Harry Potter — J.K. Rowling

J.K. Rowling's seven-novel series (1997-2007) is the best-selling book series in history with over 600 million copies sold in 80+ languages. More than any other 20th-century fantasy, including The Lord of the Rings, Harry Potter created readers — bringing a generation to books who had not previously been readers and sustaining their engagement through eight years of increasingly sophisticated storytelling about power, prejudice, death, and the courage to resist. At 30% cheaper than the average fantasy novel in its initial pricing, it widened access to the genre.