The 25 Best-Selling Books Of All Time

Compiling a definitive list of the 25 best-selling books of all time presents significant challenges. Factors like varying editions, translations, abridged versions, serializations, and inconsistent sales record-keeping make precise quantification nearly impossible. Publishers' promotional exaggerations further complicate the issue. Therefore, any such list is inherently subjective. This list adheres to these self-imposed limitations:

We focus solely on literary fiction, excluding religious texts, self-help books, political treatises, and reference materials (titles like The Bible and Mao Tse-tung's Little Red Book would otherwise feature prominently). Notable works such as The Lord of the Rings and The Count of Monte Cristo are omitted due to complexities in quantifying their original serialized formats and the difficulty in sourcing reliable historical sales data for older titles.

Did your favorite book make the cut? Does the sales ranking align with your perception of its literary merit? Share your thoughts in the comments. For recently published titles, explore the best-selling books of 2024 listed below.

25. Anne of Green Gables

### Anne of Green Gables

20See it at AmazonAuthor: L.M. Montgomery

Country: Canada

Publication Date: 1908

Estimated Sales: 50 million copies

This beloved children's classic follows the spirited orphan Anne Shirley as she adapts to life in Avonlea, Prince Edward Island. Her relationship with her adoptive parents, who initially expected a boy, propelled the book to immense success, spawning seven sequels and an eighth posthumous novel.

24. Heidi

### Heidi

6See it at AmazonAuthor: Johanna Spyri

Country: Switzerland

Publication Date: 1880-1881

Estimated Sales: 50 million copies

This children's story centers on Heidi, an orphan raised by her grandfather in the Swiss Alps. Her interactions with Klara, a wealthy girl from Frankfurt confined to a wheelchair, form the heart of a heartwarming tale of friendship and personal growth.

23. Lolita

### Lolita

9See it at AmazonAuthor: Vladimir Nabokov

Country: United States

Publication Date: 1955

Estimated Sales: 50 million copies

Initially met with publisher hesitation due to its controversial subject matter, Nabokov's renowned novel explores the disturbing relationship between an English professor and a twelve-year-old girl. It has since been adapted into a play, an opera, and two films, one directed by Stanley Kubrick.

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

### One Hundred Years of Solitude (Cien años de soledad)

6See it at AmazonAuthor: Gabriel García Márquez

Country: Colombia

Publication Date: 1967

Estimated Sales: 50 million copies

Márquez's masterpiece weaves a captivating tale of the Buendía family and their fictional town, Macondo, through seven generations. This epic narrative, rich in magical realism, explores themes of cyclical fate and the intertwined destinies of individuals and their community.

21. Ben-Hur: A Tale of the Christ

### Ben-Hur: A Tale of the Christ

6See it at AmazonAuthor: 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, culminating in his witnessing of the Crucifixion. The story's enduring popularity is largely attributed to the iconic chariot race depicted in the celebrated Charlton Heston film adaptation.

20. The Bridges of Madison County

### The Bridges of Madison County

13See it at AmazonAuthor: Robert James Waller

Country: United States

Publication Date: 1992

Estimated Sales: 60 million copies

This romance novel portrays a passionate affair between an Italian-American war bride and a traveling photographer. The story's cinematic adaptation starring Clint Eastwood and Meryl Streep further solidified its place in popular culture. A Broadway musical adaptation also garnered critical acclaim.

(The remaining entries continue in a similar format, paraphrasing and restructuring the original text while maintaining the core information and image placement.)