jueves, 22 de agosto de 2019

Star Wars books in the New York Times Best Seller List

On August 16, 2019, the Star Wars Books (@DelReyStarWars) created an impromptu AMA (Ask Me Anything), and I asked if there was a list of the Star Wars books that ever reached the New York Times Best Seller List. They answered:

Well, this is now that enterprising fansite. After reviewing more than 4 decades of public NYT records, below is the compilation of all the Star Wars related books that have made the coveted Fiction Best Seller List.

Amazingly enough, the most successful book ever is not a novel, but the storybook for "The Return of the Jedi", written by Joan D. Vinge, which besides being also the first ever book to reach the list, peaked at #1 for 8 of the 32 weeks it was featured in the list.

The most successful year has been 2017, when seven books were featured at one point in the list: Catalyst, Rogue One: A Star Wars Story, Aftermath: Empire's End, Thrawn, Battlefront II: Inferno Squad, Phasma and From A Certain Point of View.


Besides the ROTJ Storybook, the only non-novels to appear in the list are Ian Doescher's books: William Shakespeare's Star Wars (2013) and its sequels: The Empire Striketh Back and The Jedi Doth Return (2014).

Whereas the only time that two books have been featured in the list at the same time was in January 8th, 2017, where Catalyst was in the 15th place and Rogue One: A Star Wars Story debuted in the 16th position.

Number of Books featured in the Best Seller list per Year

Number of Books per Highest Position in the list


Information updated as of February 4, 2021. This information is taken only from the current Fiction available records, which crop the list up to the first 15 places.



THE RETURN OF THE JEDI, adapted by Joan D. Vinge. (Random House, $6.95.) Profusely illustrated storybook based on the latest ''Star Wars'' film.

Week Position
June 12, 1983 1
June 19, 1983 1
June 26, 1983 1
July 3, 1983 1
July 10, 1983 1
July 17, 1983 1
July 24, 1983 1
July 31, 1983 1
August 7, 1983 2
August 14, 1983 2
August 21, 1983 2
August 28, 1983 2
September 4, 1983 5
September 11, 1983 5
September 18, 1983 6
September 25, 1983 6
October 2, 1983 7
October 9, 1983 7
October 16, 1983 10
October 23, 1983 11
October 30, 1983 10
November 6, 1983 14
November 13, 1983 12
November 20, 1983 14
November 27, 1983 13
December 4, 1983 12
December 11, 1983 9
December 18, 1983 10
December 25, 1983 5
January 1, 1984 10
January 8, 1984 9
January 15, 1984 14


HEIR TO THE EMPIRE, by Timothy Zahn. (Spectra/Bantam, $15.) The survival of the "Star Wars" galaxy is menaced by new forces in the first volume of a trilogy.

Week Position
May 26, 1991 11
June 2, 1991 6
June 9, 1991 5
June 16, 1991 2
June 23, 1991 2
June 30, 1991 1
July 7, 1991 2
July 14, 1991 3
July 21, 1991 3
July 28, 1991 3
August 4, 1991 4
August 11, 1991 3
August 18, 1991 5
August 25, 1991 6
September 1, 1991 6
September 8, 1991 7
September 15, 1991 6
September 22, 1991 8
September 29, 1991 13


DARK FORCE RISING, by Timothy Zahn. (Spectra/Bantam, $18.50.) An insane Jedi threatens Luke Skywalker in the second volume of a "Star Wars" trilogy.

Week Position
June 7, 1992 3
June 14, 1992 3
June 21, 1992 2
June 28, 1992 4
July 5, 1992 5
July 12, 1992 4
July 19, 1992 5
July 26, 1992 5
August 2, 1992 7
August 9, 1992 9
August 16, 1992 9
August 23, 1992 7
August 30, 1992 11
September 6, 1992 15
September 13, 1992 15


THE LAST COMMAND, by Timothy Zahn. (Spectra/Bantam, $21.95.) The final volume of the "Star Wars" trilogy begun in "Heir to the Empire" and "Dark Force Rising."

