List of best-selling single-volume books[edit]

More than 100 million copies[edit]

Book
Autho
r(s)
Origi
nal
langu
age
First
publis
hed
Approxi
mate
sales
A Tale of
Two
Cities
Charles
Dickens
English 1859
200
million
[5]

The Lord
of the
Rings
(sometim
es
considere
d a
J. R. R.
Tolkien
English
1954
1955
150
million
[6]

Book
Autho
r(s)
Origi
nal
langu
age
First
publis
hed
Approxi
mate
sales
series)
Le Petit
Prince (T
he Little
Prince)
Antoine
de Saint-
Exupry
French
[Not
e 1]

1943
140
million
[7][8]

Harry
Potter
and the
Philosoph
er's Stone
J. K.
Rowling
English 1997
107
million
[9]

And Then Agatha
English 1939
100
Book
Autho
r(s)
Origi
nal
langu
age
First
publis
hed
Approxi
mate
sales
There
Were
None
Christie million
[10]

/

(Dream of
the Red
Chamber)
Cao
Xueqin
Chinese
1754
[11]

1791
100
million
[12]

The
Hobbit
J. R. R.
Tolkien
English 1937
100
million
[13]

She: A H. Rider
English 1887
100
Book
Autho
r(s)
Origi
nal
langu
age
First
publis
hed
Approxi
mate
sales
History of
Adventur
e
Haggard million
[14]

Between 50 million and 100 million copies[edit]
Book
Auth
or(s)
Origi
nal
lang
uage
First
publi
shed
Approx
imate
sales
The Lion, the
Witch and
the
Wardrobe
C. S.
Lewis
English 1950
85
million
[15]

Book
Auth
or(s)
Origi
nal
lang
uage
First
publi
shed
Approx
imate
sales
The Da Vinci
Code
Dan
Brown
English 2003
80
million
[16]

Think and
Grow Rich
Napoleo
n Hill
English 1937
70
million
[17]

Harry Potter
and the Half-
Blood Prince
J. K.
Rowling
English 2005
65
million
[18]

The Catcher
in the Rye
J. D.
Salinger
English 1951
65
million
[19]

Book
Auth
or(s)
Origi
nal
lang
uage
First
publi
shed
Approx
imate
sales
O
Alquimista (T
he
Alchemist)
Paulo
Coelho
Portugu
ese
1988
65
million
[20]

Harry Potter
and the
Chamber of
Secrets
J. K.
Rowling
English 1998
60
million
[21]

Harry Potter
and the
Prisoner of
J. K.
Rowling
English 1998
55
million
[22]

Book
Auth
or(s)
Origi
nal
lang
uage
First
publi
shed
Approx
imate
sales
Azkaban
Harry Potter
and the
Goblet of
Fire
J. K.
Rowling
English 2000
55
million
[23]

Harry Potter
and the
Order of the
Phoenix
J. K.
Rowling
English 2003
55
million
[24]

Harry Potter
and the
J. K.
Rowling
English 2007
50
million
[25]

Book
Auth
or(s)
Origi
nal
lang
uage
First
publi
shed
Approx
imate
sales
Deathly
Hallows
Cien aos de
soledad (On
e Hundred
Years of
Solitude)
Gabriel
Garca
Mrquez
Spanish 1967
50
million
[26][27][
28]

Lolita
Vladimir
Nabokov
English 1955
50
million
[29]

Heidis Lehr-
und
Johanna
Spyri
German 1880
50
million
[30]

Book
Auth
or(s)
Origi
nal
lang
uage
First
publi
shed
Approx
imate
sales
Wanderjahre
(Heidi's
Years of
Wandering
and
Learning)
The
Common
Sense Book
of Baby and
Child Care
Dr. Benj
amin
Spock
English 1946
50
million
[31]

Book
Auth
or(s)
Origi
nal
lang
uage
First
publi
shed
Approx
imate
sales
Anne of
Green
Gables
Lucy
Maud
Montgo
mery
English 1908
50
million
[32]

Black
Beauty: His
Grooms and
Companions:
The
autobiograph
y of a horse
Anna
Sewell
English 1877
50
million
[33]

Book
Auth
or(s)
Origi
nal
lang
uage
First
publi
shed
Approx
imate
sales
Il Nome della
Rosa (The
Name of the
Rose)
Umberto
Eco
Italian 1980
50
million
[34]

The Eagle
Has Landed
Jack
Higgins
English 1975
50
million
[35]

Watership
Down
Richard
Adams
English 1972
50
million
[36]

The Hite
Report
Shere
Hite
English 1976
50
million
[37]

Book
Auth
or(s)
Origi
nal
lang
uage
First
publi
shed
Approx
imate
sales
Charlotte's
Web
E.B.
White;
illustrate
d
byGarth
Williams
English 1952
50
million
[38]

The Ginger
Man
J. P.
Donleav
y
English 1955
50
million
[39]

The Bridges
of Madison
Robert
James
English 1992
50
million
[40]

Book
Auth
or(s)
Origi
nal
lang
uage
First
publi
shed
Approx
imate
sales
County Waller
Between 30 million and 50 million copies[edit]
Book
Auth
or(s)
Origi
nal
langu
age
First
publi
shed
Approx
imate
sales
The Tale of
Peter
Rabbit
Beatrix
Potter
English 1902 45 million
[41]

Jonathan
Livingston
Richard
Bach
English 1970 40 million
[42]

Book
Auth
or(s)
Origi
nal
langu
age
First
publi
shed
Approx
imate
sales
Seagull
A Message
to Garcia
Elbert
Hubbard
English 1899 40 million
[31]

Sofies
verden (So
phie's
World)
Jostein
Gaarder
Norwegi
an
1991 40 million
[43]

Flowers in
the Attic
V. C.
Andrews
English 1979 40 million
[44]

Angels & Dan
English 2000 39 million
[45]

Book
Auth
or(s)
Origi
nal
langu
age
First
publi
shed
Approx
imate
sales
Demons Brown

(Kak
zakalyalas'
stal'; How
the Steel
Was
Tempered)
Nikolai
Ostrovsk
y
Russian 1932
36.4 million
copies in
USSR
[46]



