NEWS

Waterstone’s Ballymena is gearing up for a busy Easter period, combining a fresh Top 10 bestselling list with family-friendly events, new releases and a packed programme designed to bring readers of all ages through its doors. From global bestsellers to children’s favourites and a major upcoming author visit, the latest update highlights the store’s growing role as a cultural hub in the local community. This week’s Top 10 bestselling books A diverse mix of genres dominates th

From Freida McFadden’s gripping psychological thrillers to Easter-themed children’s favourites, Waterstone’s Ballymena has unveiled its latest Top 10 bestselling books alongside half-price highlights, storytime fun and upcoming events for readers of all ages. This week’s Top 10 bestselling books Psychological suspense dominates this week’s chart, with Freida McFadden claiming both the top two spots as readers continue to devour her addictive thrillers. 1. The Tenant – Freida

From gripping crime novels to children’s favourites and bestselling thrillers, Waterstone’s Ballymena has revealed its latest Top 10 bestselling books alongside exciting new arrivals, children’s storytime and upcoming book club meetings. The weekly round-up from the Ballymena bookshop highlights the titles currently flying off the shelves, as well as the newest releases readers should keep an eye out for. This Week’s Top 10 Bestselling Books Leading the chart this week is And

Saturday 7 February 2026 Welcome to this week’s news, reviews and all-things-books from the team at Waterstone’s Ballymena. From dark crime fiction to charming children’s stories and practical lifestyle reads, this week’s Top 10 reflects the wonderfully varied tastes of local readers. Top 10 for this week 1. Pagans — James Alistair Henry A darkly comic and thought-provoking novel exploring masculinity, belief and modern disillusionment. 2. A Schooling in Murder — Andrew Tayl

Hundreds of millions of books are lying untouched on UK shelves — and now Asda is asking Northern Ireland shoppers to help change that. The retailer has launched a nationwide “Free The Books” campaign, introducing book donation points in stores across Northern Ireland after research revealed a staggering 283 million books are currently gathering dust in homes across the UK. The findings paint a powerful picture of how deeply physical books still matter. A striking 98% of adu

Irish Children’s Laureate/Laureate na nÓg Patricia Forde answering questions from children at St Colmcille's and  Carniny Primary School as part of the Whole Wild World North tour. Ahead of World Book Day on Thursday, 5 March 2026, children from Carniny Primary School and St Colmcille’s Primary School welcomed Irish Children’s Laureate/Laureate na nÓg, Patricia Forde , along with a team of authors and illustrators to Carniny Primary School as part of the Whole Wild World Nort

Waterstone’s Ballymena has revealed its latest Top 10 bestselling books, with literary classics, gripping crime fiction and contemporary Irish writing all featuring strongly this week. From Emily Brontë and John Steinbeck to Jo Nesbo and Jan Carson, the list reflects an eclectic mix of reader favourites and fresh releases. Top 10 for This Week 1. Pagans — James Alistair Henry A sharp, darkly comic novel exploring masculinity, belief and modern disillusionment with wit and bit

Saturday 21 February 2026 Waterstone’s Ballymena has revealed its latest Top 10 bestselling books, with contemporary Irish fiction, gripping thrillers and even a literary classic making this week’s chart. From bold new voices to beloved authors, the list reflects a wide range of reading tastes across Ballymena — with strong interest in both page-turning suspense and thoughtful literary storytelling. This Week’s Top 10 Bestselling Books 1. Pagans — James Alistair Henry A sharp

Waterstone’s Ballymena has unveiled its latest Top 10 bestselling books, with psychological thrillers, heartwarming romance and children’s favourites all performing strongly in store this week. Freida McFadden returns to the top spot, while Dav Pilkey claims two places in the chart, and Rachel Reid continues her winning streak with not one but two romance titles in the list. This week’s Top 10 bestselling books 1. The Housemaid — Freida McFadden The addictive psychological th

Mid and East Antrim Deputy Mayor, Councillor Tyler Hoey, pictured with author and illustrator Kelsey Carroll and children who took part in the workshop A new children’s storybook celebrating Ballymena 400 has been officially launched at Mid-Antrim Museum in the Braid, offering young readers an engaging introduction to the town’s history. The launch event took place on Saturday 7 February as part of the Playful Museums Festival, supported by the Northern Ireland Museums Counci