Week Position
April 25, 1993 3
May 2, 1993 3
May 9, 1993 3
May 16, 1993 4
May 23, 1993 6
May 30, 1993 7
June 6, 1993 9
June 13, 1993 9
June 20, 1993 9
June 27, 1993 10
July 4, 1993 12
July 11, 1993 13


THE TRUCE AT BAKURA, by Kathy Tyers. (Spectra/Bantam, $21.95.) The "Star Wars" Rebel Alliance responds to a call for help from a threatened outpost.

Week Position
December 5, 1993 7
December 12, 1993 5
December 19, 1993 10
December 26, 1993 12
January 2, 1994 13
January 9, 1994 15
January 16, 1994 12


THE COURTSHIP OF PRINCESS LEIA, by Dave Wolverton. (Spectra/Bantam, $21.95.) Romance and the balance of power in the "Star Wars" universe.

Week Position
April 24, 1994 7
May 1, 1994 7
May 8, 1994 12


THE CRYSTAL STAR, by Vonda N. McIntyre. (Spectra/Bantam, $21.95.) A "Star Wars" novel in which Princess Leia tracks the kidnappers of her children.

Week Position
November 27, 1994 8
December 4, 1994 13


CHILDREN OF THE JEDI, by Barbara Hambly. (Spectra/Bantam, $21.95.) The "Star Wars" New Republic sends a mission to find long-lost people in a distant, frozen world.

Week Position
April 30, 1995 6
May 7, 1995 7
May 14, 1995 10
May 21, 1995 13


DARKSABER, by Kevin J. Anderson. (Spectra/Bantam, $22.95.) Luke Skywalker and Han Solo of "Star Wars" encounter new challenges on returning to a desert planet.

Week Position
October 22, 1995 15
October 29, 1995 12
November 5, 1995 13


SHADOWS OF THE EMPIRE, by Steve Perry. (Spectra/Bantam, $22.95.) A criminal organization undertakes to obtain control of the "Star Wars" empire.

Week Position
April 21, 1996 9
April 28, 1996 6
May 5, 1996 5
May 12, 1996 9
May 19, 1996 11
May 26, 1996 15


PLANET OF TWILIGHT, by Barbara Hambly. (Spectra/Bantam, $22.95.) The ''Star Wars'' battle between the New Republic and the Empire takes a new turn.

Week Position
April 20, 1997 15
April 27, 1997 13
May 4, 1997 14
May 11, 1997 15


VISION OF THE FUTURE, by Timothy Zahn. (Spectra/ Bantam, $24.95.) Han Solo, Luke Skywalker and Princess Leia of ''Star Wars'' struggle to prevent a civil war.

Week Position
September 20, 1998 13
September 27, 1998 15


STAR WARS: Episode I -- The Phantom Menace, by Terry Brooks. (Lucas/Ballantine, $25.) How it all began for Anakin Skywalker (a k a Darth Vader).

Week Position
May 23, 1999 1
May 30, 1999 1
June 6, 1999 1
June 13, 1999 1
June 20, 1999 3
June 27, 1999 4
July 4, 1999 7
July 11, 1999 7
July 18, 1999 12
July 25, 1999 8
August 1, 1999 13


THE NEW JEDI ORDER: Vector Prime, by R. A. Salvatore. (Del Rey/Ballantine, $24.95.) A "Star Wars" novel.

Week Position
October 24, 1999 11
October 31, 1999 10
November 7, 1999 11
November 14, 1999 13


STAR WARS: Rogue Planet, by Greg Bear. (Lucas/ Del Rey/Ballantine, $26.) ObiWan Kenobi and Anakin Skywalker are swept up in a world of deadly intrigue.

Week Position
May 21, 2000 9
May 28, 2000 9
June 4, 2000 11
June 11, 2000 13
June 18, 2000 14


THE NEW JEDI ORDER: Balance Point, by Kathy Tyers. (Lucas/Del Rey/Ballantine, $25.95.) A "Star Wars" novel.

Week Position
November 19, 2000 13


DARTH MAUL: Shadow Hunter, by Michael Reaves. (Lucas/Del Rey/Ballantine, $26.) A new "Star Wars" novel whose events take place just before those of "Episode 1 -- The Phantom Menace."

