J.K. Rowling books have a well-deserved cult following of their own in the world of fiction. Rowling has received many accolades and sold over 500 million copies of her novels since the beginning of her career. As a result, this cemented her position as the world’s first billionaire novelist. She cuts an impressive figure for all aspiring authors who dare to dream.
Rowling is credited for bringing a revolution in the fantasy fiction genre with her Harry Potter series, which since then has inspired numerous films and spin offs. A fan-favorite, you’ll find that almost all bibliophiles have at least one installment of Harry Potter in their shelves. Such is the impact of Rowling that none can deny the brilliance of her writing and its popularity. Therefore, we bring for you the top 10 J.K. Rowling books which will sprinkle a touch of magic in your lives.
- Top 10 J.K. Rowling books
- Harry Potter and The Prisoner of Azkaban (1999)
- Harry Potter and The Half-Blood Prince (2005)
- Harry Potter and The Goblet of Fire (2000)
- Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows (2007)
- Harry Potter and The Philosopher’s Stone (1997)
- The Cuckoo’s Calling (2013)
- Harry Potter and the Order of Phoenix (2003)
- Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets (1998)
- The Casual Vacancy (2012)
- The Tales of Beedle the Bard (2008)
- Final Thoughts on J.K. Rowling Books
Top 10 J.K. Rowling books
Harry Potter and The Prisoner of Azkaban (1999)
Despite being the third book in the Harry Potter franchise, Prisoner of Azkaban remains one of the finest J.K. Rowling books, if we speak of the Potter series. It depicts Harry Potter, an adolescent wizard in his third year at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Potter is in hot pursuit of Sirius Black, a fugitive from the prison of Azkaban.
Published in 1999, Prisoner of Azkaban received many accolades shortly after its publication, including the 1999 Whitebread Children’s Book Award, the Bram Stoker Award, and the Best Fantasy Award for the Year 2000. Directors turned the novel into a feature film, which came out in 2004.
Harry Potter and The Half-Blood Prince (2005)
Even though it is the sixth book in the Harry Potter series, The Half-Blood Prince is clearly one of the best J.K. Rowling books. Its amazing narrative survives, continues, and battles its path into the hearts of readers from beginning to finish.
This installment is a tad darker than the other novels in the Potter series. Still, it includes a dash of comedy while diving into topics like loyalty, mortality, passion, and atonement. Potter, a teenage wizard in his sixth year at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, is the protagonist.
The plot delves into Lord Voldemort’s history and Potter and his headmaster Dumbledore’s preparations for the ultimate fight versus him. It won the 2006 British Book of the Year Award and other honors such as the Quill Awards for Best Children’s Book and Best Book of the Year and the Oppenheim Toy Portfolio Platinum Seal.
Harry Potter and The Goblet of Fire (2000)
The Goblet of Fire revolves around Harry’s 4th year at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. It sheds light on the enigma behind Potter’s name appearing mysteriously for the Triwizard Tournament. The rules compel him to participate with other contenders.
The tournament format made it somewhat more regulated, repetitive, and even dull at times, despite the book’s intriguing narrative. However, the fourth book in the Potter Series also happened to be the turning point in the storyline. Rowling published the novel in 2000. It quickly became one of the best-selling novels and dominated bestseller lists.
The 2001 Hugo Award for Best Novel, the Indian Paintbrush Book Award, and the Oppenheim Toy Portfolio Platinum Award were among some honors.
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows (2007)
The Deathly Hallows, brilliantly encased the storyline in a pleasurable and primarily unexpected sense. The narrative continues from where Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince (published in 2005) left off.
It focuses on Harry Potter’s last encounter with Lord Voldemort. Like all J.K. Rowling books, Deathly Hallows broke records soon after its publication. It sold 8.3 million copies in the United States and 2.65 million copies in the United Kingdom. In addition to receiving excellent ratings from reviewers, The Deathly Hallows received many accolades. The awards include the 2008 Colorado Blue Spruce Award and the American Library Association’s Best Book for Young Adults.
Rowling published the Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 1 (2010) and Part 2 (2012) in two parts to give the tale credit (2011). The novel has also spawned two action-adventure video games and a 2007 audiobook adaptation. Click here to watch a scene from the movie!
Harry Potter and The Philosopher’s Stone (1997)
The Philosopher’s Stone is the first book in the Harry Potter series. People still consider it as one of the greatest J.K. Rowling books. It narrates the humble beginnings of Harry Potter, a teenage sorcerer. He learns his supernatural ancestry when he gets a certificate of admission to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry on his eleventh birthday.
Soon, Harry discovers friendship, magic and secrets in his first adventure at Hogwarts. A grave secret chases Harry and brings him closer to a persistent saga which leads him to his arch nemesis Lord Voldemort- who also happens to be the one who murdered Harry’s parents. And as if this was not enough, Voldemort thirsts after Harry’s life.
