10 Hidden Gem Books and Underrated Books You Must Read

10 Hidden Gem Books and Underrated Books You Must Read

Finding underrated books is like crafting a diamond. There are lots of hidden gem books available and no one talks much about those books. But no worries, I have got some really good underrated books you must read. These books are from different genres and different authors. Each one of these books offers a unique and interesting reading experience that you should not miss. In this article, I will share 10 hidden gem books and underrated books.

Hidden Gem Books and Underrated Books

Before we start, books that have not received the recognition or praise they deserve are underrated books. It doesn’t mean these books are not good, sometimes we miss these books because of bad promotion or other reasons. But thanks to the internet, finding these books is now easy. So let’s check which 10 hidden gem books are on our list-

The Shadow of the Wind

The Shadow of the Wind

  • Author: Carlos Ruiz Zafon
  • Genres: Historical Fiction, Mystery, Fantasy
  • Publish Date: January 1, 2001
  • Pages: 487

This atmospheric book will transport you to a crazy world of books, secrets, and passion. It is set in post-World War Barcelona and follows a young boy named Daniel who discovers a book from an undiscovered forgotten author. But his discovery of the author’s black history makes him become involved with a terrible plot. Salvador Zafon plays like historical fiction with a tinge of mystery and romance perfectly. The book is beautiful prose and intriguing twists but it is a love letter to literature itself. If you love books about books, it’s a must-read.

The Long Way to a Small, Angry Planet

The Long Way to a Small, Angry Planet

  • Author: Becky Chambers
  • Genres: Science Fiction, LGBT, Fantasy
  • Publish Date: January 1, 2001
  • Pages: 487

This is the book you need if you like science fiction but you’re weary of laser battles and dystopian worlds. It focuses on a bunch of humans and aliens going through space to build a wormhole. While Chambers is certainly not without grand action, it avoids the sort of adventure you would find in many sci-fi novels and instead places its focus on character development and their relationships with each other. Its cozy, optimistic vibe will feel right at home with those people who are looking for a more thoughtful, more inclusive take on the genre. But a heartwarming space adventure!

The Night Circus

The Night Circus

  • Author: Erin Morgenstern
  • Genres: Fantasy, Fiction, Romance, Young Adult
  • Publish Date: September 13, 2011
  • Pages: 506

One night, a magical circus comes and it can not open until after dark. Two magicians are locked in a fierce competition to see who can create the most amazing feats of magic, behind the tents. The stakes here are high though the results could be deadly. By all means read Morgenstern’s lyrical writing, which will make you feel like you are stepping into a dream. It’s a weirdly creepy and enchanting blend of worlds in a perfect atmosphere. A romantic, mysterious, and a little magical story that you’re unlikely to forget.

The Dispossessed

The Dispossessed

  • Author: Ursula K. Le Guin
  • Genres: Science Fiction, Fantasy, Classics
  • Publish Date: January 1, 1974
  • Pages: 387

This novel is slightly before the cutoff of 1980 but it still feels relevant and gets overlooked in conversations about dystopian literature. It’s about a physicist who lives in a world that’s divided by two ideologically opposed societies. Le Guin’s work on utopia, society, and the human condition is profound and provocative. It’s a thoughtful science fiction novel that offers readers to mull over what freedom and what it means. Le Guin’s work is challenging and beautiful, and it’s for those who like books that make them think.

The Book of Lost Things

The Book of Lost Things

  • Author: John Connolly
  • Genres: Fantasy, Fiction, Young Adult,  Adventure
  • Publish Date: November 7, 2006
  • Pages: 339

In this darkly atmospheric tale of a young boy named David who retreats into a fairy tale world after his mother dies. Part of the fairy tale world he enters is twisted and dangerous and he must get home before it gets him. I think it’s a really emotional story that kind of blends fantasy with tragedy, and that’s a really good type of story for a reader who likes fairy tales with a little bit of a darker edge. More than just a fantasy novel, the book is about loss and growing up, and it’s a gothic coming of age story.

The Ocean at the End of the Lane

The Ocean at the End of the Lane

  • Author: Neil Gaiman
  • Genres: Fantasy, Fiction, Magical Realism, Horror
  • Publish Date: June 18, 2013
  • Pages: 195

As you would expect from Neil Gaiman’s lyrical storytelling, this is not a bad book. A middle-aged man returns to his hometown to attend a funeral, where strange, supernatural, events from his childhood are starting to come back. There’s a wonderful mix of fantasy, horror, and nostalgia here that makes the book beautiful. Gaiman’s prose is fantastic; the story is a memory you can see and feel from a distance and feel from close by. It’s a book about the shadow between imagination and reality and it’s a great book about memory and wonder.

The Secret History

The Secret History

  • Author: Donna Tartt
  • Genres: Fiction, Mystery, Classics, Thriller
  • Publish Date: September 16, 1992
  • Pages: 559

If you haven’t read Donna Tartt’s haunting debut yet, you’re missing out. An ancient Greek ritual dabbling group of college students become involved in a murder in this psychological thriller. As they live their lives spiraling out of control from guilt to secrecy, to moral decay. It’s a book about obsession, morality, and the results of our doing. It’s slow-burn mystery that uses the characters’ mental states as much as it does the crime itself. The writing of Tartt is sharp and the atmosphere is rich – it will pull you in on the first page.

A Little Life

A Little Life

  • Author: Hanya Yanagihara
  • Genres: Fiction, LGBT, Adult
  • Publish Date: March 10, 2015
  • Pages: 720

“A Little Life” is a haunting and deeply emotional novel about four college friends, over several decades. The novel focuses especially on Jude’s painful past and how trauma shapes the person he will become as they struggles to navigate this. It’s intense and beautifully written. It’s a love story about friendship, trauma, and everything in between. This is not an easy read, but it’s a good read that will resonate with you long after you finish it.

Stoner

Stoner

  • Author: John Williams
  • Genres: Historical Fiction, Literature, Novel
  • Publish Date: January 1, 1965
  • Pages: 292

William Stoner, a professor at a small university, has a quiet kind of life. It looks at the intricacies of love, loss, and the search for meaning in life during his journey, but one doesn’t have to read very far to discover that. One of the rare books that sneak up on you is “Stoner.” It is subtle introspective, and deep. Williams captures the mundanity of our lives with the kind of elegance that makes you really see that mundanity as beautiful. It’s a quiet dignity of everyday life book and it is incredible and it deserves to be read more.

Neverwhere

Neverwhere

  • Author: Neil Gaiman
  • Genres: Fantasy, Fiction, Science Fiction, Horror
  • Publish Date: September 16, 1996
  • Pages: 370

A normal, average guy Richard Mayhew’s life changes when he helps a mysterious girl named Door. Richard finds himself trapped in the strange, dark world of London. The dark world of London is filled with strange rich and quirky characters. The story is filled with lots of twists and humor from the beginning. It’s like a wild tale of the dystopian future with some science fiction elements. The story is unique and it will blow your mind. Trust me you won’t be disappointed.

Conclusion

These 10 hidden gem books and underrated books might not receive the same level of fame as the best sellers but trust me they are worth reading. These books are filled with magical realism, historical mysteries, or sci-fi adventures. I can easily say that these books will surprise you. Don’t trust me? Pick one match with your test and give it a try. Who knows these underrated books might be your next favourite one. Keep reading!!

Check out the 10 Best Classic Novels Everyone Should Read

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