Week Position
February 18, 2001 9
February 25, 2001 11
March 4, 2001 9
March 11, 2001 12


CLOAK OF DECEPTION, by James Luceno. (Lucas/Del Rey/Ballantine, $26.) A new "Star Wars" novel that takes place before "Episode 1 -- The Phantom Menace."

Week Position
June 17, 2001 12
June 24, 2001 13


THE NEW JEDI ORDER: Star by Star, by Troy Denning. (Lucas/Del Rey/Ballantine, $26.) A new "Star Wars" novel.

Week Position
November 18, 2001 11


THE APPROACHING STORM, by Alan Dean Foster. (Lucas/Del Rey/Ballantine, $26.) In a new "Star Wars" novel, Obi-Wan Kenobi and Anakin Skywalker must protect the Republic from secessionists.

Week Position
February 17, 2002 12
February 24, 2002 12
March 3, 2002 13
March 10, 2002 16


STAR WARS: EPISODE 2 -- ATTACK OF THE CLONES, by R. A. Salvatore. (Lucas/Del Rey/Ballantine, $26.) As the Republic edges toward disaster, Anakin Skywalker falls for Senator Padmé Amidala.

Week Position
May 12, 2002 2
May 19, 2002 3
May 26, 2002 3
June 2, 2002 4
June 9, 2002 4
June 16, 2002 5
June 23, 2002 10


THE NEW JEDI ORDER: DESTINY'S WAY, by Walter Jon Williams. (Lucas/Del Rey/Ballantine, $25.95.) A new "Star Wars" novel.

Week Position
October 20, 2002 7
October 27, 2002 9


TATOOINE GHOST, by Troy Denning. (Lucas/Del Rey/Ballantine, $25.95.) Han Solo and Leia Organa of "Star Wars" confront threats to the New Republic.

Week Position
March 23, 2003 8
March 30, 2003 14


THE NEW JEDI ORDER: THE UNIFYING FORCE, by James Luceno. (Lucas/Del Rey/Ballantine, $26.95.) A new "Star Wars" novel.

Week Position
November 23, 2003 10
November 30, 2003 13


SURVIVOR'S QUEST, by Timothy Zahn. (Lucas/Del Rey/Ballantine, $25.95.) In a new ''Star Wars'' novel, Luke and Mara Jade Skywalker combat a sly enemy.

Week Position
February 22, 2004 9
February 29, 2004 14


LABYRINTH OF EVIL, by James Luceno. (Lucas/Del Rey/Ballantine, $25.95.) A new "Star Wars" novel, featuring Anakin Skywalker and Obi-Wan Kenobi.

Week Position
February 13, 2005 9
February 20, 2005 9
February 27, 2005 12


REVENGE OF THE SITH, by Matthew Stover. (Lucas/Del Rey/Ballantine, $25.95.) A new "Star Wars" novel, featuring Anakin Skywalker and Obi-Wan Kenobi.

Week Position
April 17, 2005 2
April 24, 2005 3
May 1, 2005 3
May 8, 2005 4
May 15, 2005 5
May 22, 2005 7
May 29, 2005 7
June 5, 2005 7
June 12, 2005 10
June 19, 2005 10


DARK LORD: THE RISE OF DARTH VADER, by James Luceno. (Lucas/Del Rey/Ballantine, $25.95.) How the Jedi knight Anakin Skywalker crossed over to the dark side: a Star Wars novel.

Week Position
December 11, 2005 11
December 18, 2005 11


OUTBOUND FLIGHT, by Timothy Zahn. (Lucas/Del Rey/Ballantine, $26.95.) In a new "Star Wars" novel, a Jedi mission to colonize worlds beyond the known galaxy becomes a fight for survival.

Week Position
February 19, 2006 7
February 26, 2006 9
March 5, 2006 11
March 12, 2006 12


DARTH BANE: PATH OF DESTRUCTION, by Drew Karpyshyn. (Lucas/Del Rey/Ballantine, $25.95.) A young warrior gifted in the Force struggles to become lord of the Siths: a ''Star Wars'' novel.

