Behind every brilliant new book are all the volumes that inspired it.

Every week, we share a specially compiled list of all the books that enriched and informed our current Book of the Week. We’ll also be sharing bespoke lists made for you from writers at our Salons. This unique insight into the creative process of some of your favourite writers is only available here on Salon.  

You'll learn how Michael Rosen ignited his love of performance from his father reading Great Expectations aloud. Why Max Porter's novella Shy is profoundly indebted to Poems from the Book of Hours by Rainer Maria Rilke. And you’ll be surprised how often some books recur but for very different reasons!   

Reader beware: you'll be adding many more books to your already teetering to-be-read pile.       

Click on the books to buy from our Bookshop

Book Of The Week Podcast

Every week, we delight you with a different book on our podcast, including a special reading.

Book of the Week is often a world premiere! Recent firsts include Rootless by Krystle Zara Appiah, Old God’s Time by Sebastian Barry and Shy by Max Porter—the only place where you can hear him read from it!

Sorry (not sorry) for your teetering TBR.