What were people reading during the days of grunge rock and the Clinton presidency? What was the highest number of bestsellers by Stephen King on a single list? Remember the Gone with the Wind sequel? Take a trip down memory lane with PW's annual bestselling adult books list from 1990-2013, our tabulations of the biggest and best adult books of the last three (almost) decades.
1990
Fiction
1. The Plains of Passage by Jean M. Auel. Crown (10/17/90)
2. Four Past Midnight by Stephen King. Viking (9/10/90)
3. The Burden of Proof by Scott Turow. Farrar, Straus & Giroux (6/90)
4. Memories of Midnight by Sidney Sheldon. Morrow (9/10/90)
5. Message from Nam by Danielle Steel. Delacorte (6/21/90)
6. The Bourne Ultimatum by Robert Ludlum. Random House (3/27/90)
7. The Stand: The Complete & Uncut Edition by Stephen King. Doubleday (5/18/90)
*8. Lady Boss by Jackie Collins. Simon & Schuster (10/90)
9. The Witching hour by Anne Rice. Knopf (11/14/90)
10. September by Rosamunde Pilcher. St. Martin’s/A Thomas Dunne Book (5/1/90)
11. Dazzle by Judith Krantz. Crown (1/4/91)
12. The Bad Place by Dean R. Koontz. Putnam (1/16/90)
13. The Women in His Life by Barbara Taylor Bradford. Random House (7/27/90
15. Dragon by Clive Cussler. Simon & Schuster (6/90)
Nonfiction
1. A life on the Road by Charles Kuralt. Putnam (11/8/90)
2. The Civil War by Geoffrey C. War with Ric Burns and Ken Burns. knopf (10/12/90)
3. The Frugal Gourmet on Our Immigrant Heritage: Recipes Your Should Have Gotten from Your Grandmother by Jeff Smith. Morrow (11/26/90)
4. Better Homes and Gardens New Cook Book by Better Homes and Gardens Editors. Better Homes and Gardens (8/1/90)
*5. Financial Self-Defense: How to Win the Fight for Financial Freedom by Charles J Givens. Simon & Schuster (11/90)
*6. Homecoming: Reclaiming and Championing Your Inner Child by John Bradshaw. Bantam (7/16/90)
*7. Wealth Without Risk: How to Develop a Personal Fortune Without Going Out on a Limb by Charles j. Givens. Simon & Schuster (12/88)
8. Bo Knows Bo by Bo Jackson and Dick Schaap. Doubleday (11/12/90)
*9. An American Life: An Autobiography by Ronald Reagan. Simon & Schuster (11/90)
10. Megatrends 2000: Ten New Directions for the 1990s by John Naisbitt and Patricia Aburdene. Morrow (1/15/90)
11. By Way of Deception: The Making and Unmasking of a Mossad Officer by Victor Ostrovsky and Claire hoy. St. Martin’s (9/90)
*12. Get to the Heart: My story by Barbara mandrell and George Vecsey. Bantam (9/90)
13. Millie’s book: As Dictated to Barbara Bush by Mildred Kerr Bush. Morrow (9/17/90)
14. Men At Work: The Craft of Baseball by George F. Will Macmillian (4/2/90)
15. The Cat and the Curmudgeon by Cleveland Amory. Little, Brown (10/1/90)
1991
Fiction
1. Scarlett: The Sequel to Margaret Mitchell’s Gone with the Wind by Alexandra Ripley. Warner Books (9/25/91)
2. The Sum of All Fears by Tom Clancy. Putnam (11/7/91)
3. Needful Things by Stephen King. Viking Penguin
4. No Greater Love by Danielle Steel. Delacorte
5. Heartbeat by Danielle Steel. Delcorte
6. The Doomsday Conspiracy by Sidney Sheldon. Morrow
7. The Firm by John Grisham. Doubleday
8. Night Over Water by Ken Follett. Morrow
9. Remember by Barbara Taylor Bradford. Random House
10. Loves Music, Loves to Dance by Mary Higgins Clark. Simon & Schuster
11. Cold Fire by Dean R. Koontz. Putnam
12. The Kitchen God’s Wife by Amy Tan. Putnam
13. Sleeping Beauty by Judith Michael. Poseidon Books
14. Star wars: Heir to the Empire by Timothy Zahn. Bantam
15. WLT: A Radio Romance by Garrison Keillor. Viking
Nonfiction
1. Me: Stories of My Life by Katherine Hepburn. Knopf
2. Nancy Reagan: The Unauthorized Biography by Kitty Kelley. Simon & Schuster
3. Uh-Oh: Some Observations from Both Sides of the Refrigerator Door by Robert Fulghum. Villard Books
4. Under Fire: An American Story by Oliver North with William Novak. Harper-Collins
5. Final Exit: The Practicalities of Self-Deliverance and Assisted Suicide for the Dying by Derek Humphry. Hemlock/Carol
6. When You Look Like Your Passport Photo, It’s Time to Go Home by Erma Bombeck. HarperCollins
7. More Wealth Without Risk by Charles J. Givens. Simon & Schuster
8. Den of Thieves by James B. Stewart. Simon & Schuster
9. Childhood by Bill Cosby. Putnam
10. Financial Self-Defense by Charles J. Givens. Simon & Schuster
11. The Frugal Gourmet Celebrates Christmas by Jeff Smith. Morrow
12. Iron John: A Book About Men by Robert Bly. Addison- Wesley
13. The Commanders by Bob Woodward. Simon & Schuster
14. The Best Treatment by Isadore Rosenfeld, M.D. Simon & Schuster
15. Do It! Let’s Get Off Our Buts by Peter McWilliams and John-Roger. Prelude Press
1992
Fiction
1. Dolores Claiborne by Stephen King. Viking Penguin
2. The Pelican Brief by John Grisham. Doubleday
3. Gerald’s Game by Stephen King. Viking Penguin
4. Mixed Blessings by Danielle Steel. Delacorte
5. Jewels by Danielle Steel. Delacorte
6. The Stars Shine Down by Sidney Sheldon. Morrow
7. Tale of the Body Thief
8. Mexico by James A. Michener. Random House
9. Waiting to Exhale by Terry McMillan. Viking Penguin
10. All Around the Town by Mary Higgins Clark. Simon & Schuster
11. Scruples Two by Judith Krantz. Crown
12. Sahara by Clive Cussler. Simon & Schuster
13. Hideaway by Dean R. Koontz. Putnam
14. The Road to Omaha by Robert Ludlum. Random House
15. Star Wars: Dark Force Rising by Timothy Zahn. Bantam
Nonfiction
1. The Way Things Ought to Be by Rush Limbaugh. Pocket Books
2. It Doesn’t Take a Hero: The Autobiography by General H. Norman Schwarzkopf. Bantam
3. How to Satisfy a Woman Every Time by Naura Hayden. Bibli O’ Phile
4. Every Living Thing by James Herriot. St. Martin’s
5. A Return to Love by Marianna Williamsworth
6. Sam Walton: Made in America by Sam Walton. Doubleday
7. Diana: Her True Story by Andrew Morton. Simon & Schuster
8. Truman by David McCullough. Simon Schuster
9. Silent Passage by Gail Sheehy. Random House
10. Sex by Madonna. Warner Books
11. The Juiceman’s Power of Juicing by Ray Kordich
12. Harvey Penick’s Little Red Book by Harvey Penick. Simon & Schuster
13. More Wealth Without Risk by Charles Givens. Simon & Schuster
14. I Can’t Believe I Said That by Kathie Lee Gifford. Pocket Books
15. Creating Love by John Bradshaw
1993
Fiction
1. The Bridges of Madison County by Robert James Waller. Warner
2. The Client by John Grisham. Doubleday
3. Slow Waltz at Cedar Bend by Robert James Waller. Warner
4. Without Remorse by Tom Clancy. Putnam
5. Nightmares and Dreamscapes by Stephen King. Viking Penguin
6. Vanished by Danielle Steel. Delacorte
7. Lasher by Anne Rice. Knopf
8. Pleading Guilty by Scott Turow
9. Like Water for Chocolate by Laura Esquivel. Doubleday
10. The Scorpio Illusion by Robert Ludlum. Bantam
11. The Golden Mean by Nick bantock. Chronicle Books
12. I’ll be Seeing You by Mary Higgins Clark. Simon & Schuster
13. A Dangerous Fortune by KenFollett. Delacorte
14. Mr. Murder by Dean Koontz. Putnam
15. Gai-Jin by James Clavell. Delacorte
Nonfiction
1. See I Told You So by Rush Limbaugh. Pocket Books
2. Private Parts by Howard stern. Simon & Schuster
3. Seinlanguage by Jerry Seinfeld. Bantam
4. Embraced by the Light by Betty J. Eadie with Curtis Taylor. Gold Leaf Press
5. Ageless Body, Timeless Mind by Deepak Chopra. Harmony
6. Stop the Insanity by Susan Powter. Simon & Schuster
7. Women Who Run with the Wolves by Clarissa Pinkola Estes. Ballantine
8. Men Are from Mars, Women Are from Venus
9. The Hidden Life of Dogs by Elizabeth Marshall Thomas. Houghton Mifflin
10. And If You Play Golf, You’re My Friend by Harvey Penick with Bud Shrake. Simon & Schuster
11. The Way Things Ought to Be by Rush Limbaugh. Pocket Books
12. Beating the Street by Peter Lynch with John Rothchild. Simon & Schuster
13. Harvey Penick’s Little Red Book by Harvey penick with Bud Shrake. Simon & Schuster
14. Wouldn’t Take Nothing for My Journey Now by Maya Angelou. Random House
15. Further Along the Road Less Traveled by M. Scott Peck, M.D. Simon & Schuster
1994
Fiction
1. The Chamber by John Grisham. Doubleday
2. Debt of Honor by Tom Clancy. Putnam
3. The Celestine Prophecy by James Redfield. Warner
4. The Gift by Danielle Steel. Delacorte
5. Insomnia by Stephen King. Viking
6. Politically Correct Bedtime Stories by James Finn Garner. Macmillan
7. Wings by Danielle Steel. Delacorte
8. Accident by Danielle Steel. Delacorte
9. The Bridges of Madison County by Robert James Waller. Warner
10. Disclosure by Michael Crichton. Knopf
11. Nothing Lasts Forever by Sidney Sheldon. Morrow
12. Taltos by Anne Rice. Knopf
13. Dark Rivers of the Heart by Dean Koontz. Knopf
14. The Lottery Winner by Mary Higgins Clark. Simon & Schuster
15. Remember Me by Mary Higgins Clark. Simon & Schuster
Nonfiction
1. In the Kitchen with Rosie by Rosie Daley. Knopf
2. Men Are from Mars, Women Are from Venus
3. Crossing the Threshold of Hope by John Paul II. Knopf
4. Magic Eye I by N.E. Thing Enterprises. Andrews & McMeel
5. The Book of Virtues, edited by William J. Bennett. Simon & Schuster
6. Magic Eye II by N.E. Thing Enterprises. Andrews 7 McMeel
7. Embraced by the Light by Betty J. Eadie with Curtis Taylor. Gold Leaf Press
8. Don’t Stand Too Close to a Naked Man by Tim Allen. Hyperion
9. Couplehood by Paul Reiser. Bantam
10. Magic Eye III by N.E. Thing Enterprises. Andrews & McMeel
11. Dolly by Dolly Parton. Harper-Collins
12. James Herriott’s Cat Stories by James Herriott. St.Martin’s
