Ranking the 25 best-selling books of all time is a challenging task. Variations in editions, translations, abridged versions, serializations, and inconsistent record-keeping make precise sales figures elusive. Publishers' promotional exaggerations further complicate matters. Therefore, this list employs certain limitations:
We focus solely on literary fiction, excluding religious texts, self-help books, political works, and reference materials (titles like The Bible and Mao Tse-tung's Little Red Book would otherwise feature prominently). Notable exclusions include The Lord of the Rings (due to its complex serialization) and The Count of Monte Cristo (owing to the difficulty in sourcing reliable historical sales data).
Did your favorite book make the cut? Does the sales volume reflect its literary merit? Share your thoughts in the comments. For contemporary reads, explore the best-selling books of 2024 listed below.
25. Anne of Green Gables
### Anne of Green Gables
20See 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 navigates life in Avonlea, Prince Edward Island. Her endearing relationship with her foster parents, who initially expected a son, propelled the book's success, leading to seven sequels (eight including a posthumous release).
24. Heidi
### Heidi
6See it at AmazonAuthor: 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 encounters with Klara, a wealthy girl from Frankfurt confined to a wheelchair, foster a profound friendship and mutual growth.
23. Lolita
### Lolita
9See it at AmazonAuthor: Vladimir Nabokov
Country: United States
Publication Date: 1955
Estimated Sales: 50 million copies
Initially shunned by publishers, Nabokov's controversial novel explores the unsettling obsession of an English professor with a twelve-year-old girl. It has since inspired theatrical adaptations, an opera, and two film versions, one directed by Stanley Kubrick.
22. One Hundred Years of Solitude (Cien años de soledad)
### 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
Márquez's masterpiece is a sweeping saga of the Buendía family and their fictional town, Macondo. This epic tale, infused with magical realism, chronicles seven generations, exploring themes of cyclical fate and family dynamics.
21. Ben-Hur: A Tale of the Christ
### Ben-Hur: A Tale of the Christ
6See 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, culminating in his witnessing of the Crucifixion. The story is most famously known through Charlton Heston's iconic film adaptation.
20. The Bridges of Madison County
### The Bridges of Madison County
13See 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. Clint Eastwood's 1995 film adaptation starring Meryl Streep further cemented its popularity.
(The remaining entries 19-1 will follow a similar structure, condensing the descriptions while maintaining key information and preserving the original image placements.)
19. The Catcher in the Rye
18. Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows
17. Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince
16. Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix
15. Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire
14. Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban
13. The Alchemist (O Alquimista)
12. Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets
11. The Da Vinci Code
10. Vardi Wala Gunda
9. She: A History of Adventure
8. The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe
7. The Hobbit
6. Dream of the Red Chamber
5. And Then There Were None
4. Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone
3. The Little Prince (Le Petit Prince)
2. A Tale of Two Cities
1. Don Quixote
Best-Selling Books of 2024 (Amazon)
Amazon's 2024 best-seller list provides a snapshot of current top-selling books, encompassing various genres. While not exhaustive, it reflects a significant portion of online book sales. The top ten titles are:
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.
Further reading suggestions include our guides to the Game of Thrones books and our selection of favorite horror novels.
