x

75% of people globally want unbiased news (Pew Research) but are concerned they're not getting that.

Get balanced coverage with Symby. See how stories are covered across diverse outlets and spot when one side covers a story the other skips.

PODCAST

Better Words

Michelle Gately & Caitlin Toohey

A podcast for readers who want to know the stories behind the pages 📖 Join Caitlin and Michelle, two book nerds who bring you in-depth conversations about writing and publishing from those on the inside. Grab a cuppa and get ready to chat books.

arts books

All Episodes

00:48:14

Trending TV and London musicals

Better Words ·

2026/02/05

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 VizardCaitlin’s rom-com recommendations The Work and Seed by Bri Lee (our interview)Do We Deserve This? by Elinor Elliot Thomas (our

en

00:32:11

Book club: Future Boy by Michael J. Fox

Better Words ·

2026/01/22

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 ShopaholicWhat Went Wrong podcastEnjoyed this episode? Please share it with a bookish friend to help spread the word.We've ⁠got a

en

01:37:35

Our 2025 favourites

Better Words ·

2026/01/05

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

en

33:50

Aussie rom-com recommendations bonanza and Wings: The...

Better Words ·

2025/11/24

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

en

37:29

Reviews: Girl Dinner, Park Avenue, The Americans and...

Better Words ·

2025/11/13

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

en

41:25

Book Club: The Names by Florence Knapp

Better Words ·

2025/10/29

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

en

38:46

Seasonal reading recommendations (for summer or autumn)

Better Words ·

2025/10/23

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

en

28:16

Reviews: The Life of a Showgirl, Make Me a Monster...

Better Words ·

2025/10/08

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

en

29:35

Book club: Rytual by Chloe Elisabeth Wilson

Better Words ·

2025/10/01

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

en

33:07

Reviews: Lucy Jane Wood's cosy fantasy, The Book...

Better Words ·

2025/09/25

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

en

29:53

The Thursday Murder Club movie is finally out! Here's...

Better Words ·

2025/09/15

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

en

50:44

Watching TV the Y2k way and the upcoming releases...

Better Words ·

2025/09/01

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

en

01:29:22

Our 2024 favourites

Better Words ·

2025/03/02

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

en

01:06:40

Childhood, community and bookselling with Jennie Godfrey

Better Words ·

2025/01/28

Jennie Godfreywas 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

en

01:23:57

From a parenting email to being a US bestseller with...

Better Words ·

2024/12/19

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

en

01:02:27

Behind the glamour of Hollywood and writing about...

Better Words ·

2024/11/25

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

en

01:16:13

How we can live in the wake of trauma with Melanie Cheng

Better Words ·

2024/11/11

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

en

01:06:11

From writers rooms to writing a novel with Steph Tisdell

Better Words ·

2024/11/02

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

en

01:25:46

What it means to be experienced with Kate Young

Better Words ·

2024/10/28

Kate Young is awriter 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

en

01:05:38

Telling authentic teenage stories with Gary Lonesborough

Better Words ·

2024/10/17

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

en

173 results

Similar Podcasts

Start The Breakthrough Full Audiobook Now, Thriller Fans!

thebookvoice.com

Get Hooked On The Life-Enhancing Full Audiobook Experience!

thebookvoice.com

西四五条

主播郑捕头

Podcast Patapoe

0d0a

On Mic Podcast

Jordan Rich