Compiling a definitive list of the 25 best-selling books of all time is surprisingly challenging. Factors like varying editions, translations, abridgments, serializations, and even bulk distribution complicate accurate sales tracking. Inaccurate record-keeping and promotional exaggeration further muddy the waters, making an indisputable ranking impossible. Therefore, this list presents our curated selection, adhering to specific criteria:

We focus exclusively on literary fiction, excluding religious texts, self-help, political works, and reference materials. This means notable titles like *The Bible* and *Mao Tse-tung's Little Red Book* are omitted, as are others like *The Lord of the Rings* (due to complex serialization) and *The Count of Monte Cristo* (due to unreliable historical sales data).

Did your favorite cozy read make the cut? Do you think sales figures accurately reflect literary merit? Share your thoughts in the comments! Also, explore 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, spawning 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 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, enriches both their lives.

**23. Lolita**

**Author:** Vladimir Nabokov

**Country:** United States

**Publication Date:** 1955

**Estimated Sales:** 50 million copies

Initially met with hesitation from publishers, Nabokov's controversial novel about an obsessive professor and a young girl has since been adapted into plays, operas, and films, including a notable adaptation 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 captivating blend of magical realism and epic storytelling, spanning seven generations.

**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 Christ, culminating in a memorable cinematic adaptation starring Charlton Heston, famous for its iconic chariot race.

**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 successful film starring Clint Eastwood and Meryl Streep and a Tony Award-winning Broadway musical.

**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 coming-of-age story featuring the iconic and controversial Holden Caulfield, continues to resonate with readers.

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

**Author:** J.K. Rowling

**Country:** United Kingdom

**Publication Date:** 2007

**Estimated Sales:** 65 million copies

The climactic conclusion to the Harry Potter series finds 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 provides crucial backstory and sets the stage for the final confrontation with Voldemort.

**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 and characters, despite initial mixed reception.

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

**Author:** J.K. Rowling

**Country:** United Kingdom

**Publication Date:** 2000

**Estimated Sales:** 65 million copies

Often considered the strongest in the series, it introduces the Triwizard Tournament and marks a significant shift in tone and stakes.

**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, this book introduced new challenges and deepened the mystery surrounding Harry's parents.

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

**Author:** Paulo Coelho

**Country:** Brazil

**Publication Date:** 1988

**Estimated Sales:** 65 million copies

This allegorical novel about a shepherd's journey to Egypt has achieved remarkable success after an initial less-than-successful launch.

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

**Author:** J.K. Rowling

**Country:** United Kingdom

**Publication Date:** 1998

**Estimated Sales:** 77 million copies

While perhaps the weakest in the series, it expands the wizarding world beyond Hogwarts.

**11. The Da Vinci Code**

**Author:** Dan Brown

**Country:** United States

**Publication Date:** 2003

**Estimated Sales:** 80 million copies

This controversial thriller sparked significant public interest despite critical mixed reviews.

**10. Vardi Wala Gunda**

**Author:** Ved Prakash Sharma

**Country:** India

**Publication Date:** 1992

**Estimated Sales:** 80 million copies

This Hindi-language mystery thriller is the most successful work of prolific author Ved Prakash Sharma.

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

**Author:** H. Rider Haggard

**Country:** United Kingdom

**Publication Date:** 1886

**Estimated Sales:** 83 million copies

A foundational work of fantasy literature, influencing numerous adventure stories and franchises.

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

**Author:** C.S. Lewis

**Country:** United Kingdom

**Publication Date:** 1950

**Estimated Sales:** 85 million copies

A cornerstone of children's literature, this fantasy classic launched *The Chronicles of Narnia* series.

**7. The Hobbit**

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

**Country:** United Kingdom

**Publication Date:** 1937

**Estimated Sales:** 100 million copies

This children's fantasy adventure paved the way for *The Lord of the Rings* and remains a beloved classic.

**6. Dream of the Red Chamber**

**Author:** Cao Xueqin

**Country:** China

**Publication Date:** 1791

**Estimated Sales:** 100 million copies

A celebrated classic of Chinese literature, known for its portrayal of a noble family's rise and fall.

**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 suspenseful mystery keeps readers guessing until the very end.

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

**Author:** J.K. Rowling

**Country:** United Kingdom

**Publication Date:** 1997

**Estimated Sales:** 120 million copies

The magical beginning of the Harry Potter saga, capturing the wonder and excitement of the wizarding world.

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

**Author:** Antoine de Saint-Exupéry

**Country:** France

**Publication Date:** 1943

**Estimated Sales:** 140 million copies

A timeless tale of childhood, loss, and the complexities of adult life, open to multiple interpretations.

**2. A Tale of Two Cities**

**Author:** Charles Dickens

**Country:** United Kingdom

**Publication Date:** 1859

**Estimated Sales:** 200 million copies

Dickens' masterpiece, set during the French Revolution, explores themes of class, poverty, and revolution.

**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 remains a cornerstone of world literature.

**Best Selling Books in 2024**

Determining the best-selling books of the current year is comparatively simpler. Amazon's best-selling list provides a strong indicator, though it doesn't encompass all sales. Based on Amazon's 2024 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

For more reading suggestions, explore our guides to the *Game of Thrones* books and our favorite horror novels.