Secret Life of Books

by Sophie Gee and Jonty Claypole

Category

Books

Frequency

Updated weekly

Language

English

Every 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 behind the story: who made it, their clandestine motives, the undeclared stakes, the scandalous back...

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Recent Reviews

Love love love!!

caseylee1111•6/10/2026

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.

Wonderful

myodharm•4/26/2026

I spent 30 years as a high school literature teacher and I am learning so much from this podcast. The hosts delve deeply into each work they focus on. Intelligent and vibrant discussions ensue. I look forward to each episode.

MOST.ENTERTAINING.DUO

snootiepatoutie•3/10/2026

This show is a must listen. And not just for the lol's!! Brilliant, cheeky, fun - the hottest takes on literature.

Excellent, thorough and fun

Tiyak123•2/22/2026

Sophie and Jonty know their stuff, make it equally enjoyable to those that have never read the book and to those that have read the book! Plus they have a fun and light rapport despite the scholarly nature of their conversation… love it!

The book podcast I want to keep listening to

Roxane M.•1/22/2026

Sophie and Jonty discuss the books I want to revisit, and they do it in ways that always give me something new to think about. Pure fun!