Leo
Russian 1869
36.0 million
copies in
Book
Auth
or(s)
Origi
nal
langu
age
First
publi
shed
Approx
imate
sales
(Voyna i
mir; War
and Peace)
Tolstoy USSR
[46]

Le
avventure
di
Pinocchio.
Storia di un
burattino
(The
Adventures
of
Carlo
Collodi
Italian 1881 35 million
[47]

Book
Auth
or(s)
Origi
nal
langu
age
First
publi
shed
Approx
imate
sales
Pinocchio)
You Can
Heal Your
Life
Louise
Hay
English 1984 35 million
[48]

Your
Erroneous
Zones
Wayne
Dyer
English 1976 35 million
[49]

The Late,
Great
Planet
Earth
Hal
Lindsey,
C. C.
Carlson
English 1970 35 million
[50]

Book
Auth
or(s)
Origi
nal
langu
age
First
publi
shed
Approx
imate
sales
Kane and
Abel
Jeffrey
Archer
English 1979 34 million
[51]

In His
Steps:
What
Would
Jesus Do?
Charles
M.
Sheldon
English 1896 30 million
[31]

To Kill a
Mockingbir
d
Harper
Lee
English 1960 30 million
[52]

Book
Auth
or(s)
Origi
nal
langu
age
First
publi
shed
Approx
imate
sales
Valley of
the Dolls
Jacqueli
ne
Susann
English 1966 30 million
[31]

Gone with
the Wind
Margaret
Mitchell
English 1936 30 million
[53]

Het
Achterhuis
(The Diary
of a Young
Girl, The
Diary of
Anne
Frank
Dutch 1947 30 million
[54]

Book
Auth
or(s)
Origi
nal
langu
age
First
publi
shed
Approx
imate
sales
Anne
Frank)
The
Purpose
Driven Life
Rick
Warren
English 2002 30 million
[55]

The Thorn
Birds
Colleen
McCullo
ugh
English 1977 30 million
[56]

The Revolt
of Mamie
Stover
William
Bradford
Huie
English 1951 30 million
[57]

Book
Auth
or(s)
Origi
nal
langu
age
First
publi
shed
Approx
imate
sales
Mn som
hatar
kvinnor (Th
e Girl with
the Dragon
Tattoo)
Stieg
Larsson
Swedish 2005 30 million
[58]

The Very
Hungry
Caterpillar
Eric
Carle
English 1969 30 million
[59]

Between 20 million and 30 million copies[edit]
Boo
k
Author(s
)
Origi
nal
lang
uage
First
publi
shed
Approx
imate
sales

(The
Young
Guard)
Alexander
Alexandrovic
h Fadeyev
Russian 1945
26 million
copies in
USSR
[46]

Who
Moved
My
Cheese
?
Spencer
Johnson
English 1998
26
million
[60]

Boo
k
Author(s
)
Origi
nal
lang
uage
First
publi
shed
Approx
imate
sales
The
Great
Gatsby
F. Scott
Fitzgerald
English 1925
25
million
[61]

The
Wind in
the
Willows
Kenneth
Grahame
English 1908
25
million
[62]

Ninetee
n
Eighty-
Four
George
Orwell
English 1949
25
million
[63]

Boo
k
Author(s
)
Origi
nal
lang
uage
First
publi
shed
Approx
imate
sales
The 7
Habits
of
Highly
Effectiv
e
People
Stephen R.
Covey
English 1989
25
million
[64]

(Virgin
Soil
Mikhail
Sholokhov
Russian 1935
24 million
copies in
USSR
[46]

Boo
k
Author(s
)
Origi
nal
lang
uage
First
publi
shed
Approx
imate
sales
Upturne
d)
The
Celestin
e
Prophec
y
James
Redfield
English 1993
23
million
[65]

The
Hunger
Games
Suzanne
Collins
English 2008
23
million
[66]

Sergey
Russian 1936
21 million
Boo
k
Author(s
)
Origi
nal
lang
uage
First
publi
shed
Approx
imate
sales

(Uncle
Styopa)
Mikhalkov copies in
USSR
[46]

The
Godfath
er
Mario Puzo English 1969
21
million
[67]

Love
Story
Erich Segal English 1970
21
million
[68]


(Wolf
Totem)
Jiang Rong Chinese 2004
20
million
[69]

Boo
k
Author(s
)
Origi
nal
lang
uage
First
publi
shed
Approx
imate
sales
The
Happy
Hooker:
My Own
Story
Xaviera
Hollander
English 1971
20
million
[70]

Jaws
Peter
Benchley
English 1974
20
million
[71]

Love
You
Forever
Robert
Munsch
English 1986
20
million
[72]

Boo
k
Author(s
)
Origi
nal
lang
uage
First
publi
shed
Approx
imate
sales
The
Women'
s Room
Marilyn
French
English 1977
20
million
[73]

What to
Expect
When
You're
Expecti
ng
Arlene
Eisenberg a
ndHeidi
Murkoff
English 1984
20
million
[74]

The
Adventu
Mark Twain English 1885
20
million
[75]

Boo
k
Author(s
)
Origi
nal
lang
uage
First
publi
shed
Approx
imate
sales
res of
Huckleb
erry
Finn
The
Secret
Diary of
Adrian
Mole,
Aged
13
Sue
Townsend
English 1982
20
million
[76]

Boo
k
Author(s
)
Origi
nal
lang
uage
First
publi
shed
Approx
imate
sales
Kon-
Tiki:
Across
the
Pacific
in a Raft
Thor
Heyerdahl
Norwegi
an
1950
20
million
[77]

Osudy
dobrho
vojka
vejka
za
svtov
Jaroslav
Haek
Czech 1923
20
million
[78]

Boo
k
Author(s
)
Origi
nal
lang
uage
First
publi
shed
Approx
imate
sales
vlky
(The
Good
Soldier
vejk)
Where
the Wild
Things
Are
Maurice
Sendak
English 1963
20
million
[79]

The
Power
of
Norman
Vincent
English 1952
20
million
[80]

Boo
k
Author(s
)
Origi
nal
lang
uage
First
publi
shed
Approx
imate
sales
Positive
Thinkin
g
Peale
The
Shack
William P.
Young
English 2007
20
million
[81]

The
Secret
Rhonda
Byrne
English 2006
20
million
[82]

Fear of
Flying
Erica Jong English 1973
20
million
[83]

Between 10 million and 20 million copies[edit]
Book
Aut
hor(
s)
Orig
inal
lang
uag
e
First
publ
ishe
d
Approxi
mate
sales
Goodnight
Moon
Margar
et Wise
Brown
English 1947 16 million
[84]

Die
unendliche
Geschichte (T
he
Neverending
Story)
Michael
Ende
Germa
n
1979 16 million
[85]

Guess How Sam
English 1994 15 million
[86]

Book
Aut
hor(
s)
Orig
inal
lang
uag
e
First
publ
ishe
d
Approxi
mate
sales
Much I Love
You
McBrat
ney
Shgun
James
Clavell
English 1975 15 million
[87]

The Poky
Little Puppy
Janette
Sebring
Lowrey
English 1942 15 million
[88]

The Pillars of
the Earth
Ken
Follett
English 1989 15 million
[89]

Book
Aut
hor(
s)
Orig
inal
lang
uag
e
First
publ
ishe
d
Approxi
mate
sales
How to Win
Friends and
Influence
People
Dale
Carnegi
e
English 1936 15 million
[90]

Das
Parfum (Perfu
me)
Patrick
Sskin
d
Germa
n
1985 15 million
[91]

The Grapes of
Wrath
John
Steinbe
ck
English 1939 15 million
[92]

Book
Aut
hor(
s)
Orig
inal
lang
uag
e
First
publ
ishe
d
Approxi
mate
sales
The Horse
Whisperer
Nichola
s
Evans
English 1995 15 million
[93]

La sombra del
viento (The
Shadow of the
Wind)
Carlos
Ruiz
Zafn
Spanis
h
2001 15 million
[94]

(Totto-chan,
Tetsuk
o
Kuroya
Japane
se
1981
14.36
million (in
Japan and
Book
Aut
hor(
s)
Orig
inal
lang
uag
e
First
publ
ishe
d
Approxi
mate
sales
the Little Girl
at the
Window)
nagi China)
[95][96]

The
Hitchhiker's
Guide to the
Galaxy
Dougla
s
Adams
English 1979 14 million
[97]

Tuesdays with
Morrie
Mitch
Albom
English 1997 14 million
[98]

God's Little Erskine
English 1933 14 million
[99]

Book
Aut
hor(
s)
Orig
inal
lang
uag
e
First
publ
ishe
d
Approxi
mate
sales
Acre Caldwe
ll
Va' dove ti
porta il cuore
(Follow Your
Heart)
Susann
a
Tamaro
Italian 1994 14 million
[100]

The Old Man
and the Sea
Ernest
Heming
way
English 1952 13 million
[46]

The Outsiders
S. E.
English 1967 13 million
[101]

Book
Aut
hor(
s)
Orig
inal
lang
uag
e
First
publ
ishe
d
Approxi
mate
sales
Hinton
Charlie and
the Chocolate
Factory
Roald
Dahl
English 1964 13 million
[102]

Life After Life
Raymo
nd
Moody
English 1975 13 million
[103]

, Noruwei
no
Haruki
Muraka
mi
Japane
se
1987 12 million
[104]

Book
Aut
hor(
s)
Orig
inal
lang
uag
e
First
publ
ishe
d
Approxi
mate
sales
Mori (Norwegi
an Wood)
Peyton Place
Grace
Metalio
us
English 1956 12 million
[105]

Dune
Frank
Herbert
English 1965 12 million
[106]

La Peste (The
Plague)
Albert
Camus
French 1947 12 million
[107]

Book
Aut
hor(
s)
Orig
inal
lang
uag
e
First
publ
ishe
d
Approxi
mate
sales
(No
Longer
Human)
Osamu
Dazai
Japane
se
1948 12 million
[108]

The Naked
Ape
Desmo
nd
Morris
English 1968 12 million
[109]

Ein
Psychologe
erlebt das
Konzentration
Viktor
Frankl
Germa
n
1946 12 million
[110]

Book
Aut
hor(
s)
Orig
inal
lang
uag
e
First
publ
ishe
d
Approxi
mate
sales
slager (Man's
Search for
Meaning)
Divina
Commedia (Di
vine Comedy)
Dante
Alighier
i
Italian 1304
11-12
million
(during 20th
century)
[111]

Things Fall
Apart
Chinua
Achebe
English 1958 11 million
[112]

The Prophet
Khalil
English 1923
11
Book
Aut
hor(
s)
Orig
inal
lang
uag
e
First
publ
ishe
d
Approxi
mate
sales
Gibran million
[113][114][b
etter source needed]

The Exorcist
William
Peter
Blatty
English 1971 11 million
[115]

The Gruffalo
Julia
Donald
son
English 1999
10.5
million
[116]

Catch-22
Joseph
Heller
English 1961 10 million
[117]

Book
Aut
hor(
s)
Orig
inal
lang
uag
e
First
publ
ishe
d
Approxi
mate
sales
Eye of the
Needle
Ken
Follett
English 1978 10 million
[118]

A Brief History
of Time
Stephe
n
Hawkin
g
English 1988 10 million
[119]

The Cat in the
Hat
Dr.
Seuss
English 1957 10 million
[120]

The Lovely Alice
English 2002 10 million
[121]

Book
Aut
hor(
s)
Orig
inal
lang
uag
e
First
publ
ishe
d
Approxi
mate
sales
Bones Sebold
Wild Swans
Jung
Chang
English 1992 10 million
[122]

Santa Evita
Toms
Eloy
Martne
z
Spanis
h
1995 10 million
[123]

Un di Velt Hot
Geshvign (Nig
ht)
Elie
Wiesel
Yiddish 1958 10 million
[124]

Book
Aut
hor(
s)
Orig
inal
lang
uag
e
First
publ
ishe
d
Approxi
mate
sales
The Kite
Runner
Khaled
Hossei
ni
English 2003 10 million
[125]

(Confucius
from the
Heart)
Yu Dan
Chines
e
2006 10 million
[126]

The Total
Woman
Marabe
l
English 1974 10 million
[127]

Book
Aut
hor(
s)
Orig
inal
lang
uag
e
First
publ
ishe
d
Approxi
mate
sales
Morgan

