A
bestseller is a
book that is included on a list of top-selling or frequently-borrowed titles, normally based on publishing industry and book trade figures and library circulation statistics; such lists may be published by
newspapers,
magazines, or
book store chains. Some lists are broken down into classifications and specialties (number one best selling new novel, nonfiction book, cookbook, etc.). An author may also be referred to as a bestseller if their work often appears in this category.
The New York Times Best Seller list is one of the best-known bestseller lists for the US. This list tracks national and independent book stores, as well as sales from major Internet retailers such as
Amazon.com and
Barnes & Noble. Other well-known lists are published by
Publishers Weekly,
USA Today and the
Washington Post.