Our 2024 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 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