Charles Spencer's new book Swan Song is the best-selling title at Waterstones in Ballymena, according to the store's latest chart. Three books by children's author Julia Donaldson also feature in the Top 10, including Gruffalo Granny at number two and Monkey Puzzle at number three. The Gruffalo's Child is at number seven.

The rest of the Top 10 includes Exit Strategy by Lee Child at four, We Chase Shadows by Richard Osman at five, The Other Bennet Sister by Janice Hadlow at six, The Finest Hotel in Kabul by Lyse Doucet at eight, All In by Peter O'Mahony at nine, and Binding 13 by Chloe Walsh at ten.

Waterstones Ballymena is undergoing a refit but remains open. Customers may notice changes in the store and are asked to be patient during improvements. Staff are available to help find items.

A Halloween Storytime is scheduled for Saturday 3 October at 12pm. The event will feature a reading of Cat's Halloween by Alison Murray. No booking is required.

Elsewhere, the shortlist for the Booker Prize 2026 has been announced. Six novels are in contention: The End of Everything by M. John Harrison, The Disappearers by Marlon James, Black Bag by Luke Kennard, May We Feed the King by Rebecca Perry, The Things We Never Say by Elizabeth Strout, and John of John by Douglas Stuart. The winner will be announced on Monday 9 November.

New fiction arriving at the store includes Hollywood Ending by John Green and The Wine-Dark Sea by Victoria Hislop.