Waterstone’s Ballymena has unveiled its latest Top 10 bestselling books, with contemporary literary fiction, gripping thrillers and a hugely popular romance title dominating readers’ choices this week. The list highlights a broad range of tastes, from Anne Tyler’s quietly observant storytelling to Freida McFadden’s addictive psychological suspense, alongside strong demand for Irish fiction and prize-winning literary works. This week’s Top 10 bestselling books 1. Three Days in

Waterstone’s Ballymena has unveiled its latest Top 10 bestselling books, with literary fiction, psychological thrillers and popular non-fiction continuing to shape readers’ choices as the new year gathers pace. Northern Irish author Jan Carson tops this week’s chart, while bestselling writers Freida McFadden, Maggie O’Farrell and Mel Robbins all feature prominently. The list reflects a broad appetite for thought-provoking fiction, comforting cookery and titles focused on well

Onjali Q. Raúf at Slemish College (Images: Cindy Robinson Photography) Pupils at Slemish College in Ballymena have begun a special three-day programme with one of the UK’s most celebrated children’s authors, Onjali Q. Raúf , as her school visit got under way on Tuesday, 27 January. The award-winning writer and children’s rights activist is spending three days at the school, engaging pupils in conversations around storytelling, empathy and social change. During her visit, Onja

Waterstone’s Ballymena has revealed its latest Top 10 bestselling books, with psychological thrillers, literary fiction and popular self-help titles continuing to dominate readers’ choices as January draws to a close. Freida McFadden claims three places in this week’s chart, reflecting sustained local demand for fast-paced, twist-heavy thrillers, while acclaimed novels by Roisín O’Donnell and Maggie O’Farrell also feature strongly. This week’s Top 10 bestselling books 1. The

Judy Nelson (Lifeboat Press Officer RNLI), John Moore (Author), Jane Booth (General Manager White House), Bob Milton (Chair Fundraising team RNLI), Val McDonald (chair of REACH). A new book celebrating the rich social history of Portrush has proved a remarkable success, selling out within weeks of its launch and raising £1,600 for two much-loved local charities. Portrush Reflections, written by local author John Moore, was launched on 26 November last year and had completely

Waterstone’s Ballymena has unveiled its latest Top 10 bestselling books, with psychological thrillers, literary fiction and practical health titles dominating readers’ choices this week. The list reflects strong demand for gripping page-turners alongside acclaimed novels and lifestyle releases, as book lovers settle into their January reading routines. This week’s Top 10 bestselling books… 1. Nesting — Roisín O’Donnell A powerful and intimate novel exploring motherhood, displ

Waterstone’s Ballymena has unveiled its first Top 10 bestselling books of 2026, revealing a strong start to the year with literary fiction, psychological thrillers, poetry, health titles and biography all proving popular with local readers. The list highlights an appetite for thought-provoking storytelling alongside practical wellbeing reads, as customers return to bookshops following the festive season. This week’s Top 10 bestselling books 1. Nesting — Roisín O’Donnell A pow

Waterstone’s Ballymena has released its latest Top 10 bestselling books, with festive favourites, cookery titles and family-friendly reads proving especially popular as Christmas approaches. From Mary Berry’s celebratory new release to children’s classics and record-breaking annuals, the list reflects a wide range of tastes among local shoppers seeking thoughtful Christmas gifts. This Week’s Top 10 Bestselling Books – With Descriptions 1. Mary 90 — Mary Berry A celebratory co

Waterstone’s Ballymena has released its latest Top 10 bestselling books, offering a rich mix of new fiction, humour, festive favourites and anticipated annuals. As Christmas shopping season gathers pace, local readers are turning to a wide variety of titles — from Northern Irish literature to children’s blockbusters and high-profile thrillers. This Week’s Top 10 Bestselling Books 1. The Benefactors — Wendy Erskine A sharply observed and darkly funny portrait of contemporary N

Waterstone’s Ballymena has released its latest Top 10 bestselling books, showcasing a strong mix of children’s favourites, festive reads, high-profile memoirs and brand-new fiction — all proving popular with local shoppers in the run-up to Christmas. Leading the list is Jeff Kinney’s newest instalment of the global sensation Diary of a Wimpy Kid, while titles by Charlie Mackesy, Dan Brown, Wendy Erskine and Jeremy Clarkson also feature prominently in a varied selection appeal