Endless book lists are created for every genre under the sun. Pouring over book titles ranked based on popular opinion or sales volume is always a fun way to identify some new titles to add to your reading goals. Next time you ponder the topic of books, chew on this food for thought about the volumes themselves. Here is a list of fun, quirky, mundane and mind-blowing facts about books.
Most Interesting Facts About Books Ever
For all of history, books have been a source of sharing knowledge about every topic under the sun. Humans have a deep connection with printed words that spread across pages bound together. They connect people through thoughts, ideas, entertainment, science, guidance, and spirituality in ways that are hard to replicate through other channels of communication. While much discussion is focused on the contribution of each individual work, it's valuable to ponder some incredible facts about the topic of books, in and of itself. The world of books encompasses a spectrum of fascinating extremes, from the oldest and largest to the most expensive and widely circulated. These facts, alongside analyses of bestsellers, banned books, and literary movements, reveal how books mirror and shape societal values, beliefs, and trends. In essence, they provide a tangible link to our cultural heritage, illuminate contemporary issues, and celebrate the enduring power of narrative.
(1) Longest Book Ever Written:
In Search of Lost Time
In Search of Lost Time, by French author Marcel Proust, contains 9,609,000 characters.This title. was published in 1913. The English translation title is Remembrance of Things Past. The approximately 4,300 pages are spread across seven volumes. It's a philosophical work with an overarching theme of involuntary memory.
(2) Biggest Book Constructed:
This the Prophet of Mohamed
A book called This the Prophet of Mohamed was unveiled in 2012. It measures 16.4 feet x 26.44 feet, weighs 3,306 pounds, and has 429 pages. The enormous book was made in Dubai with the labor of 50 people. The book is a compilation showcasing the Prophet Muhammad's legacy and the positive contributions of Islam to international and humanitarian efforts.
(3) Oldest Book in Print:
The Diamond Sutra
The Diamond Sutra is the oldest surviving book with a printed date of 868 AD. This Buddhist holy text with Chinese characters printed on a scroll is currently housed at the British Library in London. It delves into sunyata, the Buddhist concept of emptiness, which posits that all things are devoid of independent, permanent existence.
(4) Best-Selling Book of All Time:
The Bible
An estimated 5 to 7 billion copies of the Christian Bible have been distributed worldwide in hundreds of languages. It is considered the highest selling book ever in print. Approximately 80 million copies are printed every year. Bible Societies, founded in the early 19th century, were primarily responsible for giving away bibles for free or at cost as part of their Christian mission.
(5) Top Selling Children's Book Of All Time:
The Little Prince
The Little Prince (Le Petit Prince) by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry has sold more than 200,000,000 since it was originally published in 1943. Equally astonishing, this book broke another record as the world's most translated book of fiction. To date, Le Petit Prince has 600 different translations.
(6) Most Expensive Book Ever Sold:
Codex Leicester
Bill Gates purchased the codex at a Christie's auction in New York on November 11, 1994, for $30,802,500. The book serves as an extraordinary testament to the relationship between art and science and the inventive spirit of the scientific method. Leonard da Vinci, renown for his artistic masterpieces like the Mona Lisa and the Sistine Chapel, wrote a collection of scientific writings that eventually became a book called Codex Leicester.
(7) Most Banned Book of All Time:
1984 by George Orwell
Because it delves into surveillance, propaganda, and the manipulation of truth, the book has been targeted by those who see it as a threat to traditional values and established authority. Orwell wrote this book in 1984 as a warning against the dangers of totalitarianism. His experiences and observations of the political climate in the mid-20th century served as the basis for his novel.
(8) Highest Selling Picture Book To Date:
The Poky Little Puppy
With nearly 15 million copies sold since 1942, The Poky Little Puppy, remains among the best-selling children's books ever. This timeless story was part of the original 12 Golden Books that have captured the hearts of children for decades. It tells the tale of five puppies who venture beyond their garden. The little puppy who consistently lags behind learns a valuable lesson about the consequences of being slow and disobedient, often missing out on treats.
(9) Book With Longest Published Sentence:
Ulysses by James Joyce
The famous Molly Bloom soliloquy, with its largely unpunctuated, stream-of-consciousness style, includes a continuous sentence of approximately 4,491 words, giving the reader a very intimate look into the character's mind. Known for its complex language and experimental style, Ulysses is a highly influential 20th-century novel that greatly impacted modernist literature.
(10) Country With Highest Number of Published Books Per Capita:
Iceland
The per capita book publishing rate in Iceland is notably high, at 4.5 books per 1,000 inhabitants. This impressive figure is a testament to Icelanders' strong reading habits, exceeding those of other Nordic countries, and a cultural landscape where literary creation is highly valued. Surveys indicate that approximately 93% of the nation's small population (330,000) ready daily.
(11) Largest Book Burning Event in History:
Nazi Germany 1933
Across 34 university towns in Germany, the Nazi regime orchestrated the burning of over 25,000 books considered 'un-German.' This act, a symbol of censorship and cultural domination, targeted works by diverse authors, including Jewish intellectuals like Einstein and Freud, and American writers like Hemingway and Keller.
(12) Smallest Physical Book Ever Made:
Flowers of the Four Seasons
Measuring a mere 0.74 x 0.75 mm, Flowers of the Four Seasons holds the record for the smallest printed book. This miniature book features twenty-two tiny pages featuring flower illustrations and names in both Japanese and English. It was produced in a limited run of 250 copies by a printing company in 2012 by a printing company in Tokyo. Purchasers of receive both a magnified version as well as a magnifying lens to read the tiny print.
