What we loved: June 2025
Two sets of rival academics, shortlisted novels, and musicians on podcasts.
And just like that we’re half way through 2025… If you’re like me, you might be reassessing your perhaps to ambitious reading goals set at the start of the year. We’ll see how it shakes out and I’m not one to feel like I’ve let myself down if I don’t meet those kinds of goals. However, I’m already looking forward to comparing stats with Michelle at the end of the year because she’s on a roll and read 9 books in June.
My June was delightful and the standout highlight was watching one of my best friends get married. The wedding was magical and beautiful, plus dorky and cold in the absolute best way. Also had a long weekend and I hung out with visiting family. Went to a few wonderful book events and at work we’re in the thick of preparing for the big Christmas releases. I’ve also really enjoyed settling into my new apartment, my bookshelves are all properly set up now and looking fantastic if I may say so. Anyone who’s moved ever will know how calming it is when you feel like it’s done and you’re happy with how the space looks and feels.
What did you enjoy reading, watching and listening to in June? Leave us a comment and tell us what you can’t stop thinking about!
*denotes review copy
Reading
Confessions by Catherine Airey*
This was utterly captivating and I basically inhaled it. The novel opens in New York in September 2001, as teenaged Cora realises she has been orphaned. In the wake of the tragedy, she receives a letter from her aunt Róisín in Ireland that will change her life forever. The story then takes us back to the teenage years of Róisín and her older sister Máire, Cora’s mother. Eventually all these stories collide in a third generation, told through Cora’s daughter Lyca from 2018 onwards.
I found the writing and characters to be incredibly immersive. I sat down to start it, not expecting to read too much and then found myself unable to pull my eyes away from the page. Confessions is not always an easy read, with themes of loss, trauma, addiction and grief. Yet there was so much beauty in these characters and this story, and a feeling of hope among the darkest moments.
It feels hard to articulate exactly why I felt this was so brilliant. But I suspect it will be a book ripe for re-reading, where I’ll find something new each time. Highly recommend for anyone else who loves a character-driven
– Michelle
An Academic Affair by Jodi McAlister
We’ve had Dr. Jodi McAlister on the podcast twice before, most recently when the third in her last romance series came out. The Marry Me Juliet series are always my top Aussie romance recommendation whenever asked, so I was very excited for Jodi’s new book. And yes, Dr. Jodi McAlister is uniquely qualified to write a novel set in the world of academia! In An Academic Affair, Sadie and Jonah have evolved their rivalry all the way from disagreeing their first undergrad lit classes to arguing through lectures as they co-teach post PhD graduation. When the perfect, permanent, full-time academic job is advertised in Hobart they’re of course competing and fighting for it. But turns out the contract includes spousal hire, so they can both get their dream job if they get married first. It’s the best kind of ridiculous rom-com premise because it makes complete sense. So if we’re ticking the checklist, we have: fake marriage, rivals to lovers, forced proximity, only one bed, plus Jonah has glasses. I know that last one doesn’t seem like a romance trope, but trust me.
– Caitlin
Sunstruck by William Rayfet Hunter*
Sunstruck starts in the sun-drenched, heady dream of luxury in southern France as our unnamed narrator visits the wealthy family of his university friend Lily Blake. The second half of the novel takes us back to London, where our narrator is now in a relationship with Lily’s brother Felix and further enmeshed in the world of the Blake family.
The writing style was so inviting and I found myself effortlessly racing through the story. Eventually, the narrator’s difficult childhood with his mother and grandma is revealed – the way this was woven through the story felt well balanced and built to a satisfying storyline in the present day. Although this is a novel of two halves, it still feels cohesive. From the day-by-day luxury of the French holiday to the month-by-month life in London where our narrator has to ask how much he would change himself to fit a new Blake family-shaped mould.
A brilliant summer read and an impressive debut novel exploring race, class and privilege.
– Michelle
Katabasis by R.F. Kuang*
I know you’re all jealous. Having the chance to read books early feels like an especially good perk of working in publishing at times like this. In Rebecca/R.F. Kuang’s upcoming novel, Alice and Peter are analytic magick grad students who go Hell because their advisor has inconveniently died. Alice and Peter are also rivals and disagree on how to navigate Hell and what their plan should be. They’re stuck together on this quest to the underworld and will only make it out alive if they work together. Guys it’s so good, Kuang really is brilliant. I so enjoyed being on this journey, I was captivated from the start and fascinated by the characters. I don’t want to say too much more, but it probably is odd to say I had a great time in Hell?
If you’ve read Babel and/or Yellowface, I’d say Katabasis has the dark academic, fantasy, and also a certain lush or decadent quality that Babel had, mixed with the pacy, snarky, and more accessible tone Yellowface had. Even though there are spells, magicians, and they’re on a quest to the underworld - it’s not a super high and complicated fantasy novel. So if you’re a more casual fantasy reader, don’t be intimidated (though I’m sure Alice and Peter would want to be intimidating).
– Caitlin
Watching
Outrageous
If you’re not familiar with the Mitford girls, then you’re really missing out because the reality of this aristocratic English family really is stranger than fiction. There’s a novelist, a communist, one who has a crush on Hitler (and becomes part of his inner circle), one who’s married to the leader of the British fascist party and one who’ll go on to become a duchess. This new drama is great fun to watch and based on Mary S Lovell’s biography, The Mitford Girls. I’m obviously now keen to read both that and (finally) some Nancy Mitford novels. I’m also desperately hoping the show will return for a second season as war looms and the family is more fractured than ever.
