Introduction
The written word has captivated humanity for thousands of years. From ancient scrolls to modern e-readers, books have allowed people to lose themselves in other worlds, learn about real ones, and connect with both authors and fellow readers. While book sales statistics can be hard to pin down exactly, several publications stand out as the best-selling books worldwide based on available estimates.
In this article, we will exclusively focus on “the best of the best”, the best selling books that have sold more than 100 million copies!
Table of Contents
First place: A Tale of Two Cities by author Charles Dickens
You can find “A Tale of Two Cities” by author Charles Dickens on your favorite bookstore, including Amazon.com and Amazon UK.
With over 200 million copies sold, Charles Dickens’ A Tale of Two Cities leads the pack and it is the winner of our Best Selling Books of All Time charts! The 1859 historical novel chronicles the years leading up to the French Revolution and the twists of fate for characters in London and Paris. Dickens originally published the work in 31 weekly installments in his literary periodical All the Year Round. The innovative publication method allowed him to gauge readers’ reactions and adjust the story accordingly. This reader-centric approach helped propel A Tale of Two Cities to record-breaking sales at the time. The book has never gone out of print and often appears on high school reading lists, further boosting its total over the decades.
Second place: The Little Prince by author Antoine de Saint-Exupéry
You can find The Little Prince by author Antoine de Saint-Exupéry on your favorite bookstore, including Amazon.com and Amazon UK.
While sales statistics vary, Antoine de Saint-Exupéry’s The Little Prince rounds out our Best Selling Books of All Time charts as a strong contender with estimates nearing 200 million copies sold since its 1943 publication. Originally written in French, the charming fable explores profound themes through the guise of a children’s book. The Little Prince’s adventures juxtapose the innocence of childhood wonder with the serious struggles of adulthood. Readers have treasured its messages about friendship, loss, and making the most of life for generations.
Third place: Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone by author J.K. Rowling
You can find Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone by author J. K. Rowling on your favorite bookstore, including Amazon.com and Amazon UK.
With over 120 million sales and counting since its 1997 debut, J.K. Rowling’s Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone (published in the U.S. as Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone) takes the third spot among the Best Selling Books of All Time, that managed to sell more than 100 million copies. The children’s fantasy introduced beloved wizard Harry Potter and the vivid Hogwarts world filled with magic, whimsy, and coming-of-age lessons. The book sparked a phenomenal cultural craze and series of blockbuster films and theme parks. Rowling proved that children’s writing could enrapture a universal audience and penetrate mainstream culture. Her book got the whole world reading together.
Fourth place: And Then There Were None by author Agatha Christie
You can find “And Then There Were None” by author Agatha Christie on your favorite bookstore, including Amazon.com and Amazon UK.
Agatha Christie takes fourth place on the list of Best Selling Books of All Time, with 100 million copies of her mystery novel And Then There Were None. The 1939 book pioneered the “locked room” suspense subgenre by stranding 10 strangers on an island and depicting their strange deaths one-by-one. Christie’s brilliant plotting created an enthralling puzzle for readers to solve along with the characters. The book’s twist ending reveal has shocked and delighted readers for over 80 years. Christie expanded the boundaries of mystery writing and inspired generations of authors.
Fifth place: Dream of the Red Chamber by author Cao Xueqin
The Dream of the Red Chamber (The Story of the Stone) by author Cao Xueqin on your favorite bookstore, including Amazon.com and Amazon UK.
With similar worldwide sales to “And Then There Were None”, Cao Xueqin’s Dream of the Red Chamber has enthralled readers since the 18th century. The classic Chinese novel from 1791 follows the sprawling Qing dynasty Jia family and explores love, philosophy, and Buddhism. Beyond China, the book found popularity in Asia and Europe after first English and French translations published in the 1920s. Dream’s insightful portrayal of daily family life and cultural traditions has made it a definitive literary masterpiece.
Sixth place: The Hobbit by author J.R.R. Tolkien
You can find “The Hobbit” by author J. R. R. Tolkien on your favorite bookstore, including Amazon.com and Amazon UK.
J.R.R. Tolkien’s The Hobbit comes in sixth place and closes our Best Selling Books of All Time, with estimated sales between around 100 million, although some believe they may have already passed 150 million! Tolkien introduced readers to his imagined world of Middle-Earth in the 1937 book, which chronicles the adventures of hobbit Bilbo Baggins. The Hobbit‘s universal themes of heroism, overcoming adversity, and finding courage resonated with readers across generations. The book laid the groundwork for Tolkien’s popular The Lord of the Rings trilogy, which continues to drive new readers to The Hobbit. It’s hard to imagine a world without Tolkien’s legendary works, which created the template for modern high fantasy.
Final Thoughts
Only 6 books are present in our Best Selling Books of All Time, given our rather strict requirement of having sold over 100 million copies. From classics to contemporary blockbusters, these remarkable books have touched the lives of countless people across languages, cultures, and borders. Their writers pioneered creative literary techniques that amplified readership. These monumental works showcase how a single published story can influence the world through the power of inspirational storytelling. For all their differences in era, genre, and origin, these books share messages that resonate universally across humanity. No matter how old the publication date, some tales achieve a timeless quality – and readers can always discover new worlds and insights between the covers.
