Not just book chat! The Literary Life Podcast is an ongoing conversation about the skill and art of reading well and the lost intellectual tradition needed to fully enter into the great works of literature.
Experienced teachers Angelina Stanford and Thomas Banks (of www.HouseOfHumaneLetters.com) join lifelong reader Cindy Rollins (of www.MorningtimeForMoms.com) for slow reads of classic literature, conversations with book lovers, and an ever-unfolding discussion of how Stories Will Save the World.
And check out our sister podcast The Well Read Poem with poet Thomas Banks.
Chart trend
Position in the Books chart (US), last 90 days.
#1#19#36JunJulAugSep
#3
all-time peak
7
days in the top 3 since Nov 2024
Latest episodes
Showing 20 · updated from the feed
Episode 344: Watership Down by Richard Adams, Ch. 41-50
On The Literary Life Podcast this week, Angelina and Thomas cover the final chapters in our series on Richard Adams' Watership Down. They begin by taking a look at the ep
Sep 1 59 min
Episode 343: Watership Down by Richard Adams, Ch. 31-40
Today's episode of The Literary Life is part 4 of our series on Richard Adams' Watership Down. Angelina and Thomas discuss chapters 31-40 this week, starting with some th
Aug 25 56 min
Episode 342: Watership Down by Richard Adams, Ch. 21-30
On The Literary Life Podcast this week, Angelina and Thomas continue their series on Richard Adams' Watership Down, covering chapters 21-30 in this episode. Angelina open
Aug 18 1 h 00 min
Episode 341: Watership Down by Richard Adams, Ch. 11-20
Welcome to The Literary Life Podcast and the second episode in our series on Richard Adams' Watership Down.This week Angelina and Thomas will be discussing chapters 11-20
Aug 11 1 h 06 min
Episode 340: Watership Down by Richard Adams, Introduction, Ch. 1-10
Welcome back to The Literary Life Podcast and a new book discussion series! This month, Angelina and Thomas will be covering Richard Adams' Watership Down. Beginning of t
Aug 4 1 h 25 min
Episode 339: Ask Us (Almost) Anything
This week on The Literary Life Podcast, our hosts Angelina Stanford and Thomas Banks return from their summer break with a fun "Ask Us (Almost) Anything" episode. The que
Jul 28 1 h 48 min
Episode 338: "The Vulture" by Samuel Johnson – Short Story Summer Remix
Welcome to the final episode of our summer series on short stories and essays! Today your hosts Angelina Stanford and Cindy Rollins are joined once again by Thomas Banks
Jul 21 1 h 15 min
Episode 337: "The Celestial Omnibus" by E. M. Forster – Short Story Summer Remix
On this week's episode of The Literary Life, we continue our series of replays from our Summer of the Short Story with a discussion of "The Celestial Omnibus" by E. M. Fo
Jul 14 1 h 37 min
Episode 336: "Why I Write" by George Orwell - Short Story Summer Remix
For this week's installment of our Short Story Summer Remix, we revisit a conversation Angelina and Cindy had covering George Orwell's essay "Why I Write." Our hosts kick
Jul 7 1 h 22 min
Episode 335: "The Necklace" by Guy de Maupassant – Short Story Summer Remix
In this week's Short Story Summer Remix from Season 1, Angelina Stanford and Cindy Rollins discuss Guy de Maupassant's short story "The Necklace." Before getting into the
Jun 30 1 h 21 min
Episode 334: "The Adventures of a Shilling" by Joseph Addison – Short Story Summer Remix
Today on The Literary Life, we continue our summer short story series of episodes from the archives. In this episode, Cindy Rollins and Angelina Stanford are joined by An
Jun 23 1 h 20 min
Episode 333: "The Garden Party" by Katherine Mansfield - Short Story Summer Remix
This week on The Literary Life, we continue our Summer of the Short Story replay series. On today's episode, Cindy and Angelina discussed Katherine Mansfield's short stor
Jun 16 1 h 20 min
Episode 332: "A Defence of Penny Dreadfuls" by G. K. Chesterton, Short Story Summer Series Remix
On The Literary Life today we continue our re-airing of a series from our "Summer of the Short Story" that originally aired way back in Season 1 of the podcast! This week
Jun 9 1 h 19 min
Episode 331: "Araby" by James Joyce – Short Story Summer Series Remix
