In a remarkable feat, culinary sensation Nagi Maehashi’s second cookbook, RecipeTin Eats: Tonight, has claimed the number one spot on Nielsen BookData’s Christmas 2024 bestseller list in Australia. Released just two months ago in October, the highly anticipated follow-up to her debut smash hit has already sold over 77,000 copies in its first week alone.
Maehashi’s inaugural cookbook, RecipeTin Eats: Dinner, previously topped the Christmas charts back in 2022 and has since gone on to sell more than half a million copies. Her accessible yet creative approach to home cooking has clearly resonated with Australians, cementing her status as a bona fide cookbook superstar.
Bestseller Breakdown
According to data from Nielsen BookScan’s Australian Book Market, here are the top 10 titles that made the coveted Christmas 2024 bestseller list:
- RecipeTin Eats: Tonight by Nagi Maehashi (27,900 copies)
- Bake with Brooki by Brooke Bellamy (14,585 copies)
- The Voice Inside by John Farnham & Poppy Stockell (11,316 copies)
- Big Jim Begins (Dog Man 13) by Dav Pilkey (11,306 copies)
- Here One Moment by Liane Moriarty (10,448 copies)
Cookbooks continued their dominance, with Bake with Brooki by Brooke Bellamy coming in at a strong second place. Music icon John Farnham‘s memoir The Voice Inside grabbed the third spot, while the 13th installment of the wildly popular children’s series Dog Man by Dav Pilkey landed at number four. Acclaimed Australian author Liane Moriarty rounded out the top five with her latest novel, Here One Moment.
Adult Fiction Surge
Despite a slight 3.8% dip in overall book sales compared to the record-breaking figures of 2023, the Australian book market still outperformed pre-pandemic levels. Notably, adult fiction saw a significant surge this year, with Australians purchasing 18.5 million books worth $380 million—a 7.3% increase in value from the previous year.
About 14% of annual book sales take place in the four weeks leading up to Christmas.
As the holiday season approaches its peak, it’s clear that Australians are once again turning to books for entertainment, escapism, and inspiration. With RecipeTin Eats: Tonight leading the charge, Nagi Maehashi has firmly established herself as a culinary force to be reckoned with—and a surefire bestseller.
Whether you’re a passionate home cook looking to expand your repertoire or simply searching for the perfect gift, RecipeTin Eats: Tonight is undoubtedly the must-have cookbook of the season. As the Christmas countdown continues, it remains to be seen which other titles will rise through the ranks and capture the hearts and minds of Australian readers.
