21 Best Selling Books of the 21st Century (Infographics)

Everyone will agree that we are living in an era when television holds a dominant position among other leisure activities. One can spend hours watching different shows. Indeed, this is a common way of spending weekends for the majority of people. However, today, we would like to offer you a fresh approach to managing your free time. Why not replace watching TV with reading captivating books? Certainly, one may say that reading demands thinking, analyzing, evaluating, etc. Nevertheless, your mind will be grateful to you for undertaking such an activity.

Thus, we want to set you a task: stop downloading TV series to your cellular phone or any other gadget! Instead, have an engaging book at hand! In case, you do not know what books are considered the most interesting today, we will provide you with handy tips. One of the efficient ways of finding a great book is browsing the Internet. For example, Wikipedia offers a list of 21 best-selling books of the 21st century. Scan it and you will definitely find a good book, as this list contains publications of different genres, e.g., romance, fiction, adventures, etc.

One may admit that choosing a worthy book is rather complicated and time-consuming, especially if you are an inexperienced reader. Due to a wide variety of books, it is very hard to make the right choice. Do not get into despair! With the helpful list of the greatest novels of the 21st century, you will solve your problem. Below, you will find the account of the best authors of the decade who have started publishing their books in the previous century. However, their publications are considered the bestsellers even today.

Who Are the Best Selling Authors of the 21^st Century?

J.K. Rowling made her first billion in 2004 and still is the highest-paid author of 2019. Today the bulk of her earnings presented with theme parks, theatrical productions, and new films. Millions of book copies sold such famous writers like Stephen King, Danielle Steel, Josh Grisham, but who are the others? What success in dollars got The Hunger Games”, “A Song of Ice and Fire”, “The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo” and so on?

Statistics of the Most Sold Books of the 21^st Century

List of 21 Bestsellers of the 21st Century (as of 2017)

1. “Harry Potter” by J. K. Rowling - Copies Sold: over 225M
2. “Robert Langdon” by D. Brown - Copies Sold: over 150M
3. “Fifty Shades of Grey (Trilogy)” by E.L. James - Copies Sold: 125M
4. “Twilight (Trilogy)” by S. Meyer - Copies Sold: 120M
5. “The Hunger Games” by S. Collins - Copies Sold: 65M
6. “A Song of Ice and Fire” by G. Martin - Copies Sold: 60M
7. “Divergent (Trilogy)” by V. Roth - Copies Sold: 35M
8. “The Kite Runner” by K. Hosseini - Copies Sold: 31.5M
9. “The Purpose Driven Life” by R. Warren - Copies Sold: 30M
10. “The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo” by S. Larsson - Copies Sold: 30M
11. “The Shack” by W.P. Young - Copies Sold: 22M
12. “Wolf Totem” by J. Rong - Copies Sold: 20M
13. “The Secret” by R. Byrne - Copies Sold: 20M
14. “The Fault in Our Stars” by J. Green - Copies Sold: 18.5M
15. “The Shadow of the Wind” by C. F. Zafon - Copies Sold: 15M
16. “The Girl on the Train” by P. Hawkins - Copies Sold: 15M
17. “Interpreter of Maladies” by J. Lahiri - Copies Sold: 15M
18. “The Lovely Bones” by A. Sebold - Copies Sold: 10M
19. “The Book Thief” by M. Zusak - Copies Sold: 10M
20. “Life of Pi” by Y. Martel - Copies Sold: 10M
21. “Eat, pray, love” by E. Gilbert - Copies Sold: 9M

The Perfect Solution for 'Write My Book Report' Problem

1. “Harry Potter” by J. K. Rowling

This book is regarded as one of the most popular book series. It tells a story about an orphan boy, Harry, who was raised by his aunt and uncle. When the boy was eleven years old, he found out that he was a wizard. Moreover, he was also told that his parents were killed by an evil magician called Lord Voldemort who also wanted to kill one-year-old Harry. However, the magician suddenly turned into an absolutely helpless creature. Harry was very famous in the magic world. He attended the Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry where he learned a lot about magic together with his friends.

