Secret Life of Books
Sophie Gee and Jonty ClaypoleEvery book has two stories: the one it tells, and the one it hides.The Secret Life of Books is a fascinating, addictive, often shocking, occasionally hilarious weekly podcast starring Sophie Gee, an English professor at Princeton University, and Jonty Claypole, formerly director of arts at the BBC. Every week these virtuoso critics and close friends take an iconic book and reveal the hidden story ... more
| Publishes | Twice weekly | Episodes | 205 | Founded | 2 years ago |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Number of Listeners | Categories | BooksArtsEducation | |||
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Latest Episodes
At the 2003 USA National Book Awards, the horror writer Stephen King gave an impassioned speech criticizing the assembled great and good of the literary world for its critical neglect of popular writers.
Next up a 72 year old Australian woman took t... more
Ruth Park’s debut novel, The Harp in the South, was first serialized in the Sydney Morning Herald in 1947, provoking angry letters from outraged readers. The book was destined to become an Australian classic. The story follows an Irish Catholic immig... more
In breaking, literary-adjacent news, Hollywood is about to do the final screen tests to choose the next James Bond. They’ve narrowed it down to just four actors, according to today’s Guardian.
But what’s a tough decision for the motion picture stud... more
In 1901, six self-governing British colonies in the Southern Hemisphere came together to form a single nation - Australia. In that same year, a 21-year-old woman from rural New South Wales published a book which gave voice to that new nation. The wom... more
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- Love love love SLoB
I laugh, I learn, get to revisit old reads and discover new ones. And Sophie and Jonty strike just the right balance between jolly frivolity and serious book discussion.
It’s fabulous.
Apple Podcasts5LMGrimble
Australiaa month ago - Love Books
Thsi is a great podcast. Both Gee & Jonty are brilliant! I have just listened to the Bronte & Woolf series & I have already read the books & biographies of the writers but still learned so much. This podcast is such a joy & the presenters are such a blast! Love it! Love it!
Now going thru every episode & the banter between these 2 is joyous! So wish that I had teachers like this when I was at school. Cannot recommend this podcast enough!
Slowly going through the episodes. Up to Episode ... more
Apple Podcasts5JoanMCTAustraliaa month ago - Forthright book reviews
This podcast has grown on me so I am binge-listening to it now. The reviewers give honest and educated assessments of the books that give perspectives I’ve not previously considered.
Apple Podcasts5Aunty RoRoAustralia2 months ago - Love Books
Thsi is a great podcast. Both Gee & Jonty are brilliant! I have just listened to the Bronte & Woolf series & I have already read the books & biographies of the writers but still learned so much. This podcast is such a joy & the presenters are such a blast! Love it! Love it!
Now going thru every episode & the banter between these 2 is joyous! So wish that I had teachers like this when I was at school. Cannot recommend this podcast enough!
Apple Podcasts5JoanMCTAustralia3 months ago - Horrible voices
Interesting subject matter but I just can’t listen to these people’s voices. The woman’s is particularly awful!
Apple Podcasts2treskellAustralia3 months ago
Listeners Say
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Chart Rankings
How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.
Apple Podcasts | #103 |  United States/Arts/Books |
Apple Podcasts | #28 |  United Kingdom/Arts/Books |
Apple Podcasts | #84 | United Kingdom/Arts |
Apple Podcasts | #102 |  Canada/Arts/Books |
Apple Podcasts | #200 | Canada/Arts |
Apple Podcasts | #5 | Australia/Arts/Books |
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Frequently Asked Questions About Secret Life of Books
What is Secret Life of Books about and what kind of topics does it cover?
Two hosts explore classic and contemporary literature with deep contextual analysis, blending scholarly insight with playful banter. Each episode peels back the layers of a single book or author, tracing historical influences, production backstories, and the cultural impact of the work. Guests range from translators and critics to public leaders, enriching conversations with varied perspectives while maintaining a warm, accessible chemistry that helps both seasoned readers and newcomers discover new angles on familiar texts. A standout aspect is the show's ability to connect literary history to modern concerns—education, libraries, and the role of reading in public life—without losing sight of entertaining, thought-provoking discussion.
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How many listeners does Secret Life of Books get?
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How many subscribers and views does Secret Life of Books have?
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Which podcasts are similar to Secret Life of Books?
These podcasts share a similar audience with Secret Life of Books:
1. Chat 10 Looks 3
2. The Bookshelf
3. The Book Show
4. A Podcast of One's Own with Julia Gillard
5. The Book Club
How many episodes of Secret Life of Books are there?
Secret Life of Books launched 2 years ago and published 205 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.
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What guests have appeared on Secret Life of Books?
Recent guests on Secret Life of Books include:
1. Diana Reid
2. Alma Katsu
3. Maggie O'Farrell
4. Ben Alderson-Day
5. Charlotte Higgins
6. Emily Wilson
7. Pasquale Toscano
8. Julia Gillard
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