Many of us would have a hard time naming the world’s best-selling novels of all time. We might assume that books such as J.K. Rowling’s Harry Potter series, The Hunger Games trilogy by Suzanne Collins, and J.R.R. Tolkien’s The Lord of the Rings have made a big impact on the literary world. But how many people have actually read these books? How many of the all-time best-selling novels are we familiar with, and which ones are still on our to-read list?
In this article, we’ll explore the most iconic and popular books ever published, and discuss how many of them you can scratch off your reading list. Let’s discover how many of the greatest novels of all time you’ve already read!
The Top 10 Best-Selling Novels of All Time
The list of the top 10 best-selling novels of all time is impressively long, with some beloved classics and some newer titles gracing the list. Here they are:
- A Tale of Two Cities by Charles Dickens
- The Lord of the Rings trilogy by J.R.R. Tolkien
- The Little Prince by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry
- Harry Potter series by J.K. Rowling
- And Then There Were None by Agatha Christie
- Dream of the Red Chamber by Cao Xueqin
- The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien
- She: A History of Adventure by H. Rider Haggard
- The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe by C.S. Lewis
- The Da Vinci Code by Dan Brown
From historical classics to science fiction thrillers to tales of adventure, these novels are sure to have something for everyone. While some of these books may not be your cup of tea, many readers have fallen in love with these books and they remain among the most popular and beloved works of literature.
The Harry Potter Series by J.K. Rowling
The Harry Potter series by J.K. Rowling is one of the most acclaimed and popular book series of all time. Spanning seven books, the series follows the titular wizarding world’s hero as he grows up and uses his newfound magical powers to battle dark forces.
The series has sold more than 500 million copies and has been translated into at least 67 languages. The books have captivated fans of all ages, from children’s first introductions to the magical world to adults who have grown up with the books and continue to be inspired by the story.
The series has also spawned a film franchise, video games, theme park rides, and numerous other spin-offs. The world of Harry Potter has become one of the most beloved and popular franchises in the world.
The Lord of the Rings Trilogy by J.R.R. Tolkien
Another all-time great series is the Lord of the Rings trilogy by J.R.R. Tolkien. This high-fantasy epic follows hobbit Frodo Baggins’ quest to destroy the all-powerful ring, a symbol of the dark lord Sauron’s control over Middle-earth.
The books have sold more than 150 million copies and have been translated into more than 40 languages. The series is also incredibly popular among moviegoers, as the trilogy of films based on the series became the highest-grossing movie trilogy of all time.
The series’ influence can be felt throughout pop culture, with themes, genre tropes, and even entire settings inspired by Tolkien’s Middle-earth.
Other Notable Best-Selling Novels
The books mentioned above may be the most popular, but they are certainly not the only great novels ever written. Here are some other best-sellers to add to your reading list:
- To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee
- Gone with the Wind by Margaret Mitchell
- The Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger
- The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho
- Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen
- 1984 by George Orwell
- The Little Women trilogy by Louisa May Alcott
- The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald
- Jane Eyre by Charlotte Brontë
- The Da Vinci Code by Dan Brown
These novels may be some of the most well-known and highly-acclaimed stories ever written, but they have all also been extremely popular and commercial successes.
It goes without saying that all of these novels have shaped the way we think about literature and storytelling, each in their own unique way. So, of these best-selling novels, how many have you read? The answer may surprise you. Whatever the answer may be, there’s no denying that these books still hold tremendous relevance and power in today’s world. So keep reading, and don’t forget that the world of literature is your oyster!
