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Behind the Scenes of the Books You Love

Welcome to the Waterstones Blog. Written and edited by booksellers, discover exclusive interviews with your favourite writers, author articles and recipes as well as expert recommendations, including our monthly roundups of the latest books for adults and children.

New & Trending Articles

What You Need to Know About the New Hunger Games Novel and Haymitch Abernathy

Ahead of the publication of Sunrise on the Reaping, we recap what we know so far about Haymitch Abernathy.

The Sunday Times Young Writer 2025 Winner Harriet Baker on Rural Hours

The winner of the Sunday Times Young Writer Award 2025 talks about the inspiration behind her luminous triple-biography.

An Early Extract from Sunrise on the Reaping

Can't wait for the new Hunger Games prequel? Stop what you're doing and read this tantalising opening extract now!

The Best Comic Books & Graphic Novels for Children

Discover the riotous world of comic books and graphic novels for children in this curated blog of our top picks.

Dragons, Desire and Drinking Tea: A Guide to Reading Romantasy

Have you discovered the sweeping and escapist worlds of fantasy romance yet? Let our handy guide show you the way.

30 Years of Women's Prize for Fiction: Hear from the 2025 Judges

The 2025 judges on what the iconic award means to them.

An Extract from Curtis Sittenfeld's Show Don't Tell

Read an excerpt from the irresistible new short story collection from the author of Romantic Comedy.

Judging the 2025 Women’s Prize for Non-Fiction

Hear from this year's judges on the selection process.

Best of 2024 Blogs
Best of 2024 Blogs
Author Favourites 2024
Author Favourites 2024

Monthly Roundups

The Waterstones Round Up: March's Best Books

Eager for some fresh reading? Check out the selection of terrific new books publishing this March.

The Waterstones Round Up: March's Best Children's Books

Explore the brilliant selection of children's books coming down the track this March.

The Waterstones Round Up: February's Best Books

Fall head over heels for the fantastic selection of publishing coming out this February.

The Waterstones Round Up: February's Best Children's Books

From heart-pounding adventure to colourful silliness, get ready for our pick of the top titles from February's children's publishing.

The Waterstones Round Up: January's Best Books

If your new year's resolution is to read more books, you're in the right place. Check out our terrific selection of new books for January.

The Waterstones Round Up: January's Best Children's Books

Kicking the new year off in style, January's children's publishing is packed with fantastic titles.

The Waterstones Round Up: November & December's Best Books

As we enter the last two months of the year and Christmas shopping really ramps up, take inspiration from the great books published in November and December.

Books of the Month

Olivia Laing on the Inspiration behind The Garden Against Time

Olivia Laing, author of The Garden Against Time, our Non-Fiction Book of the Month for March, discusses her acclaimed book.

Jonny Sweet on His Favourite Country House Novels

Jonny Sweet, author of The Kellerby Code, our Thriller of the Month for March, shares his top novels with a country house setting.

Grace Curtis' Picks Her Top 5 Queer Novels

Grace Curtis, author of Floating Hotel, our Science Fiction & Fantasy Book of the Month for March, recommends her favourite novels with an LGBTQ+ theme.

Jamie Hammond's Top Monsters in Children's Books

Jamie Hammond, author of Grumpfort, our Children's Book of the Month for March, reveals his favourite fictional monsters.

The Waterstones Podcast - Percival Everett

Our March's Fiction Book of the Month author on his bravura reworking of an American classic.

Fiction

An Extract from Curtis Sittenfeld's Show Don't Tell

Read an excerpt from the irresistible new short story collection from the author of Romantic Comedy.

Gillian McAllister Shares Her Top 5 Hostage Novels

The author of Famous Last Words on favourite novels that revolve around hostage situations.

Holly Bourne on Motherhood, Social Media and Writing So Thrilled For You

The bestselling author talks about her new novel and the pressures of modern motherhood.

A.T. Qureshi on the Allure of the Romance Genre

The author of The Baby Dragon Cafe writes about the importance of love immortalised in fiction.

Jeff VanderMeer on Absolution and Alligators

The author talks about writing a fourth instalment to his acclaimed Southern Reach Trilogy.

Jonathan Coe's Favourite Political Novels

Jonathan Coe, author of The Proof of My Innocence, picks his top political novels.

Nick Harkaway on Writing a George Smiley Novel

Nick Harkaway, author of Karla's Choice, on his following in the literary footsteps of his famous father, John le Carré.

Jodi Picoult on Emilia Bassano Lanier and William Shakespeare

The bestselling author talks about the woman who inspired her latest novel, By Any Other Name.

Non-Fiction

The Sunday Times Young Writer 2025 Winner Harriet Baker on Rural Hours

The winner of the Sunday Times Young Writer Award 2025 talks about the inspiration behind her luminous triple-biography.

