The 25 Best-Selling Books Of All Time

This article compiles a list of the 25 best-selling literary fiction books of all time, acknowledging the inherent difficulties in definitively ranking books due to varying editions, translations, and historical record-keeping inconsistencies. Certain titles, like The Lord of the Rings and The Count of Monte Cristo, are excluded due to complexities in sales quantification and sourcing reliable historical data.

The list focuses solely on literary fiction, excluding religious texts, self-help books, and political works. Sales figures are estimates, and the quality versus quantity debate is left open for reader discussion. The list is followed by a brief overview of Amazon's best-selling books of 2024.

25. Anne of Green Gables

Author: L.M. Montgomery

Country: Canada

Publication Date: 1908

Estimated Sales: 50 million copies

This beloved children's classic follows the adventures of an orphaned girl in Avonlea, Prince Edward Island. Its enduring appeal led to numerous sequels. [Available on Amazon](Link to Amazon)

24. Heidi

Author: Johanna Spyri

Country: Switzerland

Publication Date: 1880-1881

Estimated Sales: 50 million copies

This children's story centers on an orphan girl raised in the Swiss Alps and her friendship with a wealthy, disabled girl. [Available on Amazon](Link to Amazon)

23. Lolita

Author: Vladimir Nabokov

Country: United States

Publication Date: 1955

Estimated Sales: 50 million copies

Nabokov's controversial novel explores the complex and disturbing relationship between a professor and a young girl. It has been adapted into various media formats. [Available on Amazon](Link to 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

This epic novel, infused with magical realism, chronicles the multi-generational saga of the Buendía family in the fictional town of Macondo. [Available on Amazon](Link to Amazon)

21. Ben-Hur: A Tale of the Christ

Author: Lew Wallace

Country: United States

Publication Date: 1880

Estimated Sales: 50 million copies

This historical novel follows Judah Ben-Hur's life during the time of Jesus Christ. Famous for its cinematic adaptation. [Available on Amazon](Link to Amazon)

20. The Bridges of Madison County

Author: Robert James Waller

Country: United States

Publication Date: 1992

Estimated Sales: 60 million copies

A romance novel depicting a passionate affair between a war bride and a traveling photographer. Adapted into a successful film and Broadway musical. [Available on Amazon](Link to 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 features the iconic and controversial character Holden Caulfield. [Available on Amazon](Link to Amazon)

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. [Available on Amazon](Link to Amazon)

17. Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince

Author: J.K. Rowling

Country: United Kingdom

Publication Date: 2005

Estimated Sales: 65 million copies

The penultimate book in the Harry Potter series, setting the stage for the final confrontation. [Available on Amazon](Link to 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 fifth installment in the Harry Potter series, expanding the wizarding world and character arcs. [Available on Amazon](Link to 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 considered one of the strongest books in the series, introducing the Triwizard Tournament. [Available on Amazon](Link to 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 step up in maturity and plot complexity for the series. [Available on Amazon](Link to Amazon)

13. The Alchemist (O Alquimista)

Author: Paulo Coelho

Country: Brazil

Publication Date: 1988

Estimated Sales: 65 million copies

A tale of a shepherd's journey to Egypt in search of treasure. Originally written in Portuguese. [Available on Amazon](Link to Amazon)

12. Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets

Author: J.K. Rowling

Country: United Kingdom

Publication Date: 1998

Estimated Sales: 77 million copies

The second book in the Harry Potter series, expanding the world beyond Hogwarts. [Available on Amazon](Link to Amazon)

11. The Da Vinci Code

Author: Dan Brown

Country: United States

Publication Date: 2003

Estimated Sales: 80 million copies

A controversial and commercially successful thriller involving religious conspiracies. [Available on Amazon](Link to Amazon)

10. Vardi Wala Gunda

Author: Ved Prakash Sharma

Country: India

Publication Date: 1992

Estimated Sales: 80 million copies

A Hindi-language mystery thriller about corrupt police officers. [Available on Amazon](Link to Amazon)

9. She: A History of Adventure

Author: H. Rider Haggard

Country: United Kingdom

Publication Date: 1886

Estimated Sales: 83 million copies

A pioneering work of fantasy literature involving explorers and a lost kingdom in Africa. [Available on Amazon](Link to 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 classic of children's literature introducing the world of Narnia. The first book in The Chronicles of Narnia series. [Available on Amazon](Link to Amazon)

7. The Hobbit

Author: J.R.R. Tolkien

Country: United Kingdom

Publication Date: 1937

Estimated Sales: 100 million copies

A prequel to The Lord of the Rings, introducing Bilbo Baggins and his adventures. [Available on Amazon](Link to Amazon)

6. Dream of the Red Chamber

Author: Cao Xueqin

Country: China

Publication Date: 1791

Estimated Sales: 100 million copies

A renowned classic of Chinese literature depicting the rise and fall of a noble family. [Available on Amazon](Link to Amazon)

5. And Then There Were None

Author: Agatha Christie

Country: United Kingdom

Publication Date: 1939

Estimated Sales: 100 million copies

A thrilling murder mystery set on a remote island. [Available on Amazon](Link to 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 beginning of the Harry Potter phenomenon. [Available on Amazon](Link to Amazon)

3. The Little Prince (Le Petit Prince)

Author: Antoine de Saint-Exupéry

Country: France

Publication Date: 1943

Estimated Sales: 140 million copies

A poetic and allegorical tale of a young prince's journey. Originally written in French. [Available on Amazon](Link to Amazon)

2. A Tale of Two Cities

Author: Charles Dickens

Country: United Kingdom

Publication Date: 1859

Estimated Sales: 200 million copies

A historical novel set during the French Revolution. [Available on Amazon](Link to Amazon)

1. Don Quixote

Author: Miguel de Cervantes

Country: Spain

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

Estimated Sales: 500 million copies

A classic of Spanish literature, a tragicomedy about a delusional knight. [Available on Amazon](Link to Amazon)

Best-Selling Books of 2024 (Amazon)

Amazon's best-selling books of 2024 provide a snapshot of current popular titles, including a mix of genres. The list is not exhaustive but represents a significant portion of online book sales. The top 10 titles (according to Amazon) are listed at the end of the original text.