I am bringing a new feature to the blog! Over the past year or so, I’ve been posting Rank It videos on my Booktube channel. Well, I’ve posted three so far, but no matter. My point is, they’ve proven to be very popular, and I wanted to bring the list-making-awesomeness over to the blog so that my readers could experience it as well.
Rank It is basically an excuse to make lists. I rank books (from a series or by a single author) in order of my favourite to least favourite, or best to worst. I love lists, and I love books, so I thought this would be the perfect combination. To start with, I’ll be essentially be copying the series and authors that I focussed on in my videos, but I’ll stretch out a bit once I’ve caught up.
If you would rather watch me rank Harry Potter, A Song of Ice and Fire (so far), or Gillian Flynn‘s books, then you can click on those links and they’ll take you to the videos. Now, on with the list!
#7 – Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone
Don’t get me wrong, I adore this book. So, so much. It has absolutely not flaws in my eyes and it physically pains me to put it at the bottom of the list, but I did so because it’s the shortest book in the series. That is my only excuse. I wanted more witches and wizards and magical stuff!
#6 – Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets
Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets is slightly longer than the first book, which I greatly appreciate, plus there’s the added threat of the Basilisk and, you know, the CHAMBER OF SECRETS. I love the little glimpse we get into Voldemort’s youth and the whole diary thing is hella creepy. Plus, there’s Dobby. DOBBY.
#5 – Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince
This one just wasn’t all that exciting for me (although how non-exciting can a Harry Potter book be, really?) which is why it’s here on the list. Yes, the Ministry now knows about Voldemort’s return, and YES, THERE’S THE DUMBLEDORE THING, but it just wasn’t as thrilling as the other books. Plus, Harry goes through his emo phase. It was bound to happen eventually though, considering what he’s been through in his 16 years of living.
#4 – Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows
THE GRAND FINALE. It’s not my favourite in the series because of the lack of Hogwarts, but then there’s the fucking BATTLE OF HOGWARTS AWWWW YISSSSSS and a dragon and the Horcruxes and everything. But I missed Hogwarts so much, you guys. So much. And there was no Quidditch!
#3 – Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix
I LOVED IT SO MUCH but parts of it were really dragged out. But the battle at the Ministry of Magic was bloody awesome, and I will always remember reading THAT death and being in a state of complete disbelief. I read and reread those couple of pages and I was in SUCH denial. AND THEN HARRY TRIED TO USE THE MIRROR AND I WAS SO SURE IT WOULD WORK. Anyway, it was fantastic, but the only thing that brought it down for me was the draggy bits, and… yeah, that’s it. It’s awesome.
#2 – Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban
BECAUSE SIRIUS AND HARRY’S FAMILY, and also Hermione’s Time Turner (I need one) and the new lessons and EVERYTHING ABOUT IT. I adore this book, and it would totally be my #1 if my #1 hadn’t happened. I can completely understand why this is most people’s favourite Harry Potter book.
#1 – Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire
TWO WORDS: TRIWIZARD TOURNAMENT. This book has been my #1 book FOREVER. I adore it. First of all, there’s the flashback, which was freakin’ awesome. Then there’s the Deatheater attack at the Quidditch World Cup and OH MY GODDDDD IT WAS AMAZING, and THEN THE TRIWIZARD TOURNAMENT AKA MY TRUE CALLING. I got SO excited while reading it, and I’m even excited now. And Professor Moody <3 AMAZING.
So, what would your list look like? Tell me in the comments and leave a list so we can compare! Do you love Goblet of Fire as much as I do? I’ve spoken to some people who say that it’s their least favourite book in the series but HOW CAN THAT BE?!
Rekha @ Million Book Mil says
Oh my god, finally, someone who also has Goblet of Fire as their favourite book. Now that I think about it, my list would be very similar to yours! Except, I would switch Order of the Pheonix and Half Blood Prince. It’s just that Order of the Pheonix was way too long and dragged out too much for me.
Lauren @ Bookmark Lit says
We’re almost in complete agreement here! I definitely agree with the top three books. I have Chamber of Secrets last on the list because I think it’s slightly more boring than the rest? haha
Maraia says
Your list isn’t as awful as I expected. 😉 People love to hate on Order of the Phoenix.
Order of the Phoenix will always be my favorite (I love angry Harry, plus it’s the longest), then Goblet of Fire. After that it gets harder. I love Half-Blood Prince because MY SHIP FINALLY SAILED, but that’s not really enough to make it my third-favorite. Prisoner of Azkaban is the last of the happy books, and I love meeting Sirius and Lupin. The Philosopher’s Stone is where it all started, so I can’t rank it last, but I also don’t want to be a cliche and put Chamber of Secrets last. I’m happy with how Deathly Hallows turned out, with the exception of a couple cruel deaths, but I missed Hogwarts as well. Also, it did drag a bit when they were aimlessly wandering around, and I hate to see Hermione cry over Ron. In summary, I love Harry Potter, and collectively it’s the best book ever written.
Sarah J. says
The Goblet of Fire is my favorite HP novel hands down! I love when other people feel the same way. I just loved how magical everything was in this novel. It was perfect.
Mel@thedailyprophecy says
My favorite book is Order of the Phoenix (which many people claim as the most boring book in the series. HOW) and after that Goblet of Fire 😀 I don’t know why, but the prisoner of Azkaban is one of my least favorite books.. I love Sirius, but the whole Time turner business doesn’t do it for me (but I DO love that necklace)
My order would be:
7. Prisoner of Azkaban.
6. Chamber of Secrets.
5. Philosopher’s stone.
4. Half-blood prince.
3. Deathly hallows.
2. Goblet of fire.
1. Order of the phoenix.
Terri @ Reading By Starlight says
This would be crazy hard, but I agree with your logic. It’s not that Philosopher’s Stone is the WORST. It’s just that in comparison to later books when they get so incredibly hard core and complex, book one can’t compare.
Fake Professor Moody is my favorite. He’s such an amazing professor even though he’s an unqualified lunatic.