Alice and Bethany chat through a few of the books they're excited about for the rest of the year, and ask their author and bookseller friends for more recommendations! Because of the way we have to record episodes in advance, at least one of the books is already out, so if any of them sound good to you, it may be possible to read them already rathe…

Following the escandalo that has dogged the film adaptation of Colleen Hoover's It Ends With Us, Alice and Bethany discuss a few forthcoming adaptations of books, plus one that's taking up a lot of Alice's brain space, released on the same day as this episode...Autor: What Page Are You On?

Alice and Bethany look inward and discuss the two books Bethany has released this year! First up, Big Date Energy, aka what happens when you try to write a romcom where the main character is more like 'The Friend', and then Slowcoach, where we talk about how weirdly horrible and borderline traumatic PE lessons were.…

Alice and Bethany talk through what they've been reading so far in 2024, and how not recording the pod has affected their reading habits.Autor: What Page Are You On?

Inspired by the New York Times' list of the 100 greatest books of the 21st Century, Alice and Bethany each compile their own top 10s, and find they have only one book in common, but don't agree on what that book is about... Bethany's list: The Fact of a Body - Alex Marzano-Lesnevich What I Loved - Siri Hustvedt Manhattan Beach - Jennifer Egan Beyon…

Alice and Bethany have the huge pleasure of talking to girlie of the moment, Eliza Clark, largely about her new novel Penance but also about true crime, Tumblr, the wild success of Boy Parts and its upcoming stage adaptation!Autor: What Page Are You On?

Alice and Bethany have the great pleasure of talking to Heather Parry about her short story collection This Is My Body Given For You, which is a gnarly little thing full of troubling images and ideas. She also talks about the great work she does at the Society of Authors, and lots more!Autor: What Page Are You On?

Alice and Bethany have the great pleasure of talking to the film journalist and programmer Anna Bogutskaya about her new non-fiction book Unlikeable Female Characters! They take a dive into the world of 'unlikeable' women through film and TV from erotic thrillers to Skyler White via the Hays Code and Amy Dunne from Gone Girl.…

Bethany has the huge pleasure of chatting to Virginia Sole-Smith about her revolutionary new book Fat Talk: Coming of Age in Diet Culture, which investigates the radical possibility of abandoning our cultural fears around 'childhood obesity' to create bodily autonomy in children and beyond.Autor: What Page Are You On?

Alice's debut novel, Death of a Bookseller, is out NOW! So obviously Bethany had to ask her all the nosy questions about it!Autor: What Page Are You On?

Alice and Bethany have a whale of a time with the funny, smart Katherine Heiny, author of the new collection Games and Rituals, as well as the novels Standard Deviation and Early Morning Riser. Games and Rituals is out now!Autor: What Page Are You On?

Alice and Bethany atone for not putting out an episode for the first three months of the year by telling you all about everything they've read in the first quarter of 2023.Autor: What Page Are You On?

Alice and Bethany are BACK from their unplanned hiatus! And they've got a long, juicy episode for you about their favourite books of 2022, which obviously they should have recorded weeks ago... but didn't. Enjoy!Autor: What Page Are You On?

If you've been listening to WPAYO for a little while you'll know that a true Book of the Pod is Come Closer by Sara Gran. We are so hyped that she has a NEW book out, called The Book of the Most Precious Substance, and that we got to talk to her about it for this episode! The Book of the Most Precious Substance is out NOW from Faber!…

On this very special Unlikeable Female Characters, Kristen, Layne, and Wendy say goodbye (for now) with a look back at their favorite episodes and what they’ve learned in four years of being professional bitches on the internet. Favorite episodes in case you missed them: Episode 11: Mediocre White Men Episode 24: Anniversary Sexpisode Bonus Episode…

Wendy welcomes Wanda M. Morris to discuss her new historical thriller Anywhere You Run, what it takes to make the past come alive on the page, and finding joy and hope in dark books (and darker times). Anywhere You Run is available now wherever books are sold! Also mentioned in the episode: Wanda’s debut novel All Her Little Secrets The official Sp…

Kristen is joined by author Kelly J. Ford to discuss her new Southern noir novel Real Bad Things, the maddening minefield of apologizing as a woman, and why we’re in a golden age for writing weird queer shit. Real Bad Things is available now wherever books are sold! Also mentioned in the episode: Kelly’s debut novel Cottonmouths Crime fiction autho…

Alice and Bethany have the great pleasure of interviewing Chelsea G Summers, author of the bloody and brilliant A Certain Hunger!Autor: What Page Are You On?

