2006 Bestselling Books

The March 26 issue of Publishers Weekly ran statistics on the top-selling books of 2006, and includes some interesting figures. In their compilation of books selling over 100,000 copies in the categories of hardback fiction and nonfiction, trade paperbacks, mass markets, and children’s books, they report that “inspirational publishers accounted for over nine million” books sold.

Data for this compilation were gathered from publishers and reflect shipped and billed book units through December 2006. This is different from many bestseller lists, which reflect actual sales to customers at the bookstore. Publishers were asked to deduct projected returns on the books within January 2007. Of course, we all know February and on can continue to see returned books, so if these numbers err on any side, it’s probably by being too high. At any rate, here are some highlights of the Christian books’ performances. As you’ll see, nonfiction outperformed fiction, with two Christian books ending up in the 2006 Bestselling list (goes up to #15).

Hardback Fiction—selling from 100,000 to 200,000+ units:

House, Frank Peretti and Ted Dekker (Thomas Nelson). 234,041

The Rapture: Countdown to the Earth’s Last Days, Tim LaHaye and Jerry B. Jenkins (Tyndale). 231,877

Saint, Ted Dekker (Thomas Nelson). 102,269


Hardback Nonfiction:

#11: The Purpose-Driven Life, Rick Warren (Zondervan, 10/02). 800,000. Amazing staying power for a book published in 2002.

#13: Inside My Heart: Choosing to Live with Passion and Purpose, Robin McGraw (Thomas Nelson, 8/06). 663,585

#20: Your Best Life Now, Joel Osteen (FaithWords). 498,489

#26: The Journey: Living by Faith in an Uncertain World, Billy Graham (Thomas Nelson). 427,104

Selling from 100,000 to 300,000+ units:

The Confident Woman, Joyce Meyer (FaithWords). 351,568

Captivating: Unveiling the Mystery of a Woman’s Soul, John and Stasi Eldredge (Thomas Nelson). 325,486

Look Great, Feel Great: 12 Keys to Enjoying a Healthy Life Now, Joyce Meyer (FaithWords). 303,194

Facing Your Giants, Max Lucado (Thomas Nelson). 295,813

Woman to Woman: Candid Conversations from Me to You, Joyce Meyer (FaithWords). 227, 674

For Women Only: What You Need to Know About the Inner Lives of Men, Shaunti Feldhahn (Multnomah). 220,233

The Way of the Wild Heart, John Eldredge (Thomas Nelson). 201,452

Mama Made the Difference, T.D. Jakes (Putnam) 191,370

Heaven, Randy Alcorn (Tyndale). 137,645

Scriptures and Meditations for Your Best Life Now, Joel Osteen (FaithWords). 134,469

Cure for the Common Life, Max Lucado (Thomas Nelson). 117,098

God’s Power to Change Your Life, Rick Warren (Zondervan). 104,500

God’s Answers to Life’s Difficult Questions, Rick Warren (Zondervan). 104,410


Trade Paperback (fiction and nonfiction):

90 Minutes in Heaven, Don Piper (written by Cecil Murphey) (Revell). 799,233

Jerusalem Countdown, John Hagee (Frontline/Strang). 824,500

Blue Like Jazz, Don Miller (Thomas Nelson). 686,250

The Five Love Languages, Gary Chapman (Moody). 507,867

Battlefield of the Mind, Joyce Meyer (FaithWords). 346,707

Wild at Heart, John Eldredge (Thomas Nelson). 338,159

Dinner With a Perfect Stranger, David Gregory (Waterbrook). 335,067

The Englisher, Beverly Lewis (Bethany). 306,443

Found, Karen Kingsbury (Tyndale). 239,000

Searching for God Knows What, Don Miller (Thomas Nelson). 210,203

Mere Christianity, C.S. Lewis (HarperSanFrancisco). 200,000

Screwtape Letters, C.S. Lewis (HarperSanFrancisco). 180,000

The Witness, Dee Henderson (Tyndale). 168,000

Like Dandelion Dust, Karen Kingsbury (Center Street). 166,626

Leave a Candle Burning, Lori Wick (Harvest House). 157,430

Before I Wake, Dee Henderson (Tyndale). 149,000

The Power of a Praying Wife, Stormie Omartian (Harvest House). 132,920

Battlefield of the Mind for Teens, Joyce Meyer and Todd Hafer (FaithWords). 129,638