The 25 Best-Selling Books Of All Time

Compiling a definitive 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, coupled with historical inaccuracies in record-keeping and publisher-inflated sales figures, make precise quantification impossible. Therefore, this list presents estimates based on several self-imposed criteria.

This list focuses exclusively on literary fiction, excluding religious texts, self-help books, political works, and other non-fiction. Notable omissions include *The Lord of the Rings* (due to its complex serialization) and *The Count of Monte Cristo* (due to the difficulty in sourcing reliable sales data for such an old title).

Did your favorite book make the cut? Does the sales success align with your perception of its 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**

**Author:** 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 navigates life 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**

**Author:** Johanna Spyri

**Country:** Switzerland

**Publication Date:** 1880-1881

**Estimated Sales:** 50 million copies

This children's novel centers on Heidi, an orphan raised by her grandfather in the Swiss Alps. Her connection with Klara, a wealthy girl from Frankfurt confined to a wheelchair, forms the heart of the story, highlighting their mutual growth and support.

**23. Lolita**

**Author:** 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 achieved iconic status, inspiring adaptations for the stage, opera, and film (including a version directed by Stanley Kubrick).

**22. One Hundred Years of Solitude (Cien años de soledad)**

**Author:** Gabriel García Márquez

**Country:** Colombia

**Publication Date:** 1967

**Estimated Sales:** 50 million copies

Márquez's masterpiece, a sprawling saga of the Buendía family and the fictional town of Macondo, is a rich tapestry of magical realism, tracing seven generations through cycles of prosperity and hardship.

**21. Ben-Hur: A Tale of the Christ**

**Author:** Lew Wallace

**Country:** United States

**Publication Date:** 1880

**Estimated Sales:** 50 million copies

This novel follows Judah Ben-Hur's life alongside that of Jesus, culminating in his witnessing of the Crucifixion. The book's enduring popularity is largely attributed to its famous film adaptation starring Charlton Heston.

**20. The Bridges of Madison County**

**Author:** 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. Its cinematic adaptation starring Clint Eastwood and Meryl Streep further cemented its place in popular culture.

**19. The Catcher in the Rye**

**Author:** J.D. Salinger

**Country:** United States

**Publication Date:** 1951

**Estimated Sales:** 65 million copies

Salinger's sole novel, a coming-of-age story featuring the cynical Holden Caulfield, has become a literary touchstone, solidifying his place in American literature.

**18. Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows**

**Author:** J.K. Rowling

**Country:** United Kingdom

**Publication Date:** 2007

**Estimated Sales:** 65 million copies

The climactic finale of the Harry Potter series sees Harry, Ron, and Hermione on a perilous quest to defeat Lord Voldemort.

**17. Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince**

**Author:** J.K. Rowling

**Country:** United Kingdom

**Publication Date:** 2005

**Estimated Sales:** 65 million copies

This installment lays the groundwork for the final battle, providing crucial information about Voldemort and setting the stage for the ultimate confrontation.

**16. Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix**

**Author:** J.K. Rowling

**Country:** United Kingdom

**Publication Date:** 2003

**Estimated Sales:** 65 million copies

The longest book in the series, it expands the world of Harry Potter and introduces several key characters.

**15. Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire**

**Author:** J.K. Rowling

**Country:** United Kingdom

**Publication Date:** 2000

**Estimated Sales:** 65 million copies

This book introduces the Triwizard Tournament, marking a significant shift in tone and escalating the stakes of the series.

**14. Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban**

**Author:** J.K. Rowling

**Country:** United Kingdom

**Publication Date:** 1999

**Estimated Sales:** 65 million copies

This installment showcases a significant leap in narrative maturity and introduces a compelling new antagonist.

**13. The Alchemist (O Alquimista)**

**Author:** 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, demonstrating the power of perseverance and self-belief.

**12. Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets**

**Author:** J.K. Rowling

**Country:** United Kingdom

**Publication Date:** 1998

**Estimated Sales:** 77 million copies

This book expands the wizarding world beyond Hogwarts, introducing new elements and characters.

**11. The Da Vinci Code**

**Author:** Dan Brown

**Country:** United States

**Publication Date:** 2003

**Estimated Sales:** 80 million copies

This controversial thriller sparked widespread debate with its provocative claims about Jesus and the Catholic Church.

**10. Vardi Wala Gunda**

**Author:** Ved Prakash Sharma

**Country:** India

**Publication Date:** 1992

**Estimated Sales:** 80 million copies

This Hindi-language mystery thriller explores themes of corruption and conspiracy.

**9. She: A History of Adventure**

**Author:** H. Rider Haggard

**Country:** United Kingdom

**Publication Date:** 1886

**Estimated Sales:** 83 million copies

This influential fantasy novel about explorers discovering a lost kingdom in Africa has significantly impacted subsequent works in the genre.

**8. The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe**

**Author:** C.S. Lewis

**Country:** United Kingdom

**Publication Date:** 1950

**Estimated Sales:** 85 million copies

This classic children's fantasy novel about four siblings who discover the magical world of Narnia has become a cornerstone of children's literature.

**7. The Hobbit**

**Author:** J.R.R. Tolkien

**Country:** United Kingdom

**Publication Date:** 1937

**Estimated Sales:** 100 million copies

This prequel to *The Lord of the Rings* introduced Bilbo Baggins and his adventures with dwarves and a wizard.

**6. Dream of the Red Chamber**

**Author:** Cao Xueqin

**Country:** China

**Publication Date:** 1791

**Estimated Sales:** 100 million copies

This classic Chinese novel depicts the rise and fall of a noble family.

**5. And Then There Were None**

**Author:** Agatha Christie

**Country:** United Kingdom

**Publication Date:** 1939

**Estimated Sales:** 100 million copies

This murder mystery traps ten people on an island, where they are systematically killed off.

**4. Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone**

**Author:** J.K. Rowling

**Country:** United Kingdom

**Publication Date:** 1997

**Estimated Sales:** 120 million copies

The first book in the Harry Potter series introduced the boy wizard to the world.

**3. The Little Prince (Le Petit Prince)**

**Author:** Antoine de Saint-Exupéry

**Country:** France

**Publication Date:** 1943

**Estimated Sales:** 140 million copies

This whimsical tale explores themes of childhood, adulthood, and the human condition.

**2. A Tale of Two Cities**

**Author:** Charles Dickens

**Country:** United Kingdom

**Publication Date:** 1859

**Estimated Sales:** 200 million copies

Dickens' classic novel is set during the French Revolution and explores themes of class and social upheaval.

**1. Don Quixote**

**Author:** Miguel de Cervantes

**Country:** Spain

**Publication Date:** 1605 (Part One), 1615 (Part Two)

**Estimated Sales:** 500 million copies

This epic tragicomedy about a delusional knight-errant remains one of the most influential works of literature ever written.

**Best Selling Books in 2024**

Determining 2024's bestsellers is simpler, relying on data like Amazon's best-selling list. While not exhaustive, it reflects a significant portion of online sales. Here are Amazon's top 10 of 2024: