Waterstone’s Ballymena reveals this week’s Top 10 bestsellers as January reading takes shape

Waterstone’s Ballymena has unveiled its latest Top 10 bestselling books, with psychological thrillers, literary fiction and practical health titles dominating readers’ choices this week.

The list reflects strong demand for gripping page-turners alongside acclaimed novels and lifestyle releases, as book lovers settle into their January reading routines.

This week’s Top 10 bestselling books…

1. Nesting — Roisín O’Donnell

A powerful and intimate novel exploring motherhood, displacement and resilience, following a woman searching for safety and belonging.

2. The Tenant — Freida McFadden

A fast-paced psychological thriller packed with secrets, deception and unexpected twists from the bestselling author.

3. When The Cranes Fly South — Lisa Rizden

A lyrical and emotionally rich story reflecting on memory, love and loss, set against a haunting and evocative landscape.

4. Hamnet — Maggie O’Farrell

An award-winning historical novel reimagining the life and loss behind Shakespeare’s most famous play, centred on grief, family and creativity.

5. The Housemaid’s Secret — Freida McFadden

The gripping sequel to The Housemaid, delivering more tension, shocking revelations and psychological suspense.

6. Protein in 15 — Joe Wicks

A practical cookbook designed for busy lifestyles, offering high-protein meals that can be prepared in just 15 minutes.

7. The Widow — John Grisham

A compelling legal thriller blending courtroom drama, moral conflict and personal consequence from the master storyteller.

8. The Housemaid — Freida McFadden

The original breakout thriller that introduced readers to McFadden’s addictive storytelling, filled with dark secrets and twists.

9. Frankie — Graham Norton

A warm, witty and emotionally resonant novel exploring identity, relationships and reinvention from the bestselling broadcaster and author.

10. When the Moon Hatched — Sarah A. Parker

An immersive fantasy romance filled with magic, destiny and richly imagined worlds, capturing the imagination of genre fans.

New releases in store…

Several notable new titles have arrived on shelves this week, spanning politics, fantasy and epic literary storytelling.

• Made in America: the dark history that led to Donald Trump — Ed Stourton

“A well argued and elegant answer to the question, ‘how did America get to this place?’ The connection between Donald Trump and American history is too little explored and too little understood: Ed Stourton places him in context and does so with wit and fine judgement… The ideal antidote to the coarseness of the times.“ — Justin Webb, presenter of Radio 4 Today and Americast, author of The Gift of a Radio

• Sister Wake — Dave Rudden

A lush, rebellious fantasy saga brimming with Celtic mythology, intrigue and dangerous deities, Sister Wake finds the subjugated people of the island of Croi rise in rebellion as their long-lost gods return full of fury for the colonisers.

• The Poet Empress — Shen Tao

The epic political arena of The Poppy War by R.F. Kuang meets the intimate tragedy and luscious language of The Song of Achilles by Madeline Miller in this sensational debut novel by visionary new talent Shen Tao, unmissable for die-hard genre fans as well as readers of literary fiction looking to make their first foray into fantasy.

Events and in-store highlights

• Children’s Storytime – Saturday 24 January, 12pm

Families are invited to join Waterstone’s Ballymena every Saturday for a story and colouring activities.

This week’s reading will be The Great Green Island by Becky Colvin. The event is suitable for toddlers up to age six, with everyone welcome.

January sale continues…

The January sale is ongoing in store, with additional hardback titles being added across fiction, non-fiction and children’s books.

Blind date with a book returns…

The popular annual ‘Blind Date With a Book’ displays have returned, inviting customers to choose a wrapped mystery title based on a few intriguing clues.

This year, the initiative has also been extended to Young Adult and Teenage titles!

Waterstone’s Ballymena continues to offer a vibrant mix of bestselling titles, new releases and engaging events, making it a key destination for readers of all ages.