Literary classics and modern thrillers lead Waterstone’s Ballymena Top 10

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 and darkly comic novel exploring masculinity, belief and modern disillusionment with biting humour and insight.

2. The Boy From The Sea — Garrett Carr

A beautifully observed story set in a coastal Irish community, examining belonging, identity and the powerful pull of home.

3. Impostor — L. J. Ross

A tense and fast-paced crime thriller packed with secrets, deception and unexpected twists.

4. Wuthering Heights — Emily Brontë

The enduring Gothic masterpiece of passion and revenge on the Yorkshire moors, continuing to captivate generations of readers.

5. Dear Debbie — Freida McFadden

A darkly addictive tale of revenge from the megaselling author of The Housemaid, centred on a seemingly ordinary agony aunt with extraordinary secrets.

6. Three Days In June — Anne Tyler

A tender and perceptive novel capturing a pivotal few days in one woman’s life, filled with family tension and quiet revelation.

7. Long Island — Colm Tóibín

A richly nuanced follow-up to Brooklyn, revisiting Eilis Lacey as she confronts love, loyalty and the weight of the past.

8. Don’t Let Him In — Lisa Jewell

A gripping domestic thriller where trust fractures and danger hides in plain sight.

9. Close To Home — Michael Magee

A powerful contemporary novel examining class, identity and aspiration in modern Belfast.

10. People We Meet On Vacation — Emily Henry

A warm, witty and emotionally resonant romance following two best friends navigating missed chances and long-buried feelings.

Children’s Storytime

The next Children’s Storytime will take place on Saturday 28 February at 12pm. Families are invited to join for a story and colouring activities.

This week’s book is Milo and the Mountain by Jamie Carroll, which has been shortlisted for the Waterstones Children’s Book Prize in the illustrated books category.

The event is suitable for toddlers up to age six.

Children’s Game of the Season

This season’s featured children’s game is Dog Man: Attack of the Fleas, a fast-paced, fun-filled board game based on Dav Pilkey’s mega-selling graphic novel series.

The game celebrates the silly, thrilling, informative and imaginative — perfect for young fans of the books.

New Books In Store

• Clean Magic — Nancy Birtwhistle

From the queen of eco-friendly cleaning comes another inspirational guide to keeping your home sparkling and fresh without pollutants.

• A Hymn to Life — Gisèle Pelicot

This book will tell Gisèle Pelicot’s story in her words, offer solace and hope, and make a positive contribution to changing the conversation around shame.

• Operation Bounce House — Matt Dinniman

From the bestselling mastermind behind the Dungeon Crawler Carl series comes a sci-fi adventure, as a man determined to keep his family ranch going rails against the ‘eviction action’ plan undertaken by the colossal Apex Corporation.

World Book Day – Thursday 5 March

This year’s World Book Day takes place on Thursday 5 March and aligns with the National Year of Reading’s call to ‘Go All In’ on reading for pleasure, with a celebration of children’s books and stories in all forms.

Children can exchange their World Book Day tokens in store for a £1 World Book Day Book.

Tokens are valid until 15 March.

With a mix of modern literary fiction, bestselling thrillers and children’s favourites, Waterstone’s Ballymena continues to offer something for every reader — whether you’re revisiting a classic or discovering something brand new.