Thomas Nelson Ranks Top Best-Selling Christian Books of 2010

By Josephine Vivaldo, Christian Post Reporter Tuesday, January 11, 2011

Thomas Nelson Publishers recently announced the Best-Selling Christian Books of 2010, based on unit sales in the United States only.

From the 100 titles posted on the list, 28 are published by Thomas Nelson Publishers, which includes the number one title, Jesus Calling by Sarah Young. The list was posted on the blog of CEO and Chairman of Thomas Nelson, Michael Hyatt.

The blog cautions its readers by proposing that the list is not all too accurate. The database was drawn from "various point-of-sale systems from multiple sales channels."

"It is missing sales, for example, from large mass accounts that don't report to the major services. Nor does it include ministry or direct sales. Nor does it include e-books or sales outside the U.S. It primarily represents sales through traditional bookstores, both general market and Christian specialty stores."

Some of the leading writers in the list include, William P. Young for The Shack, Francis Chan for Crazy Love, Gary Chapman for The Five Love Languages and Dave Ramsey for The Total Money Makeover.

Rick Warren's Purpose Driven Life is ranked No. 16 in the list. One of the authors with the most titles includes Max Lucado with six books, with Fearless at the 12th spot. The second most popular author is Joyce Meyer with her five titles.

Responding to a question about female consumers and the Christian book market and why celebrity authors are dominating the market, Hyatt said, "Yes, about 70–80 percent of Christian book consumers are female. I think the reason celebrity authors dominate the list is because consumers, retailers, and publishers are more risk adverse. In turbulent times where everyone has less discretionary dollars, people gravitate to the 'tried and true.'"

The rest of the top 10 are: No. 6 The Love Dare by "Fireproof" filmmakers Stephen and Alex Kendrick (B&H Books/B&H Publishing Group); No. 7 Same Kind of Different as Me by Ron Hall and Denver Moore (Thomas Nelson); No. 8 So Long, Insecurity by Beth Moore (Tyndale House Publishers); No. 9Forgotten God by Francis Chan (David C. Cook); and No. 10 90 Minutes in Heaven by Don Piper and Cecil Murphey (Revell/Baker Publishing Group).