(Knowledge-
value
Revolution)
Taichi
Sakaiy
a
Japane
se
1985 10 million
[128]

(Problems in
China's
Socialist
Xue
Muqiao
Chines
e
1979 10 million
[129]

Book
Aut
hor(
s)
Orig
inal
lang
uag
e
First
publ
ishe
d
Approxi
mate
sales
Economy)
What Color is
Your
Parachute?
Richard
Nelson
Bolles
English 1970 10 million
[130]

The Dukan
Diet
Pierre
Dukan
French 2000 10 million
[131]

The Joy of
Sex
Alex
Comfor
t
English 1972 10 million
[132]

Book
Aut
hor(
s)
Orig
inal
lang
uag
e
First
publ
ishe
d
Approxi
mate
sales
The Gospel
According to
Peanuts
Robert
L. Short
English 1965 10 million
[133]

A Wrinkle in
Time
Madelei
ne
L'Engle
English 1962 10 million
[134]

Life of Pi
Yann
Martel
English 2001 10 million
[135]

The Giver
Lois
English 1993 10 million
[136]

Book
Aut
hor(
s)
Orig
inal
lang
uag
e
First
publ
ishe
d
Approxi
mate
sales
Lowry
No reliable sales figures[edit]
Note: These books do not have reliable sales
data; however, there is evidence that they have
sold at least 10 million copies, and therefore
belong on this list.
Boo
k
Author(
s)
Origina
l
langua
ge
First
publish
ed
Note
s
Don Miguel de
Spanish 1605
[137]

Boo
k
Author(
s)
Origina
l
langua
ge
First
publish
ed
Note
s
Quixote Cervantes
List of best-selling book series[edit]
100 million copies or more copies[edit]
Book
serie
s
Auth
or
Ori
gin
al
lan
gua
ge
No.
of
insta
llme
nts
Firs
t
pub
lish
ed
Appr
oxim
ate
sale
s
Harry
Potter
J.K.
Rowling
Englis
h
7 + 3
supple
ments
1997-
2007
450
million
[138
]

Book
serie
s
Auth
or
Ori
gin
al
lan
gua
ge
No.
of
insta
llme
nts
Firs
t
pub
lish
ed
Appr
oxim
ate
sale
s
Goosebu
mps
R. L.
Stine
Englis
h
62 +
spin off
series
1992
1997
presen
t
300
million
[139
]

Perry
Mason
Erle
Stanley
Gardner
Englis
h
82
1933

1970
300
million
[140
]

Berensta
in Bears
Stan and
Jan
Englis
h
over
300
1962

260
million
[141
Book
serie
s
Auth
or
Ori
gin
al
lan
gua
ge
No.
of
insta
llme
nts
Firs
t
pub
lish
ed
Appr
oxim
ate
sale
s
Berensta
in
presen
t
]

Choose
Your
Own
Adventur
e
various
authors
Englis
h
185
1979

1998
250
million
[142
]

Sweet
Valley
Francine
Pascal a
nd
Englis
h
400
1983
2003
250
million
[143
Book
serie
s
Auth
or
Ori
gin
al
lan
gua
ge
No.
of
insta
llme
nts
Firs
t
pub
lish
ed
Appr
oxim
ate
sale
s
High ghostwrit
ers
]

Noddy
Enid
Blyton
Englis
h
24
1949
presen
t
200
million
[144
]

Nancy
Drew
various
authors
asCaroly
n Keene
Englis
h
175
1930

presen
t
200
million
[145
]

Book
serie
s
Auth
or
Ori
gin
al
lan
gua
ge
No.
of
insta
llme
nts
Firs
t
pub
lish
ed
Appr
oxim
ate
sale
s
The
Railway
Series
(spawne
d Thoma
s the
Tank
Engine &
Friends)
Rev. W.
Awdry,C
hristophe
r Awdry
Englis
h
41
1945
2011
200
million
[146
]

San- Frdric
French 173
1949 200
Book
serie
s
Auth
or
Ori
gin
al
lan
gua
ge
No.
of
insta
llme
nts
Firs
t
pub
lish
ed
Appr
oxim
ate
sale
s
Antonio Dard 2001 million
[147
]

Robert
Langdon
Dan
Brown
Englis
h
4
2000
presen
t
200
million
[148
]

The
Baby-
sitters
Club
Ann
Martin
Englis
h
335
1986

presen
t
172
million
[149
]

Book
serie
s
Auth
or
Ori
gin
al
lan
gua
ge
No.
of
insta
llme
nts
Firs
t
pub
lish
ed
Appr
oxim
ate
sale
s
Star
Wars
various
authors
Englis
h
over
300
1977

presen
t
160
million
[150
]

Peter
Rabbit
Beatrix
Potter
Englis
h
6
1902
1930
150
million
[151
]

Chicken
Soup for
Jack
Canfield,
Englis
h
105
1997

130
million
[152
Book
serie
s
Auth
or
Ori
gin
al
lan
gua
ge
No.
of
insta
llme
nts
Firs
t
pub
lish
ed
Appr
oxim
ate
sale
s
the Soul Mark
Victor
Hansen
presen
t
]

Frank
Merriwell
Gilbert
Patten
Englis
h
209 1896 -
125
million
[153
]

Dirk Pitt
Clive
Cussler
Englis
h
19
1973

presen
120
million
[154
]

Book
serie
s
Auth
or
Ori
gin
al
lan
gua
ge
No.
of
insta
llme
nts
Firs
t
pub
lish
ed
Appr
oxim
ate
sale
s
t

(Musashi
)
Eiji
Yoshika
wa
Japan
ese
7
1935
1939
120
million
[155
]

America
n Girl
various
authors
Englis
h

1986

presen
t
120
million
[156
]

The C. S. Englis
7
1949 120
Book
serie
s
Auth
or
Ori
gin
al
lan
gua
ge
No.
of
insta
llme
nts
Firs
t
pub
lish
ed
Appr
oxim
ate
sale
s
Chronicl
es of
Narnia
Lewis h 1954 million
[157
]

Mr. Men
Roger
Hargreav
es, Ada
m
Hargreav
es
Englis
h
43
1971

presen
t
120
million
[158
]

Book
serie
s
Auth
or
Ori
gin
al
lan
gua
ge
No.
of
insta
llme
nts
Firs
t
pub
lish
ed
Appr
oxim
ate
sale
s
Twilight
Stepheni
e Meyer
Englis
h
4 + 1
Novella
+ 1
Guide
2005
2011
120
million
[159
]

Clifford
the Big
Red Dog
Norman
Bridwell
Englis
h

1963

presen
t
110
million
[160
]

James Ian Englis
14
1953 100
Book
serie
s
Auth
or
Ori
gin
al
lan
gua
ge
No.
of
insta
llme
nts
Firs
t
pub
lish
ed
Appr
oxim
ate
sale
s
Bond Fleming h 1966 million
[161
]

Martine
Gilbert
Delahay
e, Marcel
Marlier
French 60
1954

presen
t
100
million
[162
]

Fifty
Shades
of Grey
E. L.
James
Englis
h
3
2011
2012
100
million
[163
]

Between 50 million and 100 million copies[edit]
Boo
k
seri
es
Autho
r
Ori
gin
al
lan
gua
ge
No.
of
insta
llme
nts
Firs
t
pub
lish
ed
Appr
oxim
ate
sales
Nijntje (
Miffy)
Dick
Bruna
Dutch 119
1955

present
85
million
[164]

Alex
Cross
James
Patterson
English 21
1993

present
81
million
[165]

Fear
Street
R. L.
Stine
English 114
1989

present
80
million
[166]

Boo
k
seri
es
Autho
r
Ori
gin
al
lan
gua
ge
No.
of
insta
llme
nts
Firs
t
pub
lish
ed
Appr
oxim
ate
sales
The
Vampir
e
Chronic
les
Anne
Rice
English 12
1976-
2003
80
million
[167]

Pippi
Lngstr
ump
(Pippi
Longst
Astrid
Lindgren
Swedis
h
3 + 3
picture
books
1945-
2001
80
million
[168]

Boo
k
seri
es
Autho
r
Ori
gin
al
lan
gua
ge
No.
of
insta
llme
nts
Firs
t
pub
lish
ed
Appr
oxim
ate
sales
ocking)
OSS
117
Jean
Bruce
French 265
1949
1992
75
million
[169]

Diary of
a
Wimpy
Kid
Jeff
Kinney
English 8
2007
present
75
million
[170]

Winnie-
the-
A. A.
Milne;
English 2
1926
1928
70
million
[171]

Boo
k
seri
es
Autho
r
Ori
gin
al
lan
gua
ge
No.
of
insta
llme
nts
Firs
t
pub
lish
ed
Appr
oxim
ate
sales
Pooh illustrated
byE. H.
Shepard
Magic
Tree
House
series
Mary
Pope
Osborne
English 43
1992
present
70
million
[172]

Left
Behind
Tim
LaHaye,
Jerry B.
English 16
1996

65
million
[173]

Boo
k
seri
es
Autho
r
Ori
gin
al
lan
gua
ge
No.
of
insta
llme
nts
Firs
t
pub
lish
ed
Appr
oxim
ate
sales
Jenkins 2007
A
Series
of
Unfortu
nate
Events
Lemony
Snicket a
ka Daniel
Handler
English 13
1999
2006
65
million
[174]

Little
House
on the
Laura
Ingalls
English 12
1932
2006
60
million
[175]

Boo
k
seri
es
Autho
r
Ori
gin
al
lan
gua
ge
No.
of
insta
llme
nts
Firs
t
pub
lish
ed
Appr
oxim
ate
sales
Prairie Wilder
Jack
Reache
r
Lee Child English 16
1997
present
60
million
[176]

Millenni
um
Trilogy
Stieg
Larsson
Swedis
h
3
2005
2007
60
million
[177]

Discwo
rld
Terry
Pratchett
English 40
1983
present
55
million
[178]

Boo
k
seri
es
Autho
r
Ori
gin
al
lan
gua
ge
No.
of
insta
llme
nts
Firs
t
pub
lish
ed
Appr
oxim
ate
sales
Where'
s
Wally?
[1
79]

Martin
Handford
English 13
1987
present
55
million
[180]

Men
Are
from
Mars,
Women
Are
John
Gray
English 15
1992
present
50
million
[181]

Boo
k
seri
es
Autho
r
Ori
gin
al
lan
gua
ge
No.
of
insta
llme
nts
Firs
t
pub
lish
ed
Appr
oxim
ate
sales
from
Venus
The
Hardy
Boys
various
authors
as Frankli
n W.
Dixon
English 190
1927
present
50
million
[182]

The
Bobbse
various
authors
as Laura
English 72
1904
1979
50
million
[183]

Boo
k
seri
es
Autho
r
Ori
gin
al
lan
gua
ge
No.
of
insta
llme
nts
Firs
t
pub
lish
ed
Appr
oxim
ate
sales
y Twins Lee Hope
Tarzan
Edgar
Rice
Burrough
s
English 26
1914
1995
50
million
[184]

The
Hunger
Games
trilogy
Suzanne
Collins
English 3
2008
2010
50
million
[185]

Between 30 million and 50 million copies[edit]
Book
series
Auth
or
Ori
gin
al
lan
gu
ag
e
No.
of
inst
allm
ents
Firs
t
pub
lish
ed
Appr
oxim
ate
sale
s
A Child's
First
Library Of
Learning
various
authors
Englis
h
29 1980 -
45
million
[18
6]

Junie B.
Jones
Barbara
Park
Englis
h
30 1992 -
44
million
[18
7]

The Robert Englis
14
1990 - 44
Book
series
Auth
or
Ori
gin
al
lan
gu
ag
e
No.
of
inst
allm
ents
Firs
t
pub
lish
ed
Appr
oxim
ate
sale
s
Wheel of
Time
Jordan,
Brandon
Sanders
on
h 2013 million
[18
8]

Harry
Bosch
Michael
Connelly
Englis
h
15 1992 -
42
million
[18
9]

Harry Jo Norwe
9
1997
presen
40
million
[19
Book
series
Auth
or
Ori
gin
al
lan
gu
ag
e
No.
of
inst
allm
ents
Firs
t
pub
lish
ed
Appr
oxim
ate
sale
s
Hole Nesb gian t
0]