13. Barbara Bush by Barbara Bush. Scribner
14. Nicole Brown Simpson by Faye D. Resnick. Dove Books
15. The Bubba Gump shrimp Co. Cookbook. Oxmoor House/Leisure
1995
Fiction
1. The Rainmaker by John Grisham. Doubleday
2. The Lost World by Michael Crichton. Knopf
3. Five Days in Paris by Danielle Steel. Delacorte
4. The Christmas Box by Richard Paul Evans. Simon & Schuster
5. Lightning by Danielle Steel. Delacorte
6. The Celestine Prophecy by James Redfield. Warner
7. Rose Madder by Stephen King. Viking
8. Silent Night by Mary Higgins Clark. Simon & Schuster
9. Politically Correct Holiday Stories by James Finn Garner. Macmillan
10. The Horse Whisperer by Nicholas Evans. Delacorte
11. Politically Correct Bedtime Stories by james Finn Garner. Macmillan
12. Memnoch the Devil by Anne Rice. Knopf
13. Beach Music by Pat Conroy. Doubleday
14. From Potter’s Field by Patricia Cornwell. Scribner
15. Morning, Noon and Night by Sidney Sheldon. Morrow
Nonfiction
1. Men Are from Mars, Women Are from Venus by John Gray. HarperCollins
2. My American Journey by Colin Powell with Joseph Persico. Random House
3. Miss America by Howard Stern. ReganBooks
4. The Seven Spiritual Laws of Success by Deepak Chopra. New World Library
5. The Road Ahead by Bill Gates. Viking
6. Charles Kuralt’s America by Charles Kuralt. Putnam
7. Mars and Venus in the Bedroom by John Gray. HarperCollins
8. To Renew America by Newt Gingrich. HarperCollins
9. My Point...and I Do Have One by Ellen Degeneres. Bantam
10. The Moral Compass by William J. Bennett. Simon & Schuster
11. The Book of Virtues edited by William J. Bennett. Simon & Schuster
12. I want to Tell You by O.J. Simpson with Laurence Schiller. Little, Brown
13. In the Kitchen with Rosie by Rosie Daley. Knopf
14. Emotional Intelligence by Daniel Goleman. Bantam
15. David Letterman’s Book of Top 10 Lists by David Letterman. Bantam
1997
Fiction
1. The Partner by John Grisham, Doubleday
2. Cold Mountain by Charles Frazier, Atlantic Monthly
3. The Ghost by Danielle Steel, Delacorte
4. The Ranch by Danielle Steel, Delacorte
5. Special Delivery by Danielle Steel, Delacorte
6. Unnatural Exposure by Patricia Cornwell, Putnam
7. The Best Laid Plans by Sidney Sheldon, Morrow
8. Pretend You Don't See Her by Mary Higgins Clark, Simon & Schuster
9. Cat & Mouse by James Patterson, Little, Brown
10. Hornet's Nest by Patricia Cornwell, Putnam
11. The Letter by Richard Paul Evans, Simon & Schuster
12. Flood Tides by Clive Cussler, Simon & Schuster
13. Violin by Anne Rice, Knopf
14. The Matarese Countdown by Robert Ludlum, Bantam
15. Plum Island by Nelson DeMille, Warner
Nonfiction
1. Angela's Ashes by Frank McCourt, Scribner
2. Simple Abundance by Sarah Ban Breathnach, Warner
3. Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil by John Berendt, Random House
4. The Royals by Kitty Kelley, Warner
5. Joy of Cooking by Irma S. Rombauer, Scribner
6. Diana: Her True Story by Andrew Morton, Simon & Schuster
7. Into Thin Air by John Krakauer, Villard
8. Conversations with God, Book 1 by Neale Donald Walsch, Putnam
9. Men are From Mars, Women Are From Venus by John Gray, HarperCollins
10. Eight Weeks to Optimum Health by Andrew Weil, M.D., Knopf
11. Just as I Am by Billy Graham, HarperSanFrancisco/Zondervan
12. The Man Who Listens to Horses by Monty Roberts, Random House
13. The Millionaire Next Door by Thomas J. Stanley and William D. Danko, Longstreet
14. The Perfect Storm by Sebastian Junger, Norton
15. Kids Are Punny by Rosie O'Donnell, Warner
1998
Fiction
1. The Street Lawyer by John Grisham, Doubleday
2. Rainbow Six by Tom Clancy, Putnam
3. Bag of Bones by Stephen King, Scribner
4. A Man in Full by Tom Wolfe, Farrar, Straus & Giroux
5. Mirror Image by Danielle Steel, Delacorte
6. The Long Road Home by Danielle Steel, Delacorte
7. The Klone and I by Danielle Steel, Delacorte
8. Point of Origin by Patricia Cornwell, Putnam
9. Paradise by Toni Morrison, Knopf
10. All Through the Night by Mary Higgins Clark, Simon & Schuster
11. I Know This Much Is True by Wally Lamb, HarperCollins
12. Tell Me Your Dreams by Sidney Sheldon, Morrow
13. The Vampire Armand by Anne Rice, Knopf
14. The Loop by Nicholas Evans, Delacorte
15. You Belong to Me by Mary Higgins Clark, Simon & Schuster
Nonfiction
1. The 9 Steps to Financial Freedom by Suze Orman, Crown
2. The Greatest Generation by Tom Brokaw, Random House
3. Sugar Busters! by H. Leighton Steward, Morrison C. Bethea, Sam S. Andrews and Luis A. Balart, Ballantine
4. Tuesdays with Morrie by Mitch Albom, Doubleday
5. Guinness Book of World Records 1999, Guinness Media
6. Talking to Heaven by James Van Praagh, Dutton
7. Something More: Excavating Your Authentic Self by Sarah Ban Breathnach, Warner
8. In the Meantime by Iyanla Vanzant, Simon & Schuster
9. A Pirate Looks at Fifty by Jimmy Buffett, Random House
10. If Life Is a Game These Are the Rules by Cherie Carter-Scott, Broadway
11. Angela's Ashes by Frank McCourt, Scribner
12. For the Love of the Game: My Story by Michael Jordan, Crown
13. The Day Diana Died by Christopher Andersen, Morrow
14. The Century by Peter Jennings and Todd Brewster, Doubleday
15. Eat Right 4 Your Type by Peter J. D'Adamo, Putnam
1999
Fiction
1. The Testament by John Grisham, Doubleday
2. Hannibal by Thomas Harris, Delacorte
3. Assassins by Jerry B. Jenkins and Tim La Haye, Tyndale
4. Star Wars: Episode 1, The Phantom Menace by Terry Brooks, LucasBooks/DelRey
5. Timeline by Michael Crichton, HarperCollins
6. Hearts in Atlantis by Stephen King, Scribner
7. Apollyon by Jerry B. Jenkins and Tim La Haye, Tyndale
8. The Girl Who Loved Tom Gordon by Stephen King, Scribner
9. Irresistible Forces by Danielle Steel, Delacorte
10. Tara Road by Maeve Binchy, Delacorte
11. White Oleander by Janet Fitch, Little, Brown
12. A Walk to Remember by Nicholas Sparks, Warner
13. Pop Goes the Weasel by James Patterson, Little, Brown
14. Black Notice by Patricia Cornwell, Putnam
15. Granny Dan by Danielle Steel, Delacorte
Nonfiction
1. Tuesdays with Morrie by Mitch Albom, Doubleday
2. The Greatest Generation by Tom Brokaw, Random House
3. Guinness World Records 2000, Guinness Publishing
4. ‘Tis by Frank McCourt, Scribner
5. Who Moved My Cheese? by Spencer Johnson, Putnam
6. The Courage to Be Rich by Suze Orman, Riverhead
7. The Greatest Generation Speaks by Tom Brokaw, Random House
8. Sugar Busters! by H. Leighton Steward, Morrison C. Bethea, Sam S. Andrews and Luis A. Balart, Ballantine
9. The Art of Happiness by the Dalai Lama and Howard C. Cutler, Riverhead
10. The Century by Peter Jennings & Todd Brewster, Doubleday
11. Body for Life by Bill Phillips, HarperCollins
12. Life Strategies by Dr. Phil McGraw, Hyperion
13. Have a Nice Day! by Nick Foley, ReganBooks
14. Suzanne Somers' Get Skinny on Fabulous Food by Suzanne Somers, Crown
15. Don't Sweat the Small Stuff by Richard and Kristine Carlson, Hyperion
2000
Fiction
1. The Brethern by John Grisham, Doubleday
2. The Mark by Jerry B. Jenkins and Tim La Haye, Tyndale
3. The Bear and the Dragon by Tom Clancy, Putnam
4. The Indwelling by Jerry B. Jenkins and Tim La Haye, Tyndale
5. The Last Precinct by Patricia Cornwell, Putnam
6. Journey by Danielle Steel, Delacorte
7. The Rescue by Nicholas Sparks, Warner
8. Roses Are Red by James Patterson, Little, Brown
9. Cradle and All by James Patterson, Little Brown
10. The House on Hope Street by Danielle Steel, Delacorte
11. The Wedding by Danielle Steel, Delacorte
12. Drowning Ruth by Christina Schwartz, Doubleday
13. Before I Say Good-Bye by Mary Higgins Clark, Simon & Schuster
14. Deck the Halls by Mary and Carol Higgins Clark, Simon & Schuster/Scribner
15. Gap Creek by Robert Morgan, Algonquin
Nonfiction
1. Who Moved My Cheese? by Spencer Johnson, Putnam
2. Guinness World Records 2001, Guinness Publishing
3. Body for Life by Bill Phillips, HarperCollins
4. Tuesdays with Morrie by Mitch Albom, Doubleday
5. The Beatles Anthology by The Beatles, Chronicle
6. The O'Reilly Factor by Bill O'Reilly, Broadway
7. Relationship Rescue by Dr. Phil McGraw, Hyperion
8. The Millionaire Mind by Thomas J. Stanley, Andrews McMeel
9. Ten Things I Wish I'd Known—Before I Went Out into the Real World by Maria Shriver, Warner
10. Eating Well for Optimum Health by Andrew Weil, M.D., Knopf
11. The Prayer of Jabez by Bruce Wilkinson, Multnomah
12. Flags of Our Fathers by James Bradley with Ron Powers, Bantam
13. A Short Guide to a Happy Life by Anna Quindlen, Random House
14. On Writing by Stephen King, Scribner
15. Nothing Like It in the World by Stephen E. Ambrose, Simon & Schuster
2001
Fiction
1. Desecration by Jerry B. Jenkins and Tim La Haye, Tyndale
2. Skipping Christmas by John Grisham, Doubleday
3. A Painted House by John Grisham, Doubleday
4. Dreamcatcher by Stephen King, Scribner
5. The Corrections by Jonathan Franzen, Farrar, Straus & Girous
6. Black House by Stephen King and Peter Straub, Random House
7. The Kiss by Danielle Steel, Delacorte
8. Valhalla Rising by Clive Cussler, Putnam
9. A Day Late and a Dollar Short by Terri McMillan, Viking
10. Violets Are Blue by James Patterson, Little, Brown
11. P is for Peril by Sue Grafton, Putnam/Marion Wood
12. He Sees You When Your Sleeping by Mary and Carol Higgins Clark, Scribner
13. A Common Life by Jan Karon, Viking
14. Isle of Dogs by Patricia Cornwell, Putnam
15. Suzanne's Diary for Nicholas by James Patterson, Little, Brown
Nonfiction
