
Two weeks ago, I posted the first part of this post, which you can find here. Since then, I listened to a podcast that I love and the topic of Goodreads ratings came up. One of the hosts mentioned that if she sees a book on Goodreads that has an average that is less that 8.7 or 8.8, she won’t pick it up. This is a common phenomenon among many readers who I have spoken to. The books I am sharing today have a Goodreads rating between 3.5 stars and 3.7 stars but I still loved them and I am happy that I picked them up. Check out the first post for books I loved with an average rating under 3.5 stars.
Truly Madly Guilty by Liane Moriarty
Goodreads Rating: 3.56
My Rating: 4
While I will admit that Truly Madly Guilty is not Moriarty’s best book, I enjoyed it for what it was. Her books are always compulsively readable, and they help me out of a reading slump. I think that is part of the reason why this one got a higher rating from me- it was the right book at the right time.
Clock Dance by Anne Tyler
Goodreads Rating: 3.59
My Rating: 4
This is the only Anne Tyler novel that I have read, and maybe that is why I enjoyed it more than others seemed to- I had no expectations going in to it. I love that it was a slice of life story and that the protagonist was over the age of fifty- not a perspective that is often found in books. It is a more quiet book and I appreciated it all the more for that reason.
Lady Susan by Jane Austen
Goodreads Rating: 3.59
My Rating: 4
Admittedly, Lady Susan is not Jane Austen’s best work but it is a lot of fun! I thought Lady Susan was a great character. She was manipulative and catty, but that made her all the more fun to read about! I also love that the book is told through letters, which I completely understand is not for everyone.
The Painted Girls by Cathy Marie Buchanan
Goodreads Rating: 3.61
My Rating: 4.5
The Painted Girls is a book I read and loved years ago. I really should talk about it more on my blog because it has stayed with me after all of this time. It is a historical fiction novel set in Paris in the 1800s following two sisters, and it is absolutely beautiful. Art plays a huge role in the story, which is something I have discovered that I love in books.
Swimming Lessons by Claire Fuller
Goodreads Rating: 3.60
My Rating: 5
This is one of my favourite books!! That said, I understand why Claire Fuller’s novels are not for everyone. They are very descriptive and character-driven, there is not a lot of actually plot. There is an element of mystery but it is in the backdrop. There is something about her books that perfectly aligns with my tastes- I can’t quite put it in to words.
Wild Beauty by Anne-Marie McLemore
Goodreads Rating: 3.63
My Rating: 5
I have to say that I was surprised to find that Wild Beauty had a lower average rating. It was a book that everyone was talking about when it first came out. I think that the magical realism aspect of this book is not for everyone. I personally prefer magical realism to fantasy, but I know I am in the minority. I thought this book was as beautiful as its cover.
Bitter Orange by Claire Fuller
Goodreads Rating: 6.63
My Rating: 5
Another Claire Fuller book… This book has the potential to be my favourite read of the year! All the things I said about Swimming Lessons also apply here.
The Wonder by Emma Donoghue
Goodreads Rating: 3.63
My Rating: 5
Another favourite… I think one of the reasons why this one has low ratings is because it is so different from Room, a book by the same other that is very much loved. I would never guess that these two books were written by the same author. The Wonder is very strange book and you spend a lot of the time wondering WTF is going on. I love it for that!
I’m glad to see you’ve given a few of these on my shelf high marks (Bitter Orange, Wonder and Truly Madly Guilty as I’ve seen the mixed reviews. Great post💜
Such great books. I understand them not being for everyone but if they appeal to you I think you’ll enjoy them!
Wow, that’s a really high standard that she mentioned! I usually only get a bit suspicious when a rating is under 3.5. Interesting to see how others consider it!
I thought so too! I can kind of understand the idea of seeing a book under 3.8 and deciding to go for a book with a 4+ rating instead.
Great idea, loved this post!
Thank you! Glad you enjoyed it!
I’ve had The Wonder sitting on my shelves for ages! I’ve seen very mixed things, so I’m glad to hear you liked it so much 😊
I feel like I’m starting to know your taste in books and think you will really like it! It’s something a little different.
I must give it a go soon!
I loved Lady Susan! It was like reading a gossip magazine!
Exactly!!!
I’m usually an unpopular opinion and like a lot of books that received average ratings. It’s always the hyped up books that I worry about. I tend to be disappointed by those..This is a great post! I just posted something similar on my IG account asking which books other readers thought were underrated 🙂
Thank you! I am also often disappointed by hyped books. I’ll have to check out your Instagram!
I just recently got a copy of Wild Beauty and I can’t wait to read it. A lot of the time I end up loving the lower rating books more than the popular ones.
I thought it was so beautiful. Can’t wait to see what you think!
I need to add Lady Susan to my TBR! Love the idea for this post, Kristin! 💕
It’s so fun! It’s a quick read too!
wow I’m surprised by that rating for truly madly guiltily, cos I love Moriarty and am looking forward to reading it- glad you loved it! And I have high hopes for wild beauty as well, despite the low rating. Great post!
I was surprised to! I mean it is no Big Little Lies but it is still good!
I love this! am totally flummoxed at times by what does & doesn’t get great ratings…
Me too!