10 Most Read Books In The World

Ranked #10 in Books, Poetry & Writing, #292 overall

Do You Know Which Are The Most Read Books In The World?

All of us love to read a good book, but could you name the 10 most read books in the world? Over the last half century hundreds of thousands of books have been produced, but only a select few have become the most popular and most read books in the world. Here you will discover some of the greatest pieces of literary work by highly talented authors.

This is a list of the 10 most read books in the world over the last fifty years. The figures show the number of books printed and sold but does not take into account multiple readings of the same book.

There are a few book titles that have had more copies printed than some of these books, but a vast number of those books were not sold, which of course means that they did not get read.

Most Read Books Review

My name is James Chapman, I am your host at A Passion For Writing and I have compiled this list of the 10 Most Read Books In The World after completing a long project of research to establish exactly which are the most read books in the world.

Over many years I have been a writer and avid reader of books, so it gave me great pleasure to undertake this task of the most read books review.

You will find in this list a varied array of subject matter, covering a considerable number of years of some truly talented author's work.

Some of the authors are no longer with us, but the majority are still producing their masterpieces for our ongoing delight.

In this modern fast paced world that we all now live in it is good to see that the enjoyment of reading is still firmly a part of our everyday activities.

Browse through the most read books review and if there are any books that you have not read, but would like to, just click.

Then you can sit back in a comfortable chair with a full glass and do your own personal review of some wonderful literature.

Enjoy your reading.
Important!

Number Ten Most Read Book

Diary of Anne Frank - 27 Million Copies

Diary of Anne Frank

By Anne Frank

The Diary of a Young Girl is the English version book that is based on the writings from a diary, which was written by Anne Frank while she was in hiding for two years with her family during the Nazi occupation of the Netherlands. The book is now considered one of the key texts of the twentieth century.
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Important!

Number Nine Most Read Book

Think and Grow Rich - 30 Million Copies

Think and Grow Rich

By Napoleon Hill

Think and Grow Rich is a motivational book written by Napoleon Hill. It is a personal development and self improvement novel that was inspired by a suggestion that he received from the Scottish-American billionaire Andrew Carnegie.
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Important!

Number Eight Most Read Book

Gone With the Wind - 33 Million Copies

Gone With the Wind

By Margaret Mitchell

Gone With the Wind, a romantic drama by Margaret Mitchell. It is set in Georgia during the American Civil War and follows the life of Scarlett O'Hara, the daughter of an Irish immigrant plantation owner.

The novel won the coveted Pulitzer Prize and was adapted into a film of the same name that won an Academy Award.
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Important!

Number Seven Most Read Book

Twilight - The Saga - 43 Million Copies

Twilight - The Saga

By Stephenie Meyer

Twilight is the first book in an extremely popular young adult series written by Stephenie Meyer. The story is about a young girl who falls in love with a vampire. This is a saga that is full of romance and action.

She says 'First, he was a vampire. Second, there was a part of him that thirsted for my blood. And third, I was unconditionally and irrevocably in love with him'.
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Important!

Number Six Most Read Book

The Da Vinci Code - 57 Million Copies

The Da Vinci Code

By Dan Brown

The Da Vinci Code is a fiction novel written by American author Dan Brown. The story follows the investigations of Robert Langdon after a murder in the Louvre Museum in Paris.

He discovers an intriguing possibility that Jesus Christ may have been married to Mary Magdalene and fathered a child with her. The Da Vinci Code has been made into a movie starring Tom Hanks.
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Recommended Reading

Interesting Topics

Just Really Great Books
Adult fiction, Romance novels, Fantasy, Escape from reality, Suspense, Science Fiction, Thrillers, Mysteries, 10 Most read books, Top 10 Most interesting books, Just really great Short Stories, 10 Most influential writers, Writers resources and Book reviews,
Everything Top 10
Everything Top 10 is full of fresh, new top ten lists that are like no others. Enjoy your exploration of these unique top ten lists and discover the huge set of topics which are presented for your delight.
What Old Folk Say
Whether you are young or old you will love this blog with its interesting topics, views and opinions. Express your point of view; let your voice be heard.
Important!

Number Five Most Read Book

The Alchemist - 65 Million Copies

The Alchemist

By Paulo Coelho

The Alchemist was published in 1987 and became a Brazilian bestseller, it has go on to sell 65 million copies world-wide, becoming one of the best selling books in history. The Alchemist has been translated into more than 67 languages, winning the Guiness World Record for most translated book by a living author.

Paulo Coelho is not only one of the most widely read, but also one of the most influential authors writing today.
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Important!

Number Four Most Read Book

Lord of the Rings - 103 Million Copies

Lord of the Rings

By J. R. R. Tolkien

The Lord of the Rings is an epic fantasy story written by the philologist J. R. R. Tolkien. The novel started out as a sequel to his earlier, far less complex children's fantasy story The Hobbit, but evolved into a much larger work.

The Lord of the Rings has been made into a film trilogy that consists of three live action fantasy epic films; The Fellowship of the Ring, The Two Towers and The Return of the King.
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Important!

