Creating a roundup of the 25 best-selling books of all time is a challenging task. The complexity arises from the various editions and translations of books, especially those published centuries ago. Some books have been abridged or expanded into definitive editions, while others were initially serialized and later compiled into larger volumes. Additionally, some books were purchased in bulk and distributed for free, further complicating sales figures.

The challenge is compounded by inaccurate record-keeping and publishers who may exaggerate sales for promotional purposes. These factors make it impossible to determine exact sales counts with the precision needed for an indisputable list. With so many variables and unknown factors, crafting a definitive list becomes a daunting task. However, we've managed to compile a list with some self-imposed rules to guide our selections.

Our focus is solely on literary fiction, excluding religious texts, self-help guides, political tools, and other reference texts. This means classics like the Bible and Mao Tse Tung's Little Red Book, which would typically rank in the top 25, are not included. Additionally, we've left out some key books like The Lord of the Rings and The Count of Monte Cristo due to their serialization and age, respectively, which make their sales figures difficult to quantify and verify.

Did your favorite book, the one you enjoy reading under a cozy book light, make our list? How well do you think the quality of these books matches up with their sales figures? Share your thoughts in the comments. And don't forget to check out the best-selling books of 2024 below for the latest picks to explore on your reading tablet.

25. Anne of Green Gables

Anne of Green Gables

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Author: L.M. Montgomery

Country: Canada

Publication Date: 1908

Estimated Sales: 50 million copies

The story of Anne Shirley, a spirited orphan girl who comes to live in Avonlea, Prince Edward Island, Canada, has become a beloved classic in children's literature. The heartwarming relationship between Anne and her foster parents, who initially expected a boy but grew to adore her, propelled the book to immense success. This success led L.M. Montgomery to write seven sequels, with an eighth released posthumously in 2009. Buy here.

24. Heidi

Heidi

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Author: Johanna Spyri

Country: Switzerland

Publication Date: 1880-1881

Estimated Sales: 50 million copies

Heidi is a timeless children's novel about a young girl orphaned at a tender age and raised by her grandfather in the Swiss Alps. Through her friendship with Klara, a wealthy girl from Frankfurt who has lost the ability to walk, Heidi gains a broader perspective on the world. Their bond and mutual support drive the narrative, making it a cherished tale of friendship and growth.

23. Lolita

Lolita

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Author: Vladimir Nabokov

Country: United States

Publication Date: 1955

Estimated Sales: 50 million copies

Initially met with reluctance by publishers due to its controversial subject matter, Lolita is Nabokov's most famous work. It follows an English professor's disturbing obsession with a 12-year-old girl. Despite its contentious themes, the novel has been adapted into a play, an opera, and two films, with the first directed by Stanley Kubrick and scripted by Nabokov himself.

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

One Hundred Years of Solitude (Cien años de soledad)

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Author: Gabriel García Márquez

Country: Colombia

Publication Date: 1967

Estimated Sales: 50 million copies

Gabriel García Márquez's masterpiece, One Hundred Years of Solitude, is a dark and dramatic novel steeped in magical realism. It chronicles the Buendía family's saga over seven generations as they found and inhabit the fictional town of Macondo. The narrative weaves through cycles of prosperity and suffering, offering a profound exploration of time and fate.

21. Ben-Hur: A Tale of the Christ

Ben-Hur: A Tale of the Christ

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Author: Lew Wallace

Country: United States

Publication Date: 1880

Estimated Sales: 50 million copies

Ben-Hur: A Tale of the Christ follows the life of Judah Ben-Hur, a man who lives concurrently with Jesus, meets him, and witnesses his Crucifixion. While the novel itself is a compelling read, it is perhaps best known today through its iconic film adaptation starring Charlton Heston, particularly remembered for its thrilling chariot race scene.

20. The Bridges of Madison County

The Bridges of Madison County

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Author: Robert James Waller

Country: United States

Publication Date: 1992

Estimated Sales: 60 million copies

This romance novel tells the story of an Italian American war bride who embarks on a passionate affair with a traveling photographer while her family is away at the State Fair. Adapted into a film in 1995, starring Clint Eastwood and Meryl Streep, and later into a Broadway musical in 2014, The Bridges of Madison County has captured hearts across various mediums.

