NEWS

Saturday 03 October 2026 Gruffalo Granny by Julia Donaldson has taken the number one spot at Waterstone’s Ballymena, as the store celebrates the completion of its refit and welcomes readers in to discover its refreshed look. Rebecca Yarros’ Threshing Day enters the chart at number two following its release, while last week’s bestseller, Charles Spencer’s Swan Song, remains popular in third place. The latest Top 10 offers an especially atmospheric selection for autumn, with ho

Saturday 26 September 2026 Charles Spencer has taken the number one spot at Waterstone’s Ballymena with Swan Song, heading a particularly family-friendly Top 10 which sees three books by Julia Donaldson make the chart. The newly released Gruffalo Granny takes second place, followed by another Donaldson favourite, Monkey Puzzle, at number three — while The Gruffalo’s Child also features at number seven. Elsewhere, Lee Child and Richard Osman continue to prove popular with Ball

Saturday 19 September 2026 The Correspondent by Virginia Evans has returned to the top of the bestseller chart at Waterstone’s Ballymena, leading a crime-heavy Top 10 featuring some of the biggest names in contemporary fiction. Ann Cleeves takes second place with The Killing Stones, while Patrick Ryan’s Buckeye climbs into the top three ahead of Lyra Parish’s Fall I Want. The latest update also brings two half-price offers, details of the next Saturday Storytime and Fiction B

Crime fiction has taken the top spot at Waterstone’s Ballymena this week, with Ann Cleeves’ The Killing Stones leading a varied bestseller chart featuring thrillers, historical fiction, romance, fantasy and non-fiction. Lyse Doucet’s The Finest Hotel in Kabul takes second place, while Robert Harris’ Agrippa completes the top three. Elsewhere, readers are picking up titles from Lee Child, Virginia Evans, William Boyd, Pierce Brown and Richard Osman. There is also plenty arrivi

The late poet Seamus Heaney Tuesday 8 September 2026 A landmark collection that transformed Seamus Heaney from a young Co Derry writer into one of the most recognisable poetic voices of his generation will be celebrated at a free two-day conference in Belfast this week. Digging at 60: From the Archives will take place at the Seamus Heaney Centre at Queen’s University Belfast on Friday 11 and Saturday 12 September. The event marks 60 years since the publication of Death of a N

The much respected Stephen Walker Tributes are being paid to award-winning journalist, author and lifelong Ballymena United supporter Stephen Walker, who has died aged 61. The former BBC Northern Ireland Political Correspondent died at home on Sunday morning, 6 September, surrounded by his family. Stephen grew up in Ballymena, attended Ballymena Academy and Ballymena Technical College, and retained a deep affection for the town throughout a distinguished broadcasting and writ

Saturday 5 September 2026 Historical fiction, psychological thrillers and major new non-fiction titles are among the books attracting readers at Waterstone’s Ballymena this week, with Tarot Reader of Versailles by Anya Bergman taking the number one spot in the latest Top 10. Alice Feeney’s My Husband’s Wife takes second place, followed by John Grisham’s The Widow, while familiar favourites from Joanna Miller, Alex Michaelides, Sabine Durrant and Kristin Hannah also feature. T

Virginia Evans’ The Correspondent has returned to the top of the bestseller chart at Waterstone’s Ballymena, leading a varied Top 10 featuring contemporary fiction, psychological thrillers, historical drama and fantasy. There is a particularly strong showing for female authors this week, with Lily Chen, Joanna Miller, Claire Douglas, Cecelia Ahern, Sabine Durrant, V.E. Schwab, Kristin Hannah and Freida McFadden all securing places alongside Evans. Beyond the chart, there are

Glenarm Village Committee members (L-R) Robert Taggart, Linda Hylands, Hilary Cross, John Duggan, Frances Wilson, and Emer Furey. A celebration of books, art, local history, storytelling, film, poetry and live music will take over Glenarm next weekend as the village’s Arts & Literary Fayre returns following a successful inaugural event last year. Organised by Glenarm Village Committee, the Glenarm Arts & Literary Fayre (GALF) will run across Friday 28 and Saturday 29 August,

Saturday 22 August 2026 Crime and thriller heavyweights dominate the latest bestseller chart at Waterstone’s Ballymena, with Lee Child taking the number one spot as John Grisham, Freida McFadden, Ann Cleeves and Val McDermid all feature in this week’s Top 10. There is plenty beyond crime fiction too, with Virginia Evans’ The Correspondent, V.E. Schwab’s Bury Our Bones in the Midnight Soil, Monisha Rajesh’s Moonlight Express and Stephen Fry’s Odysseyshowing the breadth of read

