Better Words

Michelle Gately & Caitlin Toohey
  • 3.0 (2)
  • BOOKS
  • UPDATED MONTHLY

A podcast for readers who want to know the stories behind the pages 📖 Join Caitlin and Michelle, two book nerds who bring you in-depth conversations about writing and publishing from those on the inside. Grab a cuppa and get ready to chat books.

  1. 13H AGO

    Pansy Books: How Matt Cain is rewriting publishing norms for LGBTQ+ authors

    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 RivalryQuite the Pair by Tobias MaddenTobias’ post about international rightsAtmosphere by Taylor Jenkins ReidBeth 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 CarlBrandon Sanderson (author)Matt’s article in The Guardian exploring a late autism diagnosisUnapologetic 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

    51 min

  2. MAY 11

    Book club: Yesteryear by Caro Claire Burke

    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

    45 min

  3. APR 4

    Film club: People We Meet on Vacation

    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

    38 min

  4. MAR 3

    Reviews: Half His Age and Lost Lambs

    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 musicalCome From Away musical I’m Glad My Mom Died by Jennette McCurdySlags by Emma Jane UnsworthThe Bee Sting by Paul MurrayThe 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

    31 min

  5. FEB 18

    Reviews: Esther is Now Following You and Bad Publicity

    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 JoHeated RivalryThe 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

    20 min

  6. FEB 5

    Trending TV and London musicals

    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 VizardCaitlin’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 TozerThis Stays Between UsEras: 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

    48 min

  7. JAN 22

    Book club: Future Boy by Michael J. Fox

    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 ShopaholicWhat 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

    32 min

  8. JAN 5

    Our 2025 favourites

    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-MitchellThe Ending Writes Itself by Evelyn Clarke*Esther is Now Following You by Tanya Sweeny*Heartstopper volume 6 by Alice OsemanThe Silent Appeal by Janice HallettCaller Unknown by Gillian McAllisterWhatever Happened to Madeline Stone by Louise O’NeillFruit Fly by Josh SilverThis Book Made Me Think of You by Libby PageSurvival Show by Juno DawsonHopeless Romantics by Mhairi McFarlaneOur Perfect Storm by Carley Fortune Favourite TV: Michelle:  The AmericansOutrageousSupernaturalDaddy IssuesCaitlin: Fresh Off the BoatSeverenceHeated Rivalry Favourite films: Michelle:  Civil WarThe Thursday Murder ClubLily & Stitch (live action)Downton Abbey: The FinaleCaitlin: September 5Wicked: For GoodThelma Favourite podcasts: Michelle:  Just The GistBig Small Talk ‘Big Talk’ episodes Last Podcast on the Left episodes on Heinrich Himmler and The Great Molasses FloodCaitlin: Pulp KitchenGood HangHamish & Andy But for your convenience, here's everything else we mentioned in this episode: Ready Player One by Ernest ClineThe Beatles by Hunter DaviesKatabasis by RF KuangThe Book Thief by Markus ZusakWings: The Story of a Band Rivals by Jilly CooperThe Dry Heart by Natalia GinzburgPicnic at Hanging Rock by Joan LindseyThe Job Share by Sophie JoHeartbreak Era by Sophie JoAll Fours by Miranda JulyLiterary Legends Reading Challenge The GoldmansThe Stringer: The Man Who Took the Photo (film)Zootopia 2Celebrity TraitorsSpotlightThe Rest is EntertainmentInside 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

    1h 38m
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Ratings & Reviews

3
out of 5
2 Ratings

About

A podcast for readers who want to know the stories behind the pages 📖 Join Caitlin and Michelle, two book nerds who bring you in-depth conversations about writing and publishing from those on the inside. Grab a cuppa and get ready to chat books.

Information

  • Creator
    Michelle Gately & Caitlin Toohey
  • Years Active
    2017 - 2026
  • Episodes
    177
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Michelle Gately & Caitlin Toohey
  • Show Website
    Better Words

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