Books are arguably, the most important artifact of any civilization. There are countless authors and over 100 million books have been published throughout history. Some books have managed to breakthrough into the public’s consciousness and become a significant part of popular culture, selling millions of copies. The following article lists the 10 best selling novels of all time. The authors of these books have managed to create works of literature that are dearly beloved by readers; some have even lasted the test of time.
It is important to note, that since some books are incredibly old and have been sold under a number of publishers, this list is not, nor could it ever be, fully accurate. There are claims of books like the Bible selling over 5 billion copies, but due to insufficient sales tracking, some of these books have been omitted. This list is comprised of the titles that have official validated sales figures.
If you enjoy modern best-sellers or timeless classics, the following are some of the most known and appreciated books in existence. These 10 best-selling books of all time will surely keep you entertained. Read on to see which books, authors, and genres of literature sold record amounts and became incredibly popular throughout the world.
The List of the 10 Best-Selling Novels of All Time
10. Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets
Book Sales: 77 million
Author: J.K. Rowling
Year Published: 1998 & 1999
Publisher: Bloomsbury & Scholastic Inc.
The Record Setting Sales of Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets
Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets (1998) is the tenth best selling book of all time. The fantasy novel has sold 77 million copies. The book was written by J.K. Rowling and published by Bloomsbury (UK) and Scholastic (US).
Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets was published in the United States on June 2, 1999 by Scholastic Inc. and in the United Kingdom on July 2, 1998 by Bloomsbury. The book was praised by critics, young readers, and the book industry overall. Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets immediately took first place in UK bestseller lists upon publication. It went straight to the top of three bestseller lists, once published in the US.
9. The Da Vinci Code
Book Sales: 80 million
Author: Dan Brown
Year Published: 2003
Publisher: Doubleday
The Record Setting Sales of The Da Vinci Code
The Da Vinci Code (2003) is the ninth best selling book of all time. The mystery thriller novel has sold 80 million copies. The book was written by Dan Brown and published by Doubleday.
The Da Vinci Code was published in the United States in April 2003. The novel stirred a greater interest in speculating the Holy Grail legend and Mary Magdalene’s role in Christianity, however, it was also extensively denounced by many Christian denominations. The novel still went on to became a massive worldwide bestseller and has been translated into 44 languages.
8. She: A History of Adventure
Book Sales: 83 million
Author: H. Rider Haggard
Year Published: 1887
Publisher: Longmans
The Record Setting Sales of She: A History of Adventure
She: A History of Adventure (1887) is the eighth best selling book of all time. The novel has sold 83 million copies. The book was written by H. Rider Haggard and published by Longmans.
She: A History of Adventure was published in book form in 1887. Its representation of womanhood has received both praise and criticism. Initially it was written between October 1886 and January 1887 as a serialization in The Graphic magazine. She was wildly popular upon its release. It has never been out of print since its original book publication.
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7. The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe
Book Sales: 85 million
Author: C.S. Lewis
Year Published: 1950
Publisher: Geoffrey Bles
The Record Setting Sales of The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe
The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe (1950) is the seventh best selling book of all time. The novel has sold 85 million copies. The book was written by C.S. Lewis and published by Geoffrey Bles.
The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe was published on October 16, 1950. It is the first published and best known of seven novels in The Chronicles of Narnia series. C.S. Lewis wrote and dedicated the book to his goddaughter, Lucy Barfield. The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe was ranked ninth on the BBC’s The Big Read poll in 2005, included in the Time magazine’s list of the 100 Best Young-Adult Books of All Time, and the 100 best English-language novels published since 1923.
6. The Hobbit
Book Sales: 100 million
Author: J. R. R. Tolkien
Year Published: 1937
Publisher: George Allen & Unwin
The Record Setting Sales of The Hobbit
The Hobbit (1937) is the sixth best selling book of all time. The novel has sold 100 million copies. The book was written by J. R. R. Tolkien and published by George Allen & Unwin.
