Only a few books can access the list of best sellers in history . The bar is very high, and they do not make it easy for the rest who are looking for their niche in the market and in the hands of readers. Now, how to exceed 500 million copies sold of the famous Don Quixote de la Mancha ? Mission impossible a priori. It is also true that it has several centuries of advantage in terms of sales, although we assume that it was not time that has raised the work to be the best-selling in the world .
We already told you which are the 100 books that you should read before you die; Now, we offer you another list, the one of the best-selling books in the world according to Wikipedia. The collective encyclopedia claims to have been based on reliable and independent sources to include all the copies published to date in all languages, although be careful, because the list does not include comics, textbooks, or books with philosophical or religious content (for that does not appear the Bible , which, with its 5,000 million copies, would take the first place), nor ideological or political volumes – in which case, the Red Book of Mao Zedong would be included, which is also supposed to be very sold, although there are no official data.
Likewise, many public domain content, such as The Count of Montecristo, are not on this list either, due to the difficulty of compiling the figures from the multiple editions that have been carried out by different publishers.
And that’s it, the details are over: now that you know them, it’s time to dive into this best-selling compilation that includes a lot of children’s books, a lot of film adaptation and a good share of self-help. And, of course, you have to ask yourself the essential question: How many have you read? Check it!
- A Brief History Of Time: From Big Bang To Black Holes by Stephen Hawking
10 million copies sold.
What is the nature of time? Was there a beginning or will there be an end in time? Is the universe infinite or does it have limits? Is it concave or convex? Stephen Hawking answers three of these four questions in an almost clear and even entertaining way.
- Ken Follett’s Island of Storms
10 million copies sold.
A Nazi spy, a British intelligence officer in his footsteps, a betrayal, a determined English woman, a shipwreck … and his little bit of sex. Follet’s first novel does not disappoint.
- Trap 22 by Joseph Heller
10 million copies sold.
A great novel. Published in 1961, its title became an expression in English to indicate a situation from which it is impossible to escape.
- The Exorcist by William Peter Blatty
11 million copies sold.
Let’s look at what your daughter does, and don’t give it a second thought.
- Everything falls apart from Chinua Achebe
11 million copies sold.
When Okonkwo returns to his village, the white man has changed everything.
- The Bridges of Madison by Robert James Waller
12 million copies sold.
I already recommended it for the past Blue Monday, it is a book to enjoy crying . I’m not very into love stories, but The Bridges of Madison left me a bit touched. The film adaptation is also fantastic. And for those who do not know, beware, there is a sequel .
- The Naked Monkey of Desmond Morris
12 million copies sold.
Morris makes a study of human behavior and tries to explain it from a strictly zoological point of view. It reveals that we are perfectly adapted to survive in the world of about 100,000 years ago.
- No Longer Human by Osamu Dazai
12 million copies sold.
Alienation, sexual abuse, concealment of feelings behind a facade, suicide attempts, humiliation … not for nothing is the second best-selling novel in Japan.
- The Plague of Albert Camus
12 million copies sold.
The Plague was published in 1947 and was a bestseller and critic, despite the fact that Camus considered it “a failed novel.” I, of course, prefer The Stranger .
- Dune by Frank Herbert
12 million copies sold.
Published in 1965, Dune is a novel, a novel, that could not be missing from our list of best science fiction novels .
- Tokyo blues by Haruki Murakami
13 million copies sold.
Tokio Blues is the wonderful novel with which Murakami achieved commercial success, but all the books by the Japanese author are wonderful .
- Charlie and the Chocolate Factory by Roald Dahl
13 million copies sold.
Wonderful, but if you liked this book as a child, read the books that Roald Dahl wrote for adults .
- Red Heeled Rebels Series by Tikiri Herath
13 million copies sold.
One of my favorites. I read it after being fascinated by Francis Coppola’s 1983 film adaptation. It was the film that launched its protagonists to stardom: C. Thomas Howell, Ralph Macchio, Matt Dillon, Heather Langenkamp, Patrick Swayze, Rob Lowe, Diane Lane, Emilio Estévez and Tom Cruise .
- The Hunger Games 3. Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins
13 million copies sold.
Since its publication in 2008, the Hunger Games trilogy, and the film adaptation , have made its author one of the richest people in the world.
- Where the heart takes you by Susanna Tamaro
14 million copies sold.
The epistolary of a grandmother to her granddaughter serves to reconstruct the life of an exceptional person. A song to love and life.
- Erskine Caldwell’s Plot of God
14 million copies sold.
This novel chronicles the final decline of a poor white family in rural Georgia. At the urging of their patriarch Ty Ty, the Waldens ruin their lands by digging for gold.
- Tuesdays with my old Mitch Albom teacher
14 million copies sold.
For the Washington Post, this is the best-selling memoir in history.
- The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy by Douglas Adams
14 million copies sold.