Number Three Most Read Book

Harry Potter - 400 Million Copies

Harry Potter

By J. K. Rowling

The Harry Potter books are a fantasy series of seven novels by British writer J. K. Rowling. The majority of which have been made into action packed movies.

Children and adults alike have been fascinated by this fiction character and cannot get enough of the young hero's adventures.
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Important!

Number Two Most Read Book

Quotations from the Works of Mao Tse-tung - 820 Million Copies

Quotations from the Works of Mao Tse-tung

By Mao Tse-tung

The Quotations from the Works of Mao Tse-tung, or as it was commonly called, the 'little red book' of Mao Tse-tung, was a personal explanation to the people of China of the ideology of the Chinese Communist Party.
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Important!

Number One Most Read Book

The Bible - 3.9 Billion Copies

The Bible

The Bible still remains at the top as the most read book in the world.

The Bible is the account of God's action in the world and his purpose with all creation. The writing of the Bible was accomplished over sixteen centuries and is a quite amazing collection of sixty six books containing the messages of God.
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Some 'Must Read' Short Stories

Everyone loves to read a short story. You will find here some very interesting ones that have become most popular with our readers. So, why not relax for a little while, get your cup of coffee and just let yourself get lost in the world of short stories.
Discover the Secrets of the Night
You would be surprised if you knew what the secrets of the night were. Under the cover of darkness and while most of our world is asleep, there are secret things happening. Come with us and discover the secrets of the night now.
When the Past Comes Back to Bite You
The friendship of Rebecca and Anna had lasted over many years, they kept in constant contact, even though they did not have many chances to meet each other, but that was all to change when an unexpected turn of fate occurred.
Looking into the Eyes of an Orang-utan
Our expedition party had finally arrived at the location that we had been directed to find. It was deep in the jungle and after we had travelled by jeep for nearly half of the way, we knew that the remainder of our long journey would have to be covered on foot.
Only Six Hours Before the World Ends, What Would You Do?
You only have six hours left before the world as you know it will end. So what would you do? Is there anything that immediately comes to mind, or would you like to think about it for a while? Take your time you have six hours, which is enough time to do many things. What would you do?
The Coffins That Kept Moving
The Waldicotts were a rich family of planters, who had lived for most of their lives in Jamaica. They had decided a long time ago that when they died, they would all stay together in the rock-hewn tomb that had been built specifically for that purpose.
Standing at Destinys Door
Jonathan was a quiet soul, his calmness had a strong affect on all the people that he met, giving them an instant feeling of relaxation. He loved to talk to people and to listen to how they spoke and the expressions he would see them make while they were speaking.
Shining Light on a Sea of Darkness
This spectacular sight, for many mariners over hundreds of years, has been likened to the gateway to Hell. And laying just beyond it was the Sea of Darkness, which they truly believed was infested with monsters and the spirits of dead sailors; it was to them the end of the world and through it they could not pass.
Do Ants Dream?
Negre was tired, he did not want to work anymore, he just wanted to rest and relax his aching limbs, before he completely collapsed. In the distance he could hear the chattering of the colony, as they were going about their work, occasionally he thought that he heard his name being called, but maybe it was the wind in the trees.
Footsteps into the Unknown
The winter was the coldest in anyone's living memory and snow covered the whole area, even the rivers were frozen over and nobody wanted to venture out for many days, until the icy cold winds subsided and it was all beginning to thaw.
Windows on the World That Was
The view was spectacular and panoramic, it was a place for people to meet, that was quite unique, because it was located a quarter of a mile above the earth. It was for that reason the exclusive club was so rightly named, Windows On The World.
The Mysterious Mists Around Mount Waialeale
There have been many tales of unsuspecting people just disappearing when these mysterious mists drift over them. And the walkers on the mountain have talked of the fear that they feel when the path beneath them is shrouded by the mists and there is a chill in the air.
When Evil Walked In the Shadows
Simone had walked from her place of work to her home many times, but never as late as she was this night. The pressure of a project deadline and a demanding boss had caused her to have to stay late to get as much work done as she could. Now she was hurrying home with only one thought in her mind, to get into her nice warm bed and gain some well deserved rest before she had to return to complete her work tomorrow.

Just Really Great Short Stories

Just Really Great Short Stories

Amazon Price: (as of 02/16/2012)Buy Now

Here is a really great combination of compelling short stories and thought provoking questions for you to read while you have your coffee. Whether you are sitting in your armchair at home, having a break in the office, taking a walk in the park or relaxing in bed you will find this book just right.

Future Contenders For This List

These Are The Books That Are Selling Fast And Will Possibly Earn A Place In The Most Read Books List In The Future

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Recommended Reading

Living on the Lost Edge of Time

By James Chapman

Jennifer is a romantic at heart and adores reading in the tranquil calm of the old house that is her home. But everything changes when her sleep is suddenly disturbed in the middle of the night. Rising to investigate Jennifer soon finds herself immersed in a dark and mysterious adventure. She has lived alone in the old house for the last three and a half years since her mother died and never before had felt there was any need to think she should be afraid. But Jennifer does experience real fear and in the depths of the darkness she discovers a love that is destined to change her life forever.
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