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 episode:

• National Year of Reading
• Australia Reads 2026 report: Reaching Australian Readers
• Rivals
• Normal People
• Frankenstein
• Withering Heights
• Off Campus 
• Project Hail Mary 
• Dungeon Crawler Carl by Matt Dinniman
• Heartstopper
• Invincible
• Stranger Things
• One Day
• The Love Hypothesis
• East of Eden
• Heated Rivalry
• Wicked
• Dracula
• Brooklyn
• It Ends With Us
• The Thursday Murder Club
• Sunrise on the Reaping

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 as soon as they're available.

We've ⁠got a Substack publication⁠. At the end of the month, we share recommendations for two things we reckon you should read/watch/listen to. 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!⁠

Connect with us on Instagram: ⁠@betterwordspod

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 (film)
• 10 Things I Hate About You (film)
• Lord of the Flies: Graphic Novel 
• Yellowface by R.F. Kuang
• Traumaland by Josh Silver

Enjoyed this episode? Please share it with a bookish friend to help spread the word.

We've ⁠got a Substack publication⁠. At the end of the month, we share recommendations for two things we reckon you should read/watch/listen to. 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!⁠

Connect with us on Instagram: ⁠@betterwordspod

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 publisher, his new novel The Castle of Stories, and how his autism diagnosis has played into writing. 

For a more in-depth chat about Matt’s writing journey, be sure to go back and listen to our original interview. Be sure to follow Pansy Books on Instagram and for more information, you can find their website here. 

For your convenience, here's everything else we mentioned in this episode:

• Heated Rivalry
• Quite the Pair by Tobias Madden
• Tobias’ post about international rights
• Atmosphere by Taylor Jenkins Reid
• Beth O’Leary (author)
• Laura Kay (author)
• Mhairi McFarlane (author)
• Slow Horses (TV show)
• The National Year of Reading
• Reaching Australian Readers 2026 report
• Dungeon Crawler Carl
• Brandon Sanderson (author)
• Matt’s article in The Guardian exploring a late autism diagnosis
• Unapologetic Love Story by Elle McNicoll

Enjoyed this episode? Please share it with a bookish friend to help spread the word.

We've ⁠got a Substack publication⁠. At the end of the month, we share recommendations for two things we reckon you should read/watch/listen to. 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!⁠

Connect with us on Instagram: ⁠@betterwordspod

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 cluttered, her husband is a handsome cowboy, her homemade sourdough boules are each more beautiful than the last. So what if there are nannies and producers and industrial-grade ovens behind the scenes? What Natalie’s followers don’t know won’t hurt them.

Then, one morning, Natalie wakes up in a strange, horrible version of reality. Her home, her husband, her children—they’re all familiar, but something’s off. Is this a hoax? A reality show? A test from God? Natalie knows just two things for sure: this isn't her perfect life, and she must escape, by any means possible.

*We both read advance copies provided by the publisher

Here's everything else we mentioned in this episode:

• Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt (TV show)

Enjoyed this episode? Share it with a bookish friend to help spread the word.

We've ⁠got a Substack publication⁠ now! On the last day of the month, we share recommendations for two things we reckon you should read/watch/listen to. 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!⁠

Connect with us on Instagram: ⁠@betterwordspod

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)

Enjoyed this episode? Please share it with a bookish friend to help spread the word.

We've ⁠got a Substack publication⁠. At the end of the month, we share recommendations for two things we reckon you should read/watch/listen to. 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!⁠

Connect with us on Instagram: ⁠@betterwordspod

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 by Ben Brooks

Enjoyed this episode? Please share it with a bookish friend to help spread the word.

We've ⁠got a Substack publication⁠. At the end of the month, we share recommendations for two things we reckon you should read/watch/listen to. 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!⁠

Connect with us on Instagram: ⁠@betterwordspod

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 ⁠got a Substack publication⁠. At the end of the month, we share recommendations for two things we reckon you should read/watch/listen to. 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!⁠

Connect with us on Instagram: ⁠@betterwordspod

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 recommendations 
• The Work and Seed by Bri Lee (our interview)
• Do We Deserve This? by Elinor Elliot Thomas (our interview)
• The Unexpected Mess of It All by Gabrielle Tozer
• This Stays Between Us
• Eras: ABBA (BBC podcast)

Enjoyed this episode? Please share it with a bookish friend to help spread the word.

