Welcome to this week’s news, reviews, and ‘all-things-books’ latest from the team at Waterstone’s Ballymena!
This week’s Top 10 bestselling books…
1 Quickly, Whilst They Still Have Horses by Jan Carson
2 Prophet Song by Paul Lynch
3 The Bee Sting by Paul Murray
4 Dune by Frank Herbet
5 Good Girl's Guide to Murder by Holly Jackson
6 Peace Comes Dropping Slowly by Denis Bradley
7 Watermelon by Marian Keyes
8 Someone Else's Shoes by Jojo Moyes
9 My Favourite Mistake by Marian Keyes
10 The Secret by Lee Child
Saturday Storytime…
Our next Saturday Storytime will take place on Saturday 11th May at 12pm. We will be reading One Goose and Two Moose by Kael Tudor and Nicola Slater.
This is a brilliantly fun picture book that features a fun counting element. We look forward to seeing everyone there, there will be colouring in afterwards.
Young Adult Book Club…
The next meeting of our Young Adult Book Club for 13-18 year olds is on Thursday 30th May at We will be reading Powerless by Lauren Roberts.
This is a sizzling slice of fantasy romance set in an alluring magical world, Powerless follows the fortunes of Paedyn Gray - an ordinary mortal blending in with the dangerous Elites by pretending to be a Psychic.
We look forward to seeing everyone there, newcomers are especially welcome!
May Books of the Month…
• Fiction Book of the Month
The Bee Sting by Paul Murray
One of the greatest living comic novelists follows up Skippy Dies and The Mark and the Void with a beautifully crafted bittersweet delight about one family desperately attempting to get through the most trying of times.
• Science Fiction & Fantasy Book of the Month
The Ferryman by Justin Cronin
A mind-bending tale revolving around a small island community cut off from a rapidly deteriorating outside world, this powerful, thrilling novel from the author of The Passage blends myth, mystery and science fiction to mine the human condition and the nature of truth in impeccable prose.
• Thriller Book of the Month
The Housekeepers by Alex Hay
Brilliantly constructed and wonderfully escapist, Hay's crime novel finds the slighted female staff of an illustrious Mayfair residence plot an heist as the perfect revenge.
• Non Fiction Book of the Month
Ultra-Processed People by Chris van Tulleken
Passionate and eye-opening, Van Tulleken's authoritative account of the damage that ultra-processed food is doing to our bodies, our health and the planet makes for essential reading.
• Children's Book of the Month…
Alex vs Axel: The Impossible Quest by Sam Copeland
Hilarious fish-out-of-water comedy from the author of Charlie Changes into a Chicken as a studious schoolboy swaps places with a monster-slaying hero.
• Irish Book of the month
Prophet Song by Paul Lynch
Following a scientist whose husband is taken away by the newly formed Irish secret police, the award-winning author of Beyond the Sea and Grace spins a finely-wrought and terrifying vision of Ireland in the grip of a tyrannical government.
New in Cookery…
• Sift: The Elements of Great Baking by Nicola Lamb
From Earl Grey scones to mocha passionfruit opera cake, this gloriously illustrated baking bible from the popular food blogger and pastry chef Nicola Lamb comprises a hundred mouthwatering recipes arranged according to the time it takes to create each treat.
• The Fast 800 Treats Recipe Book by Dr Claire Bailey & Kathryn Burton
From basil and feta muffins to pistachio and cranberry bliss balls, this mouthwatering new recipe collection from Dr Clare Bailey features eighty fresh but indulgent treats that can be woven into your Fast 800 Programme.
• Sprout & Co Saladology by Theo Kirwan
Jack and Theo Kirwan, co-founders of acclaimed Dublin-based restaurants, Sprout, are devoted to showing just how full flavoured a salad can be.
Their first cookbook, Saladology, includes more than 100 exciting recipes, ranging from simple side salads, attention-grabbing vegetables, satisfying noodles, pasta, fish and meat dishes.