The Irish Goodbye takes No.1 as Waterstone’s Ballymena reveals latest bestsellers & half-price offers
Sunday 8 November 2026
Irish writing has taken centre stage at Waterstone’s Ballymena this week, with Heather Aimee O’Neill’s The Irish Goodbye claiming the number one spot in the store’s latest Top 10 bestseller chart.
The novel moves ahead of Sarah J. Maas’ A Court of Splintered Harmony, which takes second place, while Irish athlete Ciara Mageean’s My Greatest Race completes the top three.
It is a particularly strong week for Irish authors, with Philip Taylor, Claire Keegan and Manchán Magan also featuring in the chart, alongside international bestsellers David Baldacci, Shari Lapena and Freida McFadden.
Seven half-price titles are also available this week, including new children’s books from Dav Pilkey and Jamie Smart, while the store has confirmed its next three book club selections.
This week’s Top 10
1. The Irish Goodbye — Heather Aimee O’Neill
Heather Aimee O’Neill takes the top spot with The Irish Goodbye, a novel that is also the chosen read for Waterstone’s Ballymena’s December Fiction Book Club. Readers will have an opportunity to discuss the book at the store next month.
2. A Court of Splintered Harmony — Sarah J. Maas
Sarah J. Maas remains near the top of the chart, reflecting the continuing popularity of fantasy fiction among Ballymena readers. The bestselling author is known for her A Court of Thorns and Roses, Throne of Glass and Crescent City series.
3. 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.
4. Hope Rises — David Baldacci
Bestselling American author David Baldacci takes fourth place, bringing his reputation for fast-paced suspense, complex characters and high-stakes storytelling to this week’s chart.
5. We Used to Live Here — Marcus Kliewer
A deeply unsettling horror novel following a young couple renovating an old house whose lives take a disturbing turn when strangers arrive at the door claiming they once lived there. As the encounter unfolds, the boundaries between reality and nightmare begin to unravel.
6. Reckless Laughter — Philip Taylor
Philip Taylor’s Reckless Laughter takes sixth place, adding another title to a chart in which Irish writing features prominently this week.
7. Small Things Like These — Claire Keegan
Set in a small Irish town in 1985, Claire Keegan’s acclaimed novella follows coal merchant Bill Furlong as a discovery during his Christmas deliveries forces him to confront difficult questions about conscience, compassion and the silence surrounding institutional abuse.
8. Seeing What’s Hidden — Manchán Magan
A title from the late Irish writer, broadcaster and documentary-maker Manchán Magan, whose work explored the Irish language, landscape, folklore and the deeper connections between people, culture and place.
9. She Didn’t See It Coming — Shari Lapena
The bestselling author of The Couple Next Door delivers another psychological thriller, exploring secrets, suspicion and the unexpected dangers that can lie beneath seemingly ordinary lives.
10. The Witch — Freida McFadden
The author of the bestselling Housemaid series combines psychological suspense with supernatural horror in a chilling story about a house haunted by the spirits of women who have suffered terrible wrongs.
Seven half-price books to discover
This week’s half-price selection offers plenty of choice for younger readers, alongside historical fiction, cookery, football memoirs and action-packed thrillers.
• Dog Man: A Sprinkle in Time — Dav Pilkey
The fifteenth instalment of the hugely popular Dog Man graphic novel series delivers another helping of outrageous humour and adventure.
When Grandpa interferes with the very fabric of time and space, the consequences promise more chaos for the much-loved characters.
• 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 explores the treatment of women in medieval society, raising questions about power, misogyny and the dangers faced by women caught up in political intrigue.
• Mary All in One — Mary Berry
Mary Berry makes everyday cooking easier with her first collection of one-pot recipes, featuring everything from traybakes and pasta dishes to cakes and other family favourites.
The accessible collection offers inspiration for home cooks looking to simplify mealtimes without sacrificing flavour.
• 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 extraordinary career at the highest level of the game.
The memoir celebrates persistence, passion and the enduring importance of teamwork, offering supporters an insight into the experiences that shaped one of football’s most successful managers.
• Chain Reaction — Lee Child and Andrew Child
Jack Reacher returns in another high-octane thriller, finding himself in a sinister town dominated by humming data centres and the constant threat of violence.
The latest adventure combines mystery, danger and the relentless action associated with the bestselling series.
• Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Fight or Flight — Jeff Kinney
Greg Heffley returns in the 21st instalment of the bestselling 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 comedy-filled adventure.
• The World of Bunny vs Monkey — Jamie Smart
Fans of Jamie Smart’s enormously popular graphic novel series can explore the wonderfully chaotic world of the Woods in this illustrated guide.
Presented through the Park Ranger’s top-secret files, the book reveals everything from Skunky’s inventions to the rules of the Bungamumgus game, offering readers a closer look at their favourite characters and adventures.
December Fiction Book Club announced
Waterstone’s Ballymena has confirmed that its next Fiction Book Club meeting will take place on Thursday 3 December at 7pm.
The chosen title is this week’s number one bestseller, The Irish Goodbye by Heather Aimee O’Neill.
Readers are invited to come along for coffee, cake and a relaxed discussion about the novel, offering an opportunity to share their impressions and hear different perspectives.
Sci-Fi & Fantasy Book Club
Fantasy readers can look forward to the next Sci-Fi & Fantasy Book Club meeting on Thursday 19 November at 7pm.
This month’s selection is Practical Magic by Alice Hoffman, the much-loved novel following the Owens sisters and their extraordinary family legacy of love, loss and witchcraft.
The atmospheric story explores family relationships, belonging and the complications of love against a backdrop of supernatural magic.
Romance Book Club returns
The next Romance Book Club meeting takes place on Friday 20 November at 7pm, when readers will be discussing Bromantasy by Máire Roche.
The meeting provides another opportunity for romance readers to get together, exchange opinions and discover new perspectives on the month’s chosen book.
Irish writing makes its mark on Ballymena’s reading choices
With Heather Aimee O’Neill taking the number one position, Ciara Mageean entering the top three and Claire Keegan and Manchán Magan also featuring, this week’s chart reflects a notable appetite for Irish writing and stories with a connection to home.
Fantasy and psychological suspense remain popular too, with Sarah J. Maas, Marcus Kliewer, Shari Lapena and Freida McFadden all appearing among the ten bestselling titles.
The seven half-price offers provide additional opportunities to pick up books for readers of different ages and interests, while the November and December book club meetings offer a chance to connect with others over a shared love of reading.
As the evenings grow darker and the festive season approaches, Waterstone’s Ballymena has plenty of reading inspiration for those looking to discover their next book.