The Hobbit was published on September 21, 1937. It received high critical acclaim. The novel was nominated for the Carnegie Medal and awarded the New York Herald Tribune prize for best juvenile fiction. The book has remained popular and is still recognized as a classic in children’s literature. Encouraged by The Hobbit‘s success, J. R. R. Tolkien wrote the sequel, The Lord of the Rings.
5. Dream of the Red Chamber
Book Sales: 100 million
Author: Cao Xueqin
Year Published: 1791
Publisher: Cheng Weiyuan & Gao E
The Record Setting Sales of Dream of the Red Chamber
Dream of the Red Chamber (1791) is the fifth best selling book of all time. The novel has sold 100 million copies. The book was written by Cao Xueqin and first published by Cheng Weiyuan and Gao E. It went on to be published a number of times, in different languages.
Cao Xueqin apparently began writing the novel in the 1740s and worked on it until his death in 1763 or 1764. Unfortunately, Cao did not finish the book. It was not published until nearly three decades after his death and has been the subject of a variety of scrutiny due to a number of chapters being added by the publishers. As a result, the work may not properly represent the author’s intention. Irrespective of this, the work has been translated and analyzed by scholars for years. Many critics consider this novel one of the most important books in Chinese culture.
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4. And Then There Were None
Book Sales: 100 million
Author: Agatha Christie
Year Published: 1939 & 1940
Publisher: Collins Crime Club
The Record Setting Sales of And Then There Were None
And Then There Were None (1939) is the fourth best selling book of all time. The mystery novel has sold 100 million copies. The book was written by Agatha Christie and published by Collins Crime Club.
And Then There Were None was published on November 6, 1939 in the UK and January 1940 in the US. Initially, the book was published under two different titles in the UK and the US. This was due to different sensitivities to the author’s title and counting-rhyme theme. It is currently the world’s best selling mystery novel and has set the literary precedent for many mystery books after.
3. Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone
Book Sales: 120 million
Author: J.K. Rowling
Year Published: 1997 & 1998
Publisher: Bloomsbury & Scholastic
The Record Setting Sales of Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone
Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone (1997) is the third best selling book of all time. The fantasy novel has sold 120 million copies. The book was written by J.K. Rowling and published by Bloomsbury (UK) and Scholastic (US).
Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone was published on June 26, 1997 in the UK. It was published in the US a year later. The novel won most of the British and US book awards, even reaching the top of the New York Times list of best-selling fiction in August 1999. Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone has been translated into at least 73 languages.
2. The Little Prince
Book Sales: 200 million
Author: Antoine de Saint-Exupéry
Year Published: 1943 & 1945
Publisher: Gallimard & Reynal & Hitchcock
The Record Setting Sales of The Little Prince
The Little Prince (1943) is the second best selling book of all time. The novella has sold 200 million copies. The book was written by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry and published by Gallimard (France) and Reynal & Hitchcock (US).
The Little Prince was published in April 1943 in the US and in 1945 in France. It became Saint-Exupéry’s most successful work. It is one of the most translated books ever published, having been translated into 301 languages and dialects. The Little Prince has been adapted to numerous art forms and media and is considered a timeless classic.
1. A Tale of Two Cities
Book Sales: 200 million
Author: Charles Dickens
Year Published: 1859
Publisher: Chapman & Hall
The Record Setting Sales of A Tale of Two Cities
A Tale of Two Cities (1859) is the best selling book of all time. The historical novel has sold 200 million copies. The book was written by Charles Dickens and published by Chapman & Hall.
A Tale of Two Cities was initially published as a weekly serial from April to November, 1859. It was also published as a book in the same year. A Tale of Two Cities is one of only two works of historical fiction by Charles Dickens. The novel was ranked 63rd on the BBC’s The Big Read poll in 2003. The novel has been adapted into many media forms and continues to be an influence in pop culture.
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