Titles
The biggest books on NYT Hardcover Fiction that entered the chart in the 1990s, ranked by Weeks on list. Click a column to re-sort.
Book Power is the book's own figure: each week on the list is worth its position as a share of a full list — a #1 week is 14.5, a #6 week is 7.3, a #16 week is 1.8 — added up over the run. No credit split and no discount for what else the author had charting. What a book earned each author is on the author pages.
Ranked by Weeks on list, part of the ChartReign Power model — not a list published by anyone else. How it works →
| # | Title | Book Power | Weeks at #1 | Top-ten weeks | Weeks on list | Peak | On list |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Oh, the Places You'll Go!Dr. Seuss | 1,076.3 | 5 | 112 | 178 | #1Mar 1990 | Feb 1990 → Jul 2000 |
| 2 | The Celestine ProphecyJames Redfield | 1,406.0 | 27 | 141 | 165 | #1Apr 1994 | Mar 1994 → Jun 1997 |
| 3 | The Bridges of Madison CountyRobert James Waller | 1,512.2 | 38 | 148 | 164 | #1Jan 1993 | Aug 1992 → Oct 1995 |
| 4 | Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's StoneJ. K. Rowling | 630.8 | 2 | 72 | 82 | #1Aug 1999 | Dec 1998 → Jul 2000 |
| 5 | Politically Correct Bedtime StoriesJames Finn Garner | 554.6 | 6 | 56 | 65 | #1Dec 1994 | Jun 1994 → Sep 1995 |
| 6 | Memoirs of a GeishaArthur Golden | 289.1 | 0 | 39 | 62 | #5Mar 1998 | Nov 1997 → Jan 1999 |
| 7 | Cold MountainCharles Frazier | 582.2 | 18 | 49 | 61 | #1Aug 1997 | Jul 1997 → Sep 1998 |
| 8 | Like Water for ChocolateLaura Esquivel | 404.7 | 0 | 55 | 61 | #3Sep 1993 | Apr 1993 → Jun 1994 |
| 9 | Harry Potter and the Chamber of SecretsJ. K. Rowling | 678.5 | 12 | 57 | 57 | #1Jun 1999 | Jun 1999 → Jul 2000 |
| 10 | The NotebookNicholas Sparks | 361.8 | 0 | 52 | 56 | #3Mar 1997 | Oct 1996 → Nov 1997 |
| 11 | The Pelican BriefJohn Grisham | 527.0 | 12 | 49 | 49 | #1Mar 1992 | Mar 1992 → Feb 1993 |
| 12 | The ClientJohn Grisham | 434.0 | 4 | 43 | 48 | #1Mar 1993 | Mar 1993 → Feb 1994 |
| 13 | The FirmJohn Grisham | 392.5 | 0 | 39 | 47 | #2Apr 1991 | Mar 1991 → Feb 1992 |
| 14 | Griffin & SabineNick Bantock | 190.3 | 0 | 15 | 47 | #3Jan 1993 | Jan 1992 → Jan 1994 |
| 15 | Harry Potter and the Prisoner of AzkabanJ. K. Rowling | 507.2 | 10 | 43 | 43 | #1Sep 1999 | Sep 1999 → Jul 2000 |
| 16 | Waiting to ExhaleTerry McMillan | 281.8 | 0 | 28 | 38 | #2Aug 1992 | May 1992 → Apr 1993 |
| 17 | The Horse WhispererNicholas Evans | 326.8 | 2 | 35 | 37 | #1Oct 1995 | Sep 1995 → Jun 1996 |
| 18 | The Burden of ProofScott Turow | 313.4 | 11 | 29 | 35 | #1Jun 1990 | Jun 1990 → Feb 1991 |
