40 Best Selling Books of All Time and Their Brief Synopsis

Bestselling books are often considered as classics due to timeless characterization and narrative style. Though all the best-selling books are not classics yet they are so popular that millions of copies have been sold worldwide.

So, I am going to list down 40 best selling books of all time with a brief synopsis and some other information about them. Moreover, these 50 books are ranked depending on the number of sold copies worldwide. For a further note, Bible or Quran will not be included as the best-selling books because we don’t have any trace of sold or distributed copies. Moreover, most probably Bible is the most selling book on the planet followed by Quran and Quotations of Chairman Mao Tse-tung.

40 Bestselling Books of All Time

1. Don Quixote by Miguel de Cervantes

Synopsis: Don Quixote is the best-selling book of all time which is being popularly sold for last two centuries. This top selling novel has timeless characterization and universal narrative technique. The protagonist of the novel, Alonso Quixano formerly known as Don Quixote is fond of Chivalry romantic stories. Thus, he follows the instinct that he learned from books and decides to defend helpless. The entire journey of Alonso’s life takes a different turn time to time and eventually he becomes more like a bandit than a savior. Throughout his journey, he witnesses several life events and failed for countless times. Eventually, Don Quixote agrees to give up on all the Chivalric truth and belief and dies in a fever. Don Quixote introduces modernism along with literary techniques like realism, Metatheatre and Intertextuality. Moreover, the end of the novel relies on Fraud’s reality principle and obtain the necessity of death.

  2.The Story of a Soul by St. Therese of Leisieux

Synopsis: The story of a soul is the best-selling Autobiography of all time where St. Therese has presented her spiritual life journey. The repetitive focus on her “little way” of her spiritual childhood helped her elevating to haven. Through this autobiographical work, she showed entire humanity that a little love and trust can change your perspective and way of life. Moreover, she emphasized on the importance of the holy script as a source of her trust and love. 

3. A Tale of Two Cities by Charles Dickens

Synopsis: Charles Dickens master piece and magnum opus, A Tale of Tow Cities is set in early and During the French revolution. The story is a complex parallel between two cities and portrays pictures of poverty, crime and aristocratic greed. At the beginning, Jarvis Lorry is traveling to Paris, in order to rescue Dr. Manette and take back to England. Charles Darnay, husband of Manette’s daughter Lucie tries to escape from his past as a member of French ruling class. But unfortunately, he is caught up by the French authority and sentenced to death. Eventually Sydney Carton helped him escape and stays in jail while Darnay gets back to London.

           4. The Lord of The Rings by J.R.R Tolkien  

Synopsis: The Lord of the Rings is the father of all fantasy novels and is third best-selling book from the fictional world ever. Besides it is highest selling fantasy novel followed by Harry Porter. The novel is entirely focused on a Ring which is lost for centuries. Provided that, the fate of the entire future civilization is depending on that lost Ring. There are many forces looking for the ring with criminal intention of gaining destructible power. But fortunately, a young hobbit inherits the ring and given a task for destroying the ring in Mount Doom.

5. A Little Prince by Antoine de Saint Exupery

Synopsis: A Little Prince is simple story of a prince from another planet called Asteroid 325 who has been traveling neighboring planets to cure his loneliness. While the price was visiting Sahara Desert, the narrator crush landed his plane near him and became friend with him. During eight days on the desert, the prince happens to talk with other animals and learned many things including about rose which caused him lonely. Finally, he took a snake bite in order to get back to his planet and in the morning, the narrator didn’t find his body. 

6. Harry Porter and The Philosopher’s Stone by J.K Rowling

Synopsis: This is no surprise that Harry Porter series is the most popular fantasy novels in the history. As the first of book of the series, it has been sold more than others of the fleet. This is a story of an orphan boy called Harry Porter whose parents had a mysterious death. Surprisingly, on his 11^th birth day, he gets an invitation as a student from Hogwarts. Upon joining school, he meets several friends along with some other well-wishers who help him learning about the truth of his parent’s death.   

7. And Then There Were None by Agatha Christie    

Synopsis: The novel is a story of eight strangers invited to Indian Island. Upon arrival they are greeted by Mr. and Mrs. Rogers and told that the host Mr. Owen will arrive next day. After the dinner they all hear a voice recording accusing that they all are murderers which they truly are. From the next morning they discover one of them are dead and it continues until ten of them are dead. At the end the novel reveals that Judge Wargrave was behind the plan.  

8. The Dream of The Red Chamber by Cao Xueqin

Synopsis: This is the top selling Chinese novel that was ever written. The storyline is focused on Chia family along with two other family in the town. Mainly, a sentient stone becomes the focal point which was abandoned by a goddess. Eventually a Taoist priest and Buddhist monk take the stone to see the world in order to enter into the mortal realm. Then the story unfolds in another spectrum where the main character of the novel Jia Baoyu falls into a complex romantic life along with the declining fortune of the family.   

9. The Hobbit by J.R.R Tolkien

Synopsis: The Hobbit is the second best-selling book by Tolkien. This is a story of Bilbo Baggins who is living a very simple life at Bag End until he joins a group of Dwarfs. Upon a cordial request of wizard Gandalf, Bilbo sets on a adventurous quest to reclaim their treasures from a sloth and greedy dragon Smaug. On a journey through a tunnel Bilbo finds a powerful ring which helps him getting away from many troubles. After number of adverse situations including the evil force goblin, the good force wins.

10. Alice’s Adventure in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll

Synopsis: The story begins on a river Bank where Alice is reading a book on her sister’s shoulder while she encounters a white rabbit. All of a sudden Alice starts chasing the rabbit which takes her to an endless adventure. During the journey, she eats and drinks which cause her changing into big and large in size. To save gardeners from the Queen of Hearts, Alice joins the queen but unfortunately, she makes the queen angry and ordered to be beheaded. Nevertheless, she wakes up at her sister’s lap.

11. The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe by C.S Lewis

Synopsis: Four siblings Susan, Peter, Edmund and Lucy are sent to countryside in order to avoid any harm by ongoing air raid in World War II. During their boring time in an old professor’s house they discovered an old Wardrobe which leads Susan to the magical world Narnia. She came to know that this world is ruled by an evil witch who magically create winter for all the time. On her second time, Edmund followed her and become bewitched by candy. Later on the Lion has been introduced who has the power to bring spring and similarly Narnia becomes free.       

 12. She: A History of Adventure by H. Rider Haggard

Synopsis: This story begins at the Cambridge University and the protagonist; professor Hora Holly receives an unexpected old friend Leo Vincey. He came to know that Leo will soon be dead and Horace must take care of his son which he really does later as a family. As requested by Leo, he opened the given box when his son turns 25. To solve the mystery of the box, they travel to Africa and encounter a primitive race with a powerful queen named Ayesha. The adventures journey put them in many mysterious incidents. Eventually The white queen takes Leo to a volcano and tries to convince him to walk into the fire but he refuses. Ayesha walked into the volcano in order to become immortal, and unfortunately, she turns into ashes. 

 13. Adventure of Pinocchio by Carlo Collodi       

Synopsis: Adventure of Pinocchio is the best-selling Italian novel ever. This Italian masterpiece of Carlo Collodi tells a story of a wooden puppet who desires to become a real boy. In the beginning, Pinocchio was just an ordinary pinewood destined to become a playful puppet which is created by Geppetto, a poor puppeteer. Throughout the novel he encounters many obstacles and deceived countless times. On the other hand, he also meets his fairy, who helps him becoming a real boy and provides with everything he desires.

 14. The Vinci Code by Dan Brown       

Synopsis: The Vinci Code is the magnum opus of Dan Brown and is one of the top selling books of all time. The story unfolds with a murder of an Opus De Monk in Paris which leads a symbolist Harvard professor Robert Langdon to investigate the reason behind murder. Langdon’s investigation runs through various locations with Sophie Naveu while Silas kills all the keeper of the secret in favor of fortune seeking monk. At the end, Langdon reaches out a secret Christian group who are keeping the secret of Jesus Christ’s hair for last 2000 years and discover Sophie as the last descendent of Jesus Christ. 

 15. Vardi Wala Gunda by Ved Prakash Sharma           

Synopsis: Vardi Wala Gunda is the most selling Hindi novel till now and it is considered to be one of the best pulp-fiction in Indian history. This story is based on the assassination of Rajiv Gandhi, one of the youngest and popular leaders. The story starts with some activity of a corrupt police office helping Star Force. On the other hand, a courageous police office who is crushing criminals in front of the people and running all the dirty works behind his clean mask. Latter the story will show the brutal murder of the leader despite all the security. 

16. Harry Porter and The Chamber of Secrets by J. K. Rowling        

Synopsis: The best-selling book form the Harry Porter series is the second book by J.K. Rowling. The second year of Harry Porters journey at Hogwarts unveils troubles caused by house elf during the Quidditch game match against Slytherin. After encountering petrified bodies, Harry, Ron and Hermione goes on recognizing the culprit to the chamber of secrets and found Voldemort’s younger version.

17. Harry Porter and The Half Blood Prince by J. K. Rowling

Synopsis: Harry Porter and The Half Blood Prince is a fantasy novel by J.K Rowling and this is the sixth book of the series. The novel is the last preparation of the final battle against Voldemort. Though it picked up a dark tone, yet exploring more about love life between Ron and Hermione, Harry and Gunny. At the end, unfortunately Dumbledore dies and after the funeral harry breaks up with Gunny.         

18. The Catcher in The Rye by J. D. Salinger

Synopsis: Holden, the narrator of this realistic novel describes two days of his life after being expelled from the Prep school. Because of loneliness, he becomes frustrated and paranoid. And eventually, he keeps searching for truth and human interaction. His journey toward finding out himself and rallies against the insincerity of adult world and eventually he becomes exhausted.  

 19. The Alchemist by Paolo Chole     

Synopsis: This adventure novel considers to be one of the travel books that can grow wanderlust. The Alchemist explores a breathtaking journey of Santiago, an Andalusian Shepherd. His life turns when a Romanian fortune teller answered about his dream and prophesize that he will find a treasure. In seeking out the treasure, the story unfolds in many ways during his journey. At the end he finds out the treasure under an abandoned church where the entire story started.

 20. Harry Porter and The Prisoner of Azkaban by J. K. Rowling  

Synopsis: This novel sets in the third year of Harry Potter’s schooling at Hogwarts while Sirius Black escapes from the Azkaban Prison. Harry encounters a new professor who teaches him to defend himself from dementors. Harry went on supporting Sirius while all the others talking negative about him. Henceforth, Harry receives a letter from Sirius regarding his whereabouts and learns that he is safe. In the mean time he also came to know from the Owl post that Sirius is the sender of the fire-bolt.

 21. Harry Porter and The Goblet of Fire by J. K. Rowling 

Synopsis: In this fourth book of Harry Porter series, J.K Rowling starts with a flash back of fifteen years from the present day. This fantasy novel is all about a game organized by The Goblet of Fire. In an initial selection, three school of magic are participating and Harry is also invited to join the game despite his inability. However, Harry wins the game with the help of his two friends Ron and Hermione and receives a prize from the principle of Hogwarts. 

 22. Harry Porter and the Order of The Phoenix by J. K. Rowling

Synopsis: Another best-selling book from J.K Rowling which is set in Harry Porter’s fifth year in the school of magic. The story shows a corrupt management trying to spread bad rumors about Harry. In the awakening of the Dark art teacher Dolores Umbridge, a group of students including Harry become conscious and intends to defend Hogwarts from the evil power.

 23. Harry Porter and The Deathly Hallows by J. K. Rowling

Synopsis: Harry Porter and The Deathly Hallows is the final book of the series. This novel holds a Guinness Book record for selling 10 million copies in just 24 hours of the release. Harry, Ron and Hermione start a mission to destroy the Horcruxes which is considered to be the source of Voldemort’s immortality. Despite countless threats from dark forces, they are determined to save the school of magic from the dark power even without the guidance of their professor.

