Podcast

2 September 2022

Kids & YA Favourites: Better Reading’s Stories Behind the Story Podcast

Kids & YA Favourites: Better Reading’s Stories Behind the Story Podcast

We’re thrilled to announce that Better Reading’s Stories Behind the Story Podcast has reached over 1,000,000 downloads. What a milestone! To celebrate, we’ve put together a list of some of our all-time favourite kids and YA conversations. This list is by no means exhaustive; there have been so many special authors who have joined us over the years to chat about all things books. Instead, this is but a sample of the incredible conversations we have to offer. Listen to the below episodes on Apple, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts – and while you’re there, don’t forget to leave us a five-star review!

Jessie Burton on Retelling the Story of Medusa


Bestselling author Jessie Burton talks to Cheryl about why the tale of Medusa was so appealing to her, and the challenges that go into a retelling. Medusa is out now and explores the infamous mythological figure with a feminist twist.

Listen on Apple || Listen on Spotify

Nat Amoore on the Importance of Storytelling and how it Affects Kids

Cheryl talks to Nat Amoore about making reading fun for kids, the circus, and the power of storytelling.

Listen on Apple || Listen on Spotify

Jacqui Jones on Building Positive Foundations for Kids

Youth worker and author Jacqui Jones talks to Cheryl about how her extensive career working with children evolved into her latest book The Greatfulness Guide.

Listen on Apple || Listen on Spotify

Jacqueline Harvey on why Reading is Important for Kids, and How to Make it fun for Them at Home

Best selling kids author, Jacqueline Harvey talks to Cheryl about why reading is important for kids, and how to make it fun for them at home.

Listen on Apple || Listen on Spotify

V. E. Schwab on Fantasy and Escapism

New York Times bestselling author V.E. Schwab talks to Cheryl about writing fantasy fiction, and how it provides an escape for readers. Her latest book, Gallant, is out now.

Listen on Apple || Listen on Spotify

Brigid Kemmerer on the Fantasy Genre Boom

New York Times bestselling author Brigid Kemmerer talks to Cheryl about the rise of the fantasy genre, and why we’re seeking escapism more and more. Her latest book, Forging Silver into Stars, is out now.

Listen on Apple || Listen on Spotify

Jamar J. Perry on Writing Diverse Characters in Children’s Books

Jamar J. Perry talks to Cheryl about the importance of creating diverse characters in his debut children’s novel, Cameron Battle and the Hidden Kingdoms.

Listen on Apple || Listen on Spotify

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              Brigid Kemmerer
              About the author

              Brigid Kemmerer

              Brigid Kemmerer is the author of the New York Times bestseller Defy the Night, the New York Times bestselling Cursebreaker series, which includes A Curse So Dark and Lonely, A Heart So Fierce and Broken, and A Vow So Bold and Deadly, and Forging Silver into Stars.

              She has also written the contemporary young adult romances Call It What You Want, More Than We Can Tell, and Letters to the Lost, as well as paranormal young adult stories, including the Elemental series and Thicker Than Water.

              A full-time writer, Brigid lives in the Baltimore area with her family. @BrigidKemmerer

              Books by Brigid Kemmerer

              Forging Silver into Stars
              Brigid Kemmerer

              Forging Silver into Stars

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              Destroy the Day
              Brigid Kemmerer

              Destroy the Day

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              V.E. Schwab
              About the author

              V.E. Schwab

              VICTORIA “V.E.” SCHWAB is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of more than a dozen books, including the acclaimed novel The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue, the Shades of Magic series, Villains series, This Savage Song, and Our Dark Duet. Her work has received critical acclaim, been featured in the New York Times, Entertainment Weekly, Washington Post and more, translated into more than a dozen languages, and has been optioned for television and film. When she’s not haunting Paris streets or trudging up English hillsides, she lives in Edinburgh, Scotland and is usually tucked in the corner of a coffee shop, dreaming up monsters.

              Books by V.E. Schwab

              Gallant
              V.E. Schwab

              Gallant

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              The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue
              V.E. Schwab

              The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue

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              Jamar J. Perry
              About the author

              Jamar J. Perry

              Author of the middle grade fantasy series, Cameron Battle, Jamar J. Perry attended Berea College in Berea, KY, majoring in psychology and English literature and Education. After graduation, Jamar became a middle school teacher in the Washington, D.C. area, hoping to instruct the next generation of scholars, thinkers, and writers. He is currently finishing up his PhD, focusing his research on Black boys, the history of traditional and Black masculinity in America, and racial literacy.

              Books by Jamar J. Perry

              Cameron Battle and the Hidden Kingdoms
              Jamar J. Perry

              Cameron Battle and the Hidden Kingdoms

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              Jacqui Jones
              About the author

              Jacqui Jones

              Jacqui Jones has over 20 years' experience in the field of education & social work with qualifications in social work, positive psychology and as a meditation teacher.Jacqui is also the Founder of the Greatfulness wellbeing program and has inspired thousands of students through her work and ongoing commitment to empowering our younger generations.Jacqui has also delivered transformational learning for teachers, parents and organisations such as TAFE NSW, NSW Police Force (PCYC) and NSW Government teams. She is a visiting facilitator at the University of Sydney's Centre for Continuing Education where she teaches 'Mindfulness for Busy Lives'.She is an in-demand guest speaker for wellness providers, mental health events and teachers conferences and her work has been featured in the media including The Sydney Morning Herald and Channel 7's, The Daily Edition.Jacqui truly believes in the revolutionary power of meditation and credits this tool for helping her overcome major depression. She is living proof that meditation works and feels driven to share this tool with others to also enable them to live from a place of authenticity and joy.

