Explore all the best selling books of all time to see where your favorites rank and find the most popular novels and non fiction books to dive into.
Below are all the best selling books of all time in order, beginning with the most selling book in the world and moving to the second best selling book ever, and so forth. I’ve also included the approximate number of books sold to date, publication dates, the original language of publication, and details/thoughts on these top selling books of all time for your reference. (Source)
Note: This list of the top selling books of all time includes the best selling fiction books of all time and while it also includes some of the best selling non fiction books of all time, it does NOT include textbooks, cookbooks, or political, religious, or reference texts, the sales of which can be more difficult to track and/or which come in several editions.
(Many of these books are on the Gilmore Girls book list, if you are in or want to be in The Rory Gilmore Book Club and do the Rory Gilmore reading challenge with me!)
Best Selling Books of All Time
Don Quixote by Miguel de Cervantes
- 500 million copies
- Publication Date: 1605
- Original Language: Spanish
Don Quixote is both the top selling novel of all time and the world’s best selling book (that isn’t political, religious, reference-based, etc.). It was also nominated as one of America’s best-loved novels by PBS’s The Great American Read.
It follows the adventures of a man who becomes so entranced by the tales of chivalry and knights that he seeks to become knighted as “Don Quixote.” He rides across the countryside with his squire in search of adventure and romance, but along the way, he encounters comical situations and misunderstandings.
A Tale of Two Cities by Charles Dickens
- 200 million copies
- Publication Date: 1859
- Original Language: English
A Tale of Two Cities is famously one of the highest selling books of all time about “the best of times” and “the worst of times.” It’s Dickens’ classic take on the French Revolution, which follows the lives of a French aristocrat and a drunken lawyer, who both fall in love with the same woman. As the revolution progresses, they are forced to make difficult choices in the face of violence and chaos.
The Little Prince by Antoine de Saint-Exupery
- 200 million copies
- Publication Date: 1943
- Original Language: French
Rounding out the top 3 best sellers of all time is The Little Prince, a beloved short fiction book to read that is recommended by so many others worldwide as well and is a celebrity favorite.
It’s a lyrical fable that explores the meaning of life amidst sweet illustrations and can be read in about an hour. It’s one of those books that everyone should read at least once.
Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone by J.K. Rowling
- 120 million copies
- Publication Date: 1997
- Original Language: English
Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone is one of the most sold books in the world and the book that begins the most sold book series of all time. This wizarding journey of light and dark, and life and death, has inspired hope in readers of all ages.
Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone introduces the reader to the young 11-year-old orphan Harry Potter, as he is whisked away from his unloving aunt’s and uncle’s home to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.
Aboard the magical train to Hogwarts, Harry meets new friends Ron Weasley and Hermione Granger and, luckily, they are all sorted into the same house at Hogwarts — Gryffindor.
However, not everyone is a friend to Harry, and it’s clear he has enemies in the Slytherin house, including student Draco Malfoy and the potions Professor Snape.
Harry’s first year at Hogwarts is marked by both fun and fighting, from playing the sport Quidditch to battling Voldemort once again, as Voldemort attempts to gain the power of everlasting life and re-gaining a body from the Sorcerer’s Stone.
Related Posts: Harry Potter Books in Order | Harry Potter Reading Levels
And Then There Were None by Agatha Christie
- 100 million copies
- Publication Date: 1939
- Original Language: English
And Then There Were None is one of the most selling books of all time that was named a Great American Read by PBS.
After ten people, each of whom is hiding and fearing something, are invited to an isolated mansion on the isolated Indian Island, their host never arrives. They have only each other for the duration of their stay, but, one by one, these guests share their darkest secrets…and die.
It’s up to the reader to follow the breadcrumbs to try to determine who did it and whether anyone will survive. It’s the original locked-room mystery book that’s well worth the read and keeps you guessing until the very end!
Related Post: Where to Get Free Agatha Christie Books
Dream of the Red Chamber by Cao Xueqin
- 100 million copies
- Publication Date: 1791
- Original Language: Chinese
Dream of the Red Chamber (a/k/a The Story of the Stone) is about the decline of an aristocratic family during the Qing Dynasty. Through themes like love, desire, family, and cultural and societal norms, it tells of the love triangle between Baoyu, his cousin Daiyu, and his eventual wife Baochai.
The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien
- 100 million copies
- Publication Date: 1937
- Original Language: English
The Hobbit is the phenomenon that follows the adventures of a hobbit named Bilbo Baggins, who is recruited by a wizard named Gandalf to join a group of dwarves on a quest to reclaim their ancestral treasure from the dragon Smaug.
On their journey, they face a variety of memorable challenges and creatures, including a mysterious creature named Gollum.