1. The Prayer of Jabez by Bruce Wilkinson, Multnomah
2. Secrets of the Vine by Bruce Wilkinson, Multnomah
3. Who Moved My Cheese? by Spencer Johnson, Putnam
4. John Adams by David McCullough, Simon & Schuster
5. Guinness World Records 2002, Guinness Publishing
6. Prayer for Jabez for Women by Darlene Wilkinson, Multnomah
7. The No-Spin Zone by Bill O'Reilly, Broadway
8. Body for Life by Bill Phillips, HarperCollins
9. How I Play Golf by Tiger Woods, Warner
10. Jack by Jack Welch, Warner
11. I Hope You Dance by Mark D. Sanders and Tia Sillers, Rutledge Hill
12. Self Matters by Dr. Phil McGraw, Simon & Schuster
13. The Blue Day Book by Bradley Trevor Greive, Andrews McMeel
14. The Road to Wealth by Suze Orman, Putnam
15. America's Heroes: Inspiring Stories of Courage, Sacrifice and Patriotism by the editors of SP LLC, Sports Publishing
2002
Fiction
1. The Summons by John Grisham, Doubleday
2. Red Rabbit by Tom Clancy, Putnam
3. Remnant by Jerry B. Jenkins and Tim La Haye, Tyndale
4. The Lovely Bones by Alice Sebold, Little, Brown
5. Prey by Michael Crichton, HarperCollins
6. Skipping Christmas by John Grisham, Doubleday
7. The Shelters of Stone by Jean M. Auel, Crown
8. Four Blind Mice by James Patterson, Little, Brown
9. Everything's Eventual by Stephen King, Scribner
10. The Nanny Diaries by Emma McLaughlin and Nicola Kraus, St. Martin's
11. From a Buick 8 by Stephen King, Scribner
12. The Beach House by James Patterson and Peter de Jonge, Little, Brown
13. Star Wars: Attack of the Clones by R.A. Salvatore, DelRey/LucasBooks
14. Nights in Rodanthe by Nicholas Sparks, Warner
15. Answered Prayers by Danielle Steel, Delacorte
Nonfiction
1. Self Matters by Dr. Phil McGraw, Simon & Schuster
2. A Life God Rewards by Bruce Wilkinson with David Kopp, Multnomah
3. Let's Roll! by Lisa Beamer with Ken Abraham, Tyndale
4. Guinness World Records 2003, Guinness Publishing
5. Who Moved My Cheese? by Spencer Johnson, Putnam
6. Leadership by Rudolph W. Giuliani, Miramax
7. Prayer for Jabez for Women by Darlene Wilkinson, Multnomah
8. Bush at War by Bob Woodward, Simon & Schuster
9. Portrait of a Killer by Patricia Cornwell, Putnam
10. Body for Life by Bill Phillips, HarperCollins
11. I Hope You Dance by Mark D. Sanders and Tia Sillers, Rutledge Hill
12. Stupid White Men by Michael Moore, Regan Books
13. Bringing Up Boys by James Dobson, Tyndale
14. Good to Great by Jim Collins, HarperBusiness
15. Get with the Program by Bob Greene, Simon & Schuster
2003
Fiction
1. The Da Vinci Code by Dan Brown, Doubleday
2. The Five People You Meet in Heaven by Mitch Albom, Hyperion
3. The King of Torts by John Grisham, Doubleday
4. Bleachers by John Grisham, Doubleday
5. Armageddon by Tim La Haye and Jerry B. Jenkins, Tyndale
6. The Teeth of the Tiger by Tom Clancy, Putnam
7. The Big Bad Wolf by James Patterson, Little, Brown
8. Blow Fly by Patricia Cornwell, Putnam
9. The Lovely Bones by Alice Sebold, Little, Brown
10. The Wedding by Nicholas Sparks, Warner
11. Shepherds Abiding by Jan Karon, Viking
12. The Dark Tower V: The Wolves of Calla by Stephen King, Scribner
13. Safe Harbour by Danielle Steel, Delacorte
14. Babylon Rising by Tim La Haye and Jerry B. Jenkins, Tyndale
15. Trojan Odyssey by Clive Cussler, Putnam
Nonfiction
1. The Purpose-Driven Life by Rick Warren, Zondervan
2. The South Beach Diet by Arthur Agatston, M.D., Rodale
3. Atkins for Life by Robert Atkins, M.D., St. Martin's
4. The Ultimate Weight Solution by Dr. Phil McGraw, Free Press
5. Living History by Hillary Rodham Clinton, Simon & Schuster
6. Lies: And the Lying Liars Who Tell Them by Al Franken, Dutton
7. Guinness World Records 2004, Guinness Publishing
8. Who's Looking Out for You? by Bill O'Reilly, Broadway
9. Dude, Where's My Country? by Michael Moore, Warner
10. A Royal Duty by Paul Burrell, Putnam
11. Good to Great by Jim Collins, HarperBusiness
12. Kate Remembered by A. Scott Berg, Putnam
13. The Essential 55 by Ron Clark, Hyperion
14. Treason by Ann Coulter, Crown Forum
15. The World According to Mr. Rogers by Fred Rogers, Hyperion
2004
Fiction
1. The Da Vinci Code by Dan Brown, Doubleday
2. The Five People You Meet in Heaven by Mitch Albom, Hyperion
3. The Last Juror by John Grisham, Doubleda
4. Glorious Appearing by Tim LaHaye and Jerry B. Jenkins, Tyndale
5. Angels & Demons by Dan Brown, Atria
6. State of Fear by Michael Crichton, HarperCollins
7. London Bridges by James Patterson, Little, Brown
8. Trace by Patricia Cornwell, Putnam
9. The Rule of Four by Ian Caldwell and Dustin Thomason, Dial
10. The Da Vinci Code: Special Illustrated Collector's Edition by Dan Brown, Doubleday
11. I Am Charlotte Simmons by Tom Wolfe, Farrar, Straus & Giroux
12. Night Fall by Nelson De Mille, Warner
