Have you ever been super happy when you find a book that almost nobody talks about, and then it turns out to be really, really good? That’s what’s great about hidden gem books. They’re awesome books that don’t get much attention, but they’re just as good as the famous ones.
I think some of the best books are the ones you don’t see everywhere. It feels special to find a story that feels like it was written just for you, and not many other people have read it.
In this guide, I’m going to show you some really fantastic hidden gem books from different types of stories. I’ll also tell you what makes a book a “hidden gem” and how you can find these special books too. Let’s dive into the wonderful world of underrated books that deserve your attention!
Table of Contents
What Makes a Book a “Hidden Gem”?
What exactly qualifies as a “hidden gem” when it comes to books? It’s not just about how many people buy it or how popular it is. It’s about how good it is, how original it is, and that special feeling that makes you keep thinking about it even after you finish the last page.
Hidden gem books typically:
- Have received limited marketing or publicity
- Come from lesser-known authors or small publishing houses
- Have cult followings rather than mainstream success
- Offer unique perspectives or storytelling approaches
- Deliver exceptional quality despite their lack of recognition
The publishing industry can be surprisingly fickle. Sometimes, great books don’t get noticed because they don’t easily fit into the types of books stores like to sell. Maybe their covers don’t look exciting online, or maybe they just came out at a bad time. Other times, they might be by new writers who aren’t famous yet, or by writers from other countries who aren’t well-known in America.
No matter why, these wonderful books are out there waiting for someone to find them – and it feels really good when you do.
Literary Fiction
1.“The God of Small Things” by Arundhati Roy
Author: Arundhati Roy
Release Date: 1997
Publisher: IndiaInk (India), Random House (International)
While Roy’s debut novel won the Booker Prize, it’s still surprisingly under-read in the USA. This really good story is about twins whose lives are messed up by old Indian social rules. The writing is lovely, and the story is very sad.
2.“Stoner” by John Williams
Author: John Williams
Release Date: 1965
Publisher: Viking Press
Published in 1965, this book is about a plain English teacher’s life. It didn’t sell well at the time, so they stopped making it. But years later, people found it again, and now it’s seen as a really important book because it looks at a normal life in a quiet and deep way.
Science Fiction & Fantasy
3.“The Long Way to a Small, Angry Planet” by Becky Chambers
Author: Becky Chambers
Release Date: 2014 (self-published), 2015 (traditional)
Publisher: Hodder & Stoughton (UK), Harper Voyager (US)
This space story is more about how the characters get along and how they change as people than about big space fights. It’s warm, inclusive, and refreshingly optimistic about humanity’s future.
4.“The Gray House” by Mariam Petrosyan
Author: Mariam Petrosyan
Release Date: 2009 (Russian), 2017 (English)
Publisher: AmazonCrossing (English edition)
This magical story, translated from Russian, is a little bit like a dream. It’s about a school for kids who have disabilities. It mixes magic with the story of them growing up in a way that’s completely special and will really hold your interest.
Mystery & Thriller
5.“Drive Your Plow Over the Bones of the Dead” by Olga Tokarczuk
Author: Olga Tokarczuk
Release Date: 2009 (Polish), 2018 (English)
Publisher: Fitzcarraldo Editions (UK), Riverhead Books (US)
This mystery book is a little funny and strange. It’s written by a famous writer. It’s about an old woman trying to figure out why people are dying in a way that seems wrong in her small Polish town. It’s philosophical, darkly funny, and completely unlike standard thriller fare.
Non-Fiction Treasures That Deserve the Spotlight
6.”The Sound of a Wild Snail Eating” by Elisabeth Tova Bailey
Author: Elisabeth Tova Bailey
Release Date: 2010
Publisher: Algonquin Books
This small book is about the author’s life when she was sick and had to stay in bed. She felt a little better by watching a wild snail that lived in a glass box near her. It’s a meditative, beautiful reflection on nature and resilience.
7.“The Soul of an Octopus” by Sy Montgomery
Author: Sy Montgomery
Release Date: 2015
Publisher: Atria Books
Montgomery’s book about how smart and what kind of personality octopuses have is both full of scientific facts and makes you feel things. It challenges how we think about consciousness and connection with other species.
8.“The Warmth of Other Suns” by Isabel Wilkerson
Author: Isabel Wilkerson
Release Date: 2010
Publisher: Random House
Critics really liked this big book that tells the story of Black Americans moving from the South to the North and West. But even more people should read it because it’s based on a lot of careful research and tells a very moving story.
Young Adult and Children’s Hidden Gems
Young adult fiction can contain some of the most innovative storytelling , yet many exceptional titles get lost in the crowded marketplace.
9.“The Strange and Beautiful Sorrows of Ava Lavender” by Leslye Walton
Author: Leslye Walton
Release Date: 2014
Publisher: Candlewick Press
This book has magical things happening and is about a girl who was born with wings. It’s like a mix of fairy tales and stories that look at love, what it’s like to be different, and feeling like you fit in. The prose is lyrical and the story utterly unique.
10.“The House of the Scorpion” by Nancy Farmer
Author: Nancy Farmer
Release Date: 2002
Publisher: Atheneum Books for Young Readers
This book is about a dystopian future. It tells the story of a young clone who was made to give organs to a powerful criminal. It explores who we are and what makes us human in a very detailed and interesting way. Despite winning multiple awards, it’s often overlooked in discussions of great YA fiction.
11.“Howl’s Moving Castle” by Diana Wynne Jones
Author: Diana Wynne Jones
Release Date: 1986
Publisher: Greenwillow Books
Many people know the Studio Ghibli film but haven’t read the delightful novel that inspired it. Jones’s fantasy about a young woman transformed into an old lady by a witch’s curse is charming, witty, and deeper than it first appears.
How to Discover Hidden Gem Books
Finding these literary treasures requires a bit more effort than grabbing whatever’s on the bestseller display, but the rewards are well worth it. Here are some proven methods for uncovering hidden gems:
1. Explore Online Communities
Reddit’s r/YAlit has numerous threads dedicated to hidden gem recommendations. Goodreads groups, BookTok hashtags, and book blogs are also excellent resources for finding underrated books.
2. Ask Indie Bookstore Staff
Independent booksellers are passionate about books and often champion lesser-known titles. Tell them what you enjoy reading and ask for something off the beaten path – they’ll likely have perfect suggestions.
3. Follow Book Awards Beyond the Big Ones
While big prizes like the Pulitzer and the National Book Award get a lot of notice, smaller awards such as the Lambda Literary Awards, the Shirley Jackson Awards, or the Women’s Prize for Fiction often show off great books that aren’t in the main spotlight.
4. Check Out BookBub’s Hidden Gems Lists
BookBub often gathers lists of books that aren’t as famous as they should be, and they organize them so you can find books you’ll enjoy.
5. Look Into Translated Fiction
Books translated from other languages offer fresh perspectives and storytelling styles. Publishers like Europa Editions, New Directions, and Archipelago Books specialize in bringing international literature to English-speaking audiences.
Why Reading Hidden Gems Matters
In our algorithm-driven world, it’s easier than ever to stay within the comfortable confines of what’s popular and widely marketed. But there’s something special about discovering a book that isn’t on everyone’s radar.
Reading hidden gems:
- Exposes you to diverse voices and perspectives
- Supports lesser-known authors and small publishers
- Helps you develop your own taste rather than following trends
- Provides unique conversation starters and recommendation opportunities
- Creates a more personal relationship with your reading life
Plus, there’s that wonderful feeling of being in on a secret – knowing you’ve experienced something special that most people haven’t discovered yet.
From Hidden to Highlight: Books That Eventually Found Their Audience
Not all hidden gems stay hidden forever. Some books take years or even decades to find their audience:
“A Confederacy of Dunces” by John Kennedy Toole
Author: John Kennedy Toole
Release Date: 1980
Publisher: Louisiana State University Press
This comic masterpiece was published 11 years after its author’s suicide, thanks to his mother’s persistence. It went on to win the Pulitzer Prize and is now considered a classic of American literature.
“The Bell Jar” by Sylvia Plath
Author: Sylvia Plath
Release Date: 1963
Publisher: William Heinemann (UK), Harper & Row (US, later)
At first, this book by Plath came out under a fake name and some people didn’t like it much. But now, people see it as a really important book that explores mental illness and what society expects from women.
These examples show that just because a book is good doesn’t mean it will be popular right away. That’s why it’s even more important to look for books that aren’t just on the bestseller lists.
Ending Note: Become a Literary Treasure Hunter
Finding hidden gem books is a bit like being a treasure hunter – it takes some effort, but the rewards are immeasurable. Every time you find a great book that not many people know about, it feels like you’ve won something. It’s like a special talk between you and the writer, who has something important to say.
I encourage you to step outside your reading comfort zone. Ask for recommendations, explore unfamiliar genres, pick up books from small publishers. You can also try authors from countries whose literature you’ve never explored before.
Who knows? Your next favorite book might be one you’ve never heard of – yet.
What hidden literary treasures have you discovered? Share your own favorite hidden gem books in the comments below – let’s create our own treasure map for fellow readers!
Have you stumbled upon an amazing but underrated book? Share your discoveries with us in the comments!