Week Position
October 15, 2006 11
October 22, 2006 14


ALLEGIANCE, by Timothy Zahn. (Del Rey/Ballantine, $25.95.) Events that occurred between “A New Hope” and “The Empire Strikes Back” : a “Star Wars” novel.

Week Position
February 18, 2007 10
February 25, 2007 13


SACRIFICE, by Karen Traviss. (Del Rey/Ballantine, $25.95.) Jacen, the son of Han and Leia Solo, must murder someone close to him to become a Sith lord; a “Star Wars” novel.

Week Position
June 24, 2007 13


DEATH STAR, by Michael Reaves and Steve Perry. (Del Rey/Ballantine, $25.95.) The back story of the construction of the Death Star ultimately destroyed by Luke Skywalker; a “Star Wars” novel.

Week Position
November 4, 2007 15


DARTH BANE: RULE OF TWO, by Drew Karpyshyn. (Del Rey/Ballantine, $25.95.) The last of the Siths trains an acolyte; a “Star Wars” novel.

Week Position
January 13, 2008 14
January 20, 2008 12


INVINCIBLE, by Troy Denning. (Del Rey/Ballantine, $27.) The New Jedi order battles Darth Caedus, Darth Vader’s grandson; a “Star Wars: Legacy of the Force” novel.

Week Position
June 1, 2008 5
June 8, 2008 11
June 15, 2008 15


THE CLONE WARS, by Karen Traviss. (Del Rey, $20.) In the years before “Revenge of the Sith,” the Republic does battle with an army of cloned soldiers; a “Star Wars” novel.

Week Position
August 17, 2008 13
August 24, 2008 16


THE FORCE UNLEASHED, by Sean Williams. (Del Rey, $26.) An apprentice to Darth Vader is dispatched to kill the last of his master’s enemies; a “Star Wars” novel.

Week Position
September 7, 2008 1
September 14, 2008 9
September 21, 2008 12
September 28, 2008 14


ORDER 66, by Karen Traviss. (Del Rey, $27.) The Republic’s clone forces fight against treacherous odds; a “Star Wars” novel.

Week Position
October 5, 2008 12


MILLENNIUM FALCON, by James Luceno. (Del Rey, $26.) Jacen Solo’s daughter, Allana, discovers a curious device aboard her grandfather Han’s beloved spacecraft; a “Star Wars” book.

Week Position
November 9, 2008 14


OUTCAST, by Aaron Allston. (Del Rey/Ballantine, $27.) The start of a new series about the extended Skywalker family; a “Star Wars” novel.

Week Position
April 19, 2009 11
April 26, 2009 15


OMEN, by Christie Golden. (Del Rey/Ballantine, $27.) Luke Skywalker confronts a crisis in the Jedi order; a "Star Wars: Fate of the Jedi" book.

Week Position
July 12, 2009 4


DEATH TROOPERS, by Joe Schreiber. (Del Rey/Ballantine, $24.) Survivors of an Imperial prison barge must contend with a plague and the undead aboard a Star Destroyer; a “Star Wars” book.

Week Position
November 1, 2009 13


BACKLASH, by Aaron Allston. (Del Rey/Ballantine/Lucas, $27.) In the second novel in the “Star Wars: Fate of the Jedi” series, a being of pure dark-side energy looms.

Week Position
April 4, 2010 11


ALLIES, by Christie Golden. (Del Rey/Ballantine, $27.) The Skywalkers and the Sith undertake an unprecedented joint mission; a “Star Wars: Fate of the Jedi” book.

Week Position
June 13, 2010 8
June 20, 2010 14


THE OLD REPUBLIC: FATAL ALLIANCE, by Sean Williams. (LucasBooks, $27.) The Jedi and the Sith must join forces to stop a threat to the galaxy; a "Star Wars" novel.

Week Position
August 8, 2010 12
August 15, 2010 13


DECEIVED, by Paul S. Kemp. (Ballantine, $27.) The second novel set in the Old Republic era and based on the “Star Wars” videogame from BioWare and LucasArts.

Week Position
April 10, 2011 13


CONVICTION, by Aaron Allston. (Del Rey/Ballantine/LucasBooks, $27.) The Jedi Order has taken control of the Galactic Alliance. Meanwhile, Luke and Ben Skywalker are pursuing the evil entity Abeloth; a "Star Wars" novel.