13. A Salty Piece of Land by Jimmy Buffett, Little, Brown
14. Ten Big Ones by Janet Evanovich, St. Martin's
15. Black Wind by Clive Cussler and Dirk Cussler, Putnam
Nonfiction
1. The Purpose-Driven Life by Rick Warren, Zondervan
2. The South Beach Diet by Arthur Agatston, M.D., Rodale
3. My Life by Bill Clinton, Knopf
4. America (The Book) by Jon Stewart and the Daily Show writers, Warner
5. The South Beach Diet Cookbook by Arthur Agatston, M.D., Rodale
6. Family First by Dr. Phil McGraw, Free Press
7. He's Just Not That into You by Greg Behrendt and Liz Tuccillo, Simon Spotlight
8. Eats, Shoots & Leaves by Lynne Truss, Gotham
9. Your Best Life Now: 7 Steps to Living at Your Full Potential by Joel Osteen, Warner Faith
10. Guinness World Records 2005, Guinness Publishing
11. Unfit for Command by John O'Neill and Jerome R. Corsi, Regnery
12. The Automatic Millionaire by David Bach, Broadway
13. The Proper Care and Feeding of Husbands by Laura Schlessinger, HarperCollins
14. The Family by Kitty Kelley, Doubleday
15. Plan of Attack by Bob Woodward, Simon & Schuster
2005
Fiction
1. The Broker by John Grisham, Doubleday
2. The Da Vinci Code by Dan Brown, Doubleday
3. Mary, Mary by James Patterson, Little, Brown
4. At First Sight by Nicholas Sparks, Warner
5. Predator by Patricia Cornwell, Putnam
6. True Believer by Nicholas Sparks, Warner
7. Light from Heaven by Jan Karon, Viking
8. The Historian by Elizabeth Kostova, Little, Brown
9. The Mermaid Chair by Sue Monk, Viking
10. Eleven on Top by Janet Evanovich, St. Martin's
11. Honeymoon by James Patterson and Howard Roughan, Little, Brown
12. 4th of July by James Patterson and Maxine Paetro, Little, Brown
13. Lifeguard by James Patterson and Andrew Gross, Little, Brown
14. S Is for Silence by Sue Grafton, Putnam
15. The Camel Club by David Baldacci, Warner
Nonfiction
1. Natural Cures "They" Don't Want You to Know About by Kevin Trudeau, Alliance Publishing
2. Your Best Life Now: 7 Steps to Living at Your Full Potential by Joel Osteen, Warner Faith
3. The Purpose-Driven Life by Rick Warren, Zondervan
4. You: The Owner's Manual by Michael F. Roizen, M.D. and Mehmet C. Oz, M.D., Free Press
5. 1776 by David McCullough, Simon & Schuster
6. The World is Flat by Thomas L. Friedman, Farrar, Straus & Giroux
7. Love Smart: Find the One You Want, Fix the One You Got by Dr. Phil McGraw, Free Press
8. Blink: The Power of Thinking Without Thinking by Malcolm Gladwell, Little, Brown
9. Freakonomics by Steven D. Levitt and Stephen J. Dubner, Morrow
10. Guinness World Records 2006, Guinness Publishing
11. French Women Don't Get Fat by Mireille Guiliano, Knopf
12. Teacher Man by Frank McCourt, Scribner
13. Our Endangered Values by Jimmy Carter, Simon & Schuster
14. 700 Sundays by Billy Crystal, Warner
15. Team of Rivals: The Political Genius of Abraham Lincoln by Doris Kearns Goodwin, Simon & Schuster
2006
Fiction
1. For One More Day by Mitch Albom, Hyperion
2. Cross by James Patterson, Little, Brown
3. Dear John by Nicholas Sparks, Warner
4. Next by Michael Crichton, HarperCollins
5. Hannibal Rising by Thomas Harris, Delacorte
6. Lisey's Story by Stephen King, Scribner
7. Twelve Sharp by Janet Evanovich, St. Martin's
8. Cell by Stephen King, Scribner
9. Beach Road by James Patterson and Peter de Jonge, Little, Brown
10. The Fifth Horseman by James Patterson and Maxine Paetro, Little, Brown
11. Judge & Jury by James Patterson and Andrew Gross, Little, Brown
12. At Risk by Patricia Cornwell, Putnam
13. Wild Fire by Nelson DeMille, Warner
14. Treasure of Khan by Clive Cussler and Dirk Cussler, Putnam
15. Brother Odd by Dean Koontz, Bantam
Nonfiction
1. The Innocent Man by John Grisham, Doubleday
2. You: On a Diet—The Owners Manual for Waist Management by Michael F. Roizen, M.D. and Mehmet C. Oz, M.D., Free Press
3. Marley & Me by John Grogan, Morrow
4. The Audacity of Hope by Barack Obama, Crown
5. Culture Warrior by Bill O'Reilly, Broadway
6. Guinness World Records 2007, Guinness Publishing
7. The Best Life Diet by Bob Greene, Simon & Schuster
8. Cesar's Way: The Natural Everyday Guide to Understanding and Correcting Common Dog Problems by Cesar Millan and Melissa Jo Peltier, Harmony
9. The World is Flat by Thomas L. Friedman, Farrar, Straus & Giroux
10. State of Denial: Bush at War Part III by Bob Woodward, Simon & Schuster
11. The Purpose-Driven Life by Rick Warren, Zondervan
12. Freakonomics by Steven D. Levitt and Stephen J. Dubner, Morrow
13. Inside My Heart: Choosing to Live with Passion and Purpose by Robin McGraw, Thomas Nelson
14. Paula Deen Celebrates!: Best Dishes and Best Wishes for the Best Times of Your Life by Paula Deen and Martha Nesbit, Simon & Schuster
