With around 129,864,880 books published since the invention of Gutenberg’s printing press way back in 1440, it sure is a tough job to pick just the right book to read next. You might look for book recommendations from your friends or your local library, read only the classics, or check the yearly most-awarded book lists. Or, you could pick your next read from a list of best-selling books! You know, if they’ve sold millions of copies worldwide, chances are, they are, indeed, good books to read. At least, choosing from a list of best-seller books is as good a place as any to start.
If you’re already anxious to learn at least some of the books that made it onto this list, we can share a secret - almost all of the Harry Potter books made it into the ranks of the top 20 best-selling books of all time! That said, they weren’t there just a decade ago, so the list is ever-changing and reflects the newest stats. And while some of these books might not be a magnum opus of their writer or aren’t considered a proclamation of literary genius, most of them get to boast about such an honorable title. Take, for instance, Don Quixote or One Hundred Years Of Solitude - they’re not just best-sellers; they are truly some of the best books of all time that changed the literary world (and in some cases even the readers) forever. But no matter which books from this list you choose to read next, you can be pretty sure you’re in for a very joyous experience.
You know the drill - scroll down below and check out the official list of best-selling books as of right now! Although they are ranked by copies sold, you can always vote for your favorite books to read so they reach the top of this list. Once that is all well and done, share this article with your friends who might be looking for something good to read!
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#1 The Hobbit By J. R. R. Tolkien
The Hobbit, or There And Back Again, is a children’s fantasy novel by J.R.R. Tolkien - a predecessor to his much more extensive work, The Lord Of The Rings. In The Hobbit, we meet our beloved crusader Bilbo Baggins who’s aimed at a treasure guarded by Smaug, the dragon. Although the story starts lightheartedly, it later demands significant personal growth from the hobbit as he nears the end of his quest. Interestingly enough, the warfare motifs in the book are based on J.R.R. Tolkien’s experiences during World War I. At the same time, the fantasy aspects are heavily influenced by Germanic folklore and mythology.
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21points
#4 The Lion, The Witch And The Wardrobe By C. S. Lewis
The Lion, The Witch And The Wardrobe is a children’s fantasy novel written by C.S. Lewis and published in 1950. It is the first book in the series called The Chronicles Of Narnia and the most known work of C.S. Lewis. Here we get to follow the adventures of four kids as they discover a secret portal to Narnia - a land of talking animals and mythical creatures - and find themselves in a position to save the land from the evil White Witch. It’s thrilling, and it’s gripping, and that has secured The Lion, The Witch And The Wardrobe plenty of films, audio, and theater adaptations. Also, undying popularity.
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19points
#9 And Then There Were None By Agatha Christie
And Then There Were None is a novel written by the queen of mystery herself, Agatha Christie, first published in 1939 (though with a bit different name that has since changed). There’s no way we are willing to spoil the fun of reading it by mentioning the book’s plot, but since it’s Christie’s work, you know it will be a challenging and very entertaining mystery to unravel. Besides being a masterfully written book, And Then There Were None is the world’s best-selling mystery, with over 100 million copies sold. Do you have one of them on your bookshelf?
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14points
#12 Harry Potter And The Philosopher's Stone By J. K. Rowling
Harry Potter And The Philosopher’s Stone is a fantasy novel written by J.K. Rowling and first published in 1997. The book was the debut of Rowling as a writer, but due to its tremendous success, the Harry Potter series expanded to seven books over time. This first book introduces us to the series’ main characters - Harry, Ron, and Hermione - and lends a thorough explanation of the Wizarding World we’re about to get completely immersed in. However, a massive horde of fans wasn’t the only thing that Harry Potter And The Philosopher’s Stone garnered as some religious groups condemned it to be witchcraft propaganda, with few countries abolishing the books completely.
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13points
#16 The Little Prince (Le Petit Prince) By Antoine De Saint-Exupéry
The Little Prince is a novella by French aristocrat, writer, and military aviator Antoine de Saint-Exupery. It follows the story of a little prince who visits planets in space and meets various exciting strangers. Although it is perceived as a children’s book, the topics it discusses are more than relatable to adults - loneliness, friendship, love, and loss. The Little Prince also makes in-depth observations about life and human nature. Although it is entirely graspable for kids, it has an even more significant impact on older readers. This book also records the most translated books ever published - you can find it in 301 languages and dialects.
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12points
#20 Harry Potter And The Half-Blood Prince By J. K. Rowling
Harry Potter And The Half-Blood Prince is the sixth and penultimate book in the Harry Potter saga. Here the readers learn the prehistory of the dark wizard Lord Voldemort which gives a more profound view of Harry's preparations for the ultimate battle alongside his peers and his mentor Albus Dumbledore.
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11points