We already recommend it as one of the best science fiction books of all time. The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy was first released in 1978 in the form of a radio novel, the book, the books, came after the tremendous success of the series. A hilarious play.
- On Fire by Suzanne Collins
More than 14 million copies sold.
Since its publication in 2008, the Hunger Games trilogy , and the film adaptation, have made its author one of the richest people in the world.
- William P. Young’s Cabin
15 million copies sold.
The subtitle “Where tragedy meets eternity” already gives you a clue as to where the shots are going. But in case you have any doubts, the editor asks the reader this question “If God sent you a letter, would you go to meet him?”
- The Shadow of the Wind by Carlos Ruiz Zafón
15 million copies sold.
This book has made Barcelona more famous than the 1992 Olympics.
- The Man Who Whispered to Horses by Nicholas Evans
15 million copies sold.
And not just any man, the movie stars Robert Redford.
- Perfume: the story of a murderer by Patrick Süskind
15 million copies sold.
Something smells rotten in 18th century Paris.
- How to Win Friends and Influence People by Dale Carnegie
15 million copies sold.
From the pre-social media era.
- The Pillars of the Earth by Ken Follett
15 million copies sold.
Intrigues, hanged men and cathedrals under construction, all spiced up with more sex scenes than one would want.
- Janette Sebring Lowrey’s Little Poky Puppy
15 million copies sold.
The rather restrained Poky dog shares the garden with a caterpillar, the lizard and six fuchsia flowers.
- Shōgun by James Clavell
15 million copies sold.
A historical novel about an Englishman who tries to prevent 17th-century Japan from befriending the Portuguese and the Spanish. The homonymous series had a great success in the ’80s.
15 million copies sold.
Some call Covey “the American Socrates.” As if that was a compliment.
- Guess How Much I Love You by Sam McBratney, illustrated by Anita Jeram
15 million copies sold.
Sam McBratney and Anita Jeram teach us that love is intangible and enormous.
- Goodnight Moon by Margaret Wise Brown
16 million copies sold.
Since 1947, this tale has been helping millions of children around the world to sleep .
- Erica Jong’s Fear of Flying
18 million copies sold.
This book was highly controversial when it was published in 1973 for its descriptions of female sexuality. It was a step forward in the fight against sexual taboos.
- The Secret (Personal Growth) by Rhonda Byrne
19 million copies sold.
That these books of supposed self-improvement and self-knowledge are sold like hotcakes is an indicator of how lost we are in recent times.
- Where the monsters live by Maurice Sendak
20 million copies sold.
One of my favorites, beautifully and cinematically adapted by Spike Jonze, although, for me, the book is so much better.
- City of Celestial Fire by Cassandra Clare
20 million copies sold.
The sixth and last book in the Shadowhunters saga marked the consecration of Judith Rumelt, the real name of Cassandra Clare.
- What to Expect When You’re Expecting from Heidi Murkoff
More than 20 million books sold.
A manual that prepares parents for the imminent arrival of a baby in the family. Hands down, the world’s best-selling pregnancy guide.
- The Women’s Room by Marilyn French
20 million books sold.
The book had a great impact when it was published in 1977, although in our country it went unnoticed.
One of my favorites, and one that we put on our list of books that you have to read at least once in your life. Reading it is as necessary now as it was 40 years ago.
- The World of Sofia by Jostein Gaarder
20 million books sold.
Using a fictional plot as a pretext, Gaarder reviews the history of Western philosophy.
- I Will Always Love You by Robert Munsch
20 million copies sold.
The song of a mother to her newborn baby is the origin of this book.
- White Shark by Peter Benchley
20 million copies sold.
The novel responsible for the fact that when we enter the sea, a chill runs down our spines.
- The Happy Hooker by Xaviera Hollander
20 million copies sold.
Of course, the cover pulls me back, but, come on, it will have its fandom.
- Wolf Totem by Jiang Rong
20 million copies sold.
A Chinese epic tale in the style of The Last Emperor.
- Greg’s Diary: Rodrick’s Law by Jeff Kinney
21 million books sold.
They continue the adventures of Greg, no longer so “pringao” as in his debut.
- Love Story by Erich Segal
21 million copies sold.
My parents caught me reading this novel when I was 12 years old and they threw me a tremendous fight. I still don’t know why, I imagine they hadn’t read it and found it dangerous or pornographic. It is not, if that, a bit cheesy. For more love novels click here.
- The Godfather of Mario Puzo
22 million copies sold.
Luca Brasi is not a traitor.
- The Nine Revelations of James Redfield
23 million copies sold.
A first-person account of the spiritual awakening of a man going through a transitional period in his life. It is supposed to give 9 guidelines for finding happiness. I declare myself somewhat skeptical about these “revelations”, the truth.
- The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins
More than 23 million books sold.
