Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly blog meme hosted by That Artsy Reader Girl.
This week’s prompt was actually Books I Disliked But I’m Glad I Read, but I wanted to talk about ten books I feel pressured to read – by Goodreads ratings! I’d been wanting to do a post like this for a while, so I thought this would be a good opportunity.
I sorted my Goodreads TBR shelf by highest ratings, and then ignored anything unreleased or anything that had less than 100 ratings, just so we could get some pretty “fair” numbers. I also skipped any series duplicates.
1. Words of Radiance — Brandon Sanderson — 4.77 avg
I know Brandon’s works are popular, but I had never realized how highly rated this series is! The first book in the series, The Way of Kings, was also in my top 10, at 4.64!
Ratings: 129,519
2. Godsgrave — Jay Kristoff — 4.59 avg
I 5-starred Nevernight recently (review here), so I wasn’t surprised to see this one make the cut. If you’re wondering, Nevernight‘s average is 4.28, which is still mighty high!
Ratings: 5,492
3. Clockwork Princess — Cassandra Clare — 4.59 avg
I knew The Infernal Devices was popular, but didn’t know it was this popular! This is the 3rd book in the trilogy; if you’re curious, books 1 and 2 got 4.34 and 4.45 respectively.
Ratings: 267,449
4. Queen of Shadows — Sarah J. Maas — 4.59 avg
If I wasn’t skipping series duplicates, this would be the 1st of a few TOG books to make this list – super beloved series right here! This is book #4, and the other books in the series are sitting at:
#1 – 4.23
#2 – 4.48
#3 – 4.52
#5 – 4.58
#6 – 4.47
Ratings: 141,586
5. The Wise Man’s Fear — Patrick Rothfuss — 4.58 avg
I think I would’ve been devastated if this series hadn’t made the top 10 list, with how eager I am to read it! This is book #2 – #1 has a 4.55 avg.
Ratings: 314,176
6. Dear Ijeawele… — Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie — 4.56 avg
This little feminist nonfiction is only 63 pages long, but clearly very beloved, and one that I want to read ASAP!
Ratings: 20,340
7. Saga, Vol 2 — Brian K. Vaughan — 4.56 avg
I like the Saga graphic novel series, but I didn’t expect to see it make the list, honestly! This is #2, as you can see, but the whole series does pretty well:
#1 – 4.23
#3 – 4.55
#4 – 4.46
#5 – 4.43
#6 – 4.49
#7 – 4.52
#8 – 4.45
Ratings: 66,562
8. The House of Hades — Rick Riordan — 4.55 avg
I’m so happy to see this make the list, because I plan on finishing up the PJO series soon and starting this one immediately after! This is book #4, and the other books’ ratings are:
#1 – 4.35
#2 – 4.44
#3 – 4.46
#5 – 4.42
Ratings: 195,316
9. The Nightingale — Kristin Hannah — 4.55 avg
I honestly don’t know why I haven’t bought this book yet, but I should, and soon. It has a great average rating, has won a ton of awards, and is a WWII hist-fic story, which is always a favorite topic of mine (even if it is devastating).
Ratings: 402,062
10. Lord of Shadows — Cassandra Clare — 4.54 avg
I know, another of Cassie’s books, but this is her newest trilogy, so I felt that it was a fair addition to the list, haha! This is #2 in The Dark Artifices; book #1 is sitting at 4.45.
Ratings: 46,434
Have you read any of the books in this list? If so, what star rating did you give them?
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I LOVED Clockwork Princess (a bit obsessively), as well as Lady Midnight (the first in The Dark Artifices series), but I found Lord of Shadows to be a bit of a disappointment. It wasn’t bad, but I expected more. I am so excited to see how things resolve in The Queen of Air and Darkness though. Here’s my post this week: https://clockworkbibliotheca.blogspot.com/2018/05/books-i-dislikedhated-but-am-glad-i-read.html
Oh no, I’m sorry you didn’t love Lord of Shadows! I hope the 3rd book will be everything you’re hoping for. ♥ I’ll check your post out, too – happy reading!
I love what you’ve done with the list this week. I never thought of Goodreads being a bit of a pressure due to its rating! I’ve read The Nightingale and I did enjoy it!
Thank you so much, Chrissi! Haha, it really can be – while I was making this list, I was like, “Man, maybe I should stop requesting ARCs just so I can read some of these!” and then I had a good, long laugh at myself… 😉 lol! I’m glad you liked The Nightingale – I see it on sale at Books-A-Million all the time when I go, so I think I’ll pick it up next time!
I have read Nevernight and loved it! But I am also yet to read Godsgrave. I own it but have been putting it of. I don’t really know why? Like I know its going to be good that many people can’t be wrong! But can I handle how good its going to be? Or more importantly how will Mr. Kristoff destroy me this time?!
Haha yessss, you get me! How can we handle the amazingness?!
I really liked The Infernal Devices, but the third one was my least favorite haha. I really enjoyed The Heroes of Olympus and the third one is my favorite from that series.