| 19 | ScarlettAlexandra Ripley | 348.0 | 16 | 29 | 34 | #1Oct 1991 | Oct 1991 → May 1992 |
| 20 | Without RemorseTom Clancy | 258.6 | 2 | 26 | 32 | #1Aug 1993 | Aug 1993 → Apr 1994 |
| 21 | The God of Small ThingsArundhati Roy | 144.2 | 0 | 19 | 31 | #5Sep 1997 | Aug 1997 → Mar 1998 |
| 22 | Mutant Message Down UnderMarlo Morgan | 101.3 | 0 | 8 | 31 | #9Nov 1994 | Sep 1994 → May 1995 |
| 23 | The PartnerJohn Grisham | 313.6 | 8 | 28 | 30 | #1Mar 1997 | Mar 1997 → Oct 1997 |
| 24 | The TestamentJohn Grisham | 252.1 | 9 | 26 | 30 | #1Feb 1999 | Feb 1999 → Sep 1999 |
| 25 | Falling UpShel Silverstein | 176.7 | 0 | 20 | 30 | #3Jul 1996 | Jun 1996 → Jan 1997 |
| 26 | The Plains of PassageJean M. Auel | 312.8 | 13 | 27 | 29 | #1Oct 1990 | Oct 1990 → May 1991 |
| 27 | Slow Waltz in Cedar BendRobert James Waller | 298.0 | 9 | 25 | 29 | #1Nov 1993 | Nov 1993 → May 1994 |
| 28 | The Sum of All FearsTom Clancy | 279.2 | 7 | 25 | 29 | #1Aug 1991 | Aug 1991 → Mar 1992 |
| 29 | The Deep End of the OceanJacquelyn Mitchard | 236.4 | 6 | 24 | 29 | #1Oct 1996 | Sep 1996 → Apr 1997 |
| 30 | The Christmas BoxRichard Paul Evans | 226.0 | 5 | 19 | 29 | #1Dec 1995 | Nov 1995 → Jan 1998 |
| 31 | Message in a BottleNicholas Sparks | 186.3 | 0 | 24 | 29 | #4May 1998 | Apr 1998 → Jan 1999 |
| 32 | The Poisonwood BibleBarbara Kingsolver | 177.7 | 0 | 24 | 29 | #2Jan 1999 | Nov 1998 → May 1999 |
| 33 | Gerald's GameStephen King | 227.3 | 9 | 18 | 28 | #1Jul 1992 | Jul 1992 → Jan 1993 |
| 34 | The ChamberJohn Grisham | 239.8 | 8 | 21 | 27 | #1Jun 1994 | Jun 1994 → Jan 1995 |
| 35 | The Street LawyerJohn Grisham | 224.4 | 9 | 21 | 27 | #1Feb 1998 | Feb 1998 → Sep 1998 |
| 36 | The RainmakerJohn Grisham | 249.7 | 9 | 21 | 26 | #1Apr 1995 | Apr 1995 → Jan 1996 |
| 37 | SeptemberRosamunde Pilcher | 227.4 | 4 | 22 | 26 | #1Apr 1990 | Apr 1990 → Oct 1990 |
| 38 | The Bourne UltimatumRobert Ludlum | 209.1 | 5 | 21 | 26 | #1Mar 1990 | Mar 1990 → Sep 1990 |
| 39 | The GiftDanielle Steel | 178.7 | 4 | 14 | 26 | #1Aug 1994 | Jul 1994 → Jan 1995 |
| 40 | Debt of HonorTom Clancy | 252.5 | 6 | 23 | 25 | #1Sep 1994 | Sep 1994 → Feb 1995 |
| 41 | Rainbow SixTom Clancy | 229.3 | 7 | 20 | 25 | #1Aug 1998 | Aug 1998 → Feb 1999 |
| 42 | Primary ColorsAnonymous | 219.2 | 9 | 17 | 25 | #1Feb 1996 | Feb 1996 → Sep 1996 |
| 43 | Executive OrdersTom Clancy | 244.2 | 5 | 23 | 24 | #1Sep 1996 | Sep 1996 → Feb 1997 |
| 44 | The Lost WorldMichael Crichton | 230.2 | 8 | 19 | 24 | #1Oct 1995 | Oct 1995 → Mar 1996 |
| 45 | The Tenth InsightJames Redfield | 184.9 | 0 | 22 | 24 | #2May 1996 | May 1996 → Oct 1996 |
| 46 | Disney's Beauty and the BeastUncredited | 156.2 | 0 | 19 | 24 | #3Feb 1992 | Dec 1991 → Jun 1992 |
| 47 | The AlienistCaleb Carr | 140.8 | 0 | 21 | 24 | #4Jul 1994 | Apr 1994 → Sep 1994 |
| 48 | The Runaway JuryJohn Grisham | 254.5 | 7 | 21 | 23 | #1Jun 1996 | Jun 1996 → Jan 1997 |
| 49 | Memories of MidnightSidney Sheldon | 214.9 | 2 | 22 | 23 | #1Sep 1990 | Aug 1990 → Jan 1991 |
| 50 | Tara RoadMaeve Binchy | 144.2 | 0 | 18 | 23 | #3Mar 1999 | Mar 1999 → Dec 1999 |
| 51 | Sabine's NotebookNick Bantock | 111.7 | 0 | 16 | 23 | #4Jan 1993 | Oct 1992 → Mar 1993 |
| 52 | Four Past MidnightStephen King | 248.5 | 5 | 20 | 22 | #1Sep 1990 | Sep 1990 → Feb 1991 |
| 53 | Loves Music, Loves to DanceMary Higgins Clark | 206.6 | 6 | 20 | 22 | #1May 1991 | May 1991 → Oct 1991 |
| 54 | DisclosureMichael Crichton | 200.6 | 5 | 17 | 22 | #1Jan 1994 | Jan 1994 → Jul 1994 |
| 55 | Beach MusicPat Conroy | 178.5 | 3 | 17 | 22 | #1Jul 1995 | Jul 1995 → Dec 1995 |
| 56 | Summer SistersJudy Blume | 172.0 | 0 | 19 | 22 | #2Jun 1998 | Jun 1998 → Nov 1998 |
| 57 | The Witching HourAnne Rice | 159.9 | 0 | 13 | 22 | #2Nov 1990 | Nov 1990 → Apr 1991 |
| 58 | A Walk to RememberNicholas Sparks | 118.4 | 0 | 14 | 22 | #4Oct 1999 | Oct 1999 → Mar 2000 |
| 59 | All the Pretty HorsesCormac McCarthy | 65.5 | 0 | 3 | 22 | #9Mar 1993 | Jun 1992 → Apr 1993 |
| 60 | How Stella Got Her Groove BackTerry McMillan | 179.2 | 2 | 19 | 21 | #1May 1996 | May 1996 → Oct 1996 |
| 61 | Rising SunMichael Crichton | 175.2 | 2 | 15 | 21 | #1Mar 1992 | Feb 1992 → Jul 1992 |
| 62 | Needful ThingsStephen King | 203.2 | 0 | 18 | 20 | #2Oct 1991 | Oct 1991 → Mar 1992 |
| 63 | Plum IslandNelson DeMille | 190.7 | 5 | 17 | 20 | #1Jun 1997 | Jun 1997 → Oct 1997 |
| 64 | Five Days in ParisDanielle Steel | 187.0 | 2 | 17 | 20 | #1Dec 1995 | Dec 1995 → Apr 1996 |
| 65 | Bag of BonesStephen King | 179.6 | 4 | 15 | 20 | #1Oct 1998 | Oct 1998 → Mar 1999 |
| 66 | Black and BlueAnna Quindlen | 157.4 | 0 | 18 | 20 | #2Apr 1998 | Feb 1998 → Jun 1998 |
| 67 | The Doomsday ConspiracySidney Sheldon | 152.4 | 0 | 19 | 20 | #2Sep 1991 | Sep 1991 → Jan 1992 |
| 68 | A Widow for One YearJohn Irving | 140.9 | 3 | 13 | 20 | #1Jun 1998 | May 1998 → Sep 1998 |
| 69 | A Night Without ArmorJewel Kilcher | 72.6 | 0 | 7 | 20 | #7Aug 1998 | Jun 1998 → Feb 1999 |
| 70 | A Man in FullTom Wolfe | 213.2 | 10 | 17 | 19 | #1Nov 1998 | Nov 1998 → Mar 1999 |
| 71 | HeartbeatDanielle Steel | 204.8 | 8 | 18 | 19 | #1Feb 1991 | Feb 1991 → Jul 1991 |
| 72 | I Know This Much Is TrueWally Lamb | 201.8 | 3 | 17 | 19 | #1Jul 1998 | Jul 1998 → Nov 1998 |
| 73 | Heir to the EmpireTimothy Zahn | 170.0 | 1 | 17 | 19 | #1Jun 1991 | May 1991 → Sep 1991 |
| 74 | Night Over WaterKen Follett | 135.4 | 0 | 17 | 19 | #4Oct 1991 | Oct 1991 → Feb 1992 |
| 75 | The Road to OmahaRobert Ludlum | 128.1 | 0 | 13 | 19 | #2Mar 1992 | Mar 1992 → Jul 1992 |
| 76 | Where Is Joe Merchant? by Jimmy Buffett | 124.5 | 3 | 10 | 19 | #1Sep 1992 | Aug 1992 → Jan 1993 |
| 77 | The Kitchen God's WifeAmy Tan | 180.8 | 7 | 15 | 18 | #1Jul 1991 | Jun 1991 → Oct 1991 |
| 78 | ParadiseToni Morrison | 175.0 | 3 | 14 | 18 | #1Feb 1998 | Jan 1998 → May 1998 |
| 79 | Message from NamDanielle Steel | 171.7 | 0 | 16 | 18 | #2Jun 1990 | Jun 1990 → Oct 1990 |
| 80 | Nightmares & DreamscapesStephen King | 170.7 | 0 | 16 | 18 | #2Oct 1993 | Oct 1993 → Feb 1994 |
| 81 | HannibalThomas Harris | 169.6 | 7 | 14 | 18 | #1Jun 1999 | Jun 1999 → Jan 2000 |
| 82 | White OleanderJanet Fitch | 161.6 | 0 | 16 | 18 | #2May 1999 | May 1999 → Sep 1999 |
| 83 | Border MusicRobert James Waller | 146.4 | 0 | 14 | 18 | #2Mar 1995 | Feb 1995 → Jun 1995 |
| 84 | The Girl Who Loved Tom GordonStephen King | 129.9 | 1 | 16 | 18 | #1May 1999 | Apr 1999 → Aug 1999 |
| 85 | All Around the TownMary Higgins Clark | 123.7 | 0 | 12 | 18 | #2May 1992 | Apr 1992 → Aug 1992 |
| 86 | Coming HomeRosamunde Pilcher | 116.5 | 0 | 11 | 18 | #2Sep 1995 | Sep 1995 → Jan 1996 |
| 87 | As the Crow FliesJeffrey Archer | 108.1 | 0 | 12 | 18 | #3Jun 1991 | May 1991 → Sep 1991 |
| 88 | Nothing Lasts ForeverSidney Sheldon | 101.4 | 0 | 9 | 18 | #2Oct 1994 | Sep 1994 → Jan 1995 |
| 89 | An Inconvenient WomanDominick Dunne | 89.0 | 0 | 13 | 18 | #6Jun 1990 | May 1990 → Sep 1990 |
| 90 | LondonEdward Rutherfurd | 86.2 | 0 | 11 | 18 | #5Jul 1997 | Jun 1997 → Oct 1997 |
| 91 | PossessionA. S. Byatt | 72.5 | 0 | 9 | 18 | #7Feb 1991 | Dec 1990 → Jun 1991 |
| 92 | AirframeMichael Crichton | 159.1 | 5 | 14 | 17 | #1Dec 1996 | Dec 1996 → Apr 1997 |
| 93 | LasherAnne Rice | 144.5 | 0 | 16 | 17 | #2Oct 1993 | Oct 1993 → Jan 1994 |
| 94 | Moonlight Becomes YouMary Higgins Clark | 142.5 | 4 | 14 | 17 | #1Apr 1996 | Apr 1996 → Aug 1996 |
| 95 | Remember MeMary Higgins Clark | 132.8 | 1 | 13 | 17 | #1May 1994 | May 1994 → Aug 1994 |
| 96 | Morning, Noon, and NightSidney Sheldon | 125.0 | 0 | 13 | 17 | #2Oct 1995 | Sep 1995 → Jan 1996 |
| 97 | DragonClive Cussler | 110.6 | 0 | 14 | 17 | #3Jun 1990 | May 1990 → Sep 1990 |
| 98 | TimelineMichael Crichton | 109.7 | 0 | 13 | 17 | #4Dec 1999 | Dec 1999 → Mar 2000 |
| 99 | VanishedDanielle Steel | 107.2 | 0 | 9 | 17 | #2Aug 1993 | Aug 1993 → Jan 1994 |
| 100 | Bridget Jones's DiaryHelen Fielding | 107.1 | 0 | 13 | 17 | #3Jun 1998 | Jun 1998 → Oct 1998 |