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 2023.
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 2023 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 @betterwordspod
We'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 21:00
2023 debut book
Caitlin: One Day We’re All Going To Die by Elise Esther Hearst* (our interview)
Michelle: In Memoriam by Alice Winn
Non-fiction
Caitlin: The House that Joy Built by Holly Ringland*
Michelle: Say Nothing by Patrick Radden Keefe
By someone who has never been a podcast guest
Caitlin: After the Forest by Kell Woods*
Michelle: The Rachel Incident by Caroline O'Donohue
Australian fiction
Caitlin: Lola in the Mirror by Trent Dalton*
Michelle: Duck a l’Orange for Breakfast by Karina May* (our interview)
Romance
Caitlin: Bound to Happen by Jonathon Shannon* (our interview)
Michelle: Wild Things by Laura Kay
Honourable mention: The Wake Up Call by Beth O'Leary
General fiction
Caitlin: One Love by Matt Cain* (our interview)
Michelle: Playing Games by Huma Qureshi* (our interview)
Young adult
Caitlin: Two Can Play That Game by Leanne Yong* (our interview)
Michelle: Little Bang by Kelly McCaughrain*
Honourable mention: Happy Head by Josh Silver (our interview)
Most surprising
Caitlin: West Side Honey by Claire Christian* (our interview)
Michelle: Wrong Place Wrong Time by Gillian McAllister
Fave Cover
Caitlin: Yellowface by Rebecca Kuang*
Michelle: Homecoming by Kate Morton – Australian cover
Recommendations for each other
Caitlin: We Could Be Something by Will Kostakis
Michelle: Factory Girls by Michelle Gallen
Worth the Hype
Caitlin: One Love by Matt Cain* (our interview)
Michelle: Lessons in Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus
2024 books on our radar (by authors not previously read)
Michelle:
- Caledonian Road by Andrew O’Hagan
- The List of Suspicious Things by Jennie Godfrey
- The Lonely Hearts Quiz League by Lauren Farnsworth
Caitlin:
- Go Lightly by Brydie Lee Kennedy
- Sisterhood by Cathy Kelly
- Just Friends by Gyan Yankovich
2024 books on our radar (by authors we love)
Michelle:
- You Belong With Me by Mhairi McFarlane
- The Lifeline by Libby Page
- Crime of the Century by Hallie Rubenhold
Caitlin:
- So Fetch by Jennifer Keishin Armstrong
- The Work by Bri Lee
- Funny Story by Emily Henry
Television
Caitlin:
- Abbott Elementary
- Jury Duty
- Miracle Workers
Michelle:
- The Longest Shadow
- The Boys
- Funny Woman
Film
Caitlin:
- Barbie
- Air
- What's Love Got to Do With It?
Michelle:
- Barbie
- Ford Vs Ferrari/Le Mans '66
- Chicken Run: Dawn of the Nugget
Podcasts
Caitlin:
- And That's What You Missed
- Synced
- Cool Story
Michelle:
- We Are History
- All Killa No Filla
- Oh What a Time (which Michelle totally forgot to actually mention on the podcast)
2023 was also the year Michelle released a two-part podcast/audio documentary with ABC's The History Listen. Listen to part one here and part two here.
Music – albums
Caitlin:
- The Good Witch by Maisie Peters
- Snow Angel by Renee Rapp
- Speak Now (Taylor's Version)
Michelle:
- The Good Witch by Maisie Peters
- You Signed Up for This by Maisie Peters
- Autumn Variations by Ed Sheeran
Music – Songs
Caitlin:
- BSC by Maisie Peters
- Talk Too Much by Renee Rapp
- Electric Touch by Taylor Swift ft Fall Out Boy
Michelle:
- I'm Trying (Not Friends) by Maisie Peters
- Positive Spin by Gretta Ray
- Amazing by Ed Sheeran
Books and other things mentioned
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