Alice and Bethany get the hype machine going with their 2021 preview.

Alice and Bethany tell you about their Christmas fundraiser, and discuss The Truants by Kate Weinberg, which seemed like it would be right up their street. But was it?

Alice and Bethany give you a hand with your Christmas shopping and reading plans by taking you through the WPAYO gift guide.

Alice talks us through the shortlist of Waterstones' Book of the Year and puts her tin foil hat on to develop some conspiracy theories. Bethany airs her grievances against a previous year's winner.

Alice and Bethany rise like a phoenix from the ashes of lockdown and regroup for their first episode in.... many months. 

Alice and Bethany discuss non-fiction works by two queer writers that each take different formal approaches to the idea of 'memoir'. And keep listening at the end of the episode for Alice's chat with Michelle Tea- a delight.

Alice and Bethany discuss two short story collections by female authors from Northern Ireland - Multitudes by Lucy Caldwell and Sweet Home by Wendy Erskine.

Joined once again by Jordan Taylor-Jones, Alice and Bethany go through their anticipated books of the year - some of which they've already read...

We robbed you of a 2019 faves episode by doing a 'best of the decade' instead, but we can't bear the thought of leaving you wanting, so here's a roundup of some of our faves of last year, PLUS special guest, Jordan Taylor-Jones.

Alice and Bethany forego a best of the year episode and instead compile a best of the decade list while you listen!

1. Just Kids - Patti Smith (2010)

2. Dark Matter - Michelle Paver (2010)

3. The Poison Tree - Erin Kelly (2011)

4. A Visit from the Goon Squad - Jennifer Egan (2011)

5. Gone Girl - Gillian Flynn (2012)

6. Station Eleven - Emily St John Mandel (2014)

7. Dumplin' - Julie Murphy (2015)

8. The Vegetarian - Han Kang (2015)

9. Eileen - Ottessa Moshfegh (2015)

10. The Girls - Emma Cline (2016)

11. Why I'm No Longer Talking To White People About Race - Reni Eddo Lodge (2017)

12. The Hate U Give - Angie Thomas (2017)

13. Conversations With Friends - Sally Rooney (2017)

14. Attrib. - Eley Williams (2017)

15. Lullaby - Leila Slimani (2018)

16. Give Me Your Hand - Megan Abbott (2018)

17. Convenience Store Woman - Sayaka Murata (2018)

18. Skin Deep - Liz Nugent (2018) 

19. The Red Word - Sarah Henstra (2019)

20. Fun Home - Alison Bechdel (WE FUCKED UP THIS WAS ACTUALLY 2006!)