The book was originally released in the United Kingdom in 1997 and then in the United States the following year under Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone. The book received excellent reviews and several prizes, including the National Book Award in the United Kingdom and the Smarties Award.
Directors adapted it into a feature film of the same name, which was released in 1999. Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson and Rupert Grint achieved wide acclaim for playing the trio of Harry, Hermoine and Ron in the films.
The Cuckoo’s Calling (2013)
The Cuckoo’s Calling is one of the novels in the Cormoran Strike franchise by J.K. Rowling. The novel is a crime thriller following the lives of Cormoran Strike, a crippled Afghan War veteran, and aspiring private detective. Strike’s adopted brother John Bristow asks Strike to look into the death of Charlie, Strike’s childhood companion. Strike takes up the job since he is in desperate need of some cash.
J.K. Rowling changed her pen name to Robert Galbraith before publishing, making it difficult for readers to identify the author. This is similar to how she abbreviated her name when the Harry Potter series was published.
Consequently, unlike the Potter series, the book was not a financial success, with just 1,500 copies sold since its publication in 2013. The book, however, received critical praise when it was revealed that she was the author.
Harry Potter and the Order of Phoenix (2003)
The Order of Phoenix is the fifth book in the Harry Potter series and another mystery by the British novelist. Rowling published the book in 2003. It portrays Harry Potter throughout his fifth year at Hogwarts, along with the unexpected reappearance of Lord Voldemort, the Ministry of Magic, and the O.W.L. examinations.
Within 24 hours of its release, the book had sold over five million copies and won numerous prizes. Notwithstanding being the largest book in the series, J K Rowling’s The Order of Phoenix is still one of her finest works.
Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets (1998)
Although J. K. Rowling’s Harry Potter franchise is filled with wonderful mystical chapters, The Chamber of Secrets is sadly the least spectacular.
The Philosopher’s Stone did an excellent job of establishing up Potter’s universe. Its sequel does a bit to assist readers in comprehending the world and the people who live in it. Potter’s second year at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry is chronicled in this tale.
After a series of texts show up on the walls of the school’s corridors, cautioning that the Chamber of Secrets has indeed been opened and that the heir of Slytherin intends to assassinate all students who do not come from all-magical families, Harry and his friends decide to probe the string of attacks that have terrified the entire community.
The Casual Vacancy (2012)
The Casual Vacancy is yet another novel by J.K. Rowling, centered in a suburban West Country town called Pagford and released in 2012.
The story recounts the repercussions of the loss of Barry Fairbrother, a Pagford Parish Councillor. He dies of a ruptured aneurysm in the parking lot of a nearby golf course. Conflict erupts as he attempts to choose his heir.
The Casual Vacancy, which was published in 2012 and sold over a million copies, was the fastest-selling book in the United Kingdom for three years. A book that deviates from the Cormoran Strike and Harry Potter series by J.K. Rowling, Casual Vacancy has all the makings of a superior novel. It also retains the Goodreads record for the largest reading day of all time, and it won the Best Fiction Award at the Goodreads Choice Award in 2012. It was also made into a B.B.C One T.V. drama that premiered in 2015.
The Tales of Beedle the Bard (2008)
The Tales of Beedle the Bard, is easily one of the most intriguing J.K. Rowling books, which first appeared in the last volume of Harry Potter (The Deathly Hallows). It was utilized as a fictitious book. Albus Dumbledore, the previous headmaster of Hogwarts, gave it to Hermione Granger.
The book presented the Deathly Hallows to the trio — Harry Potter, Ron Weasley, and Hermione Granger – and was best characterized as a renowned compilation of children’s stories. It was subsequently made accessible to the general public, with barely a hundred thousand copies produced to date. Rowling also donated the profits from the book sales to the Children’s High-Level Group.
Final Thoughts on J.K. Rowling Books
J.K. Rowling is now a renowned novelist, screenwriter, and director. A household name, her books have become a gold standard in children’s fiction. A whole website is dedicated to the Harry Potter series where fans can be sorted into their Hogwarts houses and can be assigned a Patronus and a wand. Discover the Wizarding World website now and see where it takes you! You can also buy the whole Harry Potter Box Set by Bloomsbury here!
What were some miserly three chapters in a briefcase became a whole fictional revolution. The Potter collection has gone on to become one of the best-selling novels in history and established Rowling as the queen of published authors. Who says we aren’t capable of magic? However, there is more to J.K. Rowling books than just Harry Potter- she continues to amaze audiences with her talent and flair for all things literary. You can also read our other curated lists, learn about The Top 9 books by Children’s Darling Author Enid Blyton.
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