I thought it was very interesting to dig into my Goodreads archives last week to take a look at some of the highest rated books I’ve read according to the average star rating on the site. Now, this week, I’d like to try the reverse and see if I disliked the lowest rated books as much as the general public! I’m usually more on the generous side with my ratings, so this will be interesting, at least for me. (But hopefully also you!)

**Disclaimer: I chose to focus on novels here and exclude comics and graphic novels again. Last time I went from highest to lowest rating and I will do so here as well (aka the lowest of the lowest rated book is the last one) **

Anything You Want

Average rating: 3.35
My rating: 5 (click here for my review)
Thoughts: Woah! First one and the opinions already differ. I remember how I knew a lot of people that didn’t enjoy it as much, but I had a great time with my buddy-reading-group. Maybe I wouldn’t feel as enthusiastic about it now, but back then, it struck a chord.

Snow White & the Huntsman

Average rating: 3.34
My rating: 3
Thoughts: Hear me out! This is a screen-to-book-adaptation and not the other way round. I was really in love with the aesthetic and soundtrack of that movie back in the day and was intrigued by the idea of learning more about the characters in the book. That didn’t happen, it was super mediocre, BUT unlike in the first movie, Chris Hemsworth’s character has a name in the book.

Find Me

Average rating: 3.34
My rating: 1 (click here for my review)
Thoughts: Do you know how often I give 1-star-ratings? The answer is: close to never. I was so in love with Call Me By Your Name (I do realise it has its flaws and I found out about the author being a weirdo very late, but I loved the writing) and was so excited but I HATE Find Me with a passion. Hate it! I wish it had an even lower average rating …

The Colorado Kid

Average rating: 3.32
My rating: 3
Thoughts: I don’t read Stephen King books, because 1) a lot of them are massive and I’m not feeling that and 2) I don’t enjoy being scared. However, I was a huge fan of the TV show “Haven” (still am) and it’s based on that book. It’s so loosely based on it that I didn’t really find much enjoyment in the book at all. I do realise that it’s not representative of King’s work in general.

Almost Adulting

Average rating: 3.32
My rating: 3.5 (click here for my review)
Thoughts: Books by YouTubers are always tricky! I didn’t hate this one, but I found that it wasn’t exactly what it advertised to be. It felt more like an autobiography than a fun self-help book about how to adult.

The Movie Version

Average rating: 3.30
My rating: 2 (click here for my review)
Thoughts: First of all, the book advertised something completely different and made you go into it believing it was going to be cute and fun, when in fact, it was about a serious topic such as mental health. The representation was terrible and the main character insufferable. It’s a real shame.

Sweetbitter

Average rating: 3.29
My rating: 2 (click here for my review)
Thoughts: Oh wow, did I have things to say about that book. I did a very detailed comparison to the TV show (which went on for two seasons) and couldn’t find much love for either. There was just something toxic about it all.

Her Fearful Symmetry

Average rating: 3.25
My rating: 2
Thoughts: I blocked out a lot of what happened in this book, but after liking The Time Traveler’s Wife so much, this book felt like an utter disappointment in comparison. The premise of this one was so absurd, I don’t even want to talk about it.

The Pisces

Average rating: 3.22
My rating: 1 (click here for my review)
Thoughts: Look, I knew in the opening chapters that it wasn’t for me and because I’m a super stubborn person, was determined to finish it anyway. I know a lot of people actually liked it a lot, but I wanted something far less crass and more traditionally merman-esque. I was blinded by the cover …

The Film Club

Average rating: 3.18
My rating: 4
Thoughts: I actually quite enjoy slowly told family stories without much plot. You want to reconnect with your son through movies and write about it? Sure, I’m here for it.

This Song Is (Not) For You

Average rating: 3.13
My rating: 3.6 (click here for my review)
Thoughts: It sure wasn’t perfect, but I found a poly-amorous relationship with an asexual partner explored in a rather positive light to be rather interesting. The characters are often still judgy hypocrites, but yeah … it wasn’t the worst.

Anne & Henry

Average rating: 3.03
My rating: 2 (click here for my review)
Thoughts: This book had so much potential, being a modern day teen retelling of Anne Boleyn and Henry VIII, but they completely blew it. If you are a fan of Tudor history, spare yourself!

Stealing Candy

Average rating: 2.86
My rating: 2.5 (click here for my review)
Thoughts: This book … the main character … basically, it’s about a girl who falls in love with her kidnapper. It’s not the first time that story is told and it probably could be done well? But Candy, she fell in love THE MOMENT he abducted her but had a nice jawline … come on!

Gone Wild

Average rating: 2.73
My rating: 2.5 (click here for my review)
Thoughts: I have a hard remembering much about the book other than that it was very short. I think the characters were relatable enough, but there just wasn’t much time to see any development and that irked me.

 

 

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What are your thoughts? I feel like I mostly went with the trend again? Were you surprised to see some books have such low ratings? Did you find you didn’t know as many of these books as you did in the highest rated list? Let’s chat!