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
1
A special announcement: it's The End...
15 min
2
BOOK OF THE WEEK: The Orchid Hour by Nancy Bilyeau
Enjoy an exclusive extract from this page-turning holiday read
15 min
3
BOOK OF THE WEEK: At the Edge of the Woods by K...
Listen to an extract from this spellbinding new novel...
13 min
4
BOOK OF THE WEEK: The Funny Thing About Death b...
Enjoy this reading from actress, writer and comedian Jo Caulfield
14 min
5
BOOK OF THE WEEK: A Country of Eternal Light by...
14 min
6
BOOK OF THE WEEK: The Stirrings: A Memoir in No...
12 min
7
BOOK OF THE WEEK: Tiger Work by Ben Okri
Enjoy an exclusive new reading from Booker award-winning writer Ben Okri
15 min
8
BOOK OF THE WEEK: The Queen of Dirt Island by D...
Listen to an exclusive extract from the Irish Times No.1 bestseller
11 min
9
BOOK OF THE WEEK: The Fascination by Essie Fox
16 min
10
BOOK OF THE WEEK: Kala by Colin Walsh
A spectacular read for Donna Tartt and Tana French fans
14 min
11
BOOK OF THE WEEK: Crooked Plow by Itamar Vieira...
14 min
12
Miriam Margolyes in conversation with Damian Ba...
Enjoy a brilliant reading and hilarious interview with national treasure Miriam Margolyes
39 min
13
BOOK OF THE WEEK: Black Girl, No Magic by Kimbe...
‘Witty, fresh and full of life’
13 min
14
BOOK OF THE WEEK: Hokey Pokey by Kate Mascarenhas
14 min
15
BOOK OF THE WEEK: And Then He Sang A Lullaby by...
18 min
16
BOOK OF THE WEEK: There's Been A Little Inciden...
11 min
17
BOOK OF THE WEEK: Boyslut: A Memoir and Manifes...
21 min
18
BOOK OF THE WEEK: Broken Light by Joanne Harris
Enjoy this extract from the latest page-turner by internationally bestselling author Joanne Harris!
12 min
19
BOOK OF THE WEEK: Eyes Guts Throat Bones by Moï...
Enjoy this extract from an irresistible collection that explores our darkest impulses and deepest fears, interlaced with stories of queer love
13 min
20
BOOK OF THE WEEK: Nothing Left to Fear from Hel...
17 min
21
BOOK OF THE WEEK: Arthur and Teddy Are Coming Out
13 min
22
BOOK OF THE WEEK: The Bequest by Joanna Margaret
11 min
23
BOOK OF THE WEEK: Shy by Max Porter
An exclusive reading from the bestselling author of Grief Is The Thing With Feathers and Lanny
10 min
24
BOOK OF THE WEEK: White Cat, Black Dog by Kelly...
15 min
25
BOOK OF THE WEEK: Three Gifts by Mark A. Radcliffe
15 min