(13) Bestselling Book With the Most Publisher Rejections:
Chicken Soup for the Soul
After 144 rejections, Chicken Soup for the Soul became a best-seller, spawning a vast franchise with global reach. Translated into 43 languages and sold in over 100 countries, the series has achieved over 500 million global sales, including over 110 million in the U.S. and Canada alone. There are currently 275 different titles that make up this enormously popular series.
(14) Strangest Material Used for Binding Books:
Human Skin
he unsettling practice of anthropodermic bibliopegy, binding books in human skin, reached its peak in the 19th century. Doctors, with access to the bodies of the deceased, including executed criminals, were often responsible. The Anthropodermic Book Project's investigation of alleged examples confirmed that 18 were, in fact, bound in human remains.
(15) Most Surprising Book That Was a Commercial Failure At First:
The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fizgerald
Ironically, The Great Gatsby, now a hallmark of American literature, was a commercial disappointment at first, selling fewer than 20,000 copies and failing to meet Fitzgerald's expectations. While some recognized its brilliance, the public was largely indifferent. It was only in the years that followed that the novel's true significance was recognized, leading to its inclusion in academic curricula and sales of at least 25 million copies.
(16) The Wealthiest Book Author To Date:
J.K. Rowling
The visionary whose books have led to the development of an entertainment empire is purportedly worth between 800 million and 1 billion dollars. From struggling single mother, dependent on welfare after personal hardship, J.K. Rowling transformed her life through the global phenomenon of the Harry Potter series. The books' record-breaking sales, coupled with lucrative film adaptations, extensive merchandising, and the popular Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Universal Studios, propelled her to extraordinary wealth.
(17) Bestselling Book Series of All Time:
Harry Potter
With over 600 million copies sold worldwide, the Harry Potter series holds the title of best-selling book series of all time. This literary phenomenon also ranks among history's most translated works. Furthermore, Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone, the first novel in the series, achieved sales exceeding 120 million, and the subsequent four books each set records for the fastest sales in publishing history.
(18) Top Selling Dr. Seuss Book:
Green Eggs and Ham
Theodor Seuss Geisel, or Dr. Seuss, wrote more than 60 children's books over the course of his lifetime. There is some debate about his most successful work, with some citing "Oh, The Places You'll Go" as the top pick. But, the enduringly popular "Green Eggs and Ham," a playful tale of persistence and culinary persuasion, stands as Dr. Seuss's top-selling work. This beloved book, written on a bet using only 50 words, has captivated readers of all ages and sold over 8 million copies since 1960.
(19) Most Wholesome Book That's Been Banned:
Charlotte's Web
Since its publication in 1952, E.B. White's Charlotte's Web has sold more than 45 million copies, with continuous sales topping 200,000 annually. Even more interesting is the fact that this beloved novel has been the target of a book ban. Religious objections, specifically the portrayal of talking animals, have led to challenges despite its themes of friendship and compassion. In a 2006 Kansas school district, parents argued that the animals' ability to speak was "unnatural and blasphemous," contradicting their belief in human's divinely ordained position.
(20) Medieval Book Theft Prevention:
Chained Libraries
Faced with the challenge of protecting valuable, rare books, medieval and early modern libraries devised the ingenious solution of chaining them to shelves. This allowed access for readers while preventing theft. The practice, common across Europe, diminished with the advent of mass printing, but remnants like the Hereford Cathedral library provide a fascinating glimpse into this historical safeguard.
(21) First Book Author to Use a Typewriter:
Mark Twain
An early adopter of the typewriter, Mark Twain (Samuel Clemens) is often cited as the first author to produce a manuscript using the technology. In 1874, he acquired a Remington No. 1 and is believed to have typed parts of "The Adventures of Tom Sawyer."
(22) Word for the Pleasant Smell of Old Books:
Bibliosmia
Within book-loving circles, "bibliosmia" is the accepted term for the cherished, distinctive scent of old books, even though it's not yet a standard dictionary entry. The aroma of old books stems from the gradual breakdown of paper and binding agents. Cellulose, the paper's foundation, undergoes hydrolysis, releasing volatile compounds. Meanwhile, lignin, another wood pulp component, yields vanillin, imparting a delicate, sweet fragrance.
(23) Largest Library in the World:
The Library of Congress
Holding over 173 million items, the Library of Congress in Washington, D.C., stands as the world's largest library. This vast repository, serving as the primary research library for the U.S. Congress, was established in 1800. Occupying Capitol Hill, its architectural complex comprises the Thomas Jefferson Building, the John Adams Building, and the James Madison Memorial Building.
(24) Number of Traditionally Published Books Every Year:
Estimated Between 500,000 - 1,000,000
This number jumps to approximately 4 million when including self-published works. The US book industry is a $29 billion market, however, sales for a vast number of titles are extremely low, with many books selling fewer than 1,000 copies. The difficulty in obtaining precise figures is compounded by the inconsistent use of ISBNs, especially for self-published and digital books, which may lack them entirely or assign different ones per format.
(25) Longest Children's Book Ever Written:
Chronicles of the Time Keepers: Whisked Away
Hephzibah Akinwale, a ten-year-old author, has written a powerful and inspiring novel of over 58,000 words, breaking a world record for the longest children's book. Her story centers on a young girl whose mysterious dreams lead to an extraordinary adventure. A simple trade during summer break launches her into a futuristic world where she and other children must master their abilities to avert disaster. Beyond the action, the story explores the importance of friendship and self-discovery.
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