Gone Before Goodbye by Reese Witherspoon and Harlan Coben has taken the top spot at Waterstone’s Ballymena this week, heading an eclectic bestseller list spanning contemporary thrillers, literary classics, self-help and romance. Homer’s The Odyssey, in Emily Wilson’s acclaimed translation, and John Steinbeck’s East of Eden take second and third place respectively, while modern bestsellers from Mel Robbins, Shari Lapena, Alice Feeney and Kristin Hannah also feature prominently

The Correspondent by Virginia Evans has taken the number one spot at Waterstone’s Ballymena this week, leading a Top 10 that brings together contemporary fiction, science fiction, thrillers, Irish literary classics and poetry. There is plenty more for local book lovers to explore during August, with Waterstone’s Ballymena unveiling its latest Books of the Month across fiction, thriller, fantasy, non-fiction, Irish writing, children’s and young adult categories. The selection

Summer fiction, psychological thrillers and literary favourites continue to capture readers’ attention at Waterstone’s Ballymena, with this week’s bestseller chart showcasing an eclectic mix of contemporary novels, timeless classics and anticipated new releases. The latest update from the Ballymena bookshop also highlights half-price offers, new titles from bestselling authors, an exclusive Gruffalo pre-order promotion, back-to-school offers and the newly announced 2026 Booke

From Alice Feeney’s latest psychological thriller to Jamie Oliver’s ultimate barbecue cookbook, Waterstone’s Ballymena has unveiled this week’s Top 10 bestselling books, alongside exciting new releases, popular book club events and a special back-to-school offer. Whether you’re looking for a page-turning thriller, a literary classic, a romance or the perfect summer read, the latest chart from Waterstone’s Ballymena offers something for every kind of reader. This week’s Top 10

Psychological thrillers, summer fiction and fantasy continue to dominate the shelves at Waterstone’s Ballymena, with this week’s Top 10 bestseller chart reflecting readers’ appetite for page-turning suspense, heartfelt storytelling and bestselling new releases. The latest update from the Ballymena bookshop also highlights half-price offers, the Waterstones Debut Fiction Prize, an exclusive Game of the Month, a major Rebecca Yarros pre-order, family storytime and three welcomi

Classic literature, contemporary fiction and gripping thrillers continue to prove popular with readers at Waterstone’s Ballymena, with this week’s bestseller chart showcasing an eclectic mix of modern favourites and timeless classics. Alongside the latest Top 10, the Ballymena bookshop is also highlighting half-price offers, family storytime and upcoming book club meetings for local readers. Top 10 this week 1. The Correspondent — Virginia Evans A quietly charming and deeply

A mixture of thrillers, literary fiction, graphic novels and contemporary drama dominates the latest bestseller chart at Waterstone’s Ballymena, as readers continue to embrace an eclectic mix of genres heading into the summer months. The latest weekly update from the Ballymena bookshop also highlights upcoming book clubs, family storytime sessions and a host of acclaimed new releases, including several titles shortlisted for the prestigious Waterstones Debut Fiction Prize. Th

Maggie O’Farrell’s Land remains at the top of the bestseller chart at Waterstone’s Ballymena this week, as readers continue to gravitate towards a mix of literary fiction, romance, mystery and crime. The latest weekly update from the Ballymena bookshop also highlights upcoming book clubs, family storytime sessions and a host of acclaimed new titles, including several books shortlisted for this year’s Women’s Prize. Top 10 this week A varied selection of bestselling fiction do

Maggie O’Farrell’s latest novel Land continues to lead the bestseller chart at Waterstone’s Ballymena this week, as readers flock to a diverse range of literary fiction, fantasy adventures, crime thrillers and non-fiction titles. The latest update from the Ballymena bookshop also highlights upcoming book clubs, Father’s Day gift inspiration, family storytime sessions and a strong line-up of newly released books from award-winning and bestselling authors. Top 10 this week A br

Bestselling literary fiction, psychological thrillers and fantasy adventures are continuing to dominate the shelves at Waterstone’s Ballymena, with Maggie O’Farrell’s latest novel climbing to the top of this week’s bestseller chart. The latest weekly update from the Ballymena store also highlights Father’s Day gift ideas, upcoming book clubs and a fresh selection of new paperbacks and major new releases arriving in time for summer reading season. Top 10 this week This week’s