It had been a long time since a novel had been Australia’s official Christmas bestseller, and even longer had it been an Australian novel.

But in the week of December 11, the last of Liane Moriarty, Apples never fall, has sold more than 11,500 copies, according to Nielsen BookScan, which surveys more than 1,500 retailers across the country, earning it the seasonal top spot. His drama about the Delaney family has sold more than 157,650 copies since its release in September.

Nielsen Territory official Bianca Whiteley said Australians have spent more than $ 1.1 billion on physical pounds so far this year.

The last of Anh Do wolf girl novel, Animal train, takes second place this year, followed by the memoir of rockstar Dave Grohl, The narrator, and Lee and Andrew Child’s latest thriller Jack Reacher, Better to die. The top 10 is completed by two blue tracks, most recent by Andy Griffiths and Terry Denton, The cabin in the 143 floors, the last Guinness World Records, and Go tell the bees that I’m gone, by Diana Gabaldon.

The last time a novel took first place at Christmas was in 2010, when Richelle Mead’s conclusion to her Vampire academy series, Last sacrifice, took the honors. Since then, the various projects of Jeff Kinney weakling child the adventures were six times better, with Jamie Oliver starring twice and Scott Pape The barefoot investor Once. Last year, the memoirs of Barack Obama, A promised land, was atop the Australian readers’ Christmas tree.

Sally Tabner, co-owner of Bookoccino on Sydney’s North Beaches, said Apples never fall had sold wonderfully.

“Liane Moriarty is still selling very well here. My clients are very fond of her – possibly because of unsubstantiated rumors that she used Avalon Elementary School as a setting for Big little lies. It touches the dark and dirty side of human nature, but in a light and readable way. ”

Tabner said she was feeling very positive about the market: sales had started to increase and a few strong titles had been released throughout the year.