Suzanne O’Sullivan on Over Diagnosis and Cancer Screening

The author of The Age of Diagnosis discusses the downsides of excessive health screening.

Judging the 2025 Women’s Prize for Non-Fiction

Hear from this year's judges on the selection process.

Dr Julie Smith's Top Tips for When You Feel Overwhelmed

The bestselling author of Why Has Nobody Told Me This Before? talks about her new book Open When.

Paul C. Brunson's Top Tips for Long-Lasting Relationships

Paul C. Brunson, relationship expert and author of Keep Love, provides advice on how to generate a lasting romantic connection.

Simon Squibb on Finding Your Dream

The author of What's Your Dream? talks about how one revelation can change your whole life.

Tj Power's Top Tips for Boosting Happiness Through Brain Chemistry

The acclaimed neuroscientist and author of The Dose Effect shares easy, scientifically proven ways to improve your mood and resilience.

Kate Summerscale on 10 Rillington Place 

The award-winning author of The Suspicions of Mr Whicher and The Haunting of Alma Fielding discusses the most famous British murder scene.

Children's

Jamie Hammond's Top Monsters in Children's Books

Jamie Hammond, author of Grumpfort, our Children's Book of the Month for March, reveals his favourite fictional monsters.

The Best Comic Books & Graphic Novels for Children

Discover the riotous world of comic books and graphic novels for children in this curated blog of our top picks.

What You Need to Know About the New Hunger Games Novel and Haymitch Abernathy

Ahead of the publication of Sunrise on the Reaping, we recap what we know so far about Haymitch Abernathy.

An Early Extract from Sunrise on the Reaping

Can't wait for the new Hunger Games prequel? Stop what you're doing and read this tantalising opening extract now!

S.F. Williamson’s Top 5 Alternate Reality Children’s and YA Books

The author of the dark academia YA fantasy A Language of Dragons shares her top books set in alternate worlds.

MC Grammar's Top Tips for Reading

The rapping teacher is passionate about literacy and in this exclusive blog he shares his top tips for reading enjoyment.

Alexander Armstrong on Why Children's Fantasy Books Matter

Alexander Armstrong, author of Evenfall: The Golden Linnet, discusses writing his debut children's novel and why children's literature is so important for kids and adults alike.

Frank Cottrell-Boyce on Becoming Waterstones Children's Laureate

Congratulations to Frank Cottrell-Boyce on becoming the 13th Waterstones Children's Laureate. Here's what the position means to him.

Interviews

An Exclusive Q&A with Jenny Erpenbeck on Kairos

The winner of the International Booker Prize 2024 discusses her novel set in 1980s East Berlin.

An Exclusive Q&A with Ferdia Lennon on Glorious Exploits

The winner of the Waterstones Debut Fiction Prize 2024 discusses his novel.

An Exclusive Interview with Orlando Whitfield on All That Glitters

The author discusses his fascinating book on friendship and fraud in the art world.

An Exclusive Q&A with Andrew O'Hagan on Caledonian Road

Andrew O'Hagan, author of Caledonian Road, answers questions about his acclaimed novel.

An Exclusive Q&A with Alice Winn on In Memoriam

The Winner of the Waterstones Novel of the Year 2023 discusses her emotional masterpiece.

An Exclusive Q&A with Patric Gagne

In an exclusive Q&A with her editor Melissa Flashman, the author of Sociopath discusses the complexities of the condition and the importance of her memoir.

An Exclusive Q&A with Daniel Mason of North Woods

The award-winning author of The Piano Tuner discusses his new novel.

An Exclusive Interview with Max Porter on Shy

The author of the former Waterstones Book of the Year Lanny discusses his new novel.

Recipes & Activities

A Mouthwatering Recipe from Asma Khan

The chef and author of Monsoon shares an utterly delicious dish from her book.

A Sumptuous Recipe From Poppy O'Toole

Discover a heavenly potato dish from the popular chef.

A Delicious Air Fryer Recipe from Jamie Oliver

Discover mouthwatering piccalilli, pork and apple pies, courtesy of Jamie Oliver.

A Delicious Vegan Recipe from Christina Soteriou

The author of Big Veg Energy shares a stunning dish for Veganuary (and beyond).

A Mouthwatering Recipe from Rick Stein's Food Stories

We're delighted to share a delicious recipe from the beloved chef's new book.

Jamie Oliver on the Changing Face of British Food Culture

The beloved chef and bestselling author reflects on the developments in the British Food scene in the course of his 25-year career.

An Indulgent Recipe from Meera Sodha's Dinner

Learn to make Meera Sodha's delicious baked butter paneer with this easy-to-follow recipe.

A Love Letter to Hero Ingredients and a Delicious Recipe from Anna Jones

The beloved cook and author talks about the inspiration behind her new book Easy Wins and shares one of its stunning recipes.