FAQs about the Best Selling Books of All Time
As usual, we have included a few FAQs for each book in our Top-6 best selling books of all time (over 100 million copies sold).
For A Tale of Two Cities – Charles Dickens:
Q: How does the setting of London and Paris contribute to the story?
A: The two cities represent different worlds that collide as the characters travel between them. Dickens vividly depicts the lavish excesses of the French aristocracy in Paris alongside the grim working conditions of the poor in London. This contrast underscores the socioeconomic tensions that will erupt in the coming revolution. The different atmospheres also parallel the characters’ shifting mindsets as they transform over the course of the story.
Q: What is the significance of the famous opening line “It was the best of times, it was the worst of times”?
A: This oxymoronic line perfectly encapsulates the central tension of the novel. It describes the period before the French Revolution, when poverty and oppression clashed with the superficial flourishing of the aristocracy. This contradiction foreshadows the coming turmoil and sets up the complex dualities the characters embody. The line also reveals a core theme of the book – that good and evil often coexist within both society and individuals.
For The Little Prince – Antoine de Saint-Exupéry:
Q: How does the little prince’s interplanetary journey represent a quest for meaning?
A: As the prince visits each strange planet and its peculiar inhabitant, he gains a broader perspective on life. His curious nature and probing questions reveal the absurdity of narrow-minded adults. The journey becomes an existential exploration of what truly matters in life beyond superficial appearances.
Q: How does the book balance lightness and depth?
A: The little prince’s sweet, innocent interactions add whimsical humor and charm. But his poignant goodbye when returning to his star reduces readers to tears. The delicate watercolors accompany de Saint-Exupéry’s profound meditations on loneliness, loss, and human nature. This masterful blend of gentle and serious tones creates a moving reading experience for all ages.
For Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone – J.K. Rowling:
Q: How does Harry’s experience at Hogwarts parallel his life outside of it?
A: Hogwarts represents the magical, welcoming world Harry always longed for, contrasting the misery of his life with the Dursleys. But his celebrity in the wizard world as the revered Boy Who Lived also parallels how his aunt and uncle resent his specialness. So at Hogwarts, Harry finds the sense of belonging he craves along with new forms of notoriety and isolation.
Q: How does the novel blend whimsical imagination with real-life lessons?
A: Magical touches like chocolate frogs and enchanted paintings create wonder and surprise grounded in relatable emotions. The fantastical classes and adventures build self-confidence. And despite the fantasy, Harry faces realistic coming-of-age struggles like finding friends, gaining independence, and learning about his family history. The book depicts an enchanting alternate reality that resonates with real themes.
For And Then There Were None = Agatha Christie:
Q: How does the isolated island setting contribute to the ominous atmosphere?
A: The remote island cut off from civilization heightens the sense of unseen danger and inability to escape. Being trapped on the island parallels how the characters feel psychologically trapped in their guilt. The island also represents how all humans are ultimately isolated and forced to confront themselves morally. This claustrophobic, inescapable environment breeds the desperation and dread behind the deaths.
Q: How does the mystery differ from more traditional whodunits?
A: Unlike typical murder mysteries focused on a detective hero, the victims themselves become the amateur sleuths in this locked room thriller. The readers and characters discover clues simultaneously, creating engaging dramatic irony and suspense. By making the intended victims the investigators, Christie innovatively flipped the script on conventional formulas.
For Dream of the Red Chamber – Cao Xueqin:
Q: How does the family home, the Grand View Garden, function symbolically?
A: The lavish garden represents a haven where the characters indulge in decadent delights that shelter them from the “real world” of 18th century China. But as the family declines, the garden falls into disrepair, mirroring the dissipation of their fortunes and morals amid political turmoil. The garden symbolizes both the splendor and fragility of the aristocratic way of life.
Q: How do the women characters like Lin Daiyu push back against gender restrictions?
A: Lin Daiyu’s intelligence and unrestrained emotions conflict with expected female roles in her society. Her resistance to marriage and outspokenness represent rare female independence and power. The author portrays her sympathetically as a complex, resilient heroine navigating social limitations – which was highly unconventional at the time.
For The Hobbit – J.R.R. Tolkien:
Q: How does Bilbo’s character change and develop throughout the story?
A: Bilbo begins as a timid, domestic hobbit who is reluctant to journey with the dwarves. But he discovers his courage and resourcefulness, rescuing the group with both his wits and the magic ring. Bilbo’s adventures transform him into a seasoned, daring hobbit prepared to help fight a war. His growth demonstrates how stepping outside one’s comfort zone can build confidence and heroism.
Q: How do the motifs of greed and morality unfold in the novel?
A: The corrupting allure of the dragon’s gold initially motivates the quest. Thorin’s growing obsession with his family treasure highlights the danger of greed, while Bilbo stays pure at heart. Bilbo’s mercy for Gollum reflects moral integrity over selfishness. The story suggests greed often leads to doom, while good morals guide the way.