Creating a comprehensive list of the 25 best-selling books of all time is a challenging task due to the complexities involved in tracking sales across different editions, languages, and formats. Books published centuries ago often have multiple versions, including abridged and expanded editions, as well as translations. Some were initially released as serials before being compiled into full volumes, while others were distributed in bulk for free. These factors, coupled with inconsistent record-keeping and potential exaggerations by publishers for promotional purposes, make it difficult to establish precise sales figures. Given these challenges, we have compiled this list with a focus solely on literary fiction, excluding religious texts, self-help guides, political works, and reference materials. Notably, iconic books like The Lord of the Rings and The Count of Monte Cristo are omitted due to their serialization and age-related data issues, respectively.
Did your favorite book make our list? How do you think the quality of these books aligns with their sales numbers? Share your thoughts in the comments. Don't forget to explore the best-selling books of 2024 for the latest must-reads on your reading tablet.
### Anne of Green Gables
20See it at AmazonAuthor: L.M. Montgomery
Country: Canada
Publication Date: 1908
Estimated Sales: 50 million copies
L.M. Montgomery's timeless classic follows the adventures of Anne Shirley, an imaginative and spirited orphan who transforms the lives of her foster parents in Avonlea, Prince Edward Island. Their initial expectation of a boy turns into a heartwarming journey of acceptance and love, propelling the book to immense popularity and inspiring seven sequels, with an eighth released posthumously in 2009. Buy here.
### Heidi
6See it at AmazonAuthor: Johanna Spyri
Country: Switzerland
Publication Date: 1880-1881
Estimated Sales: 50 million copies
Johanna Spyri's beloved children's novel tells the story of Heidi, an orphaned girl who finds solace and growth with her grandfather in the Swiss Alps. Her friendship with Klara, a wealthy but disabled girl from Frankfurt, enriches both their lives, highlighting themes of friendship and resilience.
### Lolita
9See it at AmazonAuthor: Vladimir Nabokov
Country: United States
Publication Date: 1955
Estimated Sales: 50 million copies
Vladimir Nabokov's controversial masterpiece explores the dark themes of obsession and morality through the story of Humbert Humbert, an English professor who becomes infatuated with a young girl. Despite initial reluctance from publishers, Lolita has inspired a play, an opera, and two films, including one directed by Stanley Kubrick.
### One Hundred Years of Solitude (Cien años de soledad)
6See it at AmazonAuthor: Gabriel García Márquez
Country: Colombia
Publication Date: 1967
Estimated Sales: 50 million copies
Gabriel García Márquez's magnum opus is a mesmerizing tale of the Buendía family, founders of the fictional town of Macondo. This epic, spanning seven generations, weaves magical realism with themes of cyclical fate and karmic retribution, making it a cornerstone of Latin American literature.
### Ben-Hur: A Tale of the Christ
6See it at AmazonAuthor: Lew Wallace
Country: United States
Publication Date: 1880
Estimated Sales: 50 million copies
Lew Wallace's novel follows the life of Judah Ben-Hur, who lives concurrently with Jesus and witnesses his crucifixion. While the book is best known today through its cinematic adaptation featuring an iconic chariot race, it remains a powerful narrative of faith and redemption.
### The Bridges of Madison County
13See it at AmazonAuthor: Robert James Waller
Country: United States
Publication Date: 1992
Estimated Sales: 60 million copies
Robert James Waller's romantic novel tells the story of Francesca, an Italian American war bride, and her passionate affair with a traveling photographer. Adapted into a film starring Clint Eastwood and Meryl Streep, and later into a Tony Award-winning Broadway musical, this story captures the essence of fleeting love.
### The Catcher in the Rye
7See it at AmazonAuthor: J.D. Salinger
Country: United States
Publication Date: 1951
Estimated Sales: 65 million copies
J.D. Salinger's iconic coming-of-age novel follows Holden Caulfield, an expelled prep school student grappling with the complexities of adolescence. The book's candid portrayal of teenage angst and disillusionment has cemented its place as a classic, with Salinger's reclusive nature adding to its mystique.
### Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows
16See it at AmazonAuthor: J.K. Rowling
Country: United Kingdom
Publication Date: 2007
Estimated Sales: 65 million copies
The final installment in J.K. Rowling's beloved series sees Harry, Hermione, and Ron on a perilous quest to defeat Voldemort. Accompanied by an anti-spoiler campaign and debates over Snape's loyalties, this book was split into two films, concluding the epic saga.
### Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince
9See it at AmazonAuthor: J.K. Rowling
Country: United Kingdom
Publication Date: 2005
Estimated Sales: 65 million copies
In the sixth book of the series, Harry delves into Voldemort's past to prepare for the ultimate confrontation. Serving as a setup for the final book, Half-Blood Prince is rich in exposition and character development, setting the stage for the series' dramatic conclusion.
### Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix
10See it at AmazonAuthor: J.K. Rowling
Country: United Kingdom
Publication Date: 2003
Estimated Sales: 65 million copies
The longest book in the series, Order of the Phoenix was initially seen as a weaker entry due to its slow pacing and Harry's pervasive anger. However, it has gained appreciation over time for its crucial world-building and character expansion, particularly with the introduction of Luna, Ginny, and Neville.
### Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire
12See it at AmazonAuthor: J.K. Rowling
Country: United Kingdom
Publication Date: 2000
Estimated Sales: 65 million copies
Considered one of the strongest entries in the series, Goblet of Fire introduces the Triwizard Tournament and a pivotal twist that shifts the series' tone towards darker themes. This book marks a significant escalation in the stakes and intensity of the narrative.
### Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban
10See it at AmazonAuthor: J.K. Rowling
Country: United Kingdom
Publication Date: 1999
Estimated Sales: 65 million copies
A leap forward in narrative maturity, Prisoner of Azkaban solidified many readers' fandom. Harry's third year at Hogwarts is marked by the arrival of Sirius Black, an escaped convict who holds secrets about Harry's past, adding depth and intrigue to the story.
### The Alchemist
13See it at AmazonAuthor: Paulo Coelho
Country: Brazil
Publication Date: 1988
Estimated Sales: 65 million copies
Paulo Coelho's tale of a Spanish shepherd's journey to Egypt in pursuit of a dream initially struggled to find a publisher. Coelho's persistence paid off, and The Alchemist became a global phenomenon, celebrated for its themes of fate and personal legend. Original language: Portuguese.
### Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets
10See it at AmazonAuthor: J.K. Rowling
Country: United Kingdom
Publication Date: 1998
Estimated Sales: 77 million copies
While often considered the weakest in the series, Chamber of Secrets expands the wizarding world beyond Hogwarts, introducing key elements about the school's history and its founders. It keeps readers engaged, leading them into the more thrilling Prisoner of Azkaban.
### The Da Vinci Code
9See it at AmazonAuthor: Dan Brown
Country: United States
Publication Date: 2003
Estimated Sales: 80 million copies
Dan Brown's thrilling narrative about church conspiracies and the search for the Holy Grail became a cultural phenomenon. Despite mixed reviews from critics, The Da Vinci Code captivated readers worldwide with its controversial claims and fast-paced storytelling.
### Vardi Wala Gunda
5See it at AmazonAuthor: Ved Prakash Sharma
Country: India
Publication Date: 1992
Estimated Sales: 80 million copies
Ved Prakash Sharma's Hindi thriller explores themes of corruption and conspiracy within the police force. With over 170 novels to his name, Sharma's Vardi Wala Gunda stands out as his most successful work, captivating readers with its suspenseful narrative.
### She: A History of Adventure
8See it at AmazonAuthor: H. Rider Haggard
Country: United Kingdom
Publication Date: 1886
Estimated Sales: 83 million copies
H. Rider Haggard's novel about two explorers discovering a lost kingdom in Africa is a cornerstone of fantasy literature. Its influence is evident in works like the Indiana Jones and Tarzan series, which owe much to She's themes of mysticism and adventure.
### The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe
14See it at AmazonAuthor: C.S. Lewis
Country: United Kingdom
Publication Date: 1950
Estimated Sales: 85 million copies
C.S. Lewis's enchanting tale follows four children who discover the magical world of Narnia through a wardrobe. Ruled by the White Witch and yearning for the return of the lion Aslan, Narnia's adventures have captivated generations and led to six sequels known as The Chronicles of Narnia.
### The Hobbit
13See it at AmazonAuthor: J.R.R. Tolkien
Country: United Kingdom
Publication Date: 1937
Estimated Sales: 100 million copies
Before The Lord of the Rings, J.R.R. Tolkien introduced readers to Bilbo Baggins in The Hobbit. This children's book follows Bilbo's journey with a wizard and dwarves to reclaim their ancestral home, laying the groundwork for the expansive world of Middle-earth.
### Dream of the Red Chamber
4See it at AmazonAuthor: Cao Xueqin
Country: China
Publication Date: 1791
Estimated Sales: 100 million copies
Considered one of China's greatest novels, Dream of the Red Chamber chronicles the rise and fall of a noble family during the Qing Dynasty. Its nuanced portrayal of female characters and detailed depiction of society have made it a timeless classic.
### And Then There Were None
8See it at AmazonAuthor: Agatha Christie
Country: United Kingdom
Publication Date: 1939
Estimated Sales: 100 million copies
Agatha Christie's masterpiece traps ten people on an island, where they are killed off one by one according to a nursery rhyme. This gripping murder mystery, considered one of Christie's finest, keeps readers on the edge of their seats until the final revelation.
### Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone
18See it at AmazonAuthor: J.K. Rowling
Country: United Kingdom
Publication Date: 1997
Estimated Sales: 120 million copies
The first book in the Harry Potter series captures the wonder of Harry's initial entry into the wizarding world. Its blend of magic, friendship, and adventure has captured the hearts of readers worldwide, setting the stage for one of the most beloved series in literature.
### The Little Prince
10See it at AmazonAuthor: Antoine de Saint-Exupéry
Country: France
Publication Date: 1943
Estimated Sales: 140 million copies
Antoine de Saint-Exupéry's poignant tale follows the Little Prince's journey across planets, offering profound insights into the nature of love, loss, and the human condition. Its whimsical yet deep narrative has resonated with readers of all ages.
### A Tale of Two Cities
12See it at AmazonAuthor: Charles Dickens
Country: United Kingdom
Publication Date: 1859
Estimated Sales: 200 million copies
Charles Dickens's historical novel set during the French Revolution opens with the iconic line, "It was the best of times, it was the worst of times..." Exploring themes of class struggle and sacrifice, A Tale of Two Cities remains one of Dickens's most celebrated works.
### Don Quixote
24See it at AmazonAuthor: Miguel de Cervantes
Country: Spain
Publication Date: 1605 (Part One), 1615 (Part Two)
Estimated Sales: 500 million copies
Miguel de Cervantes's epic tragicomedy follows the delusional knight Don Quixote and his loyal squire Sancho Panza. With iconic scenes like the battle against windmills, this timeless work explores themes of idealism, reality, and the human spirit.
Identifying the best-selling books of the current year is more straightforward, thanks to real-time sales data from online platforms like Amazon. Here are the top 10 best-selling books of 2024, according to Amazon's list:
Looking for more books?
Explore our guides to the Game of Thrones books in order or discover our favorite horror books to read right now.
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