While I’m not a huge fan of modern fantasy myself, I can still recall the experience of reading this cornerstone of the genre as a high school student. Now, readers can also indulge in the famous movie adaptation as well.
The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe by C.S. Lewis
- 85 million copies
- Publication Date: 1950
- Original Language: English
The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe begins The Chronicles of Narnia series, which is comprised of seven fantasy novels set in a fictional world of magic and myth, as it is explored by children who venture there via a wardrobe. The adaptations of this book and book series are countless and include popular modern films.
She: A History of Adventure by H. Rider Haggard
- 83 million copies
- Publication Date: 1887
- Original Language: English
She: A History of Adventure follows the journey of two Englishmen who journey to find a legendary kingdom in Africa that’s led by an intriguing and powerful woman named Ayesha (also known as “She-who-must-be-obeyed”). The adventure is a dangerous one, filled with hostile tribes, difficult terrain, and supernatural forces.
Vardi Wala Gunda by Ved Prakash Sharma
- 80+ million copies
- Publication Date:1992
- Original Language: Hindi
Vardi Wala Gunda rounds out the top 10 best selling books in the world. It’s a popular Indian thriller in which the youngest prime minister and a youth icon are killed in a planned bombing because forces were sent to help the Sri Lankan army suppress violent activities.
However, it’s tough to find translated copies of this popular book.
The Da Vinci Code by Dan Brown
- 80 million copies
- Publication Date: 2003
- Original Language: English
The Da Vinci Code remains one of the best selling books of all time decades after its publication. This worldwide phenomenon follows Harvard symbologist Robert Langdon and a cryptographer, beckoned to investigate the death of the curator of The Louvre, who had been covered in odd symbols. Together, in a race against time, they follow a trail of mysterious clues hidden in the works of Da Vinci and discover a conspiracy involving the Holy Grail and the identity of Jesus Christ.
Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets by J.K. Rowling
- 77 million copies
- Publication Date: 1998
- Original Language: English
In Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, Harry and Ron return to Hogwarts in a flying car. At Hogwarts, word spreads that the Chamber of Secrets has been opened to release a deadly monster, petrifying both the caretaker’s pet cat and the students as well.
Harry and his friends take on the challenge themselves and, by way of Polyjuice potion and a visit to a giant spider called Aragog, Harry ultimately enters the Chamber of Secrets to try to save Ron’s sister, Ginny. There, Voldemort sets a giant serpent on Harry, and another battle with evil ensues.
Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban by J.K. Rowling
- 65 million copies
- Publication Date: 1999
- Original Language: English
In Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, Harry learns that the mass murderer Sirius Black has escaped. The prison guards, otherwise known as Dementors (dark flying creatures) surround Hogwarts to look for him, as Harry is slated to be his next victim.
What’s worse is that the Dementors also have a bad impact on Harry’s health and well-being. A friend of Harry’s father, Professor Remus Lupin, teaches Harry the Patronus Charm to fend off the dementors, which, along with his friend’s pets, becomes critical to revealing the truth about Sirius Black.
Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire by J.K. Rowling
- 65 million copies
- Publication Date: 2000
- Original Language: English
Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire begins at the Quidditch world cup, then it sets into the Triwizard Tournament hosted by Hogwarts, in which students from multiple wizard schools will compete. With the help of professor Alastor “Mad-Eye” Moody, Harry is set to compete on behalf of Hogwarts with student Cedric Diggory.
While there’s teenage fun in this novel by way of the Yule Ball, which also shows that Harry and his friends are growing up, this novel also shifts the tone of Harry’s quest from magical and adventurous to violent and dark. After all, this is a battle of good versus evil.
In competing, Harry is transported to a graveyard where Voldemort’s supporters convene, where Harry learns a devastating truth and must fight for his life.
Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix by J.K. Rowling
- 65 million copies
- Publication Date: 2003
- Original Language: English
In Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, an underground vigilante group called the Order of the Phoenix bands together to fight Lord Voldemort and, when Hogwarts High Inquisitor Dolores Umbridge lies about Voldemort’s return, Harry and his classmates establish their own secret defense organization called “Dumbledore’s Army.”
Meanwhile, Harry has repeated dreams about Voldemort and takes Occlumency lessons with Professor Snape to prevent these dreams. In working with Harry, Snape uncovers Harry’s most painful memories; however, Harry also learns of a pivotal fight between his father and Snape.
After Harry dreams that Sirius is being tortured, he races to the Ministry of Magic and faces Death Eaters. It’s another battle that ends in a very painful tragedy for Harry and reveals that, ultimately, either Harry or Voldemort must die at the hands of the other.
Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince by J.K. Rowling
- 65 million copies
- Publication Date: 2005
- Original Language: English
In Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, Voldemort’s origin story is revealed in order to further prepare Harry for his ultimate battle. Harry also uses the magical Marauder’s Map to track Draco Malfoy, suspecting that he is colluding with Voldemort.