2. “Robert Langdon” by D. Brown

Robert Langdon is a popular series of publications about a fictional protagonist. It was created by a famous American writer Dan Brown. The main character, working at Harvard University, was a professor in the field of symbology and iconology. It is necessary to admit the very field of study is a fiction area that deals with examining historical symbols and has nothing to do with the subject of semiotics in terms of methodology. The Robert Langdon book series written by D. Brown also discusses the issues relating to history and Christianity. As a result, the mentioned publications draw readers’ attention to some controversial questions.

3. “Fifty Shades of Grey (Trilogy)” by E.L. James

The fifty shades of grey plot is focused on the personality of Anastasia Steele who is a student majoring in Literature. She goes to the interview with Christian Grey – a rather rich man whom Ana finds very handsome and self-confident. Unexpectedly, she feels she is attracted to him. Ana feels a deep passion for Christian. Despite his natural reticence, she cannot resist her feelings. At the same time, Christian admits he is crazy about amazing Ana. He desires to be with her but under certain conditions. Ana understands that Christian likes to keep everything under control and this fact makes her hesitate.

4. “Twilight (Trilogy)” by S. Meyer

Twilight is a fantasy book series about a kind and a little bit awkward girl Bella who came to a new city. Everything seems to be OK till the moment she meets an intelligent but somewhat strange man Edward Cullen. When they become very close, the secret he has makes her shocked. It appears that Edward is a vampire. Bella starts noticing the murders everyone is talking about in the city. What should she do if she has already fallen in love with him? Should she trust him? Should she run away? This book tells a fascinating story about an unusual couple fighting for their love.

5. “The Hunger Games” by S. Collins

This is a science fiction series telling a story about the future of North America and its nations. The nation of Panem has been broken into 12 regions and the Capitol. Every year, two teenagers are chosen from different regions to take part in the so-called hunger games. The “Hunger Games” is a TV fight-to-death show broadcasting throughout the Panem. The participants of the TV show have to fight their competitors and the citizens of Panem have to watch the very show till the end. This series is about a 12-year-old girl who has been chosen for the game. However, her sister Katniss decides to participate in the show instead of her. She goes to Capitol and starts training heavily, as her opponents are much stronger representatives who have been training all their life.

6. “A Song of Ice and Fire” by G. Martin

This publication is considered a top fantasy book series. The first episode is about a fierce fight for the Iron Throne that was started after the death of King Robert. His son Joffrey, who has complete support from his mother’s family, claims to have a full right for the throne. However, Lord Eddard Stark states that Robert’s children have no legal power to inherit the throne. He says that only Stannis, Robert’s brother, can occupy the throne. The plot of the second and third episodes is focused on the War of the Five Kings. The fourth novel demonstrates how the kingdom recovers before the coming winter. The following episodes of the best selling fantasy inform readers about other characters of the series and their actions.

7. “Divergent (Trilogy)” by V. Roth

The adventure book series describes the dystopian Chicago the citizens of which are classified into five groups: Candor is for the decent, Abnegation is for the caring, Dauntless is for the courageous, Amity is for the peace-loving, and Erudite is for the smart. The teenagers reaching 16 years old have two options: they may select a new group or stay in the one they have been grown in. The trilogy is concentrated on the story about Beatrice, a 16-year-old girl who has to choose between three groups. Beatrice is unique and divergent. However, she should understand that being divergent is not safe. There are some mysterious powers and dangerous people that will not keep her secret.

8. “The Kite Runner” by K. Hosseini

This is one of the top drama books about a deep friendship between a rich boy and the servant’s son. It is worth admitting that “The Kite Runner” is a well-written novel that depicts a country in the period of its destruction. This story makes readers ponder over such issues as betrayal, family ties, love, sacrifice, lie, truth, etc. In other words, the chief point of the story is to highlight the importance of family, friendship, and love. At the same time, some essential points of the history of Afghanistan are also discussed. The Kite Runner is an uncommon historical fiction review that has attracted a huge number of readers.

9. “The Purpose Driven Life” by R. Warren

The book “The Purpose Driven Life” is considered as the best-selling one. When reading it, you will get the answer to the complicated question “What is the purpose of my life?” Moreover, you will understand why God gave you such a life. The story describes a spiritual journey of Rick Warren that lasted forty days. When describing such a journey, the author is aimed at helping readers realize the mission they have to carry out. If you know what God has prepared for you, you will not worry about insignificant issues. You will learn to make the right choices and wise decisions. The story shows that not only the leading politicians and famous sportsmen turn to Rick Warren for assistance in solving spiritual issues. Even students come to him to discuss the purpose of their lives.

