The start of the new year, and the paperback offerings expand. The problem of delivery that always besets the trade at this time of the year will obviously do so again. No doubt some of the early January titles will be in before Christmas, but on the whole publishers are aiming for deliveries between Christmas and the new year.

Top sellers

Sophie Kinsella Shopaholic and Sister

Black Swan, 6.99 [pounds sterling], 3rd, 0552771112

This was Kinsella's first in h/b, and I can't see it damaging the p/b one little bit. it will sit at number one for a couple of weeks until ...

James Patterson 3rd Degree

Headline, 6.99 [pounds sterling], 31st, 0755300254

Written with Andrew Gross, the next in his Women's Murder Club series, which has really taken off.

Michael Connelly The Narrows

Orion, 6.99 [pounds sterling], 31st December, 0752863800

Strictly published in December, but sent to me as a January title, it too should have a spell at number one. It's the sequel to The Poet.

Lesley Pearse Secrets

Penguin, 6.99 [pounds sterling], 27th, 0141016965

Set in the 1930s, a period Pearse is so good at, this is an emotional tale of abuse, love and grit.

Elizabeth Noble The Tenko Club

Coronet, 6.99 [pounds sterling], 17th, 0340827742

Her massive success with The Reading Group will have won her a strong fan base. This, according to my reader, is lighter--a tale of university friends needing each other, 20 years on; a little predictable, but a great read.

Dean Koontz The Taking

HCP, 6.99 [pounds sterling], 3rd, 0007130775

A night of freak weather brings disaster to a small Californian mountain town in true Koontz style, I understand.

Meg Hutchinson Pauper's Child

Coronet, 6.99 [pounds sterling], 3rd, 0340829958

The new, strikingly attractive covers will keep this star saga writer on her steep rising curve.

Tess Gerritsen The Sinner

Bantam, 6.99 [pounds sterling], 3rd, 0553815024

Transworld has done a splendid job in reinventing this author, but not content, it launches this with the new h/b (Body Double) and two earlier titles with a new cover design. I think she is stunning.

Major sellers

Carole Matthews With or Without You

Headline, 6.99 [pounds sterling], 3rd, 0755309936

A heavyweight campaign, as Headline is determined to move her up a level.

Mary Jane Staples Ups and Downs

Corgi original, 6.99 [pounds sterling], 3rd, 0552152323

Her second to have an updated cover, this one really hits the mark, and it's an Adams family one too. Expect greater sales than usual.

Ones to watch

Sheila Quigley Run for Home

Arrow, 5.99 [pounds sterling], 20th, 0099465744

In my annual round-up I will make this a Giant. I do so once in a while for a first novel with huge commercial potential. This had the most enormous amount of pre-publicity and h/b coverage, but you can keep all the hype if the book doesn't deliver. This one most certainly does. It's fast, violent, exciting, page-turning stuff; a northern underworld thriller of which Random is making much, including a massive...