Our 2023 favourites Better Words

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 @betterwordspod
We'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 21:00
2023 debut book Caitlin: One Day We’re All Going To Die by Elise Esther Hearst* (our interview)
Michelle: In Memoriam by Alice Winn
Non-fictionCaitlin: The House that Joy Built by Holly Ringland*
Michelle: Say Nothing by Patrick Radden Keefe
By 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'Leary
General 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 McAllister
Fave CoverCaitlin: Yellowface by Rebecca Kuang*
Michelle: Homecoming by Kate Morton – Australian cover
Recommendations for each otherCaitlin: We Could Be Something by Will Kostakis
Michelle: Factory Girls by Michelle...