10. “The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo” by S. Larsson

“The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo” is definitely one of the best thrillers. It is the story of a journalist working in the financial area. Mikael Blomkvist believes that nothing changes in his life. The job opportunities he has been rather unclear. Suddenly, he gets an offer from a giant of the Swedish industry. If he accepts the offer, he can achieve overwhelming success. However, everything is not that simple. The point is that Mikael has to start searching for a woman who has disappeared mysteriously. For decades, the case has been uninvestigated. He agrees to start the search and turns to Lisbeth Salander, a computer hacker, for assistance. Larsson’s novel is one of the most thrilling crime stories that are worth being read.

11. “The Shack” by W.P. Young

Among the number of good fiction books, “The Shack” takes the first place. It tells a family story. The youngest daughter of Mackenzie Allen Philip, Missy, was kidnapped during vacation. It is thought that she has been murdered, as there are concrete proofs of it in one of the abandoned shacks in the forests of Oregon. Four years after the accident, Mack received a strange message. It was told that he was invited to the very shack where the incident happened. Mack decided to go there again. He entered the dark shack that reminded him of that terrible kidnapping and found something unusual. His life will never be the same again. Readers find this book one of the trickiest fiction bestsellers that can capture everyone’s imagination.

12. “Wolf Totem” by J. Rong

One more item on the list of the best novels of the 21st century that should be analyzed is the book “Wolf Totem.” It reveals the peculiarities of the ancient culture of Mongols who are the ancestors of the Mongol horde. Long-time ago, the said horde horrified the world by their deeds. One more issue discussed by the author is the extinction of the animal which they regarded as a sacred creature. The very animal is the Mongolian wolf. “Wolf Totem” belongs to the number of great novels that caught readers’ interest. It shows how dangerous the economic growth of China is. At the same time, it gives us a vivid picture of the marvelous culture of China.

13. “The Secret” by R. Byrne

If you are searching for interesting and motivating self-development books, “The Secret” is right for you. This is a great book written by a famous author Rhonda Byrne. The 10th Anniversary Edition of this book starts with an introduction written by Rhonda Byrne. This edition provides a description of 10 mind-blowing situations that the author has faced within the last ten years. The presented episodes may change readers’ outlook on life. What is more, this book helps readers comprehend such a notion as “self-growth” and gives some tips on how it can be attained. When reading the book, one will understand how to become attractive and attract someone else.

14. “The Fault in Our Stars" by J. Green

A lot of people are interested in realistic fiction. If you are one of them, you will be glad to know there is a fascinating book written in this genre. This is “The Fault in Our Stars” by John Green. By the way, among different fiction books for teens, this one is considered very useful, as it discusses the issues teenagers may face in everyday life. The book describes a real medical case. It tells a story of Hazel, a girl who has cancer and is obliged to attend the support group. There, she meets a teenager Augustus Waters who changes her life completely.

15. “The Shadow of the Wind” by C. F. Zafon

One of the best mystery novels, “The Shadow of the Wind,” takes readers back to the year 1945. It describes the Spanish city, Barcelona, after the Spanish Civil War. The son of a book dealer, Daniel, lost his mother during the War and was in a terrible mental condition. Once, he came across a book called “The Shadow of the Wind” which he found comfort in. The book was great and he wanted to find other publications written by one of the most popular mystery writers. However, he found out that someone was trying to destroy the copies of each book. Perhaps the book Daniel possessed may be the last of all existed. When trying to protect the book, Daniel uncovers one of the greatest secrets of Barcelona.

16. “The Girl on the Train” by P. Hawkins

Draw your attention to the review of a gripping psychological thriller created by Paula Hawkins. It is about a woman, Rachel, who does the same things every day. She takes the same train, goes past the same comfortable homes in the suburbs and watches the same couple that has breakfast on the same deck. It seems to her that she already knows that couple. She calls them Jason and Jess. She finds their life fantastic. However, one day everything has changed. Rachel has noticed something terrible. She decides to go to the police. Shortly, she starts investigating the case on her own. She becomes aware of all the details of the lives of people who have been involved in the case. Did Rachel’s action help investigate the case?

