The latest version of the Amazon Kindle e-book reader is shown in this undated publicity photo released to Reuters July 28, 2010 (XINHUA/REUTERS)

Amazon.com Inc. said on Monday that its latest third-generation e-book reader Kindle had become the bestselling product in the online retail giant's history.

Amazon said in a press release that sales of the new Kindle had surpassed sales of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows (Book 7), but it does not give the number of the units sold.

Amazon's chief executive officer Jeff Bezos said many users of tablet computers, such as Apple 's iPad, were also buying Kindle.

"We're seeing that many of the people who are buying Kindles also own an LCD tablet. Customers report using their LCD tablets for games, movies, and web browsing and their Kindles for reading sessions," said Bezos in the press release.

"Kindle's $39 price point is a key factor -- it's low enough that people don't have to choose," he added.

The company also said customers ordered more than 13.7 million items worldwide across all product categories on November 29, which is a record-breaking 158 items per second.

November 29 is this year's "Cyber Monday," the Monday after Thanksgiving, when consumers are encouraged to shop online.

(Xinhua News Agency December 28, 2010)