The 25 Best-Selling Books Of All Time

This article compiles a list of the 25 bestselling literary fiction books of all time, acknowledging the inherent difficulties in creating a definitive ranking due to inconsistent record-keeping and varying publication formats across centuries. The list excludes religious texts, self-help books, and political works, and omits titles like The Lord of the Rings and The Count of Monte Cristo due to complexities in sales data verification.

The following list presents estimated sales figures, recognizing their approximate nature:

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, Canada, and her heartwarming relationship with her foster parents. Its success spawned numerous sequels.

24. Heidi

Author: Johanna Spyri

Country: Switzerland

Publication Date: 1880-1881

Estimated Sales: 50 million copies

This children's story centers on an orphaned girl raised in the Swiss Alps and her friendship with a disabled girl from Frankfurt.

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 an English professor and a twelve-year-old girl. It has been adapted into various forms of media.

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, characterized by magical realism, chronicles the multi-generational saga of the Buendía family in the fictional town of Macondo.

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, culminating in a famous chariot race depicted in the iconic film adaptation.

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.

19. The Catcher in the Rye

Author: J.D. Salinger

Country: United States

Publication Date: 1951

Estimated Sales: 65 million copies

Salinger's coming-of-age novel introduced the iconic character Holden Caulfield, whose cynicism and alienation resonated with readers.

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 concludes the epic battle between Harry and Lord Voldemort.

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 in the series provides crucial backstory and sets the stage for the final confrontation.

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 wizarding world and develops key characters.

15. Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire

Author: J.K. Rowling

Country: United Kingdom

Publication Date: 2000

Estimated Sales: 65 million copies

This installment introduces the Triwizard Tournament and marks a shift towards darker themes.

14. Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban

Author: J.K. Rowling

Country: United Kingdom

Publication Date: 1999

Estimated Sales: 65 million copies

This book significantly advances the narrative and character development, marking a turning point for many readers.

13. The Alchemist (O Alquimista)

Author: Paulo Coelho

Country: Brazil

Publication Date: 1988

Estimated Sales: 65 million copies

This allegorical novel follows a shepherd's journey to Egypt in search of treasure.

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 expands the wizarding world beyond Hogwarts.

11. The Da Vinci Code

Author: Dan Brown

Country: United States

Publication Date: 2003

Estimated Sales: 80 million copies

This thriller sparked significant debate with its controversial claims about Jesus and the Catholic Church.

10. Vardi Wala Gunda

Author: Ved Prakash Sharma

Country: India

Publication Date: 1992

Estimated Sales: 80 million copies

This Hindi-language mystery thriller features corrupt police officers and assassination plots.

9. She: A History of Adventure

Author: H. Rider Haggard

Country: United Kingdom

Publication Date: 1886

Estimated Sales: 83 million copies

This influential fantasy novel tells the story of explorers discovering a lost kingdom in Africa.

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 introduces 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 follows Bilbo Baggins' 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

This classic Chinese 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

This murder mystery traps ten people on an island, where they die one by one according to a nursery rhyme.

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 introduced the magical world to a global audience.

3. The Little Prince (Le Petit Prince)

Author: Antoine de Saint-Exupéry

Country: France

Publication Date: 1943

Estimated Sales: 140 million copies

This allegorical novella 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' historical fiction novel is set during the French Revolution and explores themes of social class and revolution.

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 follows the adventures of a delusional knight errant.

Bestselling Books of 2024 (Amazon): This section lists the top 10 bestselling books on Amazon for 2024, providing a snapshot of current popular titles. The list includes a mix of genres. (Note: The titles are listed in the original input and are not rewritten here.)