Discover the Literary Giants: Top Books Conquering Readers' Hearts

This compilation of the 25 best-selling books of all time presents a significant challenge. The complexities of tracking sales across centuries, considering multiple editions, translations, and varying publication formats (serializations, abridged versions, etc.), make definitive rankings impossible. Inaccurate record-keeping and promotional exaggerations further compound the difficulty. Therefore, this list employs specific criteria:

We focus exclusively on literary fiction, excluding religious texts, self-help, political works, and reference materials (e.g., the Bible, The Little Red Book). Notable omissions include The Lord of the Rings (due to complex serialization) and The Count of Monte Cristo (lack of reliable historical sales data).

Did your favorite book make the cut? Does the sales volume align with your perception of its literary merit? Share your thoughts in the comments! Also, 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 cherished children's classic chronicles the adventures of a spirited orphan in Avonlea, Prince Edward Island. The heartwarming bond between Anne and her adoptive parents propelled the book's success, leading to seven sequels (eight including a posthumous release).

24. Heidi

### Heidi

6See it at AmazonAuthor: Johanna Spyri

Country: Switzerland

Publication Date: 1880-1881

Estimated Sales: 50 million copies

This children's story follows young Heidi, an orphan raised by her grandfather in the Swiss Alps. Her friendship with Klara, a wealthy girl from Frankfurt, forms the heart of this tale of growth and mutual support.

23. Lolita

### Lolita

9See it at AmazonAuthor: Vladimir Nabokov

Country: United States

Publication Date: 1955

Estimated Sales: 50 million copies

Initially shunned by publishers, Nabokov's controversial novel explores the disturbing obsession of an English professor with a twelve-year-old girl. Its enduring impact is evident in its adaptations for stage, opera, and film (including a Kubrick adaptation).

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, a sweeping saga of the Buendía family in the fictional town of Macondo, is a powerful blend of magical realism and epic storytelling, tracing seven generations through prosperity and hardship.

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 novel follows Judah Ben-Hur's life alongside that of Jesus Christ, culminating in a witness to the Crucifixion. Its enduring popularity is largely attributed to the iconic 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 depicts a passionate affair between an Italian-American war bride and a traveling photographer. Its cinematic adaptation starring Clint Eastwood and Meryl Streep further cemented its popularity.

19. The Catcher in the Rye

### The Catcher in the Rye

7See it at AmazonAuthor: J.D. Salinger

Country: United States

Publication Date: 1951

Estimated Sales: 65 million copies

Salinger's sole novel, a coming-of-age story featuring the cynical Holden Caulfield, has achieved iconic status, solidifying its place in literary history.

(Entries 18-1 through Best-Selling Books of 2024 follow a similar structure, maintaining the image placement and using paraphrased language to maintain the original meaning while avoiding direct translation.)