This article from the Guardian in 2012 lists the 100 best selling books of all time. As I was looking through the list I found there was a lot of crap on it (Dan Brown and EL James, I’m looking at you). But I was pleasantly surprised to find some of my favourite books on it, I’d definitely recommend checking them out if you haven’t already. I’m also giving away a £10 Amazon voucher in my competition (see Gleam app below) so you can treat yourself to a new book. So here are 8 best sellers that weren’t crap:
1. The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time (Mark Haddon) (N0. 20) An insight into life with autism, this book follows the investigations carried out by Christopher, a teenage boy with Asperger’s Syndrome, after he discovers the body of his neighbour’s dog. It is fascinating and moving at the same time as while he can manage complex maths problems with ease (I still don’t get the one about probability!) he fails to grasp the complexities of human behaviour and relationships.
2. The Very Hungry Caterpillar (Eric Carle) (No. 25) Lovely introduction to counting and days of the week. I love the beautiful illustrations and the last page is a favourite with little T- he loves to wave his arms like a butterfly fluttering its wings.
3. The Gruffalo (Julia Donaldson) (No. 26) This and The Very Hungry Caterpillar are definite must-reads for young children. My little boy loves pointing at all the different animals in the book, and I enjoy the ingenuity of the mouse!
4. The Time Traveler’s Wife (Audrey Niffenegger) (No. 32) This clever book deals with some of the practical issues faced by a time traveller such as the need to steal clothes and why driving is a bad idea. I really enjoyed this book, although I was expecting it to make me cry and it didn’t.
5. Atonement (Ian McEwan) (No. 33) I am a big Ian McEwan fan. Although not my favourite book of his, Atonement, like his other books, is exquisitely well written and a thoroughly enjoyable read.
6. Captain Corelli’s Mandolin (Louis de Bernieres) (No. 36) I love this book. I first read it while on holiday in Cephalonia (where the book is set) and we had an extract from it as one of the readings at our wedding. The occupation of the island by Italian forces results in the collision of European politics with the everyday life of local doctor, Iannis, and his beautiful daughter, Pelagia. Arriving with the occupying forces is Captain Antonio Corelli, who just wants a have a peaceful war and play his beloved mandolin. This bittersweet story had me laughing and crying in equal measures.
7. Life of Pi (Yann Martel) (No. 38) After a tragic shipwreck, on a lifeboat in the middle of the Pacific Ocean are 16 year old Piscine ‘Pi’ Patel, a hyena, a zebra, an orangutan and a tiger named Richard Parker. A novel like nothing I’ve read before, Life of Pi is a true classic.
8. The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas (John Boyne) (No. 62) The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas is a brilliant book about the son of the Commandant of Auschwitz concentration camp. The poignancy of the situation viewed through the innocence of childhood makes for fascinating reading. This beautiful book had me in tears with its unexpected turn of events.
These were my favourite books from the Guardian’s list. Now’s your chance to win a £10 Amazon voucher using the Gleam app below. Good luck!
Wonderfully Average £10 Amazon voucher giveaway
I liked Atonement, and the children’s books are classics, but I wasn’t sure whether I liked the Time Traveller’s Wife. I think I was a bit blindsided by the miscarriage storylines which while relevant to the plot were just not what I needed to be reading at the time. I think The Alchemist is my favourite of that list 🙂
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There were some upsetting scenes in the Timetraveller’s Wife, I’d imagine especially so if it resonates with personal experiences. Overall I liked the book but I didn’t love it, I thought it was an interesting new take on a theme that has been done so many times before, but I felt slightly disappointed with the last few chapters, not really sure why. Thanks for the recommendation, will check out The Alchemist.
The Boy in the Striped Pajamas was very well-written, easy to read and the ending was shocking!
This is a good list, I have read some of these and now have some more to read. May miss out the children ones though 😉
The Alchemist go but not read as yet
I read A Splendid Thousand Suns and it was brilliant. So sad it made me cry loads!
Not recently!
I’ve not read anything new lately, ashamedly. Really need a good book!
The last book I read was “Death and the Penguin” by Andrey Kurkov. I don’t know it’s a best-seller or not, but it is a stonkingly good read. Magnificent.
Just read ‘Elizabeth is Missing’. My grandma lent it to me so I was just reading it out of courtesy but I ended up loving it. Read the whole book in 2 days! Definitely worth a read!
Been a crazy year not had time to read much!
I have both read the book and seen the film of The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas. Both are very firmly etched in my mind – innocence vs utter futility and ultimate tragedy pulls very hard on human emotion. Brilliant characterisation in the book
Loved time travelers wife
I recently read “The Girl On The Train” and thought it was a really exciting and brilliant book!
One Day and A Thousand Splendid Suns. One Day because it was just beautifully bitter sweet and A Thousand Splendid Suns because it just opened my eyes.
Apparently The Very Hungry Caterpillar was my favourite book as a child – so much so, that still to this day, my mum refuses to ever read it again! Haha, whoops!
im reading Elizabeth is Missing and I can’t put it down
the time travellers wife was great
Apparently I loved the hungry caterpillar as a kid, so I’ve just got it for my boy, I’m sure he’ll love it.
The hungry caterpillar is a classic and I loved it as a kid, but after re-reading it as an adult to a child I thought it was overhyped and not all that haha
I read the ’50 shades’ trilogy, which were best sellers, also enjoy reading Sophie Kinsella and Katie Fforde.
I read Kate Atkinson’s Life After Life and enjoyed it but didn’t find it anywhere near as good as her earlier novels, especially Started Early, Took My Dof
I read all these except captain corellis mandolin and the gruffalo. Probably my favourite is atonement but I did cry buckets at the boy in the striped pyjamas!
loved the girl on the train!
The Miniaturist by Jessie Burton ..it’s an amazing read, simply outstanding! Hopefully Ms Burton will write a sequel.. 😉
Ive been going through the classics and loving them. I love beautiful use of language in the classics. Bram Stoker’s Dracula was the last book I read. Ive read this book a few times over the years and really love the Jonathan Harker opening narrative build up.
I read Station Eleven by Emily St. John Mandel a few months ago (it’s a NYTimes Bestseller, although I’m not sure if it was as successful over here) and I just couldn’t put it down. It painted such an interesting picture of what is most important in a post-apocalyptic landscape. It follows a group of travelling actors and musicians across the United States (as well as a few other characters here and there) after a flu pandemic wipes out the majority of the world’s population in a short space of time. Would thoroughly recommend it to everyone!
I loved The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time such a well written book
I’ll admit to liking the early Harry Potters. And anything by Margaret Atwood
I’ve read most of the children/teen books on the guardian’s list… Harry Potter multiple times! I’ll have to make an effort to read some more grown up books this summer!
I need a new book to read, so I’m going to try The Time Traveler’s Wife
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I read the very hungry caterpillar to my son the other day – I haven’t had time to read any grown up books recently though!
The Martian by Andy Weir. I thought it was great. Looking forward to the movie adaptation!
I loved Girl on the Train – it’s super popular and for good reason!
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I haven’t read any bestsellers recently but have re-read One For the Money which is fab
I haven’t read any bestsellers recently.
Of that list I’ve read three, am ashamed to say the very hungry caterpillar and the gruff all are about as far as my reading goes nowadays.
How I dream of a toddler who goes to bed early so I can relax
I read 12 Years a Slave and The Help recently, both really good!
I have not read any of these but i have watched The Boy In The Striped Pyjamas which is incredibly moving.
For me it’s the Harry Potter books and for my little one the Gruffalo is fab!
i read Gone Girll. I enjoyed it but thought the ending was rubbish
I have just finished World Without End by Ken Follett the sequel to The Pillars Of The Earth. I loved these books, they were so absorbing and interesting.
I read Shopaholic to the stars not long ago
Gone girl a couple of weeks ago
I haven’t read any bestsellers recently but I have dipped into several books on bridge.
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I tend to stick with older books, can’t remember the last time I read a recent one!
I’m pleased to say that I have read 7 books from the Top Ten!!! However, they were all written by J K Rowling and were all Harry Potter stories – but they were all EXCELLENT!!
Thanks for adding your competition to this weeks #Competitionlinky
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The Girl on the Train
I haven’t I usually read the free Kindle books xxx
no, read the caterpillar book when i was young though 🙂
Me and my daughter read the very hungry caterpillar in the library recently.. she would love to own it 🙂
The boy in the striped pajamas, life of pi and the curious incident are some of the best books I have ever read so couldn’t agree more. As for the hungry caterpillar, a childhood classic that I made sure to pass on to my three younger sisters.
The Boy in Striped Pyjamas translated to film very well, but do read the book first.
I tend to read lots of autobiographies, but usually wait until they go down in price – have just finished Stephen Fry’s ‘More Fool Me’ and am about to start Arnold Schwarzenegger’s ‘Total Recall’
the gruffalo is must in our house.
Thanx for competition
The Game of Thrones series – they’re an amazing mix of great stories & great writing.
I am reading Woman in Black by Susan Hill, haven’t finished it yet, but its good so far.
Just read the Girl with the dragon tattoo – very enjoyable.
I loved the Boy in the Striped Pyjamas but was in tears throughout most of it. Would certainly recommend it to others.
The Girl on the Train, couldn’t put it down
i haven’t read any best sellers at the moment but i am reading Agatha Raisin and the Haunted house by M C Beaton
Not recently x
I’ve not had time to read anything for myself lately 🙁
I’ve read The Girl from Nowhere by Dorothy Koomson and it was really good.
I have Life of Pi in my ‘to read’ pile. I’m sure I’ll get to it eventually!
Recently completed the 7 books in A Song of Ice and Fire. Fantastic books, so much better than Game of Thrones on TV and that is pretty engrossing.
I don’t read many best sellers as I tend to be concerned that they are hyped up and rarely live up to expectation.
I have read some that went on the become best sellers due to films being made. The Boy in Striped Pyjamas was fantastic as was the The Girl With A Dragon Tattoo.
Best book was The Book Thief which I got when it first came out in hardback. It was a special offer at a new bookshop and it looked interesting. Didn’t take long to read but is one of the best books I have read.
The only books I get to read are usually In The Night Garden or Peppa Pig!
I’ve read the hungry caterpilla but have seen the movies of some of the others
I haven’t – I tend to stick with older books and rarely read anything past the 1930s
I read Gone Girl recently and surprisingly quite enjoyed it.
No, I don’t have much time for reading. I did read The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time years ago. I read The Very Hungry Caterpillar and The Gruffalo to my children.
I have just read I am pilgrim and absolutely loved it. Not my typical choice, but extremely interesting and well written.
Nope – been too busy. But holiday in 3 weeks. Good chance to get 1, or 3, in.
I dont know if it’s a best seller, but I am reading Mr Mercedes by Steven King
i have only read the Time Travellers Wife and Fault in our Stars..hopefully during the holidays i will get chance to read more
I read The Boy in the Striped Pajamas,which I found painfully sad, but well-written. I quite liked The Time-Traveller’s Wife (hubby loved it!), and really thoroughly enjoyed The Curious Incident etc! This year on hols I took Shift and Dust by Hugh Howey, as I had read Wool on a previous holiday, and I was thoroughly engrossed in that dystopian world – or should that strictly-speaking be worldS!? And as an antidote I also took and read Never Go Back by Lee Child …. Mmmn, I started by devouring every Reacher novel, but frankly I think it may just be time for him to settle down, get a wife or a dog, and take up competitive mowing, as I think every possible permutation has been penned by Mr Child by now!
Currently attempting to read Game of Thrones but being kept way too busy with Julia Donaldson books thanks to my boy!!
I read The Kite Runner, it was so riveting that i was unable to put it down. Have read other books by this author and all are fantastic. Cant wait for more !
I read The Very Hungry Caterpillar to my 2yr old niece the other day, think I liked it more than she did! Currently I am reading my way through Agatha Christie books as I hadnt read any before.
The Horrible Histories collection
girl with pearl earring, thought it was brill
I read The Goldfinch and breathed a great sigh of relief when I finished it!
Nothing new unfortunately – my 2 years old is taking all my time
The very hungry caterpillar is a great book for young children
I recently read “Lurking in the Deep”.
It’s an anthology of water-themed horror, fantasy and paranormal stories, which I enjoyed very much. it was in the Amazon top 10 books for the first week of its release, and I thoroughly recommend it.
I read The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time years ago and I freaking loved it! I will check out The Time Travelers Wife after your description of it, thanks.
I’m currently reading Don’t Drink the Nine by PM Briede and Twisted Tales Anthology, myself.
I tend not to read bestsellers as I usually find them underwhelming. Alternatively they can make me angry when some of them are just poorly written yet sell millions of copies! I may read Go Set A Watchman soon, but I don’t think I can handle the idea of Atticus as a racist.
I recently read girl on the train and really enjoyed it
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I am currently reading The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time. Really enjoying it
Not had time yet to read a best seller….hoping to soon ☺️
Hunger Games!
I’m reading the Harry Potter series for the first time….definitely see what the fuss is about, I can hardly put them down!
Read the mortal instrument Book 2, i thought of it as OK but not really got into the characters all that well.
I love The Curious Incident, I have recently seen it as a play too.
My daughter loves the hungry catapillar. Its only daily read
Hardwired by Meredith Wild
I’m making my way through the Game of Thrones books at the moment
I’m reading Ratlines by Stuart Neville. Not the kind of book I usually read, but it’s pretty good.
Not had much time for reading lately, but usually read crime thrillers
Have managed to read recently been busy on day trips with the kids
I still love reading The Time Traveller’s
Wife and also One Day.
They might have been in their day, but probably not – I’m reading lots of Victorian mystery stories and penny dreadfuls lately. 🙂
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Real meal revolution, its a best seller in south africa, and is brilliant.
Not recently, I’m afraid I’m reading through some of the Russian classic at the moment.
My life revolves around reading childrens books at the moment, I can highly recommend Stick Man!
Thanks for the competition x
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Just finishing The light behind the window by Lucinda Riley – surprisingly good
GONE Girl – Amazing Read!
I’ve read Beautiful Creatures which I really enjoyed, much better than I’d expected.
I’ve just recently finished reading The Picture of Dorian Gray (I’d never read it!) and The Visitors by Rebecca Mascull. Waiting on Jonathan Strange and Mr Norrell arriving in the post then I will be starting on that. Reading some more of the complete Sherlock Holmes while I am waiting for it to arrive.
Not recently. My latest book was the most recent Game of Thrones book
I loved Elizabeth is missing. Wonderfully insightful.
I read Star wars New Dawn by John Jackson Miller. It wa s great!
The very hungry caterpillar was one of my favs and I’m about to buy is for my niece and nephew
I’ve just finished Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children, which is a bestseller I believe! It was good, definitely, but not as good as many other books without that “bestseller” status!
I love the hungry caterpillar and its a regular favourite with my boys!
The hungry caterpillar is our family fave
The boy in the striped pyjamas
I haven’t read any bestsellers recently, but I did go and see The Curious Incident Of The Dog In The Nighttime at the Bristol Hippodrome – I thought it was brilliant, such a good story that really conveys autism
Not read any best sellers recently am reading some Anne Rule true crime books at the moment x
I haven’t read a book for a while. I plan on taking one on holiday later in the year.