Since its publication in 2008, the Hunger Games trilogy, and the film adaptation , have made its author one of the richest people in the world.
- 1984 by George Orwell
25 million copies sold.
The power of this novel is undeniable, its influence on the imagination of multiple generations of readers, the strength of its message, even the language used in it. That’s why we recommend it in our list of best science fiction novels .
- The Wind in the Willows by Kenneth Grahame
25 million copies sold.
Grahame made the stories she told her young son a classic in English-language children’s literature.
- Who Moved My Cheese? by Spencer Johnson
26 million copies sold.
Yes, we have to wake up in this world that you have set up.
- Clockwork Princess by Cassandra Clare
28 million copies sold.
“Tessa Gray should be happy – aren’t all girlfriends?” Writes the Wikipedia contributor. Innocent.
- Diary Of A Wimpy Kid by Jeff Kinney
30 million copies sold.
From when you think that being a short preteen is the worst thing that will happen to you in your life.
- The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle
30 million copies sold.
A devouring worm may even have its grace …
- The Men Who Didn’t Love Women by Stieg Larsson
30 million copies sold.
I have to confess that it caught me from the first page and I didn’t let go of it until the trilogy was completed. Lisbeth Salander, is she a feminist or just sticks like bread?
- Revolt of Mamie Stover by William Bradford Huie
30 million copies sold.
A film was made in Spanish called La rebellion de la Sra. Stover. However, the novel does not seem to have been published in Spain.
- Think and Grow Rich by Napoleon Hill
30 million copies sold.
I would be here, writing this list, if I had read the book.
- The Thorn Birds by Colleen McCullough
30 million copies sold.
When the television series showed the scene in which the vicar, played by Richard Chamberlain makes out with the protagonist, half the United Kingdom went to make a cup of tea. The ignition of so many electric kettles at once caused a blackout that left a quarter of the country without electricity.
- Purpose Driven Life: What on Earth Am I Here For? by Rick Warren
30 million copies sold.
According to Warren himself, if you follow this book for forty-two days you will find the answer to, apparently, three great questions in life and you will achieve not three, no, up to five purposes. And for only 9.40 Do you sign up?
- One Hundred Years of Solitude by Gabriel García Márquez
30 million copies sold.
What is it about? Do not ask and read it as soon as possible. If you have already done it, re-read it. Fast.
- Gone with the Wind by Margaret Mitchell
30 million copies sold.
Scarlett, Ashley, poor Melanie who is very good, the young southerners are so chivalrous … look how attractive Rhett Butler is. The rest is History.
- Valley of the Dolls by Jacqueline Susann
30 million books sold
Three friends, Anne, Neely and Jennifer, fight to succeed in show business. Drugs, alcohol and poorly chosen men will be his companions on this journey that was taken to the cinema in 1967 with Sharon Tate in the role of Jennifer.
- To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee
30 million books sold
A black man is accused of raping a white woman. Atticus Finch, a local attorney, will defend him convinced that there can be justice in Alabama. Another novel that must be read without waiting any longer, which we already recommend in our 24 recommended books that are a sure hit to read today and forever.
- In His Steps: What Would Jesus Do? by Carlos M. Sheldon
30 million books sold.
It never hurts to imagine Jesus as a freelancer, making the VAT declaration in a quarter that has had little invoicing.
- The Diary of a Young Girl by Anne Frank
30 million books sold.
My heart keeps sinking every time I read this terrible testimony.
- 50 Shades of Gray by EL James
31 million books sold.
One of the best-selling books in the world: a lot of sex, power games, some love … how could it not be a best-seller.
- Kane and Abel by Jeffrey Archer
34 million books sold.
The first of a trilogy in which the theme of coincidence and chance is always present.
- You Can Heal Your Life by Louise L. Hay
35 million copies sold.
The truth is, if I feel bad, I prefer to go to the doctor. But this little work, when it came out in 1984, sold like hotcakes and gave way to what is known as New Thought.
- The Adventures of Pinocchio by Carlo Collodi
35 million copies sold.
The alchemical idea of giving life to a puppet continues to be read a century and a half after its first publication.
36 million copies sold.
Betrayals, grudges, hatreds, love affairs and conspiracies, a full-blown soap opera, but dazzling. We already recommend it in its day as a long book to read when you have time. It is extensive, but also great.
- How the Steel Was Tempered by Nikolai Ostrovsky
36.4 million copies sold.
Steel is tempered with fire … But how can the character of man be tempered, made him stronger than steel, firm in misfortune, loyal in friendship and faithful in love?
- Dan Brown’s Angels and Demons
39 million copies sold.
Robert Langdon’s first case was almost as successful as The Da Vinci Code.
- A Message to Garcia by Elbert Hubbard
40 million copies sold.
Praise the employee who works just as well when the boss looks how when he doesn’t.
