BookRank

Best of the year

Best books of 2018

107 highest-rated books first published in 2018.

← 20172019 →

Why Kingdom of Ash is #1

Kingdom of Ash (Sarah J. Maas) scores 8.9/10 from 1K ratings — 0.1 points ahead of Educated in second place.

The score is a weighted average across 3 independent rating sources. A title with few ratings is pulled toward the category average, so a handful of enthusiastic reviews cannot outrank a book that thousands of readers have judged. Method →

  1. Kingdom of Ash
    Kingdom of AshSarah J. Maas · 2018 Young adult1K ratings
    8.98.9 / 10
  2. Educated
    EducatedTara Westover · 2018NYT bestseller Biography & memoir1.7K ratings
    8.88.8 / 10
  3. Say Nothing
    Say NothingPatrick Radden Keefe · 2018NYT bestseller498 ratings
    8.88.8 / 10
  4. Becoming
    BecomingMichelle Obama · 2018NYT bestseller Biography & memoir820 ratings
    8.88.8 / 10
  5. Skyward
    SkywardBrandon Sanderson · 2018 Young adult1.3K ratings
    8.78.7 / 10
  6. Catch and Kill: Lies, Spies, and a Conspiracy to Protect Predators
    Catch and Kill: Lies, Spies, and a Conspiracy to Protect PredatorsRonan Farrow · 2018NYT bestseller283 ratings
    8.78.7 / 10
  7. Factfulness
    FactfulnessHans Rosling · 2018NYT bestseller Popular science623 ratings
    8.68.6 / 10
  8. Ghostwater
    GhostwaterWill Wight · 2018 Fantasy432 ratings
    8.68.6 / 10
  9. The Poet X
    The Poet XElizabeth Acevedo · 2018 Young adult313 ratings
    8.58.5 / 10
  10. Exit Strategy
    Exit StrategyMartha Wells · 2018 Science fiction1.9K ratings
    8.58.5 / 10
  11. Thunderhead
    ThunderheadNeal Shusterman · 2018 Young adult779 ratings
    8.58.5 / 10
  12. The Great Believers
    The Great BelieversRebecca Makkai · 2018 Historical fiction179 ratings
    8.48.4 / 10
  13. Muse of Nightmares
    Muse of NightmaresLaini Taylor · 2018 Fantasy218 ratings
    8.48.4 / 10
  14. Brief Answers to the Big Questions
    Brief Answers to the Big QuestionsStephen Hawking · 2018NYT bestseller Popular science317 ratings
    8.48.4 / 10
  15. Wrath of Empire
    Wrath of EmpireBrian McClellan · 2018 Fantasy127 ratings
    8.48.4 / 10
  16. Grey Sister
    Grey SisterMark Lawrence · 2018 Fantasy294 ratings
    8.48.4 / 10
  17. Artificial Condition
    Artificial ConditionMartha Wells · 2018 Science fiction2.6K ratings
    8.48.4 / 10
  18. Beastie Boys Book
    Beastie Boys BookMichael Diamond · 2018NYT bestseller Biography & memoir63 ratings
    8.48.4 / 10
  19. Circe
    CirceMadeline Miller · 2018NYT bestseller Fantasy3.1K ratings
    8.48.4 / 10
  20. Foundryside
    FoundrysideRobert Jackson Bennett · 2018 Fantasy577 ratings
    8.48.4 / 10
  21. The Great Alone
    The Great AloneKristin Hannah · 2018NYT bestseller Historical fiction524 ratings
    8.38.3 / 10
  22. The Fated Sky
    The Fated SkyMary Robinette Kowal · 2018 Science fiction250 ratings
    8.38.3 / 10
  23. The Overstory
    The OverstoryRichard Powers · 2018NYT bestseller Literary fiction496 ratings
    8.38.3 / 10
  24. Wundersmith: The Calling of Morrigan Crow
    Wundersmith: The Calling of Morrigan CrowJessica Townsend · 2018 Fantasy144 ratings
    8.38.3 / 10
  25. Rogue Protocol
    Rogue ProtocolMartha Wells · 2018 Science fiction2.2K ratings
    8.38.3 / 10
  26. Can't Hurt Me: Master Your Mind and Defy the Odds
    Can't Hurt Me: Master Your Mind and Defy the OddsDavid Goggins · 2018 Biography & memoir670 ratings
    8.38.3 / 10
  27. How to Change Your Mind
    How to Change Your MindMichael Pollan · 2018NYT bestseller Popular science327 ratings
    8.38.3 / 10
  28. The Consuming Fire
    The Consuming FireJohn Scalzi · 2018NYT bestseller Science fiction567 ratings
    8.38.3 / 10
  29. The Calculating Stars
    The Calculating StarsMary Robinette Kowal · 2018 Science fiction460 ratings
    8.28.2 / 10
  30. The Burning Maze
    The Burning MazeRick Riordan · 2018 Fantasy235 ratings
    8.28.2 / 10
  31. Atomic Habits
    Atomic HabitsJames Clear · 2018 Self-help3.9K ratings
    8.28.2 / 10
  32. Lost Connections
    Lost ConnectionsJohann Hari · 2018NYT bestseller Psychology127 ratings
    8.28.2 / 10
  33. The Coddling of the American Mind
    The Coddling of the American MindJonathan Haidt · 2018NYT bestseller Popular science127 ratings
    8.28.2 / 10
  34. Lies Sleeping
    Lies SleepingBen Aaronovitch · 2018 Fantasy236 ratings
    8.28.2 / 10
  35. Where the Crawdads Sing
    Where the Crawdads SingDelia Owens · 2018NYT bestseller Crime & mystery1.8K ratings
    8.28.2 / 10
  36. Bullshit Jobs: A Theory
    Bullshit Jobs: A TheoryDavid Graeber · 2018 Popular science272 ratings
    8.28.2 / 10
  37. A Higher Loyalty
    A Higher LoyaltyJames Comey · 2018NYT bestseller Biography & memoir126 ratings
    8.18.1 / 10
  38. Record of a Spaceborn Few
    Record of a Spaceborn FewBecky Chambers · 2018 Science fiction624 ratings
    8.18.1 / 10
  39. How Democracies Die
    How Democracies DieSteven Levitsky · 2018NYT bestseller Politics & society126 ratings
    8.18.1 / 10
  40. The Fifth Risk
    The Fifth RiskMichael Lewis · 2018NYT bestseller Politics & society167 ratings
    8.18.1 / 10
  41. Iron Gold
    Iron GoldPierce Brown · 2018NYT bestseller Science fiction1.1K ratings
    8.18.1 / 10
  42. Calypso
    CalypsoDavid Sedaris · 2018NYT bestseller Biography & memoir297 ratings
    8.18.1 / 10
  43. Revenant Gun
    Revenant GunYoon Ha Lee · 2018 Science fiction139 ratings
    8.18.1 / 10
  44. Queen of Air and Darkness
    Queen of Air and DarknessCassandra Clare · 2018 Fantasy163 ratings
    8.18.1 / 10
  45. War of the Wolf
    War of the WolfBernard Cornwell · 2018NYT bestseller Historical fiction61 ratings
    8.18.1 / 10
  46. Bad Blood
    Bad BloodJohn Carreyrou · 2018NYT bestseller Business57 ratings
    8.18.1 / 10
  47. Lethal White
    Lethal WhiteRobert Galbraith · 2018NYT bestseller Crime & mystery351 ratings
    8.18.1 / 10
  48. Salvation
    SalvationPeter F. Hamilton · 2018 Science fiction212 ratings
    8.08.0 / 10
  49. Burn Bright
    Burn BrightPatricia Briggs · 2018NYT bestseller Fantasy92 ratings
    8.08.0 / 10
  50. Dare to Lead
    Dare to LeadBrené Brown · 2018 Business190 ratings
    8.08.0 / 10
  51. Bloody Rose
    Bloody RoseNicholas Eames · 2018 Fantasy239 ratings
    8.08.0 / 10
  52. The Library Book
    The Library BookSusan Orlean · 2018NYT bestseller History245 ratings
    8.08.0 / 10
  53. A Map of Days
    A Map of DaysRansom Riggs · 2018 Fantasy82 ratings
    8.08.0 / 10
  54. 21 Lessons for the 21st Century
    21 Lessons for the 21st CenturyYuval Noah Harari · 2018NYT bestseller History503 ratings
    8.08.0 / 10
  55. A Reaper at the Gates
    A Reaper at the GatesSabaa Tahir · 2018 Young adult233 ratings
    8.08.0 / 10
  56. AI Superpowers
    AI SuperpowersKai-Fu Lee · 2018NYT bestseller Technology & IT73 ratings
    8.08.0 / 10
  57. Children of Blood and Bone
    Children of Blood and BoneTomi Adeyemi · 2018 Fantasy610 ratings
    8.08.0 / 10
  58. Elysium Fire
    Elysium FireAlastair Reynolds · 2018 Science fiction116 ratings
    8.08.0 / 10
  59. Renegades
    RenegadesCraig Alanson · 2018 Science fiction165 ratings
    7.97.9 / 10
  60. The Fall of Gondolin
    The Fall of GondolinJ. R. R. Tolkien · 2018NYT bestseller Fantasy85 ratings
    7.97.9 / 10
  61. Aru Shah and the End of Time
    Aru Shah and the End of TimeRoshani Chokshi · 2018 Fantasy92 ratings
    7.97.9 / 10
  62. The Black God’s Drums
    The Black God’s DrumsP. Djèlí Clark · 2018 Fantasy120 ratings
    7.97.9 / 10
  63. Legendary
    LegendaryStephanie Garber · 2018 Young adult575 ratings
    7.97.9 / 10
  64. The Labyrinth Index
    The Labyrinth IndexCharles Stross · 2018 Science fiction92 ratings
    7.97.9 / 10
  65. Catwoman: Soulstealer
    Catwoman: SoulstealerSarah J. Maas · 2018 Young adult64 ratings
    7.97.9 / 10
  66. Head On
    Head OnJohn Scalzi · 2018 Science fiction376 ratings
    7.97.9 / 10
  67. The Freeze-Frame Revolution
    The Freeze-Frame RevolutionPeter Watts · 2018 Science fiction133 ratings
    7.97.9 / 10
  68. The Monster Baru Cormorant
    The Monster Baru CormorantSeth Dickinson · 2018 Fantasy107 ratings
    7.97.9 / 10
  69. 9 From the Nine Worlds
    9 From the Nine WorldsRick Riordan · 2018 Fantasy50 ratings
    7.97.9 / 10
  70. Mavericks
    MavericksCraig Alanson · 2018 Science fiction170 ratings
    7.97.9 / 10
  71. The Poppy War
    The Poppy WarR.F. Kuang · 2018 Fantasy1.6K ratings
    7.97.9 / 10
  72. Fire & Blood
    Fire & BloodGeorge R. R. Martin · 2018NYT bestseller Fantasy573 ratings
    7.87.8 / 10
  73. Friday Black
    Friday BlackNana Kwame Adjei-Brenyah · 2018 Science fiction90 ratings
    7.87.8 / 10
  74. Trail of Lightning
    Trail of LightningRebecca Roanhorse · 2018 Fantasy244 ratings
    7.87.8 / 10
  75. Everything Happens for a Reason
    Everything Happens for a ReasonKate Bowler · 2018NYT bestseller Biography & memoir64 ratings
    7.87.8 / 10
  76. The Age of Surveillance Capitalism
    The Age of Surveillance CapitalismShoshana Zuboff · 2018 Business112 ratings
    7.87.8 / 10
  77. Past Tense
    Past TenseLee Child · 2018NYT bestseller Crime & mystery195 ratings
    7.87.8 / 10
  78. Beneath the Sugar Sky
    Beneath the Sugar SkySeanan McGuire · 2018 Fantasy310 ratings
    7.87.8 / 10
  79. The Bridge Kingdom
    The Bridge KingdomDanielle L. Jensen · 2018 Fantasy303 ratings
    7.87.8 / 10
  80. All Your Perfects
    All Your PerfectsColleen Hoover · 2018NYT bestseller Romance238 ratings
    7.87.8 / 10
  81. The Cruel Prince
    The Cruel PrinceHolly Black · 2018 Fantasy1.9K ratings
    7.87.8 / 10
  82. Restore Me
    Restore MeTahereh Mafi · 2018 Young adult300 ratings
    7.87.8 / 10
  83. The Fallen
    The FallenDavid Baldacci · 2018NYT bestseller Crime & mystery96 ratings
    7.87.8 / 10
  84. The Broken Girls
    The Broken GirlsSimone St. James · 2018 Crime & mystery156 ratings
    7.87.8 / 10
  85. When
    WhenDaniel H. Pink · 2018NYT bestseller Business97 ratings
    7.77.7 / 10
  86. The Fork, the Witch, and the Worm
    The Fork, the Witch, and the WormChristopher Paolini · 2018 Fantasy183 ratings
    7.77.7 / 10
  87. The Outsider
    The OutsiderStephen King · 2018NYT bestseller Horror944 ratings
    7.77.7 / 10
  88. Leah on the Offbeat
    Leah on the OffbeatBecky Albertalli · 2018 Young adult153 ratings
    7.77.7 / 10
  89. Dracul
    DraculDacre Stoker · 2018 Horror55 ratings
    7.67.6 / 10
  90. Verity
    VerityColleen Hoover · 2018NYT bestseller Romance1.9K ratings
    7.57.5 / 10
  91. What If It's Us
    What If It's UsBecky Albertalli · 2018 Young adult281 ratings
    7.57.5 / 10
  92. Only Human
    Only HumanSylvain Neuvel · 2018 Science fiction291 ratings
    7.57.5 / 10
  93. Long Road to Mercy
    Long Road to MercyDavid Baldacci · 2018NYT bestseller Crime & mystery83 ratings
    7.57.5 / 10
  94. Game Changer
    Game ChangerRachel Reid · 2018NYT bestseller Romance385 ratings
    7.57.5 / 10
  95. Normal People
    Normal PeopleSally Rooney · 2018NYT bestseller Romance2.2K ratings
    7.47.4 / 10
  96. Then She Was Gone
    Then She Was GoneLisa Jewell · 2018NYT bestseller Thriller496 ratings
    7.47.4 / 10
  97. The Reckoning
    The ReckoningJohn Grisham · 2018NYT bestseller Thriller53 ratings
    7.47.4 / 10
  98. Sensor
    SensorJunji Itō · 201880 ratings
    7.47.4 / 10
  99. Laurie
    LaurieStephen King · 2018 Horror59 ratings
    7.47.4 / 10
  100. My Year of Rest and Relaxation
    My Year of Rest and RelaxationOttessa Moshfegh · 2018 Literary fiction863 ratings
    7.37.3 / 10
  101. 12 Rules for Life
    12 Rules for LifeJordan Peterson · 2018 Psychology723 ratings
    7.37.3 / 10
  102. The Chalk Man
    The Chalk ManC.J. Tudor · 2018 Thriller253 ratings
    7.37.3 / 10
  103. My Sister, the Serial Killer
    My Sister, the Serial KillerOyinkan Braithwaite · 2018 Thriller786 ratings
    7.37.3 / 10
  104. Space Opera
    Space OperaCatherynne M. Valente · 2018 Science fiction168 ratings
    7.27.2 / 10
  105. Elevation
    ElevationStephen King · 2018NYT bestseller Thriller488 ratings
    7.17.1 / 10
  106. Nine Perfect Strangers
    Nine Perfect StrangersLiane Moriarty · 2018NYT bestseller Thriller333 ratings
    7.17.1 / 10
  107. A Court of Frost and Starlight
    A Court of Frost and StarlightSarah J. Maas · 2018NYT bestseller Fantasy1.6K ratings
    7.07.0 / 10

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