Layne welcomes Courtney Summers to the show for a chat about her harrowing new novel I'm the Girl, the significance of writing about girls who are super gay for each other, and how to hype yourself (and your work) without apology. You can buy I’m the Girl now, as well as Courtney’s previous books The Project, Sadie, All the Rage, This is Not a Test…

Layne talks with Ashley Winstead about her absolutely badass new novel The Last Housewife, the problem of female pleasure under the patriarchy, and how she stays sane by toggling between thrillers and romantic comedies. The Last Housewife is available now! Also mentioned in the episode: Ashley’s other books In My Dreams I Hold a Knife and Fool Me O…

Layne’s celebrating spooky season early with feminist horror author Gwendolyn Kiste! Tune in for their chat about Gwendolyn’s feminist as hell Dracula meets Jane Eyre mashup Reluctant Immortals, why women are so good at controlling our murderous urges, and what makes horror the ideal genre for rule-breaking, rage-fueled fiction. Reluctant Immortals…

Alice and Bethany have the extreme joy of interviewing friend of the pod, thee Erin Kelly, author of Alice's fave, The Poison Tree and Bethany's fave, The Burning Air, as well as huge bestseller He Said She Said! Her new novel, The Skeleton Key, is out on September 1.Autor: What Page Are You On?

Layne interviews Sarah Zachrich Jeng about her speculative feminist thriller The Other Me, why selfishness is necessary to make art, and the men we should all watch out for. Sarah’s debut The Other Me is available now in both paperback and hardcover. Also mentioned in this episode: Black Mirror Russian Doll “Once in a Lifetime” by Talking Heads The…

Layne welcomes Amina Akhtar (and her celebrity pup Bean!) back to the show to talk about her new novel Kismet, the Christopher Columbusing of wellness culture, and why we’re all getting weirder. Kismet is out now! Also mentioned in the episode: Amina’s first book #FashionVictim Our previous interview with Amina Beanie the Coyote Vest Pup’s official…

Layne celebrates Hot Goth Summer with Isabel Cañas, author of The Hacienda (remember that Hot Priest book from our summer reads episode? This is it, bitches!). Plus: how the hell Isabel completed this book while also getting her PhD, why we all love a forbidden romance, and which classic Gothic heroine drove her so batshit crazy she had to rage-wri…

Layne chats with author Margarita Montimore about her new novel Acts of Violet, writing stories based on your personal obsessions rather than what’s popular, and success comes to those who stay stubborn as hell. Pick up your copy of Acts of Violet from Bookshop.org or your favorite local indie bookstore. Also mentioned in this episode: Margarita’s …

Layne talks to legendary thriller author Tess Gerritsen about the unlikeable female character she just couldn’t kill off, the secret to keeping a long-running series feeling fresh, and why older women make the best spies (and serial killers). Listen to Me, the 13th book in her popular Rizzoli & Isles series is out now (and click here for a complete…

Kristen and Layne welcome multi-talented multi-genre author Sandra SG Wong for a chat about her new suspense novel IN THE DARK WE FORGET, the challenges of crafting a main character who has no idea who she is, and what it’s really like to road trip with a thriller writer. In the Dark We Forget is out now wherever books are sold! Also mentioned in t…

Kristen and Layne recorded this feminist rant about abortion rights and the Supreme Court decision on Roe v. Wade back in May, but unfortunately it’s even more relevant now. You are cordially invited to scream with us (and then donate to your favorite abortion rights group, see below for a couple of ours). Mentioned in this episode: The Handmaid's …

Alice and Bethany discuss the dark and delicious novella We Had To Remove This Post by Hanna Bervoets, translated by Emma Rault. We Had To Remove This Post deals with the corrosive nature of repeated exposure to violence on a content moderator for a tech giant, and we loved it.Autor: What Page Are You On?

Kristen and Layne chat with author Juno Dawson about her new novel HER MAJESTY’S ROYAL COVEN, how to create a truly inclusive magical world, and the enduring power of the Spice Girls. Mentioned in this episode: Her Majesty’s Royal Coven by Juno Dawson This Book is Gay by Juno Dawson Clean by Juno Dawson Detransition, Baby by Torrey Peters The Golde…

Layne welcomes Hannah Whitten for a chat about her new sisterhood-centric fantasy novel FOR THE THRONE, the power of being your own biggest fan, and how Adam Driver brings people together. Shop Hannah’s books in the official Unlikeable Female Characters Bookshop (or here’s the B&N link if you want to get your hands on that sweet sweet special editi…

Covens, creepy houses, weddings gone wrong, gay drama, disappearing acts, and plenty of men who deserve what’s coming to them—Kristen and Layne share their epic list of summer reads that’ll last you all the way until spooky season. Shop the full list in the official Unlikeable Female Characters Bookshop! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit mega…