- Juan Salvador Gaviota by Richard Bach
40 million copies sold.
A metaphor that continues to reach millions of readers.
- The Tale of Perico, the Mischievous Rabbit by Beatrix Potter
45 million copies sold.
The adventures of an adorable bunny have dazzled generations of children around the world.
- Charlotte’s Web from EB White, illustrated by Garth Williams
45 million copies sold.
What a spider web gives of itself. Sometimes the magic is in the simplest things.
- The Hite Report by Shere Hite
48 million copies sold.
A book that broke myths and feminine behaviors , scandalized the conservative minds of the time and restored hope to thousands of women.
50 million copies sold.
Monks, a mystery, the fear that makes them laugh … One of the best intrigue books of all time.
- Anna Sewell’s Black Beauty
50 million copies sold.
Azabache is a very special horse, and the story of his life, an excuse to condemn injustice, greed and betrayal, but also to extol kindness and kindness.
- Anne of Green Gables by Lucy Maud Montgomery
50 million copies sold.
The talkative redhead who introduced us to what it’s like to live in northern Canada in the 19th century.
- Your son from Dr. Benjamin Spock
50 million copies sold
Dr. Spock knows all about your puppies.
- Heidi by Johanna Spyri
50 million copies sold.
The grandfather, the Alps, Niebla, Clarita, who does not know the story of Heidi, even for its television adaptation?
- The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho
65 million copies sold.
It continues to enchant thousands of people, although it seems easy and boring to me as predictable as it is. A book that is always controversial because you either love it or you hate it. What is unquestionable is its sales success.
- The Catcher in the Rye by JD Salinger
65 million copies sold.
Holden Cauldfield’s wanderings through New York, a teenager with all the rebelliousness and existential anguish that characterize his age. Recommended as one of the books to read at least once in your life .
- Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince by JK Rowling
65 million sold.
That the Harry Potter series is one of the best-selling and most widely read in the world is not a surprise, is it?
- Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix by JK Rowling
65 million books sold.
Who has not read the adventures of Potter?
- Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire by JK Rowling
65 million copies sold.
- Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows by JK Rowling
65 million copies sold.
JK Rowling is probably the richest writer in the world.
- Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban by JK Rowling
65 million copies sold.
Probably not, for sure she is the writer who has earned the most money from her work.
- Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets by JK Rowling
77 million copies sold.
In case we had any doubts.
- Dan Brown’s Da Vinci Code
80 million copies sold.
Another novel starring Professor Robert Langdon that captured the attention of readers in 2003 and marked the consecration of Dan Brown as a best-selling author.
- She by Henry Rider Haggard
83 million copies sold.
A Gothic novel from 1883 that is considered, according to a contemporary survey, the best fantasy novel of the 19th century.
- The Chronicles of Narnia. The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe by CS Lewis
85 million copies sold.
Can you imagine finding a portal to a wonderful new world in your closet?
- Alice in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll
More than 100 million copies sold.
Carroll is the king of the absurd and one of the funniest, most witty, and instructive writers of all time; leaves the Monty Phytons in diapers. We already told you that it is one of those books that deserves a second chance.
- Ten Little Blacks by Agatha Christie
More than 100 million copies sold.
You already know 10 people on an island who are disappearing … who is the murderer?
- Dream in the Red Pavilion of Cao Xueqin
More than 100 million copies sold.
Written in the mid-18th century, during the reign of the Qing Dynasty. It is considered one of the masterpieces of Chinese literature.
- JRR Tolkien’s Hobbit
More than 100 million copies sold.
We have all seen the movie, which is magnificent. Well, the book will make you fly even higher. And don’t forget that you never have to laugh at living dragons.
- The Little Prince by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry
140 million copies sold.
Here we learned that what looks like a hat can be a boa that has eaten an elephant. One of the simplest and most beautiful books in the world.
- Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone by JK Rowling
140 million copies sold.
We no longer have any doubt about the author’s fortune.
- The Lord of the Rings by JRR Tolkien
More than 150 million copies
The success of The Hobbit forced Tolkien to expand the story. Blessed be. Why Sam is the true hero of The Lord of the Rings.
- A Tale of Two Cities by Charles Dickens
More than 200 million copies sold.
What time, the French Revolution, when “we were going straight to Heaven, we were going headlong to Hell.
- Don Quixote de la Mancha by Miguel de Cervantes
More than 500 million copies sold.
In addition to one of the best works of universal literature, the book that narrates the adventures of the ingenious gentleman.
Quijano is one of the best sellers on the planet. However, as it has been so long since its publication – 1605, the first part, 1615 the second – no reliable source gives a concrete figure. More than 500 million copies are supposed to be sold worldwide. If you can, get the Francisco Rico edition, which is the best. If you read it in high school and you weren’t excited about it, give it a second chance, maybe it’s one of those books you read too early.
