Welcome to this week’s news, reviews, and ‘all-things-books’ latest from the team at Waterstone’s Ballymena!
THIS WEEK'S TOP 10...
1. Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Diper Overlode - Jeff Kinney
2. It Starts With Us - Colleen Hoover
3. Spaceboy - David Walliams
4. Small Things Like These - Claire Keegan
5. Guinness World Records 2023
6. Diddly Squat: Til' The Cows Come Home - Jeremy Clarkson
7. The Very Merry Murder Club - Serena Patel and Robin Stevens
8. Babel - R.F Kuang
9. Thursday Murder Club - Richard Osman
10. It Ends With Us - Colleen Hoover
NOVEMBER BOOKS OF THE MONTH...
• Fiction Book Of The Month:
Small Things Like These - Claire Keegan
The new novel from the internationally bestselling author Claire Keegan. This novel has been nominated for numerous Literary Prizes, including making the coveted Waterstones Book Of The Year Shortlist!
It is 1985, in an Irish town. During the weeks leading up to Christmas, Bill Furlong, a coal and timber merchant, faces into his busiest season. As he does the rounds, he feels the past rising up to meet him - and encounters the complicit silences of a people controlled by the Church.
The long-awaited new work from the author of 'Foster', 'Small Things Like These' is an unforgettable story of hope, quiet heroism and tenderness.
• Thriller Of The Month:
Breathless - Amy McCulloch
A journalist joins a once-in-a-lifetime climbing expedition, but as thefts, accidents and ominous notes mount, the most dangerous threats seem to lie within the group in this gripping, high-altitude thriller from the author of The Magpie Society series.
• Childrens Book Of The Month:
The Very Merry Murder Club - edited by Robin Stevens and Serena Patel
Brimming with festive villainy, this joyous and unputdownable collection of Christmassy crime stories for young readers boasts contributions from the likes of Robin Stevens, Elle McNicoll and Nizrana Farook.
• Non Fiction Book Of The Month:
What Writers Read - Pandora Sykes
In this captivating, beautiful collection curated by the author of 'How Do We Know If We’re Doing it Right', a host of beloved authors from Nick Hornby to Derek Owusu and Ruth Ozeki to Marian Keyes reveal their favourite books.
NEW RELEASES...
• Surrender - Bono
A brand new, exciting release this week! From a challenging Dublin childhood to worldwide fame with U2 and high-profile campaigning for a multitude of causes, the rock legend and activist tells his hugely eventful story through both candid, lyrical prose and evocative original artwork.
This would make the perfect Christmas gift for a U2 fan!
• Dawnlands - Phillipa Gregory (Release Date: 8th November 2022)
The third instalment of Gregory's sweeping historical Fairmile saga finds Alinor enmeshed in intrigue as the spectre of civil war appears once more, forcing her to make some life-changing decisions.
We will have a beautiful Waterstones Exclusive Edition which includes exclusive historical notes from the author on the background of Monmouth and the Monmouth decisions.
SATURDAY STORYTIME...
Our next Saturday Storytime will take place on Saturday 12th November at 12pm. We will be reading 'Brrr!' by Kes Gray and Nick East.
Wonderfully imaginative and hilariously funny, this delightful picture book from the author of 'Oi Frog' finds a group of dinosaurs turn to knitting jumpers in order to stave off the freezing cold of the Ice Age.
Everyone is very welcome to come to any of our Saturday Storytime events, we look forward to seeing you there!