– Michelle
Materialists
Dakota Johnson had to chose between Pedro Pascal and Chris Evans, I think people were always going to be disappointed. I really enjoyed this movie but I walked out of the cinema knowing exactly what people were going to ignore in their criticism. But without spoilers, this movie is about a matchmaker who works with New York’s rich and elite. Helping her clients pursue their dream partnerships, she thinks about love and marriage very practically. Enter one wealthy suitor who’s perfect on paper, while she also reconnects with her ex. They broke up wanting different things and have built different kinds of lives for themselves in the 5 years since. If you’ve been unsure about seeing this one, I really encourage you to give it a go. I don’t know what everyone else was expecting, because it was what I thought it was going to be and I loved it.
- Caitlin
Grenfell: Uncovered
This harrowing documentary is a heartbreaking but essential watch, detailing the systematic failings and class divides that led to the deaths of 72 people in the Grenfell Tower fire. Last year I read Show Me the Bodies by Peter Apps, who is a key part of the documentary. The book was published before the inquiry was finished so this doco has updated information plus incredibly moving interviews with survivors and the families of victims.
– Michelle
The Studio (Apple TV+)
I was a bit late to this party but I just adored it once I was there. This series is from and starring Seth Rogan, featuring a stacked ensemble cast and even more unbelievable guest stars and cameos. Seth Rogan plays the newly appointed head of a fictional Hollywood movie studio as he navigates a bunch of decisions and hurdles. Like wanting to be on set for an ambitious one-shot scene, courting directors and movie stars, and giving notes to Oscar winners. If you’re not a pop-culture and entertainment nut then it might not be for you, but I am and I found it so clever and hilarious.
- Caitlin
Listening
Consider Yourself Kissed by Jessica Stanley
Another month, another audiobook recommendation! And this one was so good I went out and bought a physical copy to re-read and annotate. By the end of Consider Yourself Kissed, I felt a little bereft at the idea I wouldn’t be spending any more time with these characters.
Coralie is a lonely Aussie living in London, where she flees after a toxic work relationship. One day in the park she meets Adam and his daughter Zora. Despite the meet-cute beginning, Coralie and Adam’s relationship unfolds in almost mundane style. And that is exactly why Consider Yourself Kissed feels so warmly relatable.
We follow them over a decade, which also happens to be one of the most tumultuous in political terms. Here, the political and personal are intrinsically linked – partly because Adam is a political journalist and partly because, well, the world’s been a seemingly never ending run of “unprecedented times” since 2013. While I particularly loved the political and news backdrop, you don’t have to be into current affairs to enjoy this.
This is a deeply human story. It is about a woman navigating work and loss and love and being a parent and ‘broken homes’ and being a sister. All the things that might otherwise be boring and mundane but in Stanley’s hands become emotionally charged and beautiful. Absolutely a favourite from this year of reading and maybe even one for the all-time favourites shelf.
– Michelle
I quit by Haim
When ‘Relationships’ came out I had it on repeat and was so excited for this album. I feel like I’ve been itching for new music while simultaneously not knowing where to go to get it, so I am grateful for artists I already like releasing more. For me there’s not really a standout favourite track, while I loved the pre-released singles and I really like ‘Gone’, ‘Take Me Back’, and ‘Spinning’. As a whole and complete listening experience, I am really enjoying this album.
- Caitlin
Twinhood
It’s not often I come with a new podcast recommendation but one of our fave singer/songwriters Maisie Peters has started a fun chatty podcast with her twin sister Ellen. Twinhood is just such a lovely girly chat show, where the girls do agony aunt segments and share bits from their lives. Highly recommend if you want a lighthearted listen!
– Michelle
Ed Sheeran on The Louis Theroux Podcast
I love Ed Sheeran and have enjoyed being a fan seeing him evolve over the years. In this interview, he talks quite openly about how he manages his family schedule with touring and how his work life has changed since he got married and became a father. Plus a bit about his family, what music he grew up with, and some tales about his famous friends and icons he’s met. But also changing his approach to try different things in his career; from playing the biggest stadiums in the world solo for Divide, adjusting the schedule and mixing up venues during Equals on his Mathematics tour, to doing what felt authentic for and knowing albums like Subtract and Autumn Variations will reach the people who want to listen to them.
– Caitlin
Something else
Waterstones Debut Fiction Prize
This year I’ve had the pleasure of reading longlisted books and contributing to discussions with other booksellers about the Waterstones Debut Fiction Prize. This month the shortlist was announced and the final six books are absolutely stunning – all utterly remarkable debut books by amazing new writers.
- Michelle
Annie
Annie finished its run in Sydney by the end of June but I’m so glad I got myself sorted to see it this month. It’s one of my childhood favourites, potentially the first musical I recall watching? Apart from Disney animations I guess? I also literally have ‘you’re never fully dressed without a smile’ tattooed on my arm so it would have been pretty poor form to miss it. Annie is so fun because this little optimistic girl just wants a family of her own, melts a billionaires heart, and sings ‘Tomorrow’ to FDR (the US President) and he’s like ‘you know what, great attitude - Great Depression over!’ Plus Miss Hannigan singing ‘Little Girls’? ‘It’s A Hard Knock Life’, ‘Easy Street’, ‘I Think I’m Gonna Like It Here’? The whole soundtrack is incredible. It’s far from the first time I’ve praised live theatre in this something else section, but guys you’ve got to go see live theatre!
- Caitlin