19. The Catcher in the Rye

The Catcher in the Rye

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Author: J.D. Salinger

Country: United States

Publication Date: 1951

Estimated Sales: 65 million copies

J.D. Salinger's only full-length novel, The Catcher in the Rye, is a quintessential coming-of-age story centered on Holden Caulfield, an expelled prep school student who despises all things "phony." Salinger, known for his reclusiveness, passed away in 2010, but there are hints that his unpublished works may soon be released.

18. Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows

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Author: J.K. Rowling

Country: United Kingdom

Publication Date: 2007

Estimated Sales: 65 million copies

The seventh and final installment in the Harry Potter series, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, follows Harry, Hermione, and Ron as they seek to defeat Lord Voldemort. The book's release was accompanied by an intense anti-spoiler campaign, and debates about Snape's true allegiance were rampant. The story was split into two films for the movie adaptation.

17. Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince

Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince

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Author: J.K. Rowling

Country: United Kingdom

Publication Date: 2005

Estimated Sales: 65 million copies

Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince serves as the exposition to the final book, setting the stage for the climactic events in Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows. In this sixth installment, Harry learns crucial information about Lord Voldemort, preparing him for the ultimate confrontation.

16. Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix

Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix

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Author: J.K. Rowling

Country: United Kingdom

Publication Date: 2003

Estimated Sales: 65 million copies

The longest book in the Harry Potter series, Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, initially faced criticism for its slow pacing and Harry's persistent anger. However, it has since been appreciated for its extensive world-building and the introduction of new characters like Luna, Ginny, and Neville, who enrich the narrative.

15. Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire

Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire

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Author: J.K. Rowling

Country: United Kingdom

Publication Date: 2000

Estimated Sales: 65 million copies

Considered by many to be the strongest novel in the series, Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire introduces the Triwizard Tournament, expanding the scope of the Wizarding World. It features one of the series' most memorable plot twists and marks a shift to darker themes, including death and high stakes.

14. Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban

Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban

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Author: J.K. Rowling

Country: United Kingdom

Publication Date: 1999

Estimated Sales: 65 million copies

Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban represents a significant leap in maturity for the series. It introduces new challenges for Harry, including the threat of an escaped wizard linked to his parents' past. This book is often cited as the turning point where readers became dedicated fans.

13. The Alchemist (O Alquimista)

The Alchemist (O Alquimista)

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Author: Paulo Coelho

Country: Brazil

Publication Date: 1988

Estimated Sales: 65 million copies

The Alchemist tells the story of a Spanish shepherd who journeys to Egypt in search of treasure. Initially a commercial failure, the novel gained recognition after Coelho regained the rights and continued his efforts to publish it. Today, it is celebrated as a testament to perseverance and fate. Original language: Portuguese.

12. Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets

Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets

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Author: J.K. Rowling

Country: United Kingdom

Publication Date: 1998

Estimated Sales: 77 million copies

Following the success of the first book, Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets expands the wizarding world beyond Hogwarts. While often considered the weakest in the series, it lays the groundwork for future stories and introduces important elements about the school's history and founders.

11. The Da Vinci Code

The Da Vinci Code

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Author: Dan Brown

Country: United States

Publication Date: 2003

Estimated Sales: 80 million copies

The Da Vinci Code became a cultural phenomenon with its fast-paced narrative, conspiracy theories, and controversial claims about Jesus' lineage and the Catholic Church. Despite mixed reviews from critics, the book resonated with readers, leading to its commercial success.

10. Vardi Wala Gunda

Vardi Wala Gunda

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Author: Ved Prakash Sharma

Country: India

Publication Date: 1992

Estimated Sales: 80 million copies

Written in Hindi, Vardi Wala Gunda is a gripping mystery thriller about corrupt police and assassination plots. Its author, Ved Prakash Sharma, has penned over 170 novels, but this one stands out as his most famous and successful work.