However, the crux of this novel is the Half-Blood Prince, from whom Harry learns tricks in an old textbook. When Death Eaters attack the school, the identity of the Half-Blood Prince is revealed and another devastating tragedy occurs, as it becomes increasingly more clear how singular Harry will be in his battle against Voldemort.
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows by J.K. Rowling
- 65 million copies
- Publication Date: 2007
- Original Language: English
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows is the final book in the original Harry Potter series and thus, the final Harry Potter book that comprises some of the best selling novels of all time.
Naturally, it serves as the stage for the ultimate battle between Harry and Voldemort. Harry is determined to destroy all of Voldemort’s Horcruxes for a chance to fight him face-to-face. And it’s an incredibly epic battle, with a series of challenges and tragedies along the way, to culminate the original Harry Potter books.
The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho
- 65 million copies
- Publication Date: 1988
- Original Language: Portuguese
The Alchemist is the beloved modern classic fable about following your dream, with depth unlike any other “self-help” text I have read.
It centers around an Andalusian shepherd boy named Santiago, who travels from his home in Spain to the desert of Egypt to search for buried treasure near the Pyramids but ends up discovering treasure within.
It’s a quick read that’s mystical and wise, with lush writing and buried universal truths about the importance of our dreams and listening to our hearts. This “self-help” is far from hokey or surface level — it’s soulful and spirited, loaded with purpose and meaning, and transformative power.
Related Post: Guide to The Alchemist
The Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger
- 65 million copies
- Publication Date: 1951
- Original Language: English
The Catcher in the Rye is the beloved classic coming-of-age novel that has inspired generations of angsty teens, many of whom (including me) read this novel as required reading in high school.
It’s a character-driven novel that explores two days in the life of sixteen-year-old Holden Caulfield after he is expelled from school. He is left to navigate New York feeling confused, disillusioned, and at odds with adulthood.
It’s undoubtedly a must-read for those looking to tackle the list of best selling books of all time.
Related Post: Best Quotes from The Catcher in the Rye
The Bridges of Madison County by Robert James Waller
- 60 million copies
- Publication Date: 1992
- Original Language: English
The Bridges of Madison County is one of the most popular novels about a forbidden romance. It centers on the secret affair of Francesca, a repressed wife and mother in a rural town, with a travel photographer who visits to shoot local bridges.
Their passionate love affair causes reverberations that are felt for decades to come. It’s a short, quick read that tends to elicit strong reactions of either total adoration or total disdain. Personally, I enjoyed it, and I think it will remain memorable for years to come.
Related Post: The Bridges of Madison County Controversy
Ben-Hur: A Tale of the Christ by Lew Wallace
- 50 million copies
- Publication Date: 1880
- Original Language: English
Ben-Hur is the story of a Jewish nobleman who witnesses the life and death of Jesus Christ and embraces Christianity. When he is falsely accused by a childhood friend of attempting to assassinate a Roman governor, he is imprisoned and enslaved, and the property of his family is forfeited. As he seeks freedom, he is challenged to forgive rather than seek revenge.
You Can Heal Your Life by Louise Hay
- 50 million copies
- Publication Date:1984
- Original Language: English
You Can Heal Your Life is one of the top New York Times best sellers of all time in the self-help category. It’s a practical book about self-healing and affirmations that has changed millions of lives.
One Hundred Years of Solitude by Gabriel Garcia Marquez
- 50 million copies
- Publication Date: 1967
- Original Language: Spanish
One Hundred Years of Solitude is one of the books most sold on Oprah’s Book Club list. Considered to be one of the most influential pieces of literature, it’s the story of the rise and fall of a mythical town through the history of the Buendiá family. Through magical realism, it explores time, memory, and history.
Lolita by Vladimir Nabokov
- 50 million copies
- Publication Date: 1955
- Original Language: English
Lolita is one of the most controversial of these best selling books of all time. It’s about a man whose first love died as a young teen. As he becomes an adult, he remains haunted and obsessed by sexually aware young girls. Eventually, he becomes so infatuated with one young girl that he goes to extreme measures.
Obviously, this is a difficult read, yet popular nonetheless.
Heidi by Johanna Spyri
- 50 million copies
- Publication Date: 1880
- Original Language: German
Heidi is the classic children’s book about a five-year-old orphan sent to the Swiss alps to live with her grandfather. When she must return to city life in Germany three years later, she becomes homesick for the mountains.
The Common Sense Book of Baby and Child Care by Benjamin Spock
- 50 million copies
- Publication Date: 1946
- Original Language: English
The Common Sense Book of Baby and Child Care has been updated and expanded over generations of time. It teaches parents about the physical and emotional development of children by focusing on nurturing and responsive parenting, as well as treating each child as an individual.
