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 inconsistent record-keeping make precise sales figures nearly impossible to obtain. Publishers' promotional exaggerations further complicate the task. There are simply too many variables to create an irrefutable ranking. Therefore, this list employs some self-imposed limitations:

We focus exclusively on literary fiction. This excludes religious texts, self-help books, political treatises, and other non-fiction works (titles like *The Bible* and *Mao Tse-tung's Little Red Book* would otherwise likely feature). Notable exclusions also include *The Lord of the Rings* (due to its complex serialization history) and *The Count of Monte Cristo* (owing to the difficulty in sourcing reliable sales data for such an old title).

Did your favorite cozy read make the cut? Do you think sales figures accurately reflect literary merit? Share your thoughts in the comments! Also, check out our list of 2024's bestsellers below for some recent releases to explore on your e-reader.

**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 relationship with her adoptive parents, who initially expected a boy, propelled the book to success, leading to seven sequels and an eighth posthumously published in 2009. Buy here.

**24. Heidi**

**Author:** Johanna Spyri

**Country:** Switzerland

**Publication Date:** 1880-1881

**Estimated Sales:** 50 million copies

This children's novel tells the heartwarming tale of Heidi, an orphan raised by her grandfather in the Swiss Alps. Her friendship with Klara, a wealthy girl from Frankfurt confined to a wheelchair, forms the core of a story about growth, companionship, and overcoming adversity. See it at Amazon

**23. Lolita**

**Author:** Vladimir Nabokov

**Country:** United States

**Publication Date:** 1955

**Estimated Sales:** 50 million copies

Initially met with hesitation from publishers due to its controversial subject matter, Nabokov's renowned novel explores the disturbing relationship between an English professor and a twelve-year-old girl. It has since been adapted into a play, an opera, and two films, the first directed by Stanley Kubrick and scripted by Nabokov himself. See it at Amazon

**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 sweeping saga of magical realism, chronicles the multi-generational Buendía family and their fictional town of Macondo. The epic narrative explores themes of cyclical history and karmic consequences. See it at Amazon

**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 during the time of Jesus, culminating in his witnessing of the Crucifixion. Most famously adapted into a film starring Charlton Heston, renowned for its spectacular chariot race. See it at Amazon

**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. Adapted into a film starring Clint Eastwood and Meryl Streep, and a Broadway musical nominated for four Tony Awards. See it at Amazon

**19. The Catcher in the Rye**

**Author:** J.D. Salinger

**Country:** United States

**Publication Date:** 1951

**Estimated Sales:** 65 million copies

Salinger's only novel, a seminal coming-of-age story, introduced the iconic and controversial character Holden Caulfield. His posthumous literary estate may soon release previously unpublished works. See it at Amazon

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

**Author:** 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. Its release was accompanied by a massive anti-spoiler campaign. Adapted into two films. See it at Amazon

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

**Author:** J.K. Rowling

**Country:** United Kingdom

**Publication Date:** 2005

**Estimated Sales:** 65 million copies

This book serves as the setup for *Deathly Hallows*, providing crucial backstory and building tension for the final confrontation with Voldemort. See it at Amazon

**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, initially considered the weakest by some, it expands the world and characters, setting the stage for the later books. See it at Amazon

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

**Author:** J.K. Rowling

**Country:** United Kingdom

**Publication Date:** 2000

**Estimated Sales:** 65 million copies

Often cited as the strongest Potter novel, introducing the Triwizard Tournament and marking a significant shift in tone and stakes. See it at Amazon

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

**Author:** J.K. Rowling

**Country:** United Kingdom

**Publication Date:** 1999

**Estimated Sales:** 65 million copies

A significant leap in maturity of prose, introducing new challenges and deepening the mystery surrounding Harry's parents. See it at Amazon

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

**Author:** Paulo Coelho

**Country:** Brazil

**Publication Date:** 1988

**Estimated Sales:** 65 million copies

This novel about a shepherd's journey to Egypt in search of treasure initially underperformed but later achieved phenomenal success. Original language: Portuguese. See it at Amazon

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

**Author:** J.K. Rowling

**Country:** United Kingdom

**Publication Date:** 1998

**Estimated Sales:** 77 million copies

While often considered the weakest in the series, it expands the wizarding world and introduces key elements. See it at Amazon

**11. The Da Vinci Code**

**Author:** Dan Brown

**Country:** United States

**Publication Date:** 2003

**Estimated Sales:** 80 million copies

A pop culture phenomenon despite critical panning, this novel features controversial claims about Jesus and the Catholic Church. See it at Amazon

**10. Vardi Wala Gunda**

**Author:** Ved Prakash Sharma

**Country:** India

**Publication Date:** 1992

**Estimated Sales:** 80 million copies

Written in Hindi, this mystery thriller focuses on corrupt police officers and assassination plots. See it at Amazon

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

**Author:** H. Rider Haggard

**Country:** United Kingdom

**Publication Date:** 1886

**Estimated Sales:** 83 million copies

A pivotal work of fantasy literature, detailing explorers' discovery of a lost kingdom in Africa. Influential on subsequent works featuring lost civilizations and mystical settings. See it at Amazon

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

**Author:** C.S. Lewis

**Country:** United Kingdom

**Publication Date:** 1950

**Estimated Sales:** 85 million copies

A benchmark of children's literature, this story of four children transported to the magical land of Narnia launched a series of seven books, *The Chronicles of Narnia*. See it at Amazon

**7. The Hobbit**

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

**Country:** United Kingdom

**Publication Date:** 1937

**Estimated Sales:** 100 million copies

Precursor to *The Lord of the Rings*, this children's book follows Bilbo Baggins' adventure with dwarves and a wizard. Later incorporated into the broader Middle-earth mythology. *See our guide to The Lord of the Rings timeline*. See it at Amazon

**6. Dream of the Red Chamber**

**Author:** Cao Xueqin

**Country:** China

**Publication Date:** 1791

**Estimated Sales:** 100 million copies

A classic of Chinese literature from the Qing Dynasty, depicting the rise and fall of a noble family and noted for its portrayal of female characters. See it at Amazon

**5. And Then There Were None**

**Author:** Agatha Christie

**Country:** United Kingdom

**Publication Date:** 1939

**Estimated Sales:** 100 million copies

Considered by Christie to be one of her best works, this murder mystery traps ten individuals on an island, where they die one by one according to a nursery rhyme. See it at Amazon

**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 series, capturing the wonder and magic of the wizarding world. See it at Amazon

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

**Author:** Antoine de Saint-Exupéry

**Country:** France

**Publication Date:** 1943

**Estimated Sales:** 140 million copies

A whimsical and poignant tale exploring themes of childhood, adulthood, and conformity. Open to various interpretations, including allegorical readings. See it at Amazon

**2. A Tale of Two Cities**

**Author:** Charles Dickens

**Country:** United Kingdom

**Publication Date:** 1859

**Estimated Sales:** 200 million copies

Dickens' renowned historical fiction novel set during the French Revolution, exploring themes of class, poverty, and wealth. See it at Amazon

**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 follows the adventures of a delusional knight, whose misadventures have become iconic. See it at Amazon

**Best Selling Books in 2024**

Determining 2024's bestsellers is simpler than compiling an all-time list. Amazon's bestsellers list provides a strong indication, reflecting a significant portion of online sales. Note that this doesn't encompass all sales, but it's a valuable metric:

• 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 books?

See our guide to the *Game of Thrones* books in order or check out our favorite horror books.