9. She: A History of Adventure

She: A History of Adventure

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Author: H. Rider Haggard

Country: United Kingdom

Publication Date: 1886

Estimated Sales: 83 million copies

She: A History of Adventure is a foundational work in the fantasy genre, chronicling the journey of two explorers to a lost kingdom in Africa. Its influence is evident in popular media, including the Indiana Jones and Tarzan franchises, which draw heavily from its themes of lost civilizations and mysticism.

8. The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe

The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe

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Author: C.S. Lewis

Country: United Kingdom

Publication Date: 1950

Estimated Sales: 85 million copies

In The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, four children discover the magical land of Narnia through a wardrobe. This enchanting tale of good versus evil, featuring the iconic lion Aslan and the White Witch, has become a cornerstone of children's literature and spawned six sequels collectively known as The Chronicles of Narnia.

7. The Hobbit

The Hobbit

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Author: J.R.R. Tolkien

Country: United Kingdom

Publication Date: 1937

Estimated Sales: 100 million copies

Before The Lord of the Rings, The Hobbit introduced readers to Bilbo Baggins and his adventure with a wizard and thirteen dwarves to reclaim their home from a dragon. Initially a standalone work, it was later integrated into Tolkien's expansive Middle-earth lore.

6. Dream of the Red Chamber

Dream of the Red Chamber

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Author: Cao Xueqin

Country: China

Publication Date: 1791

Estimated Sales: 100 million copies

Dream of the Red Chamber is considered one of China's greatest pre-modern novels. Set during the Qing Dynasty, it narrates the rise and fall of a noble family, renowned for its detailed portrayal of female characters and intricate storytelling.

5. And Then There Were None

And Then There Were None

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Author: Agatha Christie

Country: United Kingdom

Publication Date: 1939

Estimated Sales: 100 million copies

Agatha Christie's And Then There Were None is a masterfully crafted murder mystery that traps ten people on an island with a killer among them. As they die one by one according to a nursery rhyme, the survivors race against time to solve the mystery and save themselves.

4. Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone

Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone

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Author: J.K. Rowling

Country: United Kingdom

Publication Date: 1997

Estimated Sales: 120 million copies

The first book in the Harry Potter series, Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone, introduces readers to the magical world of Hogwarts and the boy who lived, Harry Potter. Its blend of wonder and adventure has captivated readers worldwide, setting the stage for a beloved series.

3. The Little Prince (Le Petit Prince)

The Little Prince

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Author: Antoine de Saint-Exupéry

Country: France

Publication Date: 1943

Estimated Sales: 140 million copies

The Little Prince is a poignant tale of a young prince's journey across planets, offering profound insights into the nature of childhood and adulthood. Its universal themes and whimsical charm have made it a beloved classic across generations.

2. A Tale of Two Cities

A Tale of Two Cities

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Author: Charles Dickens

Country: United Kingdom

Publication Date: 1859

Estimated Sales: 200 million copies

Charles Dickens' A Tale of Two Cities opens with the famous line, "It was the best of times, it was the worst of times..." Set during the French Revolution, this novel explores themes of class struggle, poverty, and wealth, making it one of Dickens' most enduring works.

1. Don Quixote

Don Quixote

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Author: Miguel de Cervantes

Country: Spain

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

Estimated Sales: 500 million copies

Don Quixote is a seminal work of literature, telling the story of a man who, inspired by tales of chivalry, sets out on a delusional quest to become a knight. His adventures, including the iconic battle with windmills, have cemented his place in literary history.

Best Selling Books in 2024

Identifying the best-selling books of 2024 is more straightforward than compiling an all-time list. By examining Amazon's best-selling books list for 2024, we can see which titles have resonated with readers this year. This list includes a mix of New York Times bestsellers and other new releases across genres. While Amazon's list does not capture all book sales, it represents a significant portion of online sales. Here are the top 10 books of 2024 according to Amazon's list:

• 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

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Explore our guide to the Game of Thrones books in order, or check out our favorite horror books to read right now.