<p>We were lucky enough to record this episode together in a studio at <a href="https://www.instagram.com/vanishingpointrecords/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferer">Vanishing Point Records in Chesterfield</a>. </p><p><br></p><p>We kick off with a wrap-up of our reading stats for the year: how many books and pages, the moods and re-reads.</p><p><br></p><p>*Accessed through our work/from the publisher</p><p><br></p><p>2024 debut book:</p><p>Caitlin: The Heir Apparent by Rebecca Armitage*</p><p>Michelle: Confessions by Catherine Airey*</p><p><br></p><p>Non-fiction:</p><p>Michelle: John and Paul: A Love story in Songs by Ian Leslie </p><p>Caitlin: The Third Gilmore Girl by Kelly Bishop</p><p><br></p><p>Australian book:</p><p>Michelle: Consider Yourself Kissed by Jessica Stanley</p><p>Caitlin: Until the Red Leaves Fall by Alli Parker*</p><p><br></p><p>Romance: </p><p>Michelle: Swept Away by Beth O’Leary </p><p>Caitlin: An Academic Affair by Jodi McAlister</p><p><br></p><p>Fiction: </p><p>Michelle: The Offing by Benjamin Myers</p><p>Caitlin: Ever Blessed by Olivia O’Flynn*</p><p><br></p><p>Young Adult:</p><p>Michelle: Red Flags by Sophie Jo*</p><p>Caitlin: Grumpy Darling by Alexandra Moody*</p><p><br></p><p>Most surprising:</p><p>Caitlin: Fake by Stephanie Wood</p><p>Michelle: The Lamb by Lucy Rose</p><p><br></p><p>Favourite cover:</p><p>Caitlin: A Smart Girls Guide to Second Chances by Steph Vizard*</p><p>Michelle: Sad Girl Hours by Anna Zoe Quirke*</p><p><br></p><p>Recommendation for each other:</p><p>Michelle: The Wedding People by Alison Espach</p><p>Caitlin: *Until the Red Leaves Fall by Alli Parker</p><p><br></p><p>Worth the hype:</p><p>Michelle: Atmosphere by Taylor Jenkins Reid</p><p>Caitlin: Sunrise on the Reaping by Suzanne Collins</p><p><br></p><p>Books on our radar for 2026:</p><ul><li>Yesteryear by Caro Claire Burke </li><li>Motherfaker by Anna Brook-Mitchell</li><li>The Ending Writes Itself by Evelyn Clarke*</li><li>Esther is Now Following You by Tanya Sweeny*</li><li>Heartstopper volume 6 by Alice Oseman</li><li>The Silent Appeal by Janice Hallett</li><li>Caller Unknown by Gillian McAllister</li><li>Whatever Happened to Madeline Stone by Louise O’Neill</li><li>Fruit Fly by Josh Silver</li><li>This Book Made Me Think of You by Libby Page</li><li>Survival Show by Juno Dawson</li><li>Hopeless Romantics by Mhairi McFarlane</li><li>Our Perfect Storm by Carley Fortune</li></ul><p><br></p><p>Favourite TV:</p><p>Michelle: </p><ul><li>The Americans</li><li>Outrageous</li><li>Supernatural</li><li>Daddy Issues</li></ul><p>Caitlin:</p><ul><li>Fresh Off the Boat</li><li>Severence</li><li>Heated Rivalry</li></ul><p><br></p><p>Favourite films:</p><p>Michelle: </p><ul><li>Civil War</li><li>The Thursday Murder Club</li><li>Lily &amp; Stitch (live action)</li><li>Downton Abbey: The Finale</li></ul><p>Caitlin:</p><ul><li>September 5</li><li>Wicked: For Good</li><li>Thelma</li></ul><p><br></p><p>Favourite podcasts:</p><p>Michelle: </p><ul><li>Just The Gist</li><li>Big Small Talk ‘Big Talk’ episodes </li><li>Last Podcast on the Left episodes on Heinrich Himmler and The Great Molasses Flood</li></ul><p>Caitlin:</p><ul><li>Pulp Kitchen</li><li>Good Hang</li><li>Hamish &amp; Andy</li><p><br></p></ul><p>But for your convenience, here&#39;s everything else we mentioned in this episode:</p><ul><li>Ready Player One by Ernest Cline</li><li>The Beatles by Hunter Davies</li><li>Katabasis by RF Kuang</li><li>The Book Thief by Markus Zusak</li><li>Wings: The Story of a Band </li><li>Rivals by Jilly Cooper</li><li>The Dry Heart by Natalia Ginzburg</li><li>Picnic at Hanging Rock by Joan Lindsey</li><li>The Job Share by Sophie Jo</li><li>Heartbreak Era by Sophie Jo</li><li>All Fours by Miranda July</li><li><a href="https://app.thestorygraph.com/reading_challenges/5ff6a970-1e51-4043-bb2d-b0640a0c569e⁠ " target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferer">Literary Legends Reading Challenge</a> </li><li>The Goldmans</li><li>The Stringer: The Man Who Took the Photo (film)</li><li>Zootopia 2</li><li>Celebrity Traitors</li><li>Spotlight</li><li>The Rest is Entertainment</li><li>Inside Out 2</li></ul><p><br></p><p>Enjoyed this episode? Please share it with a bookish friend to help spread the word.</p><p><br></p><p>We&#39;ve <a href="https://betterwords.substack.com/">⁠<strong>got a Substack publication</strong>⁠</a> 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. <a href="https://betterwords.substack.com/">⁠<strong>Come say hi!</strong>⁠</a></p><p><br></p><p>Connect with us on Instagram: <a href="https://www.instagram.com/betterwordspod/">⁠@betterwordspod</a></p>