I feel so pressured to love The Way of Kings and The Name of the Wind (and honestly I think I will?) so that has been putting me off picking them up.
Haha oh nooo! That’s always a bummer when a series finale is the worst one – but I’m glad you enjoyed it overall! And yes, I totally feel you on The Way of Kings and Name of the Wind. I 100% think I’ll love both of them, but sometimes it can be nerve-wracking to pick up such a widely beloved book.
What a great idea to do a selection based on ratings! And wow, some books have a lot of high ratings, too!
I haven’t read Cassie Clare in a very long time, but I might change that soon – so many books so little time 🙂
Thanks, Lexxie! I had a blast doing it. 🙂 Oooh, you totally should! I’m reading through her books for the first time ever this year and really enjoying them.
WOW,an awesom spin on the topic. I feel the pressure, too. Especially with the Brandon Sanderson books, I mean if it has such a great rating it can’t be bad, right?
Godsgrave was really great but I love that series. However I also feel that with ratings of 2nd, 3rd and so on book in series the the actual rating is a bit baised because the ones who didn’t like the first to give a negative review is less likely to read those books.
Also it is strange about Queen of shadows being the highets rated in the ToG series,sor me that was the first one that I really didn’t like.
Great list!
Here is my TTT: https://fantasyraiders.wordpress.com/2018/05/15/top-ten-tuesday-books-i-didliked-but-glad-i-read/#more-8338
Thanks, Viki! That’s such a good point about sequels – like you said, it kind of puts a biased spin on the ratings, doesn’t it? It’s interesting to see, for sure!
I’ll check yours out, too – happy reading! ♥
I loooove Clockwork Princess, it absolutely destroyed me! I don’t know why I haven’t read the Nightingale either, I’m sure it will be a new favorite of mine!
Awww, yay, I’m so glad! Haha I mean, not “glad” that it destroyed you, but glad you love it! ♥ I’m reading City of Glass next and then I’ll finally get to start TDI since I’m going in the author’s recommended order! 🙂
Great post!!
Thank you so much!
What a fab topic 🙂
I’m interested to see what comes up for me if I try this.
Cora | http://www.teapartyprincess.co.uk/
Thank you, Cora! I would LOVE to see your list if you decide to give it a try 🙂
I’m loving your spin on this! Great list and now am off to read more about them!
Thank you so much! 🙂 I hope you find something you like!
Wow, this was so interesting to read. I’ll be honest even though I love comics I still haven’t read the Saga series. I almost bought volume 1 the other day but ended up putting it back down. I think I might borrow it from the library though because it does seem really popular! I certainly wasn’t surprised to see Sanderson or Riordan on your list!
I totally recommend checking Saga out from the library if you’re unsure, because I do think they can be a little bit hit and miss for people, but I hope you like them! 😀
I’m a huge fan of Saga so I recommend everyone reads then. I relied on Goodreads for some of my post today too but for different reasons 🙂 I’m amazed at how much I use Goodreads but I also find it somewhat scary.
Saga is such a great series! I really need to catch up on it – I think I’ve only read through volume 6. 🙂 Haha yes, I’m on Goodreads more than almost any other site these days!
I really like how you made this topic your own! There are definitely a few books on your list that I feel pressured to read as well – those goodreads ratings have a way of doing that!
My TTT post is here: https://rockyreads.wordpress.com/2018/05/15/top-ten-tuesday-8-books-im-really-glad-i-read
Thank you so much! 😀 Haha yesss, they really do. Can I ask which ones are the ones you’re feeling most pressured to read? Off of this list, I think it’d be Name of the Wind and Godsgrave for me!
Thank you, and I’ll check yours out, too!
Definitely Queen of Shadows, because I only recently started the ToG series and feel like there is a lot of pressure to catch up! And Lord of Shadows. I bought it when it came out and I still haven’t read it, ha! So much pressure!!!
Hahaha, I feel you love! I swore I wouldn’t buy any of the TDA books until I read all of TMI and TID, but then last Christmas, Lady Midnight went on a flash sale on Amazon for something like $3 for the hardback and I snatched it up! I think now I have all of the Shadowhunters books except LoS and the Codex, so I still gotta grab those before Queen of Air and Darkness releases, unless I haven’t caught up on the other series in time!
Ooh! I’ve actually never heard of any of these – maybe because I don’t pay much attention to Goodreads ratings! Dear Ijeawele is going on my TBR shelf, though… c:
I don’t pay a ton of attention to it either unless it’s reeeaaaally far in the positive (or negative) side of things! Then, in those cases, it will catch my eye haha. 🙂 Oooh, yay! Enjoy!
I love your twist on the topic!
Thank you so much!! ♥
Love your idea. I recently also looked into my Goodreads TBR and sorted by rating and have been trying to read the most highly rated books. I was surprised that one of the poetry books I bought on a whim was rated second highest in my TBR.
Thank you! Ooooh, that’s so cool! What was the poetry book?
“Sorry, I Wrote So Many Sad Poems Today.”
