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Local favourite Jan Carson tops Waterstone’s Ballymena chart as new releases drive spring reading boom

  • Writer: Love Ballymena
    Love Ballymena
  • Apr 18
  • 3 min read

Waterstone’s Ballymena has revealed its latest Top 10 bestselling books, with local author Jan Carson taking the top spot in a chart that reflects a strong appetite for gripping fiction, memoir and practical lifestyle reads.


Carson’s newest novel Few and Far Between leads the list, underlining the continued support for Northern Ireland writers, while bestselling thrillers, cookbooks and contemporary non-fiction round out a diverse and engaging selection for readers this week.



This week’s Top 10 bestselling books


A varied mix of genres dominates the chart, with local voices, global bestsellers and cult favourites all featuring strongly.


1. Few and Far Between — Jan Carson


A highly anticipated new novel from the acclaimed Northern Irish author, blending Carson’s signature magical realism with deeply human storytelling.


2. Rory — Alan Shipnuck


A revealing and detailed account of golfing superstar Rory McIlroy, offering insight into his career and personal journey.


3. Dungeon Crawler Carl — Matt Dinniman


A cult-favourite fantasy adventure packed with humour, chaos and high-stakes survival in a gamified world.


4. Buffalo Hunter Hunter — Stephen Graham Jones


A gripping and genre-blending novel that combines horror, history and identity in a powerful narrative.


5. Pinch of Nom Air Fryer — Kate Allinson


A practical and accessible cookbook delivering healthier air fryer recipes for everyday cooking.



6. Addicted to Anxiety — Owen O’Kane


A thoughtful and accessible guide exploring anxiety and offering tools to better understand and manage it.


7. The Housemaid — Freida McFadden


The bestselling psychological thriller continues to captivate readers with its dark twists and addictive storytelling.


8. Every One Still Here — Liadán Ní Chuinn


A reflective and emotionally resonant novel exploring identity, belonging and contemporary life.


9. The Achilles Trap — Steve Coll


A compelling non-fiction account examining global politics, intelligence and conflict with depth and clarity.


10. Broken Country — Clare Leslie Hall


A moving and immersive novel centred on relationships, place and personal transformation.



Children’s Top 10


Young readers are also well catered for this week, with humour, adventure and timeless classics dominating the children’s chart.


  1. The Seriously Epic Holiday of Lottie Brooks — Katie Kirby



  1. Dog Man: The Scarlet Shedder — Dav Pilkey


  1. Dog Man 5: Lord of the Fleas — Dav Pilkey


  1. The Magic Faraway Tree — Enid Blyton


  1. The Majorly Awkward BFF Dramas of Lottie Brooks — Katie Kirby



  1. Release Me — Tahereh Mafi


  1. A Soul Full of Shadows — Derek Landy


  1. Peter Rabbit: A Tale of Four Seasons — Beatrix Potter


  1. Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Deep End — Jeff Kinney


  1. Mouse by the Sea — Alice Melvin



Storytime returns this weekend


Families are invited to enjoy storytime and colouring sessions on:



  • Saturday 25 April at 12pm

  • Sunday 26 April at 3pm


This week’s featured story is The Wonder by Tom Percival.


Book club welcomes new members


The next Waterstone’s Ballymena Book Club meeting will take place on Thursday 7 May at 7pm, where readers will discuss The Pretender by Jo Harkin.



Organisers say the group is informal and welcoming, with a mix of ages and plenty of lively discussion encouraged.



New releases in store


Several major new titles have also arrived on shelves this week.


• Yesteryear — Caro Claire Burke



Fresh, sharp and utterly addictive, this firecracker of a debut novel unravels the realities behind an American tradwife’s immaculate Instagram presence, combining a complex protagonist with political commentary and twists.


• Famesick — Lena Dunham



A searingly honest memoir chronicling the creator of Girls and her experiences navigating fame, addiction and mental health.


• The Ending Writes Itself — Evelyn Clarke



A clever locked-room mystery set on a private Scottish island, where six writers compete to finish an unfinished manuscript.


• Whatever Happened to Madeline Stone? — Louise O’Neill



A gripping story of fame, rivalry and disappearance, centred on twin sisters whose lives diverge dramatically in the spotlight.


Closing


With local talent topping the charts, a packed events calendar and a fresh wave of new releases, Waterstone’s Ballymena continues to offer something for every reader — from young book lovers discovering their first favourites to seasoned readers searching for their next standout novel.




At a Glance


  • Jan Carson tops Waterstone’s Ballymena Top 10 with Few and Far Between

  • Strong mix of fiction, memoir, cookbooks and self-help titles

  • Children’s chart led by Lottie Brooks and Dog Man titles

  • Storytime sessions scheduled for 25 and 26 April

  • Book club returns on 7 May with The Pretender

  • New releases include titles by Lena Dunham and Louise O’Neill


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