The Holy Bible

Author: Various authors over centuries

Estimated copies sold: 5 billion

The Bible is the most widely distributed book in human history, according to Guinness World Records. Written over many centuries, it forms the foundation of Christianity and has shaped laws, ethics, art, and culture across the world. Its spread was accelerated by early printing presses, missionary work, and translation into thousands of languages.

The Quran

Author: Revealed to Prophet Muhammad

Estimated copies sold: 1.5 billion

The Quran is Islam’s holy book and a central guide for Muslims worldwide. While printed copies number in the billions, its influence goes beyond sales. It is memorised, recited daily, and treated as a sacred text.

Quotations from Chairman Mao (The Little Red Book)

Author: Mao Zedong

Estimated copies sold: 1 billion

This book contains sayings and political ideas from China’s former leader, Mao Zedong. It became one of the most distributed books in history during China’s Cultural Revolution , when citizens were encouraged, and often required, to own it. Its high sales reflect political influence rather than traditional readership demand.

Xinhua Dictionary

Author: Institute of Linguistics, Chinese Academy of Social Sciences

Estimated copies sold: 600 million

The Xinhua Dictionary is China’s official dictionary and one of the most used reference books in the world. It is widely taught in schools and updated regularly. Its massive distribution reflects China’s population size and strong focus on standardised education.

Bhagavad Gita

Author: Traditionally attributed to Veda Vyasa

Estimated copies sold: 503 million

The Bhagavad Gita is a sacred Hindu text that explores duty, morality, and purpose through a dialogue between Prince Arjuna and the god Krishna. Over centuries, it has influenced spiritual thought in India and beyond. James Clear often writes about timeless ideas, and the Gita is a classic example of ideas that remain relevant across generations.

Don Quixote

Author: Miguel de Cervantes

Estimated copies sold: 500 million

Often called the first modern novel, Don Quixote tells the story of a man who believes he is a knight in a changing world. First published in the 1600s, it remains popular because of its humour, humanity, and commentary on dreams versus reality.

A Tale of Two Cities

Author: Charles Dickens

Estimated copies sold: 200 million

Set during the French Revolution , this novel explores sacrifice, injustice, and redemption. Its famous opening line and emotional storytelling have kept it in school curricula and public reading lists for over a century.

According to IMF data, literacy among Burkinabè aged 15 and over rose from 28.3 percent in 2007 to 37.7 percent in 2015. But the country still lags far behind global averages, and educators worry that phones, television and video games are pulling children away from books.

“Nowadays, children prefer cellphones, games, TV, and cartoons to reading,” said Edwige Ouattara, a documentary filmmaker at the Burkina Museum who helps run the project. “Through the Bibliobus, we are promoting reading to young children, encouraging them to love reading,” she told Viory.

The bus carries books to schools, where children can borrow titles and join guided reading sessions. Each day, about 20 children take part, and since its launch, more than 100 young readers have visited.

Inside, shelves are stocked with comics, African storybooks, and international classics such as Alice in Wonderland. Volunteers and teachers help the children explore the books.

“I came to read books in the Bibliobus and I read the book ‘Akissi.’ The book was really interesting, like all the books in the Bibliobus,” said elementary school student Davina Zongo.

The project still faces shortages. “We don’t have enough books for our little ones, and we are counting on the goodwill of others to help us acquire more,” Ouattara said.

She hopes that with donations and volunteer support, the Bibliobus can expand its reach and provide more opportunities for children to develop literacy skills.

According to findings from CEOWORLD Magazine , the United States and India are the top two countries that read the most, in both books per year and total hours spent reading.

Top 10 countries that read the most

These rankings highlight the depth of engagement, with the top countries spending over 300 hours per year immersed in books.

The United States , with its large publishing industry, extensive library networks, and high literacy rates, sees Americans averaging 17 books per year—ranging from fiction and self-help to professional development. The growing popularity of audiobooks and book clubs has further fuelled this literary engagement.

India on the other hand ranks 2nd globally thanks to its large English-speaking population and a deep-rooted respect for educational achievement. India also leads in reading time, with many readers engaging with spiritual texts, competitive exam prep, and regional literature alongside modern genres.

This report contrasts sharply with d eclining reading habits in many high-tech societies. While screen time has surged, research from CEOWORLD shows that reading books remains one of the most meaningful forms of long-form learning and emotional development.

