As the festive season approaches, UK booksellers are making their predictions for which title will claim the coveted spot atop the Christmas bestseller list. This year, many are betting on Orbital, the Booker Prize-winning novel by Samantha Harvey, to be the book that lands in stockings across Britain and beyond.
The Booksellers Association (BA) recently polled bookshop staff to get their take on the Christmas No. 1 contender. Orbital emerged as the clear favorite, with booksellers reporting brisk sales even before its Booker victory in October. Amanda Truman, owner of Truman Books in West Yorkshire, noted the novel “has been flying off the shelves” since claiming the prestigious prize.
From Booker to Bestseller
So what is it about Orbital that has captured readers’ imaginations? The slim volume follows a single day in the lives of six astronauts aboard the International Space Station. Through this microcosmic lens, Harvey explores themes of isolation, purpose, and our place in the cosmos with poetic precision.
Along with all the extra promotion they provide, we find customers really appreciate recommendations – even more so at this time of year.
Jude Brosnan, Stanfords bookshops
The combination of critical acclaim and an accessible paperback format make Orbital an attractive choice for holiday shoppers. “I would be amazed if it doesn’t hit Christmas No. 1,” said BA president Fleur Sinclair. “So many of our customers are buying it both for themselves and as gifts.”
Other Titles to Watch
While Orbital may be the odds-on Christmas favorite, booksellers highlighted several other potential chart-toppers:
- James by Percival Everett – A retelling of Huckleberry Finn from the enslaved Jim’s perspective
- There Are Rivers in the Sky by Elif Shafak – The latest from the internationally bestselling author
- Raising Hare by Chloe Dalton – Memoir of an unusual bond between a woman and a wild hare
- All That Matters by Chris Hoy – Cycling champion’s account of living with a terminal diagnosis
From literary fiction to celebrity memoir, the key to Christmas success is often a book’s “giftability.” Titles like Your Guide to Not Getting Murdered in a Quaint English Village by Maureen Johnson or Ted the Dog’s A Pawtobiography: My adventures on Gone Fishing make for quirky stocking stuffers.
Bookshops at the Heart of Christmas
No matter which book tops the final Christmas chart, booksellers agree that the festive season is when bookshops truly shine. From bestsellers to obscure treasures, shoppers rely on the knowledge and passion of bookshop staff to help them find the perfect gift.
Bookshops are great hubs throughout the year, but never more than at Christmas when people can finally turn to much needed leisure.
Saber Khan, Topping & Company Booksellers
As readers curl up with a good book over the holidays, the booksellers who guided their selections will be the unsung heroes of Christmas. Their tireless enthusiasm and expertise transform a simple gift into a cherished story passed from one heart to another. In the frenzy of the festive season, bookshops offer a welcome haven – and the promise that the perfect book is waiting to be discovered.