15. Godless: The Church of Liberalism by Ann Coulter, Crown Forum
2007
Fiction
1. A Thousand Splendid Suns by Khaled Hosseini, Riverhead
2. Playing for Pizza by John Grisham, Doubleday
3. Double Cross by James Patterson, Little, Brown
4. The Choice by Nicholas Sparks, Grand Central
5. Lean Mean Thirteen by Janet Evanovich, St. Martin's
6. Plum Lovin' by Janet Evanovich, St. Martin's
7. Book of the Dead by Patricia Cornwell, Putnam
8. The Quickie by James Patterson and Michael Ledwidge, Little, Brown
9. The 6th Target by James Patterson and Maxine Paetro, Little, Brown
10. The Darkest Evening of the Year by Dean Koontz, Bantam
11. Step on a Crack by James Patterson and Michael Ledwidge, Little, Brown
12. You've Been Warned by James Patterson and Howard Roughan, Little, Brown
13. T Is for Trespass by Sue Grafton, Putnam
14. Stone Cold by David Baldacci, Grand Central
15. Nineteen Minutes by Jodi Picoult, Atria Books
Nonfiction
1. The Secret by Rhonda Byrne, Atria/Beyond Words
2. The Dangerous Book for Boys by Conn & Hal Iggulden, Collins
3. Deceptively Delicious by Jessica Seinfeld, Collins
4. You: Staying Young—The Owner's Manual for Extending Your Warranty by Michael F. Roizen, M.D., and Mehmet C. Oz, M.D., Free Press
5. I Am America (and So Can You!) by Stephen Colbert, Grand Central
6. Become a Better You: 7 Keys to Improving Your Life Every Day by Joel Osteen, Free Press
7. The Daring Book for Girls by Andrea J. Buchanan & Miriam Peskowitz, Collins
8. You: On a Diet—The Owner's Manual for Waist Management by Michael F. Roizen, M.D., and Mehmet C. Oz, M.D., Free Press
9. Guinness World Records 2008, Guinness World Records
10. The Weight Loss Cure "They" Don't Want You to Know About by Kevin Trudeau, Alliance Publishing
11. Quiet Strength: The Principles, Practices & Priorities of a Winning Life by Tony Dungy with Nathan Whitaker, Tyndale House
12. Women & Money: Owning the Power to Control Your Destiny by Suze Orman, Spiegel & Grau
13. A Long Way Gone: Memoirs of a Boy Soldier by Ishmael Beah, Farrar, Straus & Giroux/Sarah Crichton
14. Clapton by Eric Clapton, Broadway Books
15. Christmas with Paula Deen: Recipes and Stories from My Favorite Holiday by Paula Deen, Simon & Schuster
1996
Fiction
1. The Runaway Jury by John Grisham. Doubleday
2. Executive Orders by Tom Clancy. Putnam
3. Desperation by Stephen King. Viking
4. Airframe by Michael Crichton. Knopf
5. The Regulators by Richard Bachman. Dutton
6. Malice by Danielle Steel. Delacorte
7. Silent Honor by Danielle Steel. Delacorte
8. Primary Colors by Anonymous. Random House
9. Cause of Death by Patricia Cornwell. Putnam
10. The Tenth Insight by James Redfield. Warner
11. The Deep End of the Ocean by Jacquelyn Mitchard. Viking
12. How Stella Got Her Groove Back by Terry McMillan. Viking
13. Moonlight Becomes You by Mary Higgins Clark. Simon & Schuster
14. My Gal Sunday by Mary Higgins Clark. Simon & Schuster
15. The Celestine Prophecy by James Redfield. Warner
Nonfiction
1. Make the Connection by Oprah Winfrey & Bob Greene. Hyperion
2. Men Are from Mars...by John Gray. HarperCollins
3. The Dilbert Principle by Scott Adams. HarperBusiness
4. Simple Abundance by sarah Ban Breathnach. Warner
5. The Zone by Barry Sears with Bill Lawren. ReganBooks
6. Bad As I wanna Be by Dennis Rodman. Delacorte
7. In Contempt by Christopher Darden. ReganBooks
8. A Reporter’s Life by Walter Cronkite. Knopf
9. Dogbert’s Top Secret Management Handbook by Scott Adams. HarperBusiness
10. My Sergei: A Love Story by Ekaterina Gordeeva with E.M. Swift. Warner
11. Gift and Mystery by Pope John Paul II. Doubleday
12. I’m Not Really Here by Tim Allen. Hyperion
13. Rush Limbaugh is a Big Fat Idiot and Other Observations by Al Franken. Delacorte
14. James Herriot’s Favorite Dog Stories by James Herriot. St. Martin’s
15. My Story by The Duchess of York. Simon & Schuster
2008
Fiction
1. Fearless Fourteen by Janet Evanovich. St. Martin’s
2. The Last Patriot. Brad Thor. Atria
3. Sail. James Patterson and Howard Roughan. Little, Brown
4. Tailspin. Catherine Coulter. Putnam
5. The Host. Stephenie Meyer. Little, Brown
6. Rogue. Danielle Steel. Delacorte
7. The Story of Edgar Sawtelle. David Wroblewski
8. Chasing Darkness. Robert Crais. Simon & Schuster
9. Death Angel. Linda Howard. Ballantine
10. Love the One You're With. Emily Giffin. St. Martin's
11. The Beach House. Jane Green. Viking
12. The Last Oracle. James Rollins. Morrow
13. Chasing Harry Winston. Lauren Weisberger. Simon & Schuster
14. The Broken Window. Jeffery Deaver. Simon & Schuster
15. Nothing to Lose. Lee Child. Delacorte
Nonfiction
1. The Last Lecture. Randy Pausch with Jeffrey Zaslow. Hyperion,
2. Dewey. Vicki Myron with Bret Witter. Grand Central