We've ⁠got a Substack publication⁠. At the end of the month, we share recommendations for two things we reckon you should read/watch/listen to. 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!⁠

Connect with us on Instagram: ⁠@betterwordspod

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 podcast

Enjoyed this episode? Please share it with a bookish friend to help spread the word.

We've ⁠got a Substack publication⁠. At the end of the month, we share recommendations for two things we reckon you should read/watch/listen to. 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!⁠

Connect with us on Instagram: ⁠@betterwordspod

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: John and Paul: A Love story in Songs by Ian Leslie 

Caitlin: The Third Gilmore Girl by Kelly Bishop

Australian book:

Michelle: Consider Yourself Kissed by Jessica Stanley

Caitlin: Until the Red Leaves Fall by Alli Parker*

Romance: 

Michelle: Swept Away by Beth O’Leary 

Caitlin: An Academic Affair by Jodi McAlister

Fiction: 

Michelle: The Offing by Benjamin Myers

Caitlin: Ever Blessed by Olivia O’Flynn*

Young Adult:

Michelle: Red Flags by Sophie Jo*

Caitlin: Grumpy Darling by Alexandra Moody*

Most surprising:

Caitlin: Fake by Stephanie Wood

Michelle: The Lamb by Lucy Rose

Favourite cover:

Caitlin: A Smart Girls Guide to Second Chances by Steph Vizard*

Michelle: Sad Girl Hours by Anna Zoe Quirke*

Recommendation for each other:

Michelle: The Wedding People by Alison Espach

Caitlin: *Until the Red Leaves Fall by Alli Parker

Worth the hype:

Michelle: Atmosphere by Taylor Jenkins Reid

Caitlin: Sunrise on the Reaping by Suzanne Collins

Books on our radar for 2026:

• Yesteryear by Caro Claire Burke 
• Motherfaker by Anna Brook-Mitchell
• The Ending Writes Itself by Evelyn Clarke*
• Esther is Now Following You by Tanya Sweeny*
• Heartstopper volume 6 by Alice Oseman
• The Silent Appeal by Janice Hallett
• Caller Unknown by Gillian McAllister
• Whatever Happened to Madeline Stone by Louise O’Neill
• Fruit Fly by Josh Silver
• This Book Made Me Think of You by Libby Page
• Survival Show by Juno Dawson
• Hopeless Romantics by Mhairi McFarlane
• Our Perfect Storm by Carley Fortune

Favourite TV:

Michelle: 

• The Americans
• Outrageous
• Supernatural
• Daddy Issues

Caitlin:

• Fresh Off the Boat
• Severence
• Heated Rivalry

Favourite films:

Michelle: 

• Civil War
• The Thursday Murder Club
• Lily & Stitch (live action)
• Downton Abbey: The Finale

Caitlin:

• September 5
• Wicked: For Good
• Thelma

Favourite podcasts:

Michelle: 

• Just The Gist
• Big Small Talk ‘Big Talk’ episodes 
• Last Podcast on the Left episodes on Heinrich Himmler and The Great Molasses Flood

Caitlin:

• Pulp Kitchen
• Good Hang
• Hamish & Andy

But for your convenience, here's everything else we mentioned in this episode:

• Ready Player One by Ernest Cline
• The Beatles by Hunter Davies
• Katabasis by RF Kuang
• The Book Thief by Markus Zusak
• Wings: The Story of a Band 
• Rivals by Jilly Cooper
• The Dry Heart by Natalia Ginzburg
• Picnic at Hanging Rock by Joan Lindsey
• The Job Share by Sophie Jo
• Heartbreak Era by Sophie Jo
• All Fours by Miranda July
• Literary Legends Reading Challenge
• The Goldmans
• The Stringer: The Man Who Took the Photo (film)
• Zootopia 2
• Celebrity Traitors
• Spotlight
• The Rest is Entertainment
• Inside Out 2

Enjoyed this episode? Please share it with a bookish friend to help spread the word.

We've ⁠got a Substack publication⁠ now! On the last day of the month, we share recommendations for two things we reckon you should read/watch/listen to. 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!⁠

Connect with us on Instagram: ⁠@betterwordspod