17. “Interpreter of Maladies” by J. Lahiri

It is no secret that J. Lahiri is the master of creating the best short stories. The characters of the author’s publications often deal with Indian traditions and the issues of a puzzling world. They are searching for love in the world where there are so many barriers between generations. The story “A Temporary Matter,” presented in The New Yorker tells readers about the problems an Indian-American couple has faced. It also describes the challenges the couple’s neighbors have met. An American family is guided through India where they hear a surprising confession. Lahiri always discusses different cultural issues in his books. Thus, if you are seeking deep stories to read, the publications of this author are waiting for you.

18. “The Lovely Bones” by A. Sebold

If you belong to the readers of crime fiction books, you will enjoy reading “The Lovely Bones.” The story is told by the main character, a 14-year-old girl, Susie Salmon who was killed by her neighbor. Now, she is somewhere between the Earth and Heaven where she is able to watch her family and friends. She tells readers about the way their lives have changed while they were trying to find her body after the murder. The loss caused terrible pain which her mother could not get through. Thus, she decided to leave home. Susie’s father continues to investigate the case and, finally, reaches the policeman in charge of the case. Meanwhile, Susie is watching her neighbor Harvey, whom she was murdered by, is preparing to kill the next victim, her sister. The book undoubtedly belongs to the best crime novels.

19. “The Book Thief” by M. Zusak

Zusak’s “The Book Thief” is the best selling historical fiction. It tells readers about the events that occurred during World War II. This book is the story of a young girl Liesel Meminger who lives with adoptive parents outside of Munich. Suffering from the horrors of war, she finds comfort in stealing and reading books. She shares the stolen books with other people, including the Jewish man who is hiding in the basement of her house. Zusak has created a book that now holds a dominant position on the list of top historical fiction novels. It goes without saying that this is a real literary masterpiece.

20. “Life of Pi” by Y. Martel

The book “Life of Pi” produced by a well-known author, Y. Martel, gained its popularity very fast. This publication is a great piece of modern fiction to read. The main character of the story is a young man Piscine Molitor "Pi" Patel who lives in Pondicherry. He has been examining the issues relating to practicality and spirituality from an early age. Once, he went on a ship ride across the Pacific Ocean. However, a terrible disaster happened and shipwrecked. The main hero managed to survive. He started a fantastic journey full of exciting adventures. Suddenly, he discovers there is a strong connection between him and another survivor, i.e. a Bengal tiger. You can easily find this story among great fiction books of the 21st century.

21. “Eat, pray, love” by E. Gilbert

One of the best memoirs to read is the book “Eat, pray, love” created by E. Gilbert. At first sight, the author seems to be a successful and happy woman. She has everything a woman may want to have. She lives in a country house with her husband and has a distinguished career. However, she has a feeling of panic and bewilderment. After a divorce, she decides to go on the round-the-world trip. This book tells readers about the experience the author has gained while being on the trip. It tells readers about the feelings the author felt while being in India, Italy, and on the island of Bali.

Some More Best-Selling Books of the 21st Century

1. "The Lost Symbol" by Dan Brown (2009) - 30 million copies sold
2. "A Thousand Splendid Suns" by Khaled Hosseini (2007) - 30 million copies sold
3. "The Da Vinci Code" by Dan Brown (2003) - 80 million copies sold
4. "The Help" by Kathryn Stockett (2009) - 10 million copies sold
5. "The Twilight Saga" by Stephenie Meyer (2005-2008) - 120 million copies sold (series)
6. "The Alchemist" by Paulo Coelho (1988) - 65 million copies sold (English language edition published in 1993)
7. "Gone Girl" by Gillian Flynn (2012) - 20 million copies sold
8. "The Power of Now" by Eckhart Tolle (1997) - 5 million copies sold (English language edition published in 2004)
9. "To Kill a Mockingbird" by Harper Lee (1960) - 40 million copies sold (50th anniversary edition published in 2010)
10. "The Time Traveler's Wife" by Audrey Niffenegger (2003) - 7 million copies sold
11. "Wild: From Lost to Found on the Pacific Crest Trail" by Cheryl Strayed (2012) - 2.5 million copies sold
12. "The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks" by Rebecca Skloot (2010) - 2.5 million copies sold.

This list of the book will not leave you indifferent because every of the mentioned books has its wondrous plot. Whenever you need professional assistance with writing a good book review, feel free to contact our book review services, which are ready to help day and night.

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