Ask anyone who’s had plenty of encounters with AI. They’ll tell you it’s hard to avoid the extent and possibilities of ChatGPT. Like my colleague said only yesterday, it’s like when the internet first came about. Changes have been unpredictable and fast. And while much of the software tool is to be desired, it has made its mark on the digital world since it reared its head above the code’s surface.

But the true beauty (and horrors) of AI are in the capabilities of the user. People have asked it for winning business strategies, to comb through masses of data in seconds, or to write their best man’s speech the day before the wedding.

Today, I have asked ChatGPT something equally data driven, and similarly lazy: what are the most popular books in the world?

Let’s see what it says.

Looking up as beads of light hang from the ceiling.

Photo by Joshua Sortino on Unsplash

ChatGPT – How Does This Work?

For anyone who remains uninitiated, ChatGPT is a type of artificial intelligence. You can ask it questions, and it’ll use the width, height and depth of the internet to fish you an answer in seconds. Sounds amazing. But it’s far from perfect.

That being said, it still has its uses. And today, I have asked it to find the books which are the most popular in the world. How it does this, I have no idea.

But sounds fun, right?

ChatGPT – Its Most Popular Book Series

So right from the start, I hit a snag. As part of its list of most popular books, it had included two book series.

I know what you’re thinking. As book series, they have the advantage of higher book sales over standalone books.

With that in mind, and for the sake of fairness, we’ve included these here in their own separate section. But it’s worth mentioning that both these were right at the top of ChatGPT’s list:

Harry Potter series by J.K. Rowling:

This well-known fantasy series follows the adventures of a young wizard named Harry Potter. Attending Hogwarts, he gets into battles with dark wizards, including the infamous Voldemort. With over 500 million copies sold worldwide, a whole host of games, theme parks, and films alongside translations into loads of languages, the “Harry Potter” series has become a cultural phenomenon.

The Lord of the Rings series by J.R.R. Tolkien:

Set in the fictional world of Middle-earth, this epic fantasy series follows the quest to destroy the One Ring and defeat the dark lord Sauron. With its detailed world-building, complex characters, and incredible battle scenes, “The Lord of the Rings” has transformed and redefined fantasy fiction for readers all over the world.

ChatGPT – The Most Popular Books

Now that’s the book series out of the way, let’s focus on the eight remaining books. But again, there’s another snag. Some of these most popular books have sequels, prequels and other novels that link together.

In other words, you can argue that stories like The Da Vinci Code and The Hobbit are also part of a series. After all, they take place in the same world as other stories. Does sharing a fictional world with other books make it a series? Not necessarily. The stories can be separate, even if the world building isn’t. But it’s still a grey area.

In the end, I sided with ChatGPT on this one. Why, you might be asking? Because ChatGPT didn’t recognise them as book series. It did with Harry Potter and LOTR, but not these. So I’ve left these most popular books where they are:

The Da Vinci Code by Dan Brown:

With symbologist Robert Langdon as the lead, he investigates a murder in Paris, uncovering a deep conspiracy with secret societies, hidden messages, and religious scandal. A fast-paced plot and controversial themes are the big hitters in what makes this novel such a spectacular best-seller, with millions of copies sold worldwide.

To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee:

Set during the 1930s in the American South, this tale looks at themes of racial injustice, morality, and compassion. Told through the eyes of a young child named Scout Finch, this novel has been praised for its powerful storytelling. Like many popular books, it’s a timeless classic and has since made its way into UK school curriculums and beyond for having such a profound effect on readers.

The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho:

A philosophical story. It follows the journey of a young shepherd named Santiago, embarking on a quest to discover his personal legend and make his dreams come true. Translated into over 80 languages and selling millions of copies, it’s inspired readers with its message of hope, destiny, and perseverance.

The Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger:

Another classic tale. Rebellious teenager Holden Caulfield is navigating through childhood as he steps into adulthood. As you might expect, he hates the whole thing and thinks the world is ‘bogus.’ A staple of American literature, it’s had a lot of praise for its portrayal of teenage angst.

The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald:

Set in the roaring 1920s, the story follows the enigmatic Jay Gatsby and his obsession with the wealthy socialite Daisy Buchanan. This is another novel, which has earned the attention of readers worldwide and has a spot on most classic reading lists – like it or not.

Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen:

If you ask most people to name a classic romantic novel, this one will likely feature. Adapted and referenced many times over (just read the first line, and you’ll see what we mean), it follows spirited Elizabeth Bennet as she makes sense of the social and romantic entanglements of 19th-century England. You can find plenty of witty dialogue, memorable characters, and timeless themes of love and marriage among its pages.

1984 by George Orwell:

Fewer first lines in a novel leave an impact such as this one. Set in a future where government surveillance and censorship are everywhere, “1984” tells the story of Winston Smith, as he attempts to rebel against the oppressive regime of Big Brother. Its chilling depiction of totalitarianism and its warnings about the dangers of authoritarianism, are some of the many reasons it’s an influential novel today.

The Hobbit” by J.R.R. Tolkien:

A prequel to the aforementioned LOTR series. It goes right back to hobbit Bilbo Baggins as he goes on a quest along Middle Earth to reclaim the treasure guarded by the dragon Smaug. Along the way, he meets elves, dwarves, wizards, and puts the events in place that underpin Frodo’s journey to destroy the ring.

More On The Most Popular Books

Some books, such as Harry Potter and LOTR weren’t much of a surprise. After all, their reputations are known worldwide. But there were others that we didn’t expect either, certainly when compared to other books.

What do you think? Is ChatGPT right, or should other books be on this list instead?

Want to read more about the most popular books in the meantime? Then, feel free to take a look at some of these recommendations as well:

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