Diary of a Wimpy Kid takes No.1 as Waterstone’s Ballymena announces special Cullybackey author event
Sunday 15 November 2026
Children’s books have taken over the top of Waterstone’s Ballymena’s latest bestseller chart, with Jeff Kinney’s Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Fight or Flight claiming the number one position ahead of Dav Pilkey’s Dog Man: A Sprinkle in Time and Julia Donaldson’s Gruffalo Granny.
The latest Top 10 also features Irish athletics star Ciara Mageean, local-interest titles from Philip Taylor and Stephen Davison, and bestselling authors Sarah J. Maas and Charles Spencer.
But one of the biggest highlights on the store’s November calendar is a special author event celebrating the life and work of Cullybackey writer Ian Cochrane, whose story is explored in Philip Taylor’s new biography, Reckless Laughter.
Alongside the latest bestsellers, readers can discover eight half-price titles, four new fiction releases, the 2026 Booker Prize winner and a new Game of the Month, with two book club meetings also taking place this week.
This week’s Top 10
1. Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Fight or Flight — Jeff Kinney
Greg Heffley returns in the 21st instalment of the hugely popular Diary of a Wimpy Kid series. When Greg becomes the target of a fearsome school bully, he must use all his cunning to escape trouble in another laugh-out-loud adventure.
2. Dog Man: A Sprinkle in Time — Dav Pilkey
The fifteenth instalment of the bestselling Dog Man graphic novel series brings another helping of outrageous humour and adventure. When Grandpa interferes with the very fabric of time and space, the consequences threaten to create chaos for the much-loved characters.
3. Gruffalo Granny — Julia Donaldson
Julia Donaldson and illustrator Axel Scheffler return to the much-loved world of The Gruffalo with another rhyming adventure introducing Gruffalo Granny, offering younger readers a fresh story featuring familiar characters.
4. My Greatest Race — Ciara Mageean
A sporting title from celebrated Irish middle-distance runner Ciara Mageean, whose achievements on the international athletics stage have made her one of Ireland’s most recognisable track athletes.
5. Guinness World Records 2027
The latest edition of the internationally popular record-breaking annual brings together extraordinary human achievements, remarkable natural phenomena and fascinating facts from around the world. A perennial favourite for curious readers of all ages.
6. Reckless Laughter — Philip Taylor
A biography celebrating the life and literary work of Ian Cochrane, the author from Cullybackey. Philip Taylor’s book brings renewed attention to a local writer whose story will also be the focus of a special event at Waterstone’s Ballymena later this month.
7. The Wee Roads — Stephen Davison
A locally appealing title from Stephen Davison, whose work celebrates Northern Ireland’s roads, landscapes and distinctive sense of place. Its continued presence in the chart reflects the popularity of books with a strong connection to home.
8. A Court of Splintered Harmony — Sarah J. Maas
Fantasy fiction remains popular among Ballymena readers, with a title attributed to internationally bestselling author Sarah J. Maas taking eighth place. Maas is best known for her A Court of Thorns and Roses, Throne of Glass and Crescent City series.
9. Diddly Squat: The G.O.A.T. — Jeremy Clarkson
Jeremy Clarkson returns to the trials, triumphs and unpredictable realities of life at Diddly Squat Farm, bringing his trademark humour and observations about modern farming to another entertaining instalment.
10. Swan Song — Charles Spencer
Charles Spencer completes this week’s chart with Swan Song, another popular title from the author and historian whose writing spans history, biography and memoir.
Special author event celebrates Cullybackey writer Ian Cochrane
Waterstone’s Ballymena will welcome author Philip Taylor to the store on Thursday 26 November at 7pm for a special in-conversation event celebrating his new book, Reckless Laughter.
The biography explores the life of Ian Cochrane, an author from Cullybackey, bringing a distinctly local dimension to the store’s autumn literary programme.
The evening offers an opportunity to hear more about Cochrane’s life, writing and legacy, as well as the research and inspiration behind Taylor’s biography.
With Reckless Laughter currently sitting at number six in the store’s bestseller chart, the event provides a timely opportunity for local readers to discover more about a writer with roots in their own community.
Everyone is welcome to attend the event at 7pm on Thursday 26 November.
Eight half-price books to discover
Waterstone’s Ballymena’s half-price promotion continues this week, with a varied selection covering children’s favourites, historical fiction, cookery, football memoirs and bestselling thrillers.
• Dog Man: A Sprinkle in Time — Dav Pilkey
Also appearing at number two in the latest bestseller chart, the fifteenth Dog Man adventure sees Grandpa tampering with time and space, setting the scene for another wildly imaginative comic-book escapade.
• Royal Witch — Philippa Gregory
The bestselling historical novelist brings new life to the true story of a medieval noblewoman imprisoned after being accused of summoning the devil to secure royal power. Gregory’s novel explores female agency, misogyny and the dangers faced by women caught up in medieval political intrigue.
• Mary All in One — Mary Berry
The much-loved cookery writer serves up her first collection of one-pot recipes, featuring everything from traybakes and pasta dishes to cakes and other family favourites. An accessible choice for home cooks looking to simplify everyday meals.
• Games of My Life — Sir Alex Ferguson
The legendary former Manchester United manager reflects on seven decades of football through 21 iconic matches, charting his remarkable career while celebrating determination, passion and the enduring importance of teamwork.
