Compiling a list of the 25 best-selling books of all time is surprisingly challenging. Factors like varying editions, translations, abridged versions, serializations, and even bulk distributions complicate accurate sales tracking. Inaccurate record-keeping and publisher-inflated figures further obscure the truth, making a definitive list impossible. Therefore, this list presents estimates based on several self-imposed criteria.
This list focuses solely on literary fiction, excluding religious texts, self-help books, political works, and other non-fiction. Notable omissions like *The Lord of the Rings* (due to its complex serialization) and *The Count of Monte Cristo* (due to unreliable historical sales data) are also noted.
Did your favorite cozy read make the cut? Does the sales success reflect the book's literary merit? Share your thoughts in the comments! Also, check out the best-selling books of 2024 below for some fresh reading material.
**25. Anne of Green Gables**
See it at AmazonAuthor: L.M. Montgomery
Country: Canada
Publication Date: 1908
Estimated Sales: 50 million copies
This classic children's story follows the spirited orphan Anne Shirley as she finds a home in Avonlea, Prince Edward Island. Her endearing relationship with her foster parents, who initially expected a boy, propelled the book to success, leading to seven sequels (eight including a posthumous novel).
**24. Heidi**
See it at AmazonAuthor: Johanna Spyri
Country: Switzerland
Publication Date: 1880-1881
Estimated Sales: 50 million copies
This children's novel tells the story of Heidi, an orphan raised by her grandfather in the Swiss Alps. Her friendship with Klara, a wealthy girl confined to a wheelchair, forms the heart of the story, showcasing their mutual growth and support.
**23. Lolita**
See it at AmazonAuthor: Vladimir Nabokov
Country: United States
Publication Date: 1955
Estimated Sales: 50 million copies
Initially shunned by publishers, Nabokov's controversial novel about an English professor's obsession with a 12-year-old girl has since become a literary landmark, adapted into plays, operas, and films (including one directed by Stanley Kubrick).
**22. One Hundred Years of Solitude (Cien años de soledad)**
See it at AmazonAuthor: Gabriel García Márquez
Country: Colombia
Publication Date: 1967
Estimated Sales: 50 million copies
Márquez's masterpiece is a sweeping, magical realism novel chronicling the rise and fall of the Buendía family in the fictional town of Macondo. The epic saga spans seven generations, exploring themes of cyclical fate and karmic consequences.
**21. Ben-Hur: A Tale of the Christ**
See it at AmazonAuthor: Lew Wallace
Country: United States
Publication Date: 1880
Estimated Sales: 50 million copies
This novel follows Judah Ben-Hur's life during the time of Jesus Christ, culminating in his witnessing of the Crucifixion. The book is best known for its iconic film adaptation starring Charlton Heston, famous for its thrilling chariot race.
**20. The Bridges of Madison County**
See it at AmazonAuthor: Robert James Waller
Country: United States
Publication Date: 1992
Estimated Sales: 60 million copies
This romance novel depicts a passionate affair between an Italian-American war bride and a traveling photographer. The story was adapted into a successful film starring Clint Eastwood and Meryl Streep and later into a Tony-nominated Broadway musical.
**19. The Catcher in the Rye**
See it at AmazonAuthor: J.D. Salinger
Country: United States
Publication Date: 1951
Estimated Sales: 65 million copies
Salinger's only novel introduced the iconic Holden Caulfield, an expelled prep school student navigating adolescence and railing against "phoniness." The book remains a seminal coming-of-age story.
**18. Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows**
See it at AmazonAuthor: J.K. Rowling
Country: United Kingdom
Publication Date: 2007
Estimated Sales: 65 million copies
The final installment in the Harry Potter series finds Harry, Ron, and Hermione on the run, determined to defeat Lord Voldemort. The book's release was marked by a massive anti-spoiler campaign and widespread speculation about character loyalties.
**17. Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince**
See it at AmazonAuthor: J.K. Rowling
Country: United Kingdom
Publication Date: 2005
Estimated Sales: 65 million copies
This penultimate book sets the stage for the final confrontation, providing crucial background information on Voldemort and building suspense for the series' climax.
**16. Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix**
See it at AmazonAuthor: J.K. Rowling
Country: United Kingdom
Publication Date: 2003
Estimated Sales: 65 million copies
The longest book in the series, it expands the wizarding world and Harry's circle of friends, laying the groundwork for the later books' conflicts.
**15. Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire**
See it at AmazonAuthor: J.K. Rowling
Country: United Kingdom
Publication Date: 2000
Estimated Sales: 65 million copies
Often considered the strongest in the series, Goblet of Fire introduces the Triwizard Tournament, marking a significant shift in tone and raising the stakes for future installments.
**14. Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban**
See it at AmazonAuthor: J.K. Rowling
Country: United Kingdom
Publication Date: 1999
Estimated Sales: 65 million copies
This installment marks a noticeable increase in narrative maturity, introducing new challenges and mysteries surrounding Harry's parents' deaths.
