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
151
Adam Kay - Literary Salon - Oct 2018
As a teenager I fantasised about becoming Dr Barr…
30 min
152
EXCLUSIVE Tracey Thorn premieres her new memoir...
Tracey Thorn returns to the Salon for the world p…
32 min
153
The 2018 Man Booker Prize Readings
Flashback to earlier this month when our Salonniè…
79 min
154
EXCLUSIVE: Rachael Brown reads from new book 'T...
We are delighted to share this EXCLUSIVE reading …
9 min
155
EXCLUSIVE: Scotland's First Minister Nicola Stu...
This intimate discussion made headlines around th…
57 min
156
EXCLUSIVE - James Frey reads from Katerina
To mark the release of his latest novel 'Katerina…
7 min
157
Patrick Gale WORLD PREMIERE - Literary Salon - ...
Join us for the WORLD PREMIERE of Take Nothing Wi…
31 min
158
Sarah Perry WORLD PREMIERE - Literary Salon - J...
Join us for the WORLD PREMIERE of Melmoth, the ne…
28 min
159
EXCLUSIVE - Justin Myers reads from The Last Romeo
To celebrate the paperback release of his brillia…
10 min
160
Mary Beard - Literary Salon Brighton Theatre Ro...
Here is Professor Mary Beard reading from her man…
55 min
161
Natalie Haynes - Literary Salon Brighton Theatr...
BEHOLD! The glorious Natalie Haynes, host of Radi…
41 min
162
EXCLUSIVE - Lulah Ellender reads from 'Elisabet...
Lulah Ellender reads exclusively from her new boo…
10 min
163
Matt Lucas at Cheltenham Literature Festival - ...
The beloved and side splittingly hilarious Matt L…
58 min
164
Juno Dawson - The Literary Salon - June 2017
The bold and brilliant Juno Dawson gives the worl…
33 min
165
Alexis Petridis - The Literary Salon - June 2017
Multi award-winning rock and pop critic and write…
25 min
166
WORLD EXCLUSIVE PREVIEW - Andrew Michael Hurley...
We’re still shaking two years after reading The L…
9 min
167
Richard Russo - Damian Barr's Literary Salon - ...
Making a very rare appearance in the UK, Richard …
49 min
168
Sam Leith - Damian Barr's Literary Salon - June...
Just days before the General Election, Spectator …
32 min
169
Natalie Haynes - Damian Barr's Literary Salon -...
Natalie Haynes talks about her gripping contempor…
27 min
170
Reverend Richard Coles - The Literary Salon - F...
Damian ranges from revolution to revelation, from…
41 min
171
Tim Murphy - The Literary Salon - February 2017
The Christadora is a 'very plain handsome boxy br…
32 min
172
Amor Towles - The Literary Salon - February 2017
100 years tonight - this very night - the Russian…
26 min
173
Lionel Shriver at the Cheltenham Literature Fes...
Lionel joined Damian and Rebecca Palmer from Corn…
25 min
174
Yaa Gyasi - The Literary Salon - September 2016...
Yaa Gyasi reads from her New York Times best-sell…
27 min
175
Philippa Perry - The Literary Salon - September...
Psychotherapist and writer Philippa Perry reads f…
29 min