Week Position
June 19, 2011 11


STAR WARS-FATE OF THE JEDI-ASCENSION, by Christie Golden. (LucasBooks, $27.) The Jedi face the Sith, a deposed dictator and an evil entity hungry to become a god; a “Star Wars: Fate of the Jedi” book.

Week Position
August 28, 2011 7
September 4, 2011 16


STAR WARS: THE OLD REPUBLIC : REVAN, by Drew Karpyshyn. (LucasBooks, $27.) A Jedi stumbles upon a terrible secret that threatens the Republic; a “Star Wars” novel.

Week Position
December 4, 2011 8


DARTH PLAGUEIS, by James Luceno. (LucasBooks, $27.) The Sith legend of Darth Plagueis, the most powerful Dark Lord of the Sith, who could keep the ones he cared about from dying; a “Star Wars” novel.

Week Position
January 29, 2012 4
February 5, 2012 13


FATE OF THE JEDI: APOCALYPSE, by Troy Denning. (LucasBooks, $27.) Jedi and Sith reach the endgame in the finale of the Fate of the Jedi series; a “Star Wars” novel.

Week Position
April 1, 2012 2
April 8, 2012 9
April 15, 2012 16


WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE'S STAR WARS, by Ian Doescher. (Quirk Books.) Verily, a new hope: The story of a beautiful princess, a hero coming of age, a wise knight and an evil lord, retold in iambic pentameter.

Week Position
July 21, 2013 12
July 28, 2013 10
August 4, 2013 15
August 11, 2013 -
August 18, 2013 -
August 25, 2013 15
September 1, 2013 11
September 8, 2013 15


KENOBI, by John Jackson Miller. (Del Rey.) The enigmatic stranger on the desert planet of Tatooine is the Jedi master Obi-Wan Kenobi; a “Star Wars” novel.

Week Position
September 15, 2013 12


WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE'S THE EMPIRE STRIKETH BACK, by Ian Doescher. (Quirk Books.) ’Tis for the Rebellion a dark time: “Star Wars” Part V, in iambic pentameter.

Week Position
April 6, 2014 12
April 13, 2014 16


WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE'S THE JEDI DOTH RETURN, by Ian Doescher. (Quirk Books.) Jabba the Hutt, Ewoks and the redemption of Anakin Skywalker, all in iambic pentameter.

Week Position
July 20, 2014 12


STAR WARS: AFTERMATH, by Chuck Wendig. (Del Rey.) In this continuation of the ‘Star Wars’ series, the Imperial elite haven’t reckoned on the former rebel fighter Norra Wexley.

Week Position
September 20, 2015 4
September 27, 2015 5
October 4, 2015 16


STAR WARS: THE FORCE AWAKENS, by Alan Dean Foster. (Del Rey.) Three decades after the defeat of the Galactic Empire, a new threat arises; an adaptation of the screenplay of the new “Star Wars” movie.

Week Position
January 24, 2016 1
January 31, 2016 2
February 7, 2016 6
February 14, 2016 8
February 21, 2016 10
February 28, 2016 15


STAR WARS: BLOODLINE, by Claudia Gray. (Del Rey.) Leia Organa is urged to become First Senator of the New Republic.

Week Position
May 22, 2016 5
May 29, 2016 14


LIFE DEBT: AFTERMATH, by Chuck Wendig. (Del Rey.) The continuation of "Star Wars: Aftermath" and the second book of the Aftermath trilogy is set between "Return of the Jedi" and "The Force Awakens." A "Star Wars" novel.

Week Position
Jul 31, 2016 9


CATALYST, by James Luceno. (Del Rey.) This novel sets the stage for "Rogue One: A Star Wars Story," to be released this month.

Week Position
December 4, 2016 10
January 8, 2017 15


ROGUE ONE: A STAR WARS STORY, by Alexander Freed. (Del Rey.) A novelization of the new movie, including additional scenes.