Countries that maintain strong reading cultures often score higher in innovation, literacy, and global competitiveness.

Literacy experts stress that even 15 minutes of reading per day can lead to significantly improved focus, empathy, and cognitive function — skills in increasingly short supply in the digital era.

According to World Cities Culture Forum , Warsaw leads the world in public libraries per capita, boasting 11.98 libraries per 100,000 residents. Following the devastation of World War II, the city prioritized rebuilding its educational infrastructure, seeing libraries as vital to its cultural revival. This investment laid the foundation for a public library network that continues to promote literacy, lifelong learning, and cultural preservation. Today, these libraries are not just repositories of books but vibrant community spaces where residents gather to learn and connect.

In Seoul, public libraries have evolved into dynamic cultural hubs. In 2023 alone, they welcomed over 22 million visitors who participated in various programs, from reading clubs to cultural workshops and lectures. These libraries are designed to engage citizens of all ages, offering services ranging from digital literacy training to children’s storytelling sessions. Seoul’s library system exemplifies how modern libraries can adapt to the needs of a digital age while maintaining their role as accessible centres for knowledge and creativity.

Brussels offers a unique multilingual library experience, reflecting Belgium’s rich linguistic diversity. With French and Dutch-speaking communities maintaining their library networks, the city’s libraries serve as convergence points for languages, ideas, and cultures. These spaces provide access to books and resources in multiple languages and foster dialogue and understanding among diverse groups. This approach highlights how libraries can bridge cultural divides and strengthen social cohesion.

As the world continues to evolve, public libraries remain steadfast in providing equitable access to information, cultural enrichment, and community engagement. Whether through Warsaw’s post-war renewal, Seoul’s bustling cultural programs, or Brussels’ multilingual spaces, libraries remind us of the transformative power of education and the enduring importance of public access to knowledge.

"Some topics are considered taboo in public spaces, and we encountered obstacles when trying to hold events," Yu told AFP.

On the second-to-last day before closing his Shanghai bookstore, Yu had planned a screening of an independent documentary and a gathering of friends. However, the event was cut short by a sudden power outage, which Yu believes was intended to prevent people from gathering.

Despite the challenges, Yu's passion for books and desire to engage with society led him to open a new bookstore in Washington. "I enjoy having access to Chinese books that I like, but there are very few available here. I figured I wasn’t the only one with this need," Yu explained.

Originally founded in 1997, Yu’s bookstore grew to eight locations in Shanghai at its peak. However, when China tightened control over independent booksellers and academics in recent years, the store faced intense scrutiny. Events were often canceled by authorities, and in 2016, the government shut down several online outlets for covering sensitive topics.

UNESCO is also taking steps to preserve the world's languages out of concern that they could be entirely lost due to natural disasters, climate change, or other man-made crises such as global conflict.

"Language serves as the connective tissue of humanity, facilitating interaction, collaboration and shaping our perceptions of the world. Its preservation in all its diversity is essential to safeguarding human identity," UNESCO's press release in May stated .

UNESCO announced that a nano-engraved, nickel-plated memory disc will be sent to the moon in late 2024 aboard an ispace spacecraft. This disc will contain 275 versions of the 362-word preamble to UNESCO’s constitution, which advocates for the “wide diffusion of cultures” and “the education of humanity for justice, liberty, and peace.”

"In a joint initiative with Barrelhand, UNESCO has co-created a "Memory Disc", a nano-engraved nickel plate that will be sent to the Moon on board ispace's HAKUTO-R Mission 2 RESILIENCE lunar lander to be launched in Winter 2024. The disc bears the UNESCO Constitution's Preamble "Since wars begin in the minds of men, it is in the minds of men and women that the defences of peace must be constructed" translated into 275 languages. This symbolic gesture underscores global unity and the imperative of preserving linguistic diversity and culture," it added.

The disc will also feature a selection of cultural treasures, UNESCO stated, including "Le Petit Prince" by French author Antoine de Saint-Exupéry. Additionally, it will hold images of 100 paintings from various cultural backgrounds and historical periods.

"The Memory Disc also serves as a repository of cultural heritage, featuring an array of treasures including “Le Petit Prince” by the renowned French author Antoine de Saint-Exupéry - one of the world's most translated books. Furthermore, it houses a curated collection of 100 paintings, representing artists from diverse cultural backgrounds and historical epochs," adds UNESCO.