Caitlin's brief thoughts on The Life of a Showgirl Kalynn Bayron's supernatural twist on Mary Shelley's classic Frankenstein (which Michelle hasn't read) An update on Michelle's journey through watching Supernatural Second-...

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...

In this episode, we're chatting about: Rewitched and Uncharmed by Lucy Jane Wood The Book Thief by Markus Zusak The 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 books Beth O'Leary books Markus Zusak's 20th anniversary posts on Instagram Boy Swallows Universe by Trent Dalto...

In this episode, we're chatting about: Behind the scenes of setting up a new bookshop Seeing The Thursday Murder Club in the cinema Our 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) Ri...

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 binging A preview...