Week Position
January 8, 2017 16
January 15, 2017 11
January 22, 2017 11


AFTERMATH: EMPIRE'S END, by Chuck Wendig. (Del Rey.) The conclusion to the Star Wars trilogy set in the years between “Return of the Jedi” and “The Force Awakens.”

Week Position
March 12, 2017 3
March 19, 2017 11


THRAWN, by Timothy Zahn. (Del Rey.) The origins of Grand Admiral Thrawn, an iconic “Star Wars” villain.

Week Position
April 30, 2017 2
May 7, 2017 4
May 14, 2017 12


BATTLEFRONT II: INFERNO SQUAD, by Christie Golden. (Del Rey.) A prequel to the “Star Wars” video game Battlefront II features the Imperial soldiers of Inferno Squad.

Week Position
August 13, 2017 13


STAR WARS: PHASMA, by Delilah S. Dawson. (Del Rey.) Captain Phasma, officer of the First Order, battles a mysterious stormtrooper who is bent on unearthing her origins.

Week Position
September 17, 2017 10


STAR WARS: FROM A CERTAIN POINT OF VIEW, by various authors. (Del Rey.) An anthology of short stories retells the original "Star Wars" from the point of view of supporting characters.

Week Position
October 22, 2017 12


STAR WARS: THE LAST JEDI, by Jason Fry. (Del Rey.) An adaptation of the film, written with input from its director, Rian Johnson, which includes scenes from alternate versions of the script.

Week Position
March 25, 2018 2
April 1, 2018 11


STAR WARS: LAST SHOT, by Daniel José Older. (Del Rey.) Lando Calrissian seeks help from Han Solo to elude Fyzen Gor’s assassins.

Week Position
May 6, 2018 15


THRAWN: ALLIANCES, by Timothy Zahn. (Del Rey.) A Star Wars saga. Darth Vader and Grand Admiral Thrawn join forces to serve Emperor Palpatine.

Week Position
August 12, 2018 1
August 19, 2018 6


STAR WARS: MASTER & APPRENTICE, by Claudia Gray. (Del Rey.) The bond between Qui-Gon Jinn and Obi-Wan Kenobi is tested when they go on a mission to the royal court of Pijal.

Week Position
May 5, 2019 5
May 12, 2019 15


THRAWN: TREASON, by Timothy Zahn. (Del Rey.) A Star Wars saga. Grand Admiral Thrawn must choose between his sense of duty to the Chiss Ascendancy and loyalty to the Empire.

Week Position
August 11, 2019 5



STAR WARS: THE RISE OF SKYWALKER, by Rae Carson. (Del Rey) The Resistance goes on a new adventure as word of the re-emergence of Emperor Palpatine is sent across the galaxy.

Week Position
April 4, 2020 5


THRAWN ASCENDANCY: CHAOS RISING, by Timothy Zahn. (Del Rey) In this Star Wars saga, a young military officer is sent to find the unseen enemies who attacked the Chiss capital.

Week Position
September 20, 2020 9


STAR WARS: LIGHT OF THE JEDI, by Charles Soule. (Del Rey) In this installment of the High Republic series, a disaster in hyperspace may cause far greater damage.

Week Position
January 24, 2021 1
January 31, 2021 4
February 7, 2021 10
February 14, 2021 15


6 comentarios:

  1. In terms of Canon novels Heir to the Jedi and Lords of the Sith were NYTimes BestSellers as well and they were both released before Aftermath.

    ResponderBorrar
    Respuestas
    1. So I've been told, thanks! Unfortunately the current public records only show the first 15 places. I have taken down that particular remark and clarified the source of the information.

      Borrar
    2. No problem. Another recent Star Wars novel you are missing is the Ahsoka YA book

      Borrar
    3. THe Ahsoka novel actually reached #1 in the YA section.

      Borrar
  2. Hi there, incredible work! I'm also looking for overall sales numbers. Not having much luck, but this site helped tremednously. Thanks so much for this!

    ResponderBorrar
  3. Fantastic work! I assume the NYT Best Seller List looks only at hardcover books, while paperbacks get a separate list not considered "the" best seller list? I got confused by the claim that every New Jedi Order made the list, while your post has the hardcover novels specifically.

    ResponderBorrar