Anne of Green Gables by Lucy Maud Montgomery
- 50 million copies
- Publication Date: 1908
- Original Language: English
Anne of Green Gables is the first book in the charming series that introduces the reader to the 11-year-old red-headed orphaned spitfire named Anne Shirley. She arrives at the Green Gables house of aging adult siblings Matthew and Marilla Cuthbert mistakenly, as they had asked for a boy to help on their farm in the town of Avonlea in Prince Edward Island, Canada.
However, with a fierce temper and colorful imagination, Anne makes an impression on the Cuthberts and the townspeople of Avonlea. Anne is unrefined and lacks social graces, but she grows over time and remains optimistic throughout, imparting the wisdom of her life lessons along the way as she comes of age.
Related Posts: Guide to the Anne of Green Gables Books
Black Beauty by Anna Sewell
- 50 million copies
- Publication Date: 1877
- Original Language: English
Black Beauty is the classic children’s book about a black colt who has an ideal upbringing, but then as his masters change over time he learns lessons about friendship, difficulties, and the nature of life.
The Name of the Rose by Umberto Eco
- 50 million copies
- Publication Date: 1980
- Original Language: Italian
The Name of the Rose is a medieval murder mystery book about a Franciscan friar who investigates seven suspicious deaths, causing him to grapple with his own faith, as he uncovers deep secrets.
The Eagle Has Landed by Jack Higgins
- 50 million copies
- Publication Date: 1975
- Original Language: English
The Eagle Has Landed is the first book in the popular Liam Devlin series. Set in 1943, it’s about a group of German paratroopers who are sent to England by Hitler to kidnapping Prime Minister Winston Churchill. They are led by an agent and aided on the ground by IRA gunman Liam Devlin.
Watership Down by Richard Adams
- 50 million copies
- Publication Date: 1972
- Original Language: English
Watership Down is the beloved story of a group of rabbits in Southern England, searching for a new home. Their journey is a courageous one in which the reader gets to know the rabbits and their culture. Facing both challenges and adventure, they impart an allegory about freedom, ethics, and human nature.
The Hite Report by Shere Hite
- 50 million copies
- Publication Date: 1976
- Original Language: English
The Hite Report is a national study of female sexuality. This groundbreaking and controversial study that revealed the true details of women’s sexual needs and desires.
Charlotte’s Web by E.B. White
- 50 million copies
- Publication Date: 1952
- Original Language: English
Charlotte’s Web is one of the most beloved and most popular books of all time for children. A Newbery Honor Book and one of America’s top 100 most-loved novels, selected by PBS’s The Great American Read, it’s the story of a friendship that blossoms between a spider and a little pig, and the love they have for the young girl who saved the pig when he was a runt.
The Ginger Man by J.P. Donleavy
- 50 million copies
- Publication Date: 1955
- Original Language: English
The Ginger Man is a controversial book about an American student studying in Dublin after World War II. He engages in vices that range from heavy drinking to womanizing. It’s a portrait of Dublin at this time period, filled with dark humor and a colorful cast of characters.
The Tale of Peter Rabbit by Beatrix Potter
- 45 million copies
- Publication Date: 1902
- Original Language: English
The Tale of Peter Rabbit is the classic Beatrix Potter children’s book about a mischievous rabbit encountering problems in Mr. McGregor’s vegetable garden. It belongs in every child’s library, and it also makes for great home decor on a bookshelf or table during the Easter season.
Frequently Asked Questions About the Best Selling Books of All Time
With over 500 million copies sold, Don Quixote by Miguel de Cervantes is both the most popular book in the world (not including textbooks, cookbooks, or political, religious, or reference texts) and the best selling novel of all time.
Don Quixote by Migquel de Cervante, A Tale of Two Cities by Charles Dickens, and
The Little Prince by Antoine de Saint-Exupery are the top 3 most sold books of all time, not including textbooks, cookbooks, or political, religious, or reference texts.
Conclusion
Now you know the best selling books of all time. To recap and help you decide what to read first or next, my personal favorite best selling books of all time are:
- Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone
- And Then There Were None
- The Alchemist
- The Catcher in the Rye
- The Bridges of Madison County
- Anne of Green Gables
Related Posts
If you enjoyed learning about the best selling books of all time, check out these posts about the best book lists of all time next:
- Best Selling Books Right Now (Popular)
- Best Selling Book Series of All Time
- Best Selling Authors of All Time
So what is the actual best selling book of all time?
If you include the textbooks, cookbooks, or political, religious, or reference texts you removed from the list?
@John Jackson, the bible is number 1 and then the Communist Manifesto by Karl Marx is number 2 that’s all I know