This week on The Literary Life we begin revisiting a series from our "Summer of the Short Story" that originally aired way back in Season 1 of the podcast! Today we retur
Jun 2 1 h 38 min
Episode 330: Where to Start with Ancient Literature with Dr. Anne Phillips
This week on The Literary Life Podcast, our hosts seek to answer your questions about reading ancient literature. Angelina and Thomas and joined by their colleague, Dr. A
May 26 1 h 38 min
Episode 329: "On Fairy Stories" Revisited with Jenn Rogers
On today's episode of The Literary Life, our hosts Angelina Stanford and Thomas Banks are joined by Jenn Rogers for a new discussion of "On Fairy Stories" by J.R.R. Tolki
May 19 1 h 55 min
Episode 328: Best of The Literary Life – "On Fairy Stories" by J.R.R. Tolkien
This week on The Literary Life, we are re-airing an episode from the archives featuring a discussion of J.R.R. Tolkien's essay "On Fairy Stories" between Angelina Stanfor
May 12 1 h 31 min
Episode 327: The Power of Story and "Galahad and the Grail" with Malcolm Guite
This week on The Literary Life Podcast, we have a special episode in which our hosts Angelina Stanford, Thomas Banks, and Cindy Rollins and joined by poet, priest, schola
May 5 1 h 12 min
Episode 326: "The Rape of the Lock" by Alexander Pope
On this week's episode of The Literary Life, Angelina Stanford and Thomas Banks will discuss Pope's mock epic poem, "The Rape of the Lock." They begin the conversation by
Apr 28 1 h 12 min
Episode 325: Introduction to Alexander Pope and the Neo-Classical Poets
Today on The Literary Life podcast, Angelina Stanford and Thomas Banks share an introduction to the Neo-Classical Poets, including Alexander Pope, and their poetry. First
Apr 21 1 h 24 min
Chart positions
Where The Literary Life Podcast ranks today in each Apple Podcasts chart (US, Sep 3, 2026).
A curated, balanced selection of Apple Podcasts reviews.
Both Angelina and Mr. Banks are thoughtful, intelligent hosts and as far as book-related podcasts go this is my favorite. It offers inspiring yet traditional insight into many classics and also some contemporary writings. Thank you for providing this podcast! It enriches my life.
hermione_04 · May 2025
Step into the world of books with three guides to make your way through faery land, Victorian England, Ancient Greece and beyond. This podcast is hosted by the brilliant teacher Angelina Stanford, the Wise homeschooler Cindy Rollins, and the witty poet Thomas Banks who teach you how to make the most of every read and how to cultivate wonder, joy, truth, and beauty in leading your literary life. And whether you have a history with books or not, this podcast may be just the thing to make you fall in love with them. Who can say. It may even help save the world.
P. S.
Don’t forget to bring your commonplace book along for the ride. Also your bingo cards because there will be Charlotte Mason quotes from Cindy, self-deprecating Thomas lines, and hills Angelina will most certainly die on.
P. P. S.
If you do not know what I am talking about then stop reading this review and press the play button already
DeSales of Lit · Apr 2025
Such a wonderful podcast to accompany classic reading. I love the discussion and detail they go into. Highly recommend!
cbdement · Mar 2025
This podcast has been an encouragement and help to me in my newly found literary journey. Thank you for helping me love reading again. The series on Mansfield Park and ‘Til We Have Faces have been incredibly enjoyable and thought provoking. The series on Kidnapped by Robert Louis Stevenson has also been really helpful. I listened to the Harry Potter book 1 series while driving through the night and it kept me on the edge of the seat with the insights and connections I had never made before. Thanks so much for sharing this gift with us.
Thankful89234 · Mar 2025
We strive to present a balanced view by showing a diverse range of reviews from Apple Podcasts.
Here you find the Apple Podcasts chart positions of The Literary Life Podcast, its latest episodes to listen to directly, and reviews from listeners. Rankings are updated daily for the United States.