24. Think and Grow Rich by Napoleon Hill        

Synopsis: Think and Grow Rich is the best-selling non-fiction of all time written by Napoleon Hill. According to this book, riches comes with our state of mind and to become rich, we must change our mind. The main teaching of this book is, as Hill says, “Success comes to those who become success conscious. Failure comes to those who indifferently allow themselves to become failure conscious.”

25. The Bridges of Madison Country by Robert James Walter

Synopsis: Bridges of Madison Country is a touching love story of a photographer Robert and Italian school teacher Francesca. On a photography assignment, Robert visits Madison country to shoot Bridges around the city and he fell in love with a married school teacher while her husband and son were away on a trip. Meanwhile Robert asks her to leave with him but she refuges due her responsibilities despite knowing that they will never meet again.

26. One Hundred Years of Solitude by Gabriel García Márquez    

Synopsis: This extraordinary work of Marquez sets in a middle of swamp which was built 100 years ago by Jose Arcadio. The prosperous utopian city of Macondo attracts gypsies and hucksters. The story is taken through seven generations of Buendia family which is narrated by an old writer. The city falls under a storm that remains for nearly five years and almost destroys the city. In a result, the entire city along with Buendia family become deprived. Soon after the long-lasting storm, a Hurricane erased the remaining identity of the city.

 27. Lolita by Vladimir Nabokov    

Synopsis: Nabokov’s fictional work opens with a description of the background of the protagonist Humbert. He falls in love for first time while he was 13 years old but could not be together. Though he got married but took divorce due to the past memory of first love. Upon his shifting to United States, he took a room in the house of Charlotte and finds her daughter attractive. Humbert married Charlotte in order to stay close to her daughter Dolores whom he calls Lalita. After Charlotte dies, Humbert gets more obsessed for Lalita and starts having an affair. Latter Dolores escapes from him and marries another man whom she loved. While Humbert was in search, two years later he gets a letter from Lalita saying she is pregnant and need financial help. Lalita dies at 17 because of childbirth.

 28. Ben-Hur: A Tale of The Christ by Lew Wallace 

Synopsis: Ben-Hur is fictional character with Jewish noble blood who was falsely enslaved by Romans and became a charioteer. During his enslavement, he encounters Jesus who offered him water.  At the end of the novel, Jude becomes Christian after Jesus was crucified. In the meantime, his vision of revenge turned to love and compassion and he understood that there is a kingdom greater than earth.

 29. You Can Heal Your Life by Louise Hay      

Synopsis: Louise Hay’s non-fictional masterpiece is one of the best self-help books which talks about various aspect of life. This book is complete spiritual guide toward happiness. In particular, You Can Heal Your Life teaches us the complete process from the source of problems to the healing process.

30. Anne of Green Gables by Lucy Maud Montgomery   

Synopsis: Two old unmarried siblings decides to adopt an orphan boy but instead of a boy, the orphanage sent Anne. Yet Mathew decides to keep her because of her charm. Despite her impoverish living condition, she remains happy all the time. As she was never been in social settings, she makes mistake all the time. During her school years she meets many friends and even become infatuated with handsome boy. After Mathew dies in a poor heart condition, she gets back to Avonlea in order to take care of Marilla. Eventually, she finds a job in the local school as a teacher.

 31. Charlotte’s Web by E.B. White     

Synopsis: Charlotte’s Web is a story of a little girl called Fern Arable who adopts a little pig along with a barnyard and the Charlotte spider. Most importantly, the main character of this story Wilbur is born in the litter of pigs and believed to be very poor in health. Letter it unfolds in many ways and happens many things among these characters.