(Picture-
and-story
book Rail
way
Guerilla)
original
author: Li
u Zhixia
Chine
se
10
1955
1962
36.52
million
[19
1]

Book
series
Auth
or
Ori
gin
al
lan
gu
ag
e
No.
of
inst
allm
ents
Firs
t
pub
lish
ed
Appr
oxim
ate
sale
s
Paddingt
on Bear
Michael
Bond
Englis
h
70
1958
presen
t
35
million
[19
2]

The
Inheritanc
e Cycle
Christop
her
Paolini
Englis
h
4
2002
2011
33
million
[19
3]


(Tokugaw
Sohachi
Yamaoka
Japan
ese
26
1950
1967
30
million
[19
Book
series
Auth
or
Ori
gin
al
lan
gu
ag
e
No.
of
inst
allm
ents
Firs
t
pub
lish
ed
Appr
oxim
ate
sale
s
a Ieyasu)
4]

Ramona
Beverly
Cleary
Englis
h
8
1955
1999
30
million
[19
5]

The Dark
Tower
Stephen
King
Englis
h
8
1982-
2012
30
million
[19
6]

The Warren Englis
150
1971 30
Book
series
Auth
or
Ori
gin
al
lan
gu
ag
e
No.
of
inst
allm
ents
Firs
t
pub
lish
ed
Appr
oxim
ate
sale
s
Destroyer Murphy a
ndRichar
d Sapir,
various
authors
h presen
t
million
[19
7]

Between 20 million and 30 million copies[edit]
Book
series
Aut
hor
Ori
gin
al
lan
gu
ag
e
No.
of
inst
allm
ents
Fir
st
pu
bli
sh
ed
App
roxi
mat
e
sale
s
(No
ntan)
Sachik
o
Kiyono
Japan
ese
25
1976
2006
28
million
[19
8]

Curious
George
Hans
August
o
Rey an
d Margr
et Rey
Englis
h
58
1941
presen
t
27
million
[19
9]

Book
series
Aut
hor
Ori
gin
al
lan
gu
ag
e
No.
of
inst
allm
ents
Fir
st
pu
bli
sh
ed
App
roxi
mat
e
sale
s

(Guin
Saga)
Kaoru
Kurimot
o
Japan
ese
118
1979
2009
26
million
[20
0]

Captain
Underpants
Dav
Pilkey
Englis
h

1997
presen
t
26
million
[20
1]

Jir
Akaga
Japan
ese
43
1978
presen
26
million
[20
Book
series
Aut
hor
Ori
gin
al
lan
gu
ag
e
No.
of
inst
allm
ents
Fir
st
pu
bli
sh
ed
App
roxi
mat
e
sale
s
(Calico
Cat Holmes
series)
wa t
2]

Rich Dad,
Poor Dad
Robert
Kiyosak
iSharon
Lechter
Englis
h
18 1997-
26
million
[20
3]

Kurt
Hennin
g
Swedi
10
1991
25
million
[20
Book
series
Aut
hor
Ori
gin
al
lan
gu
ag
e
No.
of
inst
allm
ents
Fir
st
pu
bli
sh
ed
App
roxi
mat
e
sale
s
Wallander Mankell sh 2002
4]

Sagaen om
Isfolket (The
Legend of
the Ice
People)
Margit
Sande
mo
Norwe
gian
47
1982
1989
25
million
[20
5]

The Sword
of Truth
Terry
Goodki
Englis
h
12
1998
2007
25
million
[cit
Book
series
Aut
hor
Ori
gin
al
lan
gu
ag
e
No.
of
inst
allm
ents
Fir
st
pu
bli
sh
ed
App
roxi
mat
e
sale
s
nd
ation needed]

Outlander
series
Diana
Gabald
on
Englis
h
8
1991
presen
t
25
million
[20
6]


(Onihei
Hankach)
Shtar
Ikenami
Japan
ese
24
1968
1990
24.4
million,
onlybun
kobon
[20
Book
series
Aut
hor
Ori
gin
al
lan
gu
ag
e
No.
of
inst
allm
ents
Fir
st
pu
bli
sh
ed
App
roxi
mat
e
sale
s
7]

The
Shadowhunt
er Chronicles
Cassan
dra
Clare
Englis
h
9 + 2
supple
ments
+ 2 tie-
ins (at
least
18 + 3
supple
ments
2007
presen
t
24
million
[2
08]

Book
series
Aut
hor
Ori
gin
al
lan
gu
ag
e
No.
of
inst
allm
ents
Fir
st
pu
bli
sh
ed
App
roxi
mat
e
sale
s
planne
d)
A Song of
Ice and Fire
George
R. R.
Martin
Englis
h
Current
ly 5; 7
Planne
d.
1996
presen
t
24
million
[20
9]

Brain Quest
series
various
authors
Englis
h

1992
presen
23.7
million
[21
Book
series
Aut
hor
Ori
gin
al
lan
gu
ag
e
No.
of
inst
allm
ents
Fir
st
pu
bli
sh
ed
App
roxi
mat
e
sale
s
t
0]

(Kaiketsu
Zorori)
Yutaka
Hara
Japan
ese
41
1987
presen
t
23
million
[21
1]

South Beach
Diet
Arthur
Agatsto
n
Englis
h
6
2003
presen
t
22
million
[21
2]

Book
series
Aut
hor
Ori
gin
al
lan
gu
ag
e
No.
of
inst
allm
ents
Fir
st
pu
bli
sh
ed
App
roxi
mat
e
sale
s
(
Ryoma ga
Yuku)
Rytar
Shiba
Japan
ese
5
1963
1966
21.5
million
[21
3]

Artemis Fowl
Eoin
Colfer
Englis
h
8
2001
2012
21
million
[21
4]

(Zukkok
Masam
oto
Japan
ese
50
1978
2004
21
million
[21
Book
series
Aut
hor
Ori
gin
al
lan
gu
ag
e
No.
of
inst
allm
ents
Fir
st
pu
bli
sh
ed
App
roxi
mat
e
sale
s
e
Sanningumi)
Nasu
5]

Shannara
Terry
Brooks
Englis
h
20
1977
presen
t
21
million
[21
6]

Redwall
Brian
Jacque
s
Englis
h
22
1986
2011
20
million
[21
7]

Book
series
Aut
hor
Ori
gin
al
lan
gu
ag
e
No.
of
inst
allm
ents
Fir
st
pu
bli
sh
ed
App
roxi
mat
e
sale
s
Malazan
Book of the
Fallen
Steven
Erikson
Englis
h
10
1999 -
2011
20
million
Maisy
Lucy
Cousin
s
Englis
h
23
1990
presen
t
20
million
[86
]

Dragonlance
various
authors
Englis
h
more
than
1984

20
million
[21
Book
series
Aut
hor
Ori
gin
al
lan
gu
ag
e
No.
of
inst
allm
ents
Fir
st
pu
bli
sh
ed
App
roxi
mat
e
sale
s
150 presen
t
8]


(Genma
Taisen)
Kazum
asa
Hirai
Japan
ese
20
1979
1983
20
million
[21
9]


(The Gate of
Youth)
Hiroyuk
i Itsuki
Japan
ese

1970
presen
t
20
million
[22
0]

Book
series
Aut
hor
Ori
gin
al
lan
gu
ag
e
No.
of
inst
allm
ents
Fir
st
pu
bli
sh
ed
App
roxi
mat
e
sale
s
The
Foundation
Trilogy
Isaac
Asimov
Englis
h
3
[221]

1950
1953
20
million
[22
2]

Horrible
Histories
Terry
Deary
Englis
h
24
1993
presen
t
20
million
[22
3]

Rainbow
Magic
Daisy
Meado
Englis
h
80+
2003
presen
20
million
[22
Book
series
Aut
hor
Ori
gin
al
lan
gu
ag
e
No.
of
inst
allm
ents
Fir
st
pu
bli
sh
ed
App
roxi
mat
e
sale
s
ws t
4]

Morgan
Kane
Louis
Master
son
Norwe
gian
90 1966
20
million
[22
5]

The
Southern
Vampire
Mysteries
Charlai
ne
Harris
Englis
h
13
2001
2013
20
million
[22
6]

Book
series
Aut
hor
Ori
gin
al
lan
gu
ag
e
No.
of
inst
allm
ents
Fir
st
pu
bli
sh
ed
App
roxi
mat
e
sale
s
Divergent
trilogy
Veronic
a Roth
Englis
h
3
2011-
2013
20
million
[22
7]

Between 15 million and 20 million copies[edit]
Book
series
A
ut
ho
r
Ori
gin
al
lan
gu
age
No.
of
insta
llme
nts
Firs
t
pub
lish
ed
Appr
oxim
ate
sale
s

(Kagaku no
album)
vario
us
autho
rs
Japan
ese

1970
presen
t
19
million
[228
]

(Ke
nkaku
Shobai)
Shota
ro
Ikena
mi
Japan
ese
18
1972
1989
18
million
[229
]

Erast Boris Russia
12
1998 18
Book
series
A
ut
ho
r
Ori
gin
al
lan
gu
age
No.
of
insta
llme
nts
Firs
t
pub
lish
ed
Appr
oxim
ate
sale
s
Fandorin Akuni
n
n presen
t
million
[230
]

D
(Vampire
Hunter D)
Hidey
uki
Kikuc
hi
Japan
ese
17
1983
presen
t
17
million
[231
]

(H
aruhi
Suzumiya
Naga
ru
Tanig
Japan
ese
11
2003
presen
t
16.5
million
[232
]

Book
series
A
ut
ho
r
Ori
gin
al
lan
gu
age
No.
of
insta
llme
nts
Firs
t
pub
lish
ed
Appr
oxim
ate
sale
s
Series) awa
The
Hitchhiker's
Guide to the
Galaxy
Dougl
as
Adam
s,
plus a
final
book
by Eo
in
Englis
h
6
1979
2008
16
million
[233
]

Book
series
A
ut
ho
r
Ori
gin
al
lan
gu
age
No.
of
insta
llme
nts
Firs
t
pub
lish
ed
Appr
oxim
ate
sale
s
Colfer
Bridget
Jones
Helen
Fieldi
ng
Englis
h
2
1996
presen
t
15
million
[234
]

The Riftwar
Cycle
Raym
ond
E.
Feist
Englis
h
25
1982
presen
t
15
million
[235
]

Percy Rick Englis
5
2005 15
Book
series
A
ut
ho
r
Ori
gin
al
lan
gu
age
No.
of
insta
llme
nts
Firs
t
pub
lish
ed
Appr
oxim
ate
sale
s
Jackson &
the
Olympians
Riord
an
h 2009 million
[236
]

The No. 1
Ladies
Detective
Agency
Alexa
nder
McCa
ll
Smith
Englis
h
9
1999
presen
t
15
million
[237
]

(Bokura
Osam
u
Japan
36
1985
presen
15
million
[238
Book
series
A
ut
ho
r
Ori
gin
al
lan
gu
age
No.
of
insta
llme
nts
Firs
t
pub
lish
ed
Appr
oxim
ate
sale
s
series) Soda ese t
]

His Dark
Materials
Philip
Pullm
an
Englis
h
3
1995
2000
15
million
[239
]

(Legend
of the
Galactic
Heroes)
Yoshi
ki
Tana
ka
Japan
ese
14
1982
1989
15
million
[240
]

Book
series
A
ut
ho
r
Ori
gin
al
lan
gu
age
No.
of
insta
llme
nts
Firs
t
pub
lish
ed
Appr
oxim
ate
sale
s
Der
Regenbogen
fisch(Rainbo
w Fish)
Marc
us
Pfiste
r
Germa
n

1992
presen
t
15
million
[241
]

Notes[edit]
The Perry Rhodan series has sold more than 1
billion copies,
[242]
but is not listed because that
figure includes magazine sales, not novels alone.
Similarly, the Jerry Cotton series has sold over
300 million copies, but most of these were in
magazine format.
[243]

The Lord of the Rings by J.R.R. Tolkien is
included in the list as a single entry because it
was written by Tolkien as a single book.
List of best-selling regularly updated books[edit]
More than 100 million copies[edit]
Book
Auth
or(s)
Origi
nal
lang
uage
First
publi
shed
Approx
imate
sales

(Xinhua
Zidian /
Xinhua
Dictionary)
Chief
editor:
Wei
Jiangon
g
Chinese 1957
400
million
[244]

Scouting for
Boys
Robert
Baden-
English 1908
100150
million
[245]

Book
Auth
or(s)
Origi
nal
lang
uage
First
publi
shed
Approx
imate
sales
Powell
The
McGuffey
Readers
William
Holmes
McGuffe
y
English 1853
125
million
[246]

Guinness
World
Records (pu
blished
every year)
various
authors
English
1955
present
115
million
[247]

American Noah
English 1783
100
Book
Auth
or(s)
Origi
nal
lang
uage
First
publi
shed
Approx
imate
sales
Spelling
Book (Webs
ter's
Dictionary)
Webster million
[31]

Between 50 million and 100 million copies[edit]
Book
Aut
hor(
s)
Orig
inal
lang
uag
e
First
publ
ishe
d
Appro
ximat
e
sales
World
Almanac (publis
various
authors
English
1868
76;
80
million
[248]

Book
Aut
hor(
s)
Orig
inal
lang
uag
e
First
publ
ishe
d
Appro
ximat
e
sales
hed every year) 1886
present

(Rokusei
Senjutsu (Six-
Star Astrology)
Tells Your
Fortune)
Kazuko
Hosoki
Japane
se
1986
present
79
million
[249]

Merriam-
Webster's
Merria
m-
English 1898
55
Book
Aut
hor(
s)
Orig
inal
lang
uag
e
First
publ
ishe
d
Appro
ximat
e
sales
Collegiate
Dictionary
Webste
r
million
[250]

Between 30 million and 50 million copies[edit]
Book
Autho
r(s)
Origi
nal
lang
uage
First
publi
shed
Approx
imate
sales
Roget's
Thesaurus
Peter
Mark
Roget
English 1852
40
million
[251]

Book
Autho
r(s)
Origi
nal
lang
uage
First
publi
shed
Approx
imate
sales

(Dekiru
Series)
Impress D
ekiru
Series
Editorial
Desk
Japanes
e
1994
present
40
million
[252]


(
)
(The
principle
of
Mathemati
Hong
Sung-dae
Korean
1966
present
(current
edition
since
1997)
40
million
[253]

~ 37
million
[254]

Book
Autho
r(s)
Origi
nal
lang
uage
First
publi
shed
Approx
imate
sales
cs -
Mathemati
cs
reference
book)
Better
Homes
and
Gardens
New Cook
Book
various
authors
English 1930 -
38
million
[255]

Book
Autho
r(s)
Origi
nal
lang
uage
First
publi
shed
Approx
imate
sales
Oxford
Advanced
Learner's
Dictionary
A. S.
Hornby
English 1948
30
million
[256]

Alcoholics
Anonymou
s Big Book
Bill Wilson English 1939
30
million
[257][258]

Le guide
Michelin
France
(The
various
authors
French
1900
present
30
million
[259]

Book
Autho
r(s)
Origi
nal
lang
uage
First
publi
shed
Approx
imate
sales
Michelin
GuideFran
ce)
(published
every
year)
Between 20 million and 30 million copies[edit]
Book
Auth
or(s)
Origi
nal
langu
age
First
publis
hed
Approxi
mate
sales
Betty various
English 1955-
27
Book
Auth
or(s)
Origi
nal
langu
age
First
publis
hed
Approxi
mate
sales
Crocker
Cookbook
authors
as Betty
Crocker
million
[260]

(Cho-
Zukai
series)
X media
Japanes
e
1996
2007
25
million
[261]

(
Jiyu Jizai)
various
authors
Japanes
e
1953
present
24
million
[262]

Tadao Japanes
1972
20.4
Book
Auth
or(s)
Origi
nal
langu
age
First
publis
hed
Approxi
mate
sales

(Shin
Meikai
kokugo
jiten)
Yamada e million
[263]

English
Grammar
Lindley
Murray
English 1795
20
million
[264]

Between 10 million and 20 million copies[edit]
Book
Aut
hor(
s)
Orig
inal
lang
uag
e
First
publ
ishe
d
Appro
ximat
e
sales
The Joy of
Cooking
various
authors
English 1936
18
million
[265]

(Super
Mapple)
various
authors
Japane
se
1991
present
18
million
[266]

(Cha
rt Shiki)
various
authors
Japane
se
1927
present
17.44
million,
only for
the first
grade of
Book
Aut
hor(
s)
Orig
inal
lang
uag
e
First
publ
ishe
d
Appro
ximat
e
sales
high-
school
[267]


(Eigo Kihon
Tangoshu)
"Compilation of
basic English
vocabulary"
Yoshio
Akao
Japane
se,
English
1942
17.2
million
[267]

(Siken Ni
Deru Eitango)
Ichiro
Mori
Japane
se,
1967
15
million
[268]

Book
Aut
hor(
s)
Orig
inal
lang
uag
e
First
publ
ishe
d
Appro
ximat
e
sales
"English
vocabulary in
examinations"
English

(Shin Eiwa Chu
Jiten) "New
English-
Japanese-
Chinese
Dictionary"
Shigeru
Takeba
yashi
Japane
se,
English
1967
12
million
[269]

Book
Aut
hor(
s)
Orig
inal
lang
uag
e
First
publ
ishe
d
Appro
ximat
e
sales
(Kjien)
Izuru
Shinmu
ra
Japane
se
1955
11
million
[263][2
70]


(Obunsha Kogo
Jiten) "Obunsha
Dictionary of
Archaisms"
Akira
Matsum
ura
Japane
se
1960
11
million
[271]


(Sanseido
Kenb
Hidetos
Japane
se
1960
10
million
[272]

Book
Aut
hor(
s)
Orig
inal
lang
uag
e
First
publ
ishe
d
Appro
ximat
e
sales
Kokugo Jiten)
"Sanseido
Dictionary of the
Japanese
Language"
hi

(Katei Ni Okeru
Jissaiteki Kango
No Hiketsu)
"Key to Practical
Personal Care at
Takichi
Tsukud
a
Japane
se
1925
10
million
[273]

Book
Aut
hor(
s)
Orig
inal
lang
uag
e
First
publ
ishe
d
Appro
ximat
e
sales
Home"
C (C
Program Design)
Tan,
Haoqia
ng
Chines
e
1991
10
million
[274]