**13. The Alchemist (O Alquimista)**
See it at AmazonAuthor: Paulo Coelho
Country: Brazil
Publication Date: 1988
Estimated Sales: 65 million copies
This novel follows a Spanish shepherd's journey to Egypt in search of treasure. Initially unsuccessful, the book's eventual success is a testament to Coelho's perseverance. Original language: Portuguese.
**12. Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets**
See it at AmazonAuthor: J.K. Rowling
Country: United Kingdom
Publication Date: 1998
Estimated Sales: 77 million copies
While arguably the weakest in the series, Chamber of Secrets expands the wizarding world beyond Hogwarts, introducing new elements and characters.
**11. The Da Vinci Code**
See it at AmazonAuthor: Dan Brown
Country: United States
Publication Date: 2003
Estimated Sales: 80 million copies
This controversial thriller, despite critical panning, became a cultural phenomenon due to its captivating plot, twists, and provocative claims about Jesus and the Catholic Church.
**10. Vardi Wala Gunda**
See it at AmazonAuthor: Ved Prakash Sharma
Country: India
Publication Date: 1992
Estimated Sales: 80 million copies
Written in Hindi, this mystery thriller explores themes of corruption and assassination conspiracies. It is the most successful work of prolific author Ved Prakash Sharma.
**9. She: A History of Adventure**
See it at AmazonAuthor: H. Rider Haggard
Country: United Kingdom
Publication Date: 1886
Estimated Sales: 83 million copies
This adventure novel, about explorers discovering a lost kingdom in Africa, is a landmark work in the fantasy genre, influencing numerous subsequent stories featuring lost civilizations and mystical settings.
**8. The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe**
See it at AmazonAuthor: C.S. Lewis
Country: United Kingdom
Publication Date: 1950
Estimated Sales: 85 million copies
This classic children's fantasy follows four siblings who discover the magical world of Narnia, ruled by the evil White Witch and defended by the majestic lion Aslan. The book is the first in The Chronicles of Narnia series.
**7. The Hobbit**
See it at AmazonAuthor: J.R.R. Tolkien
Country: United Kingdom
Publication Date: 1937
Estimated Sales: 100 million copies
This precursor to The Lord of the Rings tells the story of Bilbo Baggins's adventure with a wizard and thirteen dwarves. Originally a standalone work, it was later integrated into Tolkien's larger Middle-earth mythology.
**6. Dream of the Red Chamber**
See it at AmazonAuthor: Cao Xueqin
Country: China
Publication Date: 1791
Estimated Sales: 100 million copies
This classic Chinese novel, written during the Qing Dynasty, depicts the rise and fall of a noble family, known for its complex portrayal of female characters.
**5. And Then There Were None**
See it at AmazonAuthor: Agatha Christie
Country: United Kingdom
Publication Date: 1939
Estimated Sales: 100 million copies
Considered by Christie herself as one of her best works, this murder mystery traps ten individuals on an island, where they are systematically killed off according to a nursery rhyme.
**4. Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone**
See it at AmazonAuthor: J.K. Rowling
Country: United Kingdom
Publication Date: 1997
Estimated Sales: 120 million copies
The first book in the series, introducing the magical world of Harry Potter and capturing the wonder and excitement of entering this new realm.
**3. The Little Prince (Le Petit Prince)**
See it at AmazonAuthor: Antoine de Saint-Exupéry
Country: France
Publication Date: 1943
Estimated Sales: 140 million copies
This whimsical tale, open to various interpretations, explores themes of childhood, adulthood, and the limitations of conformity, told through the journey of a young prince across planets.
**2. A Tale of Two Cities**
See it at AmazonAuthor: Charles Dickens
Country: United Kingdom
Publication Date: 1859
Estimated Sales: 200 million copies
Dickens' famous novel, set during the French Revolution, explores themes of class struggle, poverty, and the excesses of the wealthy.
**1. Don Quixote**
See it at AmazonAuthor: Miguel de Cervantes
Country: Spain
Publication Date: 1605 (Part One), 1615 (Part Two)
Estimated Sales: 500 million copies
This epic tragicomedy follows the adventures of a delusional knight, Don Quixote, and his squire, whose misadventures and encounters with reality have become iconic in literature.
**Best Selling Books in 2024**
Determining best-sellers for a given year is more straightforward. Amazon's best-selling books list for 2024 provides a good indication, encompassing a significant portion of online book sales. Note that this list isn't exhaustive but represents a substantial segment of the market.
Top 10 Books of 2024 (according to Amazon):
- The Women - Kristin Hannah
- Onyx Storm - Rebecca Yarros
- Atomic Habits - James Clear
- Hillbilly Elegy - J.D. Vance
- The Housemaid - Freida McFadden
- Mom, I want to Hear Your Story - Jeffrey Mason
- Dad, I want to Hear Your Story - Jeffrey Mason
- The Anxious Generation - Jonathan Haidt
- It Ends With Us - Colleen Hoover
- Good Energy - Casey Means M.D.
Looking for more reading suggestions? Check out our guides to the *Game of Thrones* books or our favorite horror novels.