Kristen and Layne share a good scream about the disturbing public spectacle of the Depp v Heard case, how Amber Heard’s unlikeability has been used against her, and the bullshit myth of mutual abuse. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesAutor: Unlikeable Female Characters

Badass author (and actual ninja) Tori Eldridge returns to the show to discuss her new globe-trotting, century-spanning dark fantasy novel DANCE AMONG THE FLAMES, writing fiction that doesn’t give a damn about genre, and why power-hungry female characters can be so empowering. DANCE AMONG THE FLAMES is out now, so pick up your copy (or any of Tori’s…

It's no secret that WPAYO loved Detransition, Baby - we dedicated a whole episode to it! So we're beyond delighted to speak to Torrey Peters ahead of the British Book Awards, where she's nominated in the Discover category. Detransition, Baby is out now in paperback!Autor: What Page Are You On?

This very special episode is an Unlikeable Female Characters first: a sneak peak at soon-to-be-premiered musical! Layne welcomes playwright and composer Hannah Gregory for a chat about her original folk musical based on WUTHERING HEIGHTS, classic unlikeable female character Cathy Earnshaw, and the perils of white feminism past and present. If you’r…

Alice and Bethany go deep on Red Dragon by Thomas Harris as part of their Blockbusters series, since they both love Silence of the Lambs.Autor: What Page Are You On?

Our own Wendy Heard returns to the show for a chat about her latest YA thriller DEAD END GIRLS, how to fake your own death for fun and profit, and what’s on her personal gay agenda. Grab your copy of DEAD END GIRLS (or any of Wendy’s other books) in the official Unlikeable Female Characters Bookshop. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphon…

This week we had the huge pleasure of talking to literary legend Joanne Harris about her latest book, A Narrow Door, which is absolutely brilliant, thrilling and haunting. We also chatted about the great work done by the Society of Authors, and Joanne's generosity with informal creative writing education via Twitter! A delight.…

Kristen and Layne are joined by authors Kathleen Glasgow and Liz Lawson to chat about their new co-written YA mystery THE AGATHAS, why you should never underestimate a teenage girl, and the enduring cultural power of OG Plot Twist Queen Agatha Christie. Grab your copy of THE AGATHAs, or any of Kathleen and Liz’s solo books, in the official Unlikeab…

Alice and Bethany go through the five books they're each planning to read in the near future. If you want to see a list of the books, head to the podcast Instagram or Twitter!Autor: What Page Are You On?

Alice and Bethany take a look at a few categories from the British Book Awards and chat through their thoughts and feelings, as well as trying to predict what will win. Lots of chat, speculation and conjecture!Autor: What Page Are You On?

Layne hosts a rad roundtable with her YOUNG RICH WIDOWS co-authors Kimberly Belle, Cate Holahan, and Vanessa Lillie. Find out how this literary supergroup teamed up to write a totally 80s thriller about an ex-model, a trophy wife, a stripper, and a brassy broad banding together after their spouses are killed in a suspicious plane crash. Plus: favor…

Alice and Bethany take messy gal fic into a darker direction with New Animal by Ella Baxter, which is out now from Picador.Autor: What Page Are You On?

Alice and Bethany absolutely loved Coco Mellors' glittering debut Cleopatra & Frankenstein, a portrait of a marriage in early noughties NYC, and in this episode they get to ask the author all about it! The book is available now from 4th Estate.Autor: What Page Are You On?

Kristen and Layne are joined by one of their all-time fave authors, Tara Isabella Burton, to discuss her new queer dark academia novel THE WORLD CANNOT GIVE, writing feverishly-intense female friendships, and what it means to claim the label “unlikeable” out loud. Buy THE WORLD CANNOT GIVE or any of the other books mentioned in the episode in the o…

Bethany's adult debut novel is out NOW and she and Alice have a lil chat about the book and its creation! You can buy it from Waterstones here - https://www.waterstones.com/book/welcome-to-your-life/bethany-rutter/9780008469948Autor: What Page Are You On?

It’s Oscar season, and Kristen and Layne are full of loathing. Join them for a bitch sesh about the nominated movies they hated, loved, or loved to hate this year, and all the female characters who deserved so much better. Plus: Kristen shares a dramatic recitation of a very special missive from a reader. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit meg…

Bethany attempts to keep calm as she and Alice meet Catherine Ryan Howard, author of several of the best 21st century thrillers, including her latest novel 56 Days. Catherine talks about her frankly fascinating writing process, her relationship with true crime, writing a 'lockdown novel' and loads and loads more.…