WATERSTONES

Founded by Tim Waterstone in 1982, Waterstones has been around for a while. In the decades that followed, they expanded to 300 locations, hired 3000 exceptional booksellers, and became a cultural institution in Britain.

Waterstone are pleased to have successfully expanded their business despite the apparent danger posed by e-readers and other online competitors, as the sole remaining national bookshop chain headed by Managing Director James Daunt. New stores have sprung up all over the nation in recent years, while existing ones have relocated or undergone upgrades. Their aspirations remain lofty, with new venues in Edinburgh and Manchester’s Trafford Centre joining Reigate and Clifton in recent times.

Waterstone branch managers have a lot of leeway to run their stores however they see fit, according to the needs of their local customers while receiving only mild guidance from corporate. This is maybe unprecedented for a national retailer. Waterstone took great delight in promoting excellent (but sometimes neglected) literature, a practice that was pioneered with John Williams’ Stoner, a subtle, profound work that they revived as a bestseller forty years after its initial release.

Online, at Waterstones.com, they are collaborating closely with their bookshops to bring the essence of Waterstones to every home and smartphone in Britain. Online, Waterstones.com is the ideal complement to their brick-and-mortar bookstores, thanks to their wildly popular initiatives like Waterstones Weekly, their frequent reading update, and their ever-expanding selection of special reader discounts and autographed copies. The service that connects the two, Click & Collect, has expanded alongside their business, giving their consumers the best of both worlds.

WATERSTONES BESTSELLING BOOKS

Murdle – Murdle Puzzle Series (Paperback)

Get ready to put your detective skills to the ultimate test with the ‘utterly addictive’ Murdle Puzzle Series! G. T. Karber, the mastermind behind the hit online mystery game, has created a collection of 100 original murder mystery logic puzzles that will have armchair detectives everywhere hooked. With each puzzle, you’ll be tasked with identifying the culprit, the weapon, the location of the crime, and the motive. But don’t expect it to be easy – these fiendishly clever puzzles will have you scratching your head and examining every clue to crack the case. With charming illustrations, codes to decipher, and maps to follow, this book is the ultimate challenge for anyone who loves a good mystery. So, grab your magnifying glass and step into the shoes of a detective – are you ready to Murdle?

Politics On the Edge (Hardback)

Politics On the Edge is a memoir by former Conservative Cabinet minister Rory Stewart, detailing his ten years in Parliament. Stewart, who was sacked from the Conservative Party in 2022, faced challenges such as flood response, prison violence, conflict, poverty abroad, and Brexit. He learned the inadequacy of our democracy and government, with cronyism, ignorance, and incompetence. Stewart’s experience in Penrith and the Border provided insight into the era of populism and global conflict. Despite his challenges, Stewart’s story offers a candid and darkly humorous portrayal of the challenges, absurdities, and realities of political life. This memoir is a new classic of political memoir and a remarkable portrait of our age. It offers a glimpse into the mind of one of the most interesting actors on the British political stage.

The Wager (Paperback)

The Wager, a British vessel, was wrecked on a desolate island off the coast of Patagonia in 1740 during an imperial war with Spain. The crew, stranded for months and facing starvation, built a flimsy craft and sailed for over a hundred days, traversing 2,500 miles of storm-wracked seas. They were greeted as heroes. Six months later, another decrepit craft landed on the coast of Chile, with only three castaways. The thirty sailors who landed in Brazil were not heroes but mutineers. The first group responded with counter-charges of a tyrannical and murderous captain and his henchmen. The crew had fallen into anarchy, with warring factions fighting for dominion over the barren wilderness. As accusations of treachery and murder flew, the Admiralty convened a court martial to determine who was telling the truth, with the stakes being life-and-death for those found guilty.

In Too Deep: Signed Exclusive Edition – Jack Reacher (Hardback)

In Too Deep: Signed Exclusive Edition – Jack Reacher (Hardback) opens with a thrilling and mysterious scene. Jack Reacher, the protagonist, awakens to find himself alone, handcuffed, and in the dark. He has no memory of how he got there, but it’s clear he’s been through some serious trauma. His right arm is in bad shape, and all of his belongings are missing. As the plot unfolds, we learn that Reacher has been wrongly accused of a crime and is being held captive to extract information. This book will keep you on the edge of your seat as Reacher fights to clear his name and seek revenge against his captors.

Private Eye Annual (Hardback)

Since its inception, the Private Eye Annual has been a highly anticipated item for those who enjoy sharp wit and satire. Fortunately, the 2023 edition does not disappoint. With an impressive collection of top-tier cartoons, clever jokes, and refreshingly frank parodies, this year’s annual offers an irreverent take on the biggest stories of the past year. Edited by Ian Hislop, a prominent figure in the world of comedy and journalism, the Private Eye Annual has become a must-read for anyone looking for an insightful and entertaining take on the news of the day. With stunning illustrations and clever photo-bubbles throughout, this hardback annual is the perfect gift for anyone who appreciates a good laugh.

The Woman in Me (Hardback)

The Woman in Me is not just a book about Britney Spears-it’s a book about freedom, courage, and resilience. Spears opens up in this page-turner, sharing her journey as one of pop music’s most iconic performers, as well as her experiences as a mother, survivor, and believer. Her story is one of hope and faith, and it’s a reminder that we all have the power to tell our own stories and shape our own destinies. Spears’s candid and witty voice make this book a must-read for anyone who wants to celebrate the enduring power of music and love, and who believes that women should be able to speak their truth on their own terms.

Prophet Song (Hardback)

Prophet Song is a gripping tale of a mother’s struggle to keep her family together in a world that is rapidly falling apart. Set in Dublin during a time of political turmoil, the story follows Eilish Stack, a scientist and mother-of-four, as she is visited by two officers from Ireland’s newly formed secret police who interrogate her husband, a trade unionist. As the country descends into chaos and anarchy, Eilish finds herself caught up in a nightmare of epic proportions. Her husband and eldest son vanish, leaving her to fight for the survival of her family alone. With an exhilarating and propulsive plot, this book offers a deeply human portrait of one mother’s unwavering devotion to her loved ones in a society that has turned its back on them.

Why Do We Shop Books From Waterstones?

As avid book lovers, it’s always a joy to browse through the shelves and find a hidden gem that catches our eye. That’s why Waterstones is our go-to bookstore. With a wide range of genres, from fiction to non-fiction, and authors both well-known and new, Waterstones has something for everyone. Not only that, but their staff is knowledgeable and always happy to offer recommendations or help find a specific book.  Shopping at Waterstones feels like not only supporting a business but also being a part of a community of fellow book enthusiasts.