The bestseller lists I compile each month using Bookstat data offer a view of self-publishing bestsellers as well as what’s performing well outside of the biggest publishers through online retail.
On the Hidden Gems list—which looks for titles performing well outside of the Big Five—fiction has made a very strong showing, likely reflecting the summer reading season.
- The deluxe edition of Devney Perry’s romantasy Shield of Sparrows, published by Entangled’s Red Tower imprint, sits at the number-two position.
- Freida McFadden is right behind Perry at number three for her new novel The Tenant, published in print edition by Sourcebooks (McFadden publishes her own ebooks).
- Number 10 is a debut novel from the Bloom Books imprint of Sourcebooks, Hotter in the Hamptons by Tinx. Tinx is a multimillion-dollar brand known as “TikTok’s older sister” as well as the bestselling author of a 2022 self-help book. Considerable controversy has surrounded the book since release, not least because she used a ghostwriter (sub may be required).
Top 50 Hidden Gems (print)
The Hidden Gems list excludes Big Five publishers (including acquired properties like Rodale and Hay House), as well as other publishers of significant size, like Norton and Scholastic. We let you know every month what we’ve excluded, or how we’ve changed list compilation. For May 2025, we’ve excluded maps and atlases, Bibles and Bible studies, the Quran, compilations and box sets, and test prep guides.
In cases where the publisher name matches the author name, the book is listed as self-published. Keep in mind that even if a publisher name is listed, the publisher might be owned and run by the author(s).
| Rank | Title | Author | Publisher | Release Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Forgotten Home Apothecary: 250 Powerful Remedies at Your Fingertips | Nicole Apelian, PhD | Global Brother | Oct. 8, 2024 |
| 2 | Shield of Sparrows (Deluxe Limited Edition) | Devney Perry | Entangled: Red Tower Books | May 6, 2025 |
| 3 | The Tenant | Freida McFadden | Sourcebooks / Poisoned Pen Press | May 6, 2025 |
| 4 | Mom, I Want to Hear Your Story: A Mother’s Guided Journal to Share Her Life & Her Love | Jeffrey Mason | