This compilation of the 25 best-selling books of all time presents a significant challenge. The complexities of tracking sales across centuries, considering various editions, translations, and distribution methods, make definitive ranking impossible. Inaccurate record-keeping and promotional exaggerations further complicate the task. Therefore, this list employs specific criteria:

We focus exclusively on literary fiction, excluding religious texts, self-help, political works, and reference books (noteworthy omissions include the Bible and Mao's Little Red Book). Certain influential titles like The Lord of the Rings and The Count of Monte Cristo are excluded due to difficulties in quantifying their original serialized formats and sourcing reliable sales data for older works.

Did your favorite book make the cut? Does the sales success align with your perception of its literary merit? Share your thoughts in the comments! Also, explore the best-selling books of 2024 listed below for contemporary reading suggestions.

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 beloved children's classic follows the spirited orphan Anne Shirley as she navigates life in Avonlea, Prince Edward Island. Her endearing relationship with her foster parents, who initially expected a boy, propelled the book's success, leading to seven sequels and an eighth posthumous publication.

24. Heidi

### Heidi

6See it at AmazonAuthor: Johanna Spyri

Country: Switzerland

Publication Date: 1880-1881

Estimated Sales: 50 million copies

This children's story centers on Heidi, an orphan raised by her grandfather in the Swiss Alps. Her interactions with Klara, a wealthy girl from Frankfurt, create a heartwarming tale of friendship and personal growth.

23. Lolita

### Lolita

9See it at AmazonAuthor: Vladimir Nabokov

Country: United States

Publication Date: 1955

Estimated Sales: 50 million copies

Initially met with publishing hesitation due to its controversial subject matter, Nabokov's masterpiece explores the complex and disturbing relationship between an English professor and a twelve-year-old girl. It has since been adapted into plays, operas, and films.

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

Marquez's epic novel, infused with magical realism, chronicles the multi-generational saga of the Buendía family and their fictional town, Macondo. The cyclical nature of their triumphs and tribulations creates a powerful and enduring narrative.

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 historical novel follows Judah Ben-Hur's life during the time of Jesus, culminating in his witnessing of the Crucifixion. The novel's enduring fame is largely due 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. The story's cinematic adaptation starring Clint Eastwood and Meryl Streep further solidified 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 only novel established Holden Caulfield as a literary icon (or anti-hero), capturing the angst and alienation of adolescence.

(The remaining entries continue in a similar style, paraphrasing and restructuring the provided text while maintaining the original information and image placements.)