• Chain Reaction — Lee Child and Andrew Child
Jack Reacher returns in another high-octane adventure, finding himself in a sinister town dominated by humming data centres and the constant threat of violence.
• Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Fight or Flight — Jeff Kinney
This week’s number one bestseller is also included in the half-price selection, offering young readers the latest instalment of Greg Heffley’s hilarious adventures for less.
• The World of Bunny vs Monkey — Jamie Smart
Presented through the Park Ranger’s top-secret files, this illustrated guide takes readers deeper into the chaotic world of Bunny and Monkey, revealing everything from Skunky’s inventions to the rules of the Bungamumgus game.
• Oor Wullie & The Broons: Under the Weather
A familiar favourite for Ballymena readers, bringing together the much-loved Scottish comic-strip characters and their distinctive humour. The title joins the half-price selection this week, offering another gift idea as Christmas approaches.
Two book clubs meeting this week
Readers have two opportunities to get together at Waterstone’s Ballymena this week, with meetings covering fantasy and romance fiction.
• Sci-Fi & Fantasy Book Club — Thursday 19 November
The Sci-Fi & Fantasy Book Club meets at 7pm on Thursday 19 November to discuss Practical Magic by Alice Hoffman.
The much-loved novel follows the Owens sisters and their extraordinary family legacy of love, loss and witchcraft, blending supernatural elements with an exploration of family relationships and belonging.
• Romance Book Club — Friday 20 November
The Romance Book Club meets at 7pm on Friday 20 November, with Bromantasy by Máire Roche chosen for discussion.
The meeting offers romance readers an opportunity to share their thoughts on the book and enjoy an evening discussing their latest read with fellow enthusiasts.
Game of the Month: Telestrations
With the Christmas party season approaching, Waterstone’s Ballymena has selected Telestrations as its new Game of the Month.
The family-friendly party game combines drawing, guessing and plenty of laughter as players attempt to interpret one another’s sketches.
Each participant draws what they read and then guesses what they see, with messages becoming increasingly distorted as they pass around the group.
The less accurate the artwork, the funnier the results, making Telestrations a lively choice for festive gatherings with friends and family.
2026 Booker Prize winner highlighted
Waterstone’s Ballymena is also drawing attention to The End of Everything by M. John Harrison, announced in the store’s update as the winner of the 2026 Booker Prize.
The intriguing novel imagines a near-future coastal England following an unnamed crisis, where a man discovers an extraordinary object washed ashore from the English Channel.
Blending speculative fiction with an unsettling vision of the future, the story offers a thought-provoking choice for readers looking beyond more conventional fiction.
Four new fiction titles arrive
There is further reading inspiration among the latest fiction releases, with new titles from Jeffrey Archer, Simon Scarrow, Denzil Meyrick and Harry Whittaker.
• Adam & Eve — Jeffrey Archer
From the Norfolk Broads to the beaches of Dunkirk, Jeffrey Archer delivers an epic story of courage, sacrifice and love forged during one of Britain’s darkest periods.
The novel combines sweeping historical drama with personal relationships shaped by the upheaval of war.
• The Sword of Rome — Simon Scarrow
Cato and Macro return in the 25th instalment of Simon Scarrow’s Eagles of the Empire series.
When Emperor Nero’s generals need their toughest warriors, the two soldiers are called upon once again, this time facing the formidable power of the Scythian Empire.
• The Mistletoe Wedding Murders — Denzil Meyrick with Ian Moore
Festive celebrations take a murderous turn in another helping of witty cosy crime, as Frank Grasby finds himself investigating a killer among a collection of vicars attending his own father’s wedding.
The novel promises a blend of mystery, humour and seasonal atmosphere for readers who enjoy crime fiction with a lighter touch.
• Orlando — Harry Whittaker
Readers of Lucinda Riley’s hugely popular Seven Sisters series can return to its fictional universe in this spin-off novel by Harry Whittaker, co-writer of Atlas: The Story of Pa Salt.
The story explores the life of Orlando, the antiquarian bookseller familiar to fans of the original saga, offering further insight into one of its memorable supporting characters.
Christmas baking and festive stories arrive
For readers preparing for the festive season, Jane’s Patisserie Christmas: Cosy Bakes & Festive Treats is now available in store.
The collection from the popular baker and online creator is packed with Christmas-inspired cakes, bakes and sweet treats, offering inspiration for festive entertaining and family celebrations.
Waterstone’s Ballymena has also expanded its selection of Christmas stories for younger and older readers, with the team encouraging customers to call in and browse the seasonal shelves.
Local stories, family favourites and festive inspiration
With Diary of a Wimpy Kid, Dog Man and Gruffalo Granny occupying the top three positions, children’s publishing is enjoying a particularly strong week at Waterstone’s Ballymena.
The presence of Reckless Laughter and The Wee Roads also highlights continued interest in local writing, while the upcoming Philip Taylor event promises a valuable opportunity to celebrate Cullybackey author Ian Cochrane and his literary legacy.
Alongside eight half-price offers, new fiction, two book clubs and a family-friendly Game of the Month, the store’s expanding Christmas selection provides plenty of inspiration for readers and gift-buyers as the festive season approaches.
