Authors may have countless accolades, but few relish the achievement of selling over a billion copies of their books the way Danielle Steel can.
Danielle Steel is currently the bestselling living author and stands among the bestselling writers of all time. Her books have been translated into 43 languages and published in 69 countries, which is no small achievement.
Regardless of what critics and skeptics may say about her work, each new release continues to be a bestselling read for her eager audience, which spans generations.
Although Danielle Steel’s books are often considered “romance” books, the truth is that her work is best suited for the “women’s fiction” literary genre.
While romance does play a role in most of Danielle Steel’s books, it is hardly the primary focus of her narrative. Instead, it is only one of the many threads used to weave the story she aims to tell, which focuses on the protagonist’s psyche, life, and interpersonal relationships far beyond romantic entanglements.
Her books often feature wealthy families and touch upon heavy yet grounded problems within human nature, including triggering topics such as suicide or abuse. Overall, her stories explore complex human dynamics through the lens of the heroines.
Steel is a famously prolific author known for her abundant and steady releases. She has attested to working on multiple projects simultaneously, producing an enviable output of three to five new novels yearly.
Danielle Steel&#;s books, as of , easily surpass the mark. According to her website, she has written more than books, of which are novels and 18 children’s books.
With a staggering number of books surpassing the hundreds, new readers may be intimidated by Steel’s bibliography. However, rest assured—you don’t need to read Danielle Steel’s books in order.
The reason? Steel doesn’t enjoy writing sequels, as she deems them “an invitation to unfavorable comparison.” This means that each of her stories is stand-alone, and you can read any novel that catches your eye without worrying about spoilers or continuity.
If you’re still interested in knowing Danielle Steel’s books in order, take a look at her entire bibliography by publishing date.
Most of Danielle Steel’s books are standalone novels meant for women but enjoyed by anyone who wishes to read them. As previously mentioned, they have no sequels and are self-contained.
These are the novels currently announced by Danielle Steel for , subject to changes.
One of the two children’s book series, it tries to walk children through everyday problems they may encounter.
Like the Max & Martha series, the Freddie books aim to showcase everyday problems to children in an accessible and educational way.
These picture books for children are endearing stories—and Steel&#;s pet Chihuahua inspired the Pretty Minnie series.
Assorted non-fiction books published by Steel over the years. This eclectic collection contains poems, self-help books, and assorted inspirational content.
Danielle Steel’s books are not exempt from criticism—in fact, literary critics often accuse her of repeated themes, shallow approaches, and monotonous writing style.
Nonetheless, she continues to thrive and has amassed a loyal fanbase through the widespread appeal of her work. Her literary fiction offers escapism, intrigue, romance, and the discussion of complex interpersonal dynamics, which has made her a household name in her genre.
If you’d like to explore similar works with a bit more romance, consider reading the best Nora Roberts’ books. If you prefer women’s fiction set under the bright summer sun, then Elin Hilderbrand’s books should be your next stop.