 32. Black Beauty by Anna Sewell       

Synopsis: This book is one of the best selling books of all time among all the other animal books. This is more of a autobiographical memoir than a novel where the first person narrator tells the story of a Black horse. At the beginning, the Black beauty has a happy time at Birtwick Park and later sold to London. Since then he suffered a lot due to over work and illness. But he was fortunate enough and eventually got back to his happy life because of the last buyer’s recognition as Squire Gordon’s beloved Black Beauty.

 33. The Adventure of Sherlock Homes by Arthur Conan Doyle  

Synopsis: The Adventure of Sherlock Homes is the masterpiece from Arthur Conan Doyle and considered to be the top selling detective novel of all time. The protagonist Sherlock Homes has an amazing power of observation. He lives in the iconic 221b Baker Street and observes unusual events that no one notices. Particularly, this book from many other in the series stands out and sold huge in numbers.

 34. 20000 Leagues Under the Sea by Jules Verne      

Synopsis: 20000 Leagues Under the Sea narrates the story of Professor Aronnax who is on an expedition with two others in order to discover new species of Whale and the secret of damaging world shipping. Surprisingly, they encounter captain Nemo, a commander of submarine. As the story progresses, they fight giant sea creatures such as sharks and squids. On the other hand, Captain Nemo become aggressive after discovering an enemy country ship and put everyone in danger. But luckily, Aronnax saved them from Nemo’s madness. 

35. Heidi’s Year of Living and Travel by Johanna Spyri          

Synopsis: Story of an orphan girl who is taken back and forth to aunt and grandfather. It starts with Aunt Dete taking Heidi, the little protagonist to her Grandfather who lives in Swiss Alps. Despite bitter nature of the grandfather, they two become happy and passed good time in the mountain. In due time, Aunt Dete comes back 3 years later to take back Heidi because grandfather refuses to send her to school and church. After getting back to Frankfurt, she becomes unhappy despite meeting new people. Because of her illness, she again gets back to the mountain and starts living happily.

 36. The Name of The Rose by Umberto Eco

Synopsis: This story unfolds in a Benedictine Monastery in northern Italy where three armature person appears for a theological debate. On their visit they investigate into many mysterious deaths happened on their presence requested by an Abbot. Later, William learns the secret of Adelmo’s death who committed suicide out of shame for having sexual relationship with assistant librarian. William and his companion Adso also discovered some other secrets regarding others deaths and the book of Revelation. At the end, the Abby gets burned and William and Adso escapes to return home.

37. The Eagle Has Landed by Jack Higgins        

Synopsis: Being one of the most selling novels, The Eagle has Landed has something thrilling to offer. It is set during the second world war while a group of German paratroopers and Irish revolutionary plans to kidnap Winston Churchill. Mussolini’s rescue and report of German spy inspires Hitler to conduct this impossible. As the novel unfolds, paratrooper’s plan is blown away and they experience odds to complete the mission. Despite reaching their target, they couldn’t execute the British President and died in vain.

 38. Watership Down by Richard Adams    

Synopsis: After the Black Beauty Watership Down is best selling books among animal fable which features a tale of rabbit who were living in their warren until Fiver foresees a danger. Despite argument rabbits decide to leave and find a new warren for their safety. During their adventures journey, they experience several dangerous situations while Hazel, elder brother of Fiver comes to save them all. Finally, they find a new warren and start living there happily. 

39. The Hite Report by Shere Hite  

Synopsis: Being one of the best selling books (non-fiction) of all time, it became controversial because of its writer, Shere Hite who used be a prostitute. This non fictional work talks about sexuality which contains about 3000 self-reported results of questioners. So far, this book is one of the best books written on sexuality.

40. The Ginger Man by J. P. Donleavy     

Synopsis: The Ginger Man is Another one of the Best selling books of time. Sebastian Dangerfield, a Trinity College student is reckless about his life and never responsible for his family. This bizarre young man always reads and dreams about making outrageous wealth albeit he doesn’t do anything. Moreover, he behaves reprehensibly to his wife, run out bills, steals from his mistress and runs recklessly from one corner to another in Dublin. Though at the end, he makes up plan for living with Mary, last mistress for rest of his life.