Author Maeve Binchy received a lifetime achievement award at last night's British Book Awards, which are voted by publishers, booksellers and literary agents from the year's top sellers. Beryl Bainbridge was declared author of the year. Maeve Binchy also ranks ninth in a new top 10 list of the best-selling authors of the decade. Dame Catherine Cookson, who died last year, was the best-selling author, with 14.5 million sales. Second was Dr David Hessayon, known for his practical gardening guides. They are followed by: 3. Terry Pratchett, 10 million sales; 4. Danielle Steel, more than eight million sales; 5. Delia Smith, eight million sales; 6. Stephen King, more than 7.5 million sales; 7. John Grisham, more than seven million sales; 8. Dick Francis, seven million sales; 9. Maeve Binchy, 5.5 million sales; 10. Wilbur Smith, more than five million sales.
The list was compiled by Bookwatch from fiction and non-fiction titles.