On 6 October 1972, Picador published its first list of eight paperbacks. It was a list that demonstrated ambition, cultural breadth, and no small mischievous spirit, including great writers such as Jorge Luis Borges, Hermann Hesse, Richard Brautigan, and Angela Carter. Within a few years, Picador had established itself as one of the pre-eminent publishers of contemporary fiction, non-fiction and poetry, and became the UK home of writers such as Cormac McCarthy, Don DeLillo, V.S. Naipaul, Bret Easton Ellis, Oliver Sacks, Hanya Yanagihara, Clive James, Carol Ann Duffy, and Jon Ronson.

In Picador’s fiftieth anniversary year of 2022, we created the Picador Collection, a series highlighting what we believe are some of the most important and exciting titles to be found in modern literature. This curated list features a wealth of genuine modern classics, while also retaining the commitment to cult, boundary-pushing publishing that made the white spines of Picador beloved for an entire generation. 

These are books to stay up with late into the night, to daydream about in idle moments, and to press fanatically into the hands of others. They are books intended to start a conversation – with you, the reader, within communities, and within popular culture. 

Why not begin your collection today? There’s no better place to start your reading journey.