About This Quiz
You say you're a voracious reader, but have you read the most popular books of all time? Take this quiz to find out what books have held the world's interest. (And find out why figuring out which books have sold the most is an inexact science.)It's a safe bet that the Bible is always flying off the shelves.
It's hard to say if the Bible or the Quran, for instance, has sold "more" copies.
And publishers might have a vested interest in manipulating sales figures.
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In 2010, publisher Hatchette announced Patterson had the record.
Written in 1612 and still read to this day, it's fair to say that Cervantes sold a lot of books.
Anyone around in 2007 can attest to buying and devouring the book the day it came out.
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The Chinese language dictionary is the winner.
Formerly the "Guinness Book of Records," it's the leader with 132,002,542 copies sold since 1955.
Over 150 million copies sold.
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Author of the "Inheritance" series, which he started at the age of 15.
But give the others time, and they'll probably catch up.
But note like all the books, it's still difficult to pin down the exact number.
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Dan Brown's 2003 book is the first title to appear for an American author.
The Chinese text has spawned an entire field of literary study.
Author Napoleon Hill certainly found a way to think and grow rich when he wrote this book that has sold about 70 million copies.
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The British book about a fantastic journey into Africa was enormously popular and was published near the end of the 19th century.
Agatha Christie's book about a mysterious group of travelers has one of the top places on the list.
The sweet story has been translated into 230 different languages and dialects.
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And if you have one of those first 1,500, you better put it in a locked safe.
"The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe" has sold over 85 million copies.
Eric Carle's sweet crawler has sold over 30 million.
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Dr. Benjamin Spock's perennially popular "The Common Sense Book of Baby and Child Care" has sold over 50 million copies.
Although the last installment sold more in a 24-hour period, nine million is no small feat.
J.D. Salinger's novel of adolescent angst probably won't go out of style for a long while.
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Rowling clearly cast a Revealing Spell to make money appear in her bank account.
Anne Shirley would be overcome by all the kindred spirits reading about her, I'm sure.
Umberto Eco's tale of sordid monks has been a big hit.
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Originally published in two parts, Johanna Spyri's book has become a favorite of children the world over.
Although "Lolita" was published in English, not Russian.
The Brazilian Coelho wrote the best-selling Portuguese novel.
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