3. Barefoot Contessa Back to Basics. Ina Garten. Clarkson Potter
4. Flat Belly Diet. Liz Vaccariello and Cynthia Sass. Rodale Press
5. A Bold Fresh Piece of Humanity. Bill O'Reilly. Broadway
6. The Snowball. Alice Schroeder. Bantam
7. The Purpose of Christmas. Rick Warren. Howard Books
8. Against Medical Advice. James Patterson and Hal Friedman. Little, Brown
9. American Journey of Barack Obama. The Editors of Life. Little, Brown
10. Hot, Flat, and Crowded. Thomas L. Friedman. Farrar, Straus & Giroux
11. My Stroke of Insight. Jill Bolte Taylor. Viking
12. The Secret. Rhonda Byrne. Atria/Beyond Words
13. Letter to My Daughter. Maya Angelou. Random House
14. Multiple Blessings. Jon & Kate Gosselin and Beth Carson. Zondervan
15. Guinness World Records 2009. Guinness Publishing
2009
Fiction
1. The Last Lecture by Randy Pausch. Hyperion
2. The Purpose of Christmas by Rick Warren. Howard
3. You: Being Beautiful by Michael F. Roizen and Mehmet C. Oz
4. Outliers by Malcolm Gladwell. Little, Brown
5. A Bold, Fresh Piece of Humanity byBill O'Reilly. Broadway
6. Dewey by Vicki Myron with Brett Witter. Grand Central
7. Audition by Barbara Waters. Knopf
8. Barefoot Contessa Back to Basics by Ina Garten. Clarkson Potter
9. The Snowball by Alice Schroeder. Bantam
10. Hot, Flat and Crowded by Thomas L. Friedman. Farrar, Straus & Giroux
11. When You Are Engulfed in Flames by David Sedaris. Little, Brown
12. Multiple Blessings by Jon and Kate Gosselin and Beth Carson. Zondervan
13. American Lion by Jon Meacham. Random
14. Are You There, Vodka? It's Me, Chelsea by Chelsea Handler. Simon Spotlight
15. Just Who Will You Be by Maria Shriver. Hyperion
Nonfiction
1. The Appeal by John Grisham. Doubleday
2. The Story of Edgar Sawtelle by David Wroblewski. Ecco
3. The Host by Stephenie Meyer. Little, Brown
4. Cross Country by James Patterson. Little, Brown
5. The Lucky One by Nicholas Sparks. Grand Central
6. Fearless Fourteen by Janet Evanovich. St. Martin's
7. Christmas Sweater by Glenn Beck. Threshold
8. Scarpetta by Patricia Cornwell. Putnam
9. Your Heart Belongs to Me by Dean Koontz. Bantam
10. Plum Lucky by Janet Evanovich. St. Martin's
11. 7th Heaven by James Patterson. Little, Brown (2008) 700,313
12. Sail by James Patterson. Little, Brown
13. A Good Woman by Danielle Steel. Delacorte
14. Divine Justice by David Baldacci. Grand Central
15. The Gate House by Nelson DeMille. Grand Central
2010
Fiction
1. The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet's Nest by Stieg Larsson. Knopf (5/10) 1,900,000
2. The Confession by John Grisham. Doubleday (10/10)
3. The Help by Kathryn Stockett. Putnam/Amy Einhorn (2/09) 1,317,397
4. Safe Haven by Nicholas Sparks. Grand Central(9/10)
5. Dead or Alive by Tom Clancy. Putnam (12/10)
6. Sizzling Sixteen by Janet Evanovich. St. Martin's (6/10)
7. Cross Fire by James Patterson. Little, Brown (11/10)
8. Freedom by Jonathan Franzen. Farrar, Straus and Giroux (9/10)
9. Port Mortuary by Patricia Cornwell. Putnam (11/30)
10. Full Dark, No Stars by Stephen King. Scribner (11/10)
11. Dead in the Family by Charlaine Harris. Ace (5/10)
12. Fall of Giants by Ken Follett. Dutton (9/10)
13. Wicked Appetite by Janet Evanovich. St. Martin's (9/10)
14. American Assassin by Vince Flynn. Atria (9/10)
15. Hell's Corner by David Baldacci. Grand Central (11/10)
Nonfiction
1. Decision Points. George W. Bush. Crown (11/10)
2. Broke: The Plan to Restore Our Trust, Truth, and Treasure. Glenn Beck. Threshold Editions (10/10)
3. Women Food and God: An Unexpected Path to Almost Everything. Geneen Roth. Scribner (3/10)
4. Life. Keith Richards with James Fox. Little, Brown (10/10)
5. America by Heart: Reflections on Family, Faith, and Flag. Sarah Palin. HarperCollins (11/10)
6. The Daily Show with Jon Stewart Presents Earth (The Book): A Visitor's Guide to the Human Race. Jon Stewart. Grand Central (9/10)
7. Sh*t My Dad Says. Justin Halpern. HarperCollins/It Books (5/10)
8. Barefoot Contessa How Easy Is That? Ina Garten. Clarkson Potter (10/10)
9. Pinheads and Patriots: Where You Stand in the Age of Obama. Bill O'Reilly. Morrow (9/10)
10. Chelsea Chelsea Bang Bang. Chelsea Handler. Grand Central (3/10)
11. Straight Talk, No Chaser: How to Find, Keep and Understand a Man. Steve Harvey. Amistad (12/10)
12. Spoken from the Heart. Laura Bush. Scribner (5/10)
13. The Big Short: Inside the Doomsday Machine. Michael Lewis. Norton (3/10)
14. The Power. Rhonda Byrne. Atria (7/10)
15. Unbroken: A World War II Story of Survival, Resilience, and Redemption. Laura Hillenbrand. Random House (11/10)
From 2010 on, we published more detailed annual bestsellers in our yearly Facts & Figures features, which are linked below:
