Hidden Gems: Underrated Books You Probably Haven’t Read

 Hidden Gems: Underrated Books You Probably Haven’t Read

In a world where bestsellers dominate every bookstore display and literary conversation, countless exceptional books fall through the cracks—overlooked, underappreciated, and often undiscovered. These hidden gems may not top charts or trend on social media, but they hold stories just as powerful, characters just as unforgettable, and writing just as rich as their more famous counterparts.

If you’re someone who’s looking to explore outside the mainstream literary canon, this list of underrated books is your invitation into lesser-known masterpieces that deserve your attention.

1. “The Book of Flying” by Keith Miller (2004)

Genre: Fantasy, Literary Fiction

Envision a lyrical, poetic fairy tale for grown-ups—a blend of Antoine de Saint-Exupéry and Jorge Luis Borges. The Book of Flying tells the tale of Pico, a solitary librarian with a passion for flight, who embarks on an otherworldly adventure to a city inhabited by winged beings. He meets up with pirates, poets, and odd creatures along the way in a richly detailed imaginative realm.

Why it's a hidden gem: The novel combines lovely prose with allegorical fiction and doesn't mind delving into philosophical depth. It's ideal for readers of literary fantasy who desire something beyond dragons and swords.

2. "The Liar's Club" by Mary Karr (1995)

Genre: Memoir

Although they were widely acclaimed, The Liar's Club tends to be overshadowed by more commercially successful memoirs. Karr's unflinchingly candid and lyrically written account of her childhood in East Texas is heart-wrenching and devilishly funny. It redefined the contemporary memoir and led the way for writers such as Cheryl Strayed and Jeannette Walls.

Why it's a hidden gem: Though it's had a lasting impact, most readers are unaware of it. Karr's poetic prose and snappy wit transform individual tragedy into an intense reading experience.

3. "Engine Summer" by John Crowley (1979)

Genre: Science Fiction, Post-Apocalyptic

Crowley is perhaps most famous for his literary fantasy Little, Big, but his Engine Summer is a hauntingly lovely post-apocalyptic novel that tends to get lost in the shuffle. The book concerns Rush That Speaks, a bard in a utopian society, who attempts to reconstruct the lost past of humanity.

Why it's a hidden gem: Its poetic language and unusual structure distinguish it from the usual sci-fi. This is a speculative fiction for readers who prefer thoughtful, philosophical stories.

4. "Stoner" by John Williams (1965)

Genre: Literary Fiction

William Stoner, a reserved English professor at a midwestern college, exists in a life of quiet desperation. No grand adventures, no melodramatic plot turns—just a life depicted with extraordinary tenderness and dignity. The novel was virtually overlooked for decades before re-emerging quietly due to word-of-mouth recommendation.

Why it's a hidden gem: Stoner is a masterclass in subtlety, and its emotional power creeps up on you. It's a reminder that lives that are ordinary can be profoundly moving.

5. "Geek Love" by Katherine Dunn (1989)

Genre: Dark Fiction, Magical Realism

This cult favorite is not for the squeamish. It's about a family of circus performers who deliberately mutate their children by smoking experimental drugs so that they become "freaks" to feature in their act. It's a ghoulish but somehow touching exploration of identity, love, and family.

Why it's a hidden gem: Although adored by a specialized niche, it was never popular for mainstream appeal because of its disturbing material. Nonetheless, it's an unrememberable read with deep themes hidden beneath the surreal exterior.

6. "The Summer Book" by Tove Jansson (1972)

Genre: Literary Fiction, Scandinavian

Better referred to as the author of the Moomins, Tove Jansson's adult works are deceptively powerful. The Summer Book is a series of vignettes describing the relationship between a little girl and her grandmother on a secluded Finnish island. Lean, lovely, and profoundly human, it's an exploration of nature, aging, and the uncomplicatedness of life.

Why it's a hidden gem: Its understated, observational nature means it's seldom mentioned anywhere other than literary circles. But once found, readers tend to find it profoundly moving.

7. "Fierce Attachments" by Vivian Gornick (1987)

Genre: Memoir

Gornick's rendering of her complicated relationship with her mother, against the Manhattan tenement background of her childhood, is the real thing: raw, perceptive, and unblinkingly honest. It analyzes the mother-daughter relationship with fierce intelligence and unflinching honesty.

Why it's a hidden gem: Overlooked by more trendy memoirs, Fierce Attachments is still one of the most psychologically shrewd autobiographies to have been penned.

8. "The Invention of Morel" by Adolfo Bioy Casares (1940)

Genre: Science Fiction, Philosophical Fiction

This Argentine novella, which Borges considered a perfect novel, is about a fugitive on an enigmatic island where time endlessly circles back. It's a mix of metaphysical enigmas, romance, and existential terror that's a forerunner to novels such as Lost and Black Mirror.

Why it's a hidden gem: Although hugely influential within Latin American literature, it's still relatively unknown to general readers. It's a thinking-person's mashup of science fiction and philosophy.

9. "So Long, See You Tomorrow" by William Maxwell (1980)

Genre: Literary Fiction

This novella is a moving account of a tragic friendship and a murder in rural Illinois, presented from the point of view of an adult narrator in retrospect. Maxwell's writing is spare but emotionally devastating, a reflection on memory, guilt, and what we never say.

Why it's a hidden gem: Although a National Book Award finalist, it's not often spoken of in circles among 20th-century literary masterworks. And yet it remains with all who've read it.

10. "Riddley Walker" by Russell Hoban (1980)

Genre: Dystopian Fiction

Set in post-nuclear England, this book is a novel composed entirely of a futuristic, broken English that compels readers to engage deeply within the language. It's a tale of mythology, history, and human survival storytelling.

Why it's a sleeper gem: Its difficult style repels many readers, but those who keep going are rewarded with one of the most innovative dystopian novels ever written.

Why We Ought to be Reading More Underappreciated Books

Bestsellers are current trends, but not necessarily the most cutting-edge or interesting works. Underappreciated books push us, expose us to interesting ideas, and tend to stick with us longer. They're books composed without marketing demands, instead fueled by vision and voice.

Discovering underappreciated books also promotes underappreciated writers and maintains literary vibrancy. With every bestseller, there are hundreds of equally resonant tales patiently sitting on the shelves, waiting to be unearthed.

Final Thoughts

There's something special about finding a book nobody else appears to have ever heard of—a secret treasure dug out of the book world. The above titles are just the tip of the iceberg. If you like speculative fiction, memoirs, or unobtrusive literary drama, then there's a buried gem with your name on it somewhere.

So the next time you're flipping through the bookstore or library, give the book that you've never heard of a chance. You may just find your new favorite.