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 matter. Therefore, this list represents our best estimate, adhering to specific criteria.

To create a manageable and somewhat comparable list, we've focused solely on literary fiction. This excludes religious texts, self-help books, political treatises, and other non-fiction works (which would otherwise dominate the top spots). Notable exclusions include *The Lord of the Rings* (due to its complex serialization) and *The Count of Monte Cristo* (due to the difficulty in sourcing reliable historical sales data).

Did your favorite cozy read make the cut? How would you rate the correlation between sales figures and literary merit? Share your thoughts in the comments below! Also, check out our list of 2024's bestsellers 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 finds a home in Avonlea, Prince Edward Island. Her bond with her unexpected foster parents propelled the book to success, leading to 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 centers on Heidi, an orphan raised by her grandfather in the Swiss Alps. Her friendship with Klara, a wealthy girl confined to a wheelchair, forms the heart of the story, showcasing their mutual growth and support.

**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 masterpiece explores the disturbing relationship between an English professor and a twelve-year-old girl. It has since been adapted into a play, opera, and two films.

**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 epic novel, infused with magical realism, chronicles the multi-generational saga of the Buendía family and their fictional town, Macondo. The cyclical nature of their triumphs and tragedies forms the core of this captivating tale.

**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 his witnessing of the Crucifixion. The book's most enduring legacy may be its iconic film adaptation starring Charlton Heston.

**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. Its adaptations include a 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 cynical and rebellious Holden Caulfield, has achieved iconic status. The author's reclusive nature only added to the book's mystique.

**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 sees Harry, Ron, and Hermione on a perilous quest to defeat Lord Voldemort. Its release was accompanied by a significant anti-spoiler campaign.

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

**Author:** J.K. Rowling

**Country:** United Kingdom

**Publication Date:** 2005

**Estimated Sales:** 65 million copies

This penultimate book serves as crucial exposition, laying the groundwork 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 and storytelling, this book solidified the series' popularity.

**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 struggled to find success but later became a global phenomenon.

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

**Author:** J.K. Rowling

**Country:** United Kingdom

**Publication Date:** 1998

**Estimated Sales:** 77 million copies

While considered the weakest of the series by some, it expands the world and sets the stage for future installments.

**11. The Da Vinci Code**

**Author:** Dan Brown

**Country:** United States

**Publication Date:** 2003

**Estimated Sales:** 80 million copies

This controversial novel, despite critical panning, became a cultural phenomenon due to its captivating plot and provocative claims.

**10. Vardi Wala Gunda**

**Author:** Ved Prakash Sharma

**Country:** India

**Publication Date:** 1992

**Estimated Sales:** 80 million copies

This Hindi-language mystery thriller, by prolific author Ved Prakash Sharma, is his most successful work.

**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, this tale of explorers discovering a lost kingdom has influenced numerous works in the genre.

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

**Author:** C.S. Lewis

**Country:** United Kingdom

**Publication Date:** 1950

**Estimated Sales:** 85 million copies

This classic children's fantasy novel, the first in *The Chronicles of Narnia*, introduced readers to the magical world of Narnia.

**7. The Hobbit**

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

**Country:** United Kingdom

**Publication Date:** 1937

**Estimated Sales:** 100 million copies

This prequel to *The Lord of the Rings* introduced Bilbo Baggins and his adventures with dwarves and a wizard.

**6. Dream of the Red Chamber**

**Author:** Cao Xueqin

**Country:** China

**Publication Date:** 1791

**Estimated Sales:** 100 million copies

A classic of Chinese literature, this novel depicts the rise and fall of a noble family.

**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, with deadly consequences.

**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 Harry Potter series captivated readers worldwide, launching a global phenomenon.

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

**Author:** Antoine de Saint-Exupéry

**Country:** France

**Publication Date:** 1943

**Estimated Sales:** 140 million copies

This timeless tale, open to multiple interpretations, explores themes of childhood, adulthood, and the human condition.

**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 social class, revolution, and redemption.

**1. Don Quixote**

**Author:** Miguel de Cervantes

**Country:** Spain

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

**Estimated Sales:** 500 million copies

This epic novel, published in two parts, follows the adventures of a delusional knight and his squire, becoming a cornerstone of Western literature.

**Best Selling Books in 2024**

Determining 2024's bestsellers is more straightforward, primarily using Amazon's sales data as a reliable indicator. While not exhaustive, it represents a significant portion of online book sales. Amazon's top 10 for 2024 includes:

• 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 reading suggestions? Explore our guides to the *Game of Thrones* books or our curated selection of horror novels.