Waterstone’s Ballymena reveals this week’s Top 10 bestsellers and perfect Christmas gifts

Waterstone’s Ballymena has released its latest Top 10 bestselling books, offering a rich mix of new fiction, humour, festive favourites and anticipated annuals.

As Christmas shopping season gathers pace, local readers are turning to a wide variety of titles — from Northern Irish literature to children’s blockbusters and high-profile thrillers.

This Week’s Top 10 Bestselling Books

1. The Benefactors — Wendy Erskine

A sharply observed and darkly funny portrait of contemporary Northern Ireland, exploring class, money and parenthood from one of the region’s most acclaimed writers.

2. The Artist — Lucy Steeds

A richly atmospheric 1920s-set novel set in Provence, following an enigmatic painter, a young journalist seeking truth, and a niece with a hidden secret.

3. Santa & Son — David Walliams

A festive family adventure full of humour and heart as Santa’s son prepares for the challenge of continuing the family tradition.

4. Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Partypooper — Jeff Kinney

Greg Heffley’s holiday chaos continues in this laugh-out-loud new instalment of the hugely popular children’s series.

5. Oor Wullie & The Broons Gift Book

A nostalgic annual filled with classic Scottish comic strip humour, making it a reliable favourite for Christmas gifting.

6. Diddly Squat: The Farmer’s Dog — Jeremy Clarkson

The latest comedic dive into Clarkson’s rural escapades, blending farm misadventures with dry wit.

7. Guinness World Records 2026

A perennial bestseller packed with extraordinary achievements, stunning photography and new record-breaking feats for curious minds of all ages.

8. Every Christmas Eve — Emma Heatherington

A warm and uplifting festive tale about love, second chances and the magic that arrives when you least expect it.

9. People’s Friend Annual 2026

A comforting collection of stories, poems and illustrations from the much-loved magazine — a cherished Christmas tradition for many households.

10. The Secret of Secrets — Dan Brown

A tense, globe-trotting thriller featuring Robert Langdon as he dives into Prague’s shadowy past to solve a deeply personal disappearance.

Perfect Christmas Gifts: Seasonal Staff Picks

Waterstone’s Ballymena has also highlighted a selection of ideal Christmas gifts, ranging from heartwarming illustrated books to bestselling crime, new literary fiction, and children’s mysteries.

Always Remember — Charlie Mackesy

“The life-affirming follow up to mega-selling former Waterstones Book of the Year The Boy, the Mole, the Fox and the Horse, Mackesy’s exquisitely illustrated volume finds our four friends navigating both literal and metaphorical dark clouds.”

The Names — Florence Knapp

“Deftly structured and asking penetrating questions about how our identities are formed, Knapp’s debut novel follows three alternative paths that a child’s future could take depending on which name they were given.”

The Impossible Fortune — Richard Osman

“The Cooper’s Chase gang are back in the fifth page-turning instalment of Osman’s bestselling phenomenon, as a wedding guest in desperate trouble sets in motion an investigation involving cryptic codes and ruthless villains.”

The Secret of Secrets — Dan Brown

“An enthralling page-turner… Robert Langdon plunged deep into the mysterious past of Prague, trying to solve the disappearance of the woman he loves.”

The Artist — Lucy Steeds

“Richly evocative of a Provençal summer… the young journalist set on penning a piece on him and the artist’s niece who harbours an unexpected secret.”

The Benefactors — Wendy Erskine

“A blazingly funny and astute portrait of modern-day Northern Ireland that deftly mines issues of class, money and parenthood.”

Mr Poirot: Mischief on the Nile

A witty Mr Men homage to Agatha Christie, introducing younger readers to Hercule Poirot through a playful Nile-set mystery.

Little Miss Marple: Muddle at the Vicarage

A charming first introduction to Miss Marple as she assists Inspector Nonsense and Constable Silly with a series of muddled mysteries in St Mary Mead.

Waterstone’s also has a large selection of calendars and diaries in stock — popular and practical Christmas gifts for all ages.

Upcoming Events at Waterstone’s Ballymena

Book Club — Thursday 8 January

The next book club will meet on Thursday 8th January, where readers will discuss The Christmas Tree Killer by Chris Frost.

New members are always welcome, with coffee, cake and plenty of book chat on offer.

Christmas Opening Hours

From Monday 8th December, Waterstone’s Ballymena will open late until 9pm every weekday to accommodate festive shoppers.

The store will be closed on Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Year’s Day.

Waterstone’s Ballymena continues to offer an inviting range of books, gifts and community events as the festive season approaches, making it a must-visit destination for readers across the borough.