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 | 182 | Founded | 2 years ago |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Number of Listeners | Categories | BooksArtsEducation | |||
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Latest Episodes
This week we take a – somewhat unplanned – detour from our James Joyce sequence, which we put on pause while we finished reading the book! We're taking the chance to include in our series on modern Odysseys an episode we recorded a while ago on the 2... more
One evening in 1898, the 16-year-old James Joyce lost his virginity with a sex worker on a canal bank in Dublin. The event would become the main event in his autobiographical novel A Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man, published the same year as D... more
We’ve been saving this one up for a special occasion – a live conversation with Professor Emily Wilson, the celebrated translator of Homer’s Odyssey and the version on which Christopher Nolan’s film is said to be based. Emily has long been revered in... more
For this extra special A Podcast of One’s Own × The Secret Life of Books crossover, former Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard and Sophie Gee sit down to celebrate their shared love of books and reading.
Julia and Sophie compare notes on hosting... more
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- Horrible voices
Interesting subject matter but I just can’t listen to these people’s voices. The woman’s is particularly awful!
Apple Podcasts2treskell
Australia25 days ago - One of my favorite podcasts
Thought-provoking, entertaining, the best
Apple Podcasts5Lover of books and podcasts
United Statesa month ago - Love love love!!
I love SLOB. So grateful for Sophie and Jonty’s thoughtful discussions, deep knowledge, and conversational presentation. I feel like a world of literature has opened up to me thanks to their help.
Apple Podcasts5caseylee1111United States2 months ago - Sophie
One of the best podcasts on books I have found. Exploring context, history and themes in an interesting and fascinating way. Well done Sophie and Jonty!
Apple Podcasts5Janette SPAustralia3 months ago - Amazing podcast
I’m completely addicted and live in fear of the day I finish the entire back catalogue.
Apple Podcasts5Egg91Australia4 months ago
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Apple Podcasts | #50 | United States/Arts/Books |
Apple Podcasts | #148 | United States/Arts |
Apple Podcasts | #9 |  United Kingdom/Arts/Books |
Apple Podcasts | #24 |  Canada/Arts/Books |
Apple Podcasts | #28 | United Kingdom/Arts |
Apple Podcasts | #65 | Canada/Arts |
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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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What are the audience demographics for Secret Life of Books?
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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 Book Show
3. The Bookshelf
4. A Podcast of One's Own with Julia Gillard
5. Backlisted
How many episodes of Secret Life of Books are there?
Secret Life of Books launched 2 years ago and published 182 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.
How do I contact Secret Life of Books?
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What guests have appeared on Secret Life of Books?
Recent guests on Secret Life of Books include:
1. Emily Wilson
2. Pasquale Toscano
3. Julia Gillard
4. Mary Beard
5. Bret Walker
6. Janice Hadlow
7. Namwali Serpell
8. Autumn Womack
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