A list of the best selling novels in the US during the 1960's as reported by Publishers Weekly. This list ranges from 1960 through 1969. All types of novels have been included and each of them has made it into the top ten. With the introduction of the Nook, Kindle, and iPad with iBooks, reading is hot again. The best selling novels on this list were the most popular books in the United States during the 60's, so you can be sure they're well written and enjoyable (depending, of course, on your preferred literary genre).
This list is intended to help long-time readers and newcomers alike with discovering (and rediscovering) some of the best selling novels of all time. What were the best selling novels of the 1960s? This list will provide you that answer.1
A Shade of Difference
Allen DruryFirst Published: 1962
Subjects: Cold War
Genres (Book): Political fiction
Original Language: English Language
Year in the Top Ten: 1962A Shade of Difference is a 1962 political novel written by Allen Drury. It is the first sequel... more
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A Small Town in Germany
John le CarréFirst Published: 1968-10
Genres (Book): Thriller, Novel
Original Language: English Language
Year in the Top Ten: 1968A Small Town in Germany is a 1968 espionage novel by British author John le Carré. It is set... more3
Year in the Top Ten: 19604
Airport
Arthur HaileyFirst Published: 1968
Subjects: Linguistics
Genres (Book): Suspense, Mystery, Fiction
Year in the Top Ten: 1968Airport is a bestselling 1968 novel by Arthur Hailey about a large metropolitan airport and... more5
All in the family
Edwin O'ConnorYear in the Top Ten: 1966All in the Family is a book written by Edwin O'Connor....6
Armageddon
Tim LaHaye, Jerry B. JenkinsFirst Published: 2003-04
Genres (Book): Speculative fiction, Apocalyptic and post-apocalyptic fiction, Fiction, Novel
Original Language: English Language
Year in the Top Ten: 1964Armageddon: The Cosmic Battle of the Ages is the 11th novel in the Left Behind series by Tim... more7
Candy
Kevin BrooksFirst Published: 2005
Genres (Book): Fiction
Year in the Top Ten: 1964Candy is a book written by Kevin Brooks.... more8
Capable of Honor
Allen DruryFirst Published: 1966
Subjects: Cold War, United States of America, Political fiction
Genres (Book): Fiction, Political fiction
Year in the Top Ten: 1966Capable of Honor is a 1966 political novel written by Allen Drury. It is the second sequel to... more9
Caravans
James A. MichenerFirst Published: 1963
Subjects: Afghanistan, Adventure
Genres (Book): Fiction, Novel
Year in the Top Ten: 1963Caravans, a novel by James A. Michener, was published in 1963. The story is set in Afghanistan... more10
Christy
Catherine MarshallFirst Published: 1967
Subjects: Literary, Literature, Classics, Schools, United States of America
Genres (Book): Children's literature, Historical fiction, Fiction
Original Language: English Language
Years in the Top Ten: 1967, 1968Christy is a historical fiction novel by Christian author Catherine Marshall set in the... more11
City of Night
John RechyFirst Published: 1963
Subjects: Gay
Genres (Book): Fiction, Novel
Original Language: English Language
Year in the Top Ten: 1963City of Night is a gay novel written by John Rechy. It was originally published in 1963 in New... more12
Convention
Richard ReevesYear in the Top Ten: 196413
Couples
John UpdikeFirst Published: 1968
Subjects: Adultery
Year in the Top Ten: 1968Couples is a 1968 novel by American author John Updike.... more
14daughter of silence
Edgar FawcettYear in the Top Ten: 196115
Dearly Beloved
Anne Morrow LindberghYear in the Top Ten: 196216
Don't Stop the Carnival
Herman WoukFirst Published: 1965
Genres (Book): Novel
Original Language: English Language
Year in the Top Ten: 1965Don't Stop the Carnival is a 1965 novel by American writer Herman Wouk. It is a comedy about... more- 17
Elizabeth Appleton
John O'HaraYear in the Top Ten: 1963 18
Fail-Safe
Harvey Wheeler, Eugene BurdickFirst Published: 1962
Subjects: Cold War, International relations, Nuclear warfare, United States of America, Soviet Union
Genres (Book): Speculative fiction, Thriller, Fiction, Novel, Science Fiction
Original Language: English Language
Year in the Top Ten: 1962Fail-Safe is a best-selling novel by Eugene Burdick and Harvey Wheeler. The story was... more19
Franny and Zooey
J. D. SalingerFirst Published: 1961
Subjects: Literature, Classics
Genres (Book): Fiction, Novella, Novel, Short story
Original Language: English Language
Years in the Top Ten: 1961, 1962Franny and Zooey is a book by American author J. D. Salinger which comprises his short story... more20
Grandmother and the priests
Taylor CaldwellYear in the Top Ten: 196321
Hawaii
James A. MichenerFirst Published: 1959
Subjects: Hawaii, History
Genres (Book): Children's literature, Fiction
Year in the Top Ten: 1960Hawaii is a novel by James Michener. Written in episodic format like many of Michener's works,... more22
Herzog
Saul BellowFirst Published: 1964
Subjects: Literature, Classics, United States of America
Genres (Book): Fiction
Years in the Top Ten: 1964, 1965Herzog is a 1964 novel by Saul Bellow, composed in large part of letters from the protagonist... more23
Hotel
Arthur HaileySubjects: Language
Genres (Book): Fiction
Year in the Top Ten: 1965Hotel is a 1965 novel by Arthur Hailey. It is the story of an independent New Orleans hotel,... more24
Mila 18
Leon UrisSubjects: Literature, Classics, History
Genres (Book): Fiction, Science Fiction, Fantasy
Year in the Top Ten: 1961Mila 18 is a novel by Leon Uris set in German-occupied Warsaw, Poland before and during World... more25
Myra Breckinridge
Gore VidalFirst Published: 1968-02
Genres (Book): Satire, Novel
Original Language: English Language
Year in the Top Ten: 1968
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