              Books by Jacqui Jones

              The Greatfulness Guide
              Jacqui Jones

              The Greatfulness Guide

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              Nat Amoore
              About the author

              Nat Amoore

              Nat Amoore is a writer who is passionate about encouraging kids to read, write and explore their imagination without boundaries. With a background in writing for screen, she wrote and directed international award-winning short film Elemenopee and has a feature film screenplay and a kids' TV series in development.Nat was a recipient of the CBCA Maurice Saxby Creative Development Program for 2018. In February 2018, Nat (along with fellow hosts Kate and Liz) launched kidlit podcast One More Page (onemorepagepodcast.com), which was a finalist in the 'Best Newcomer' category for the 2018 Australian Podcast Awards. The podcast has featured in publications such as Books+Publishing, Buzz Words and the SCBWI AUS&NZ newsletters.

              Books by Nat Amoore

              Secrets of a Schoolyard Millionaire
              Nat Amoore

              Secrets of a Schoolyard Millionaire

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              The Power of Positive Pranking
              Nat Amoore

              The Power of Positive Pranking

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              The Right Way to Rock
              Nat Amoore

              The Right Way to Rock

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              We Run Tomorrow
              Mike Barry, Nat Amoore

              We Run Tomorrow

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              Shower Land #1: Break the Curse
              James Hart, Nat Amoore

              Shower Land #1: Break the Curse

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              Jessie Burton
              About the author

              Jessie Burton

              Jessie Burton was born in 1982 and went to school in south London. Her favourite subjects were story-writing, sleeping and ice-cream eating. After studying at Oxford University, the highlight of which was playing a rose and a fox in The Little Prince, she went on to the Royal Central School of Speech and Drama. She worked hard for nine years as an actress and a PA before her first novel, The Miniaturist, was published. The Miniaturist was translated into over thirty languages and has sold over a million copies around the world. Her second novel, The Muse, was published in July 2016 and is also a no.1 bestseller. She shares her home with a cat called Margot and some very nice friends – some real, others quite imagined.

              Books by Jessie Burton

              The Miniaturist
              Jessie Burton

              The Miniaturist

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              The Muse
              Jessie Burton

              The Muse

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              The Restless Girls
              Jessie Burton

              The Restless Girls

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              Medusa: The Girl Behind the Myth
              Jessie Burton, Olivia Lomenech Gill

              Medusa: The Girl Behind the Myth

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              Jacqueline Harvey
              About the author

              Jacqueline Harvey

              Jacqueline Harvey worked in schools for many years but has had a passion for storytelling since she was a child. She is the author of the popular Alice-Miranda, Clementine Rose and Kensy and Max series, which have sold over one million copies in Australia alone. Her books have received numerous short-listings and awards while her picture book, The Sound of the Sea, was a CBCA Honour Book. Jacqueline speaks to thousands of young people at schools and festivals around the world, and says the characters in her books are often made up of the best bits of children she’s met over the years. While she is not a twin, like Kensy and Max she does have excellent powers of observation and has always thought she’d make a great spy. Jacqueline lives in Sydney and is currently working on more Kensy and Max adventures, and some exciting new projects too. 

              Books by Jacqueline Harvey

              Alice-Miranda #1: Alice-Miranda at School
              Jacqueline Harvey

              Alice-Miranda #1: Alice-Miranda at School

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              Alice-Miranda on Holiday (Alice-Miranda #2)
              Jacqueline Harvey

              Alice-Miranda on Holiday (Alice-Miranda #2)

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                Alice-Miranda Takes the Lead (Alice-Miranda #3)
                Jacqueline Harvey

                Alice-Miranda Takes the Lead (Alice-Miranda #3)

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                  Alice-Miranda at Sea (Alice-Miranda #4)
                  Jacqueline Harvey

                  Alice-Miranda at Sea (Alice-Miranda #4)

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                    Alice-Miranda in New York (Alice-Miranda #5)
                    Jacqueline Harvey

                    Alice-Miranda in New York (Alice-Miranda #5)

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                      Alice-Miranda Shows the Way (Alice-Miranda #6)
                      Jacqueline Harvey

                      Alice-Miranda Shows the Way (Alice-Miranda #6)

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                        Alice-Miranda in Paris (Alice-Miranda #7)
                        Jacqueline Harvey

                        Alice-Miranda in Paris (Alice-Miranda #7)

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                          Alice-Miranda Shines Bright (Alice-Miranda #8)
                          Jacqueline Harvey

                          Alice-Miranda Shines Bright (Alice-Miranda #8)

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                            Alice-Miranda in Japan (Alice-Miranda #9)
                            Jacqueline Harvey

                            Alice-Miranda in Japan (Alice-Miranda #9)

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                              Alice-Miranda at Camp (Alice-Miranda #10)
                              Jacqueline Harvey

                              Alice-Miranda at Camp (Alice-Miranda #10)

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