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/17403994-sorry-i-wrote-so-many-sad-poems-today
Let me know what you think of you end up reading it. 🙂
Very cool – thanks for the link. 😀 Checking it out now and I’ll let you know if I do!
Great list Destiny! I still haven’t read Nevernight sadly and I’m hoping to start Queen of Shadows next month… Well if I ever finish the audiobook of Heir of Fire.
Thank you so much, gorgeous! ♥ I hope you’re able to finish HoF soon! I still need to read Crown of Midnight before May ends to keep on track with my one-a-month schedule, haha!
I really enjoyed HOF! I hope you can get to Crown of Midnight this month!
Good! ♥ Thank you, love – I have so many reads scheduled for this week but I want to try. Right now I’ve got 4 current reads, plus a buddy read starting tomorrow and another one Friday, plus Sob-a-thon starts tomorrow… sheesh. I dunno, lmao, but I’m gonna TRY!
I love your spin on this topic! Of these, I’ve read almost all the Throne of Glass books, I still need to catch up with the newest one before the last book comes out in October, but I do love that series. I also super love the Heroes of Olympus books, and House of Hades was actually my favourite of that series.
My TTT: https://jjbookblog.wordpress.com/2018/05/15/top-ten-tuesday-159/
Thank you! I’m about to pick up Crown of Midnight soon and I’m really excited. 🙂 I’m loving the series so far (granted, I’ve only read The Assassin’s Blade and TOG so far, but still, lol!). And I’m so glad you loved HoO! I’m super excited about that series!
Thanks, love – I’ll check yours out, too! ♥ Happy reading!
Well that’s great to hear! I hope you enjoy all of them 🙂 No worries, thank you!
The Nightingale is really good. It starts out a little slowly, though.
Oooh, good to know – I’ll make sure to push through that beginning, then. Thank you! 🙂
Love this topic! Goodreads ratings definitely add to the hype and pressure sometimes. That said, this list does contain a few of my favorites (such as Queen of Shadows) and a lot of books I REALLY want to get to soon, such as Godsgrave or Lord of Shadows.
Thank you! Yeah, they really do! I wanna get to Godsgrave ASAP, but at the same time I hear it has a cliffhanger ending and supposedly Darkdawn just got pushed back to 2019, so I’m like… ugh, maybe I should wait… 🙁
I’ve actually only read one, which was Clockwork Princess! I gave it a 5 star rating. The Infernal Devices trilogy is really great! I’m about to start on the Dark Artifices trilogy, just as soon as the audio book is available at my library!
I have been considering diving into Sarah J. Maas’ books for a while, since everyone seems so obsessed with them.
Ooooh, so glad you loved it! I’m really excited to get to TID! And I strongly recommend SJM’s books, so I hope you get the chance to check them out 😀
I love your take on this topic Destiny! I found the topic this week a bit difficult and more negative than I typically like to be on my blog lately. This is really upbeat and a nice twist on the subject.
Thank you so much, Bentley! Yeah, that’s a big part of why I didn’t go with the actual theme – I don’t mind posting kind of gripe-y posts and lists sometimes, but I try to keep it to a minimum!
I wasn’t a huge fan of House of Hades (the HoO series was a bit over-hyped in my opinion.), but Queen of Shadows is my favorite book in the Throne of Glass series! I hope you love it!
Oh nooo, sorry you weren’t big on HoO! I’m hoping that I will like it but right now I still gotta finish PJO. I talked a BIG game about catching up on Rick’s entire bibliography before 2019, but now it’s almost June and I’ve only read the first 3 PJO books, so… lol, DEFINITELY don’t think that will happen!
Lol!! The PJO books are amazing! And the last two were my favorite! I hope you’ll be able to achieve your goal! ?
Ohhh that just made me so excited to pick up #4! 😀 Thank you, lovely!
Whoah this is really interesting! I might have to do this with my own goodreads!
You totally should, I would love to see your list! 😀
I haven’t picked up Saga yet, but everyone loves it and when I was first asking for graphic novel recommendations, this one was high on the list. I will probably get to it at some point.
Not to add to the hype chatter, but it IS really good! I’ve read the first… 5, I think? And I enjoyed all but one of them, and even the one that I didn’t love (I want to say it was #4) was still definitely worth reading!
I might have to binge whatever is out over the summer.
I had seen the covers of the Throne of Glass series, and thaught they were not for me. Then I got the second book in the series as a review copy from the swedish publisher and felt oblighed to read it. And I was totally blown away..! I read the following book in the series right afterwards, and ordered Queen of Shadows in the original language since it hasn’t been translated into Swedish yet.
That’s fantastic – I’m so glad you were pleasantly surprised by them! 😀
All the SJM books seem to be rated so high it’s crazy!
Yessss, she definitely is a widely beloved author! I think in the circles of the book community I tend to see a lot of, I find that a lot of people really hate her writing (which I can totally understand!), so sometimes I actually forget that the general consensus on her books (on a wider scale) is SO positive!
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