Damian Barr's Literary Salon

From the freshest debuts to the biggest bestsellers, this is where the world’s best writers read for the first time from their latest greatest books and share their own personal stories. Recent world premieres include ‘Hamnet’, ‘Again, Rachel’ and ‘Shuggie Bain’.

Enjoy our Book of the Week strand (formerly named Salon Exclusives), where each bite-size episode offers an exclusive taster of a new book. Or relax into an in-depth interview with one of your very favourite writers. Warm your heart with Armstead Maupin. Or hang on every word with Yaa Gyasi.

Hosted by writer and broadcaster, Damian Barr, and handpicked Guest Hosts, the Literary Salon live events and recordings celebrate storytelling and invite you to be part of it.


Produced and edited by Megan Bay Dorman. Programmed by Matt Casbourne. 

Books
101
SALON EXCLUSIVE: Ross MacKenzie reads from 'Fea...
A spellbinding reading from Carnegie-nominated author Ross MacKenzie
11 min
102
SALON EXCLUSIVE: Dawnie Walton reads from 'The ...
An unmissable novel from the debut author exploding onto the literary scene
14 min
103
Salon News - so much better than the real news....
FREE Salon on 22nd April, plus tickets available for Kate Mosse and Paris Lees now, Damian's mystery filming, and much much more!
11 min
104
SALON EXCLUSIVE: Lucy Holland reads from 'Siste...
A tale of three siblings and three deadly sins
12 min
105
SALON EXCLUSIVE: Craig Taylor reads from 'New Y...
Craig’s new book captures New York's vibrancy, diversity and resilience, no matter what’s thrown at it
14 min
106
SALON EXCLUSIVE: Emma Stonex reads from 'The La...
An exclusive reading from one of the most anticipated historical novels of the year!
15 min
107
SALON EXCLUSIVE: Ali Benjamin reads from 'The S...
A marriage spirals out of control when the issues of our day— cultural, political, and social — becoming intensely personal in this fresh, whip-smart novel
17 min
108
SALON EXCLUSIVE: Lesley Storm reads from 'It's ...
Powerful, moving and accomplished poems that speak to all humanity
11 min
109
Salon News - so much better than the real news....
Russell T Davies, Ruth Coker Burks, filming Shelf Isolation, pandemic-speak, the oldest queer bookshop IN THE WORLD and more...
11 min
110
SALON EXCLUSIVE: A Special Reading of Deborah O...
Damian Barr discusses a book that's close to his heart and Andrew O'Hagan gives an exclusive reading
6 min
111
Alexandra Heminsley - Literary Salon - January ...
Listen to the launch for Alexandra Heminsley's amazing new memoir - Some Body To Love
47 min
112
SALON EXCLUSIVE: Robert Jones, Jr reads from 'T...
A beautiful excerpt from one of our books to watch for in 2021
14 min
113
SALON EXCLUSIVE: Darien Hsu Gee reads from 'Oth...
A lush lyrical chronicle told through prose poetry vignettes
13 min
114
Booker winner Douglas Stuart in conversation wi...
Listen to the first UK reading and interview from Douglas Stuart about his Booker Prize winning debut
62 min
115
Dolly Alderton at Salon Online - exclusive excerpt
Enjoy an exclusive clip from the most popular Salon of 2020
4 min
116
Salon News - so much better than the real news....
5 min
117
SALON EXCLUSIVE: Eliza Clark reads from 'Boy Pa...
Listen in to the sexy, subversive and hilarious debut from Clark
13 min
118
SALON EXCLUSIVE: Heidi James reads from 'The So...
from the 'Book to Watch Out For in 2020' (The Irish Times)
8 min
119
SALON EXCLUSIVE: Neil Blackmore reads from 'The...
Enjoy the seductive, decadent and utterly thrilling new book from Neil Blackmore
12 min
120
SALON EXCLUSIVE: SJ Watson reads from 'Final Cut'
Excerpt from new psychological thriller by writer of 'Before I Go To Sleep'
11 min
121
SALON EXCLUSIVE: Rachel Joyce reads from 'Miss ...
Author of world-wide bestseller 'The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry' reads from her latest book
9 min
122
Imagine Anthology: readings for Refugee Week
Damian Barr welcomes guests to a special podcast for World Refugee Day, including Rupi Kaur, Roger Robinson, Momtaza Mehri and Himesh Patel
43 min
123
SALON EXCLUSIVE: Douglas Stuart reads from 'Shu...
Exclusive from 'best debut novelist of the year' Douglas Stuart
13 min
124
John Niven WORLD PREMIERE - Literary Salon - Ap...
From our recent online Salon with Damian Barr
28 min
125
Polly Samson - Literary Salon - April 2020
Our very first live online Salon
30 min