Our 2023 favourites

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 @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 21:002023 debut book Caitlin: One Day We’re All Going To Die by Elise Esther Hearst* (our interview)Michelle: In Memoriam by Alice WinnNon-fictionCaitlin: The House that Joy Built by Holly Ringland*Michelle: Say Nothing by Patrick Radden KeefeBy someone who has never been a podcast guestCaitlin: After the Forest by Kell Woods* Michelle: The Rachel Incident by Caroline O'Donohue Australian fictionCaitlin: Lola in the Mirror by Trent Dalton*Michelle: Duck a l’Orange for Breakfast by Karina May* (our interview)RomanceCaitlin: Bound to Happen by Jonathon Shannon* (our interview)Michelle: Wild Things by Laura Kay Honourable mention: The Wake Up Call by Beth O'LearyGeneral fictionCaitlin: One Love by Matt Cain* (our interview)Michelle: Playing Games by Huma Qureshi* (our interview)Young adultCaitlin: 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 surprisingCaitlin: West Side Honey by Claire Christian* (our interview)Michelle: Wrong Place Wrong Time by Gillian McAllisterFave CoverCaitlin: Yellowface by Rebecca Kuang*Michelle: Homecoming by Kate Morton – Australian coverRecommendations for each otherCaitlin: We Could Be Something by Will KostakisMichelle: Factory Girls by Michelle GallenWorth the HypeCaitlin: One Love by Matt Cain* (our interview)Michelle: Lessons in Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus2024 books on our radar (by authors not previously read)Michelle:Caledonian Road by Andrew O’HaganThe List of Suspicious Things by Jennie GodfreyThe Lonely Hearts Quiz League by Lauren FarnsworthCaitlin: Go Lightly by Brydie Lee KennedySisterhood by Cathy KellyJust Friends by Gyan Yankovich 2024 books on our radar (by authors we love)Michelle:You Belong With Me by Mhairi McFarlaneThe Lifeline by Libby PageCrime of the Century by Hallie RubenholdCaitlin: So Fetch by Jennifer Keishin ArmstrongThe Work by Bri LeeFunny Story by Emily HenryTelevisionCaitlin:Abbott Elementary Jury DutyMiracle WorkersMichelle:The Longest ShadowThe BoysFunny WomanFilmCaitlin:BarbieAirWhat's Love Got to Do With It?Michelle:BarbieFord Vs Ferrari/Le Mans '66Chicken Run: Dawn of the NuggetPodcastsCaitlin:And That's What You MissedSyncedCool StoryMichelle:We Are HistoryAll Killa No FillaOh 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 – albumsCaitlin:The Good Witch by Maisie PetersSnow Angel by Renee RappSpeak Now (Taylor's Version)Michelle:The Good Witch by Maisie PetersYou Signed Up for This by Maisie PetersAutumn Variations by Ed SheeranMusic – SongsCaitlin:BSC by Maisie PetersTalk Too Much by Renee RappElectric Touch by Taylor Swift ft Fall Out BoyMichelle:I'm Trying (Not Friends) by Maisie PetersPositive Spin by Gretta RayAmazing by Ed SheeranBooks and other things mentionedDark Mode by Ashleigh Kalagian-Blunt (our interview)The Trial by Laura BatesBoy Swallows Universe (book and TV series)The Secret Life of Albert Entwhistle by Matt CainWho's That Girl by Mhairi McFarlaneThe Lido by Libby PageLiterary Legends StoryGraph challengeMichelle's Maisie Peters StoryGraph challenge & recommendations if you're not on StoryGraphThe 52 Book Club StoryGraph challengeReading Advent Calendar from Rare Birds BooksDaniel Radcliff's dancingThe Founder (film)Wonka (film)Anyone But You (film)LetterboxdFamily Politics by John O'Farrell (2024 release)Big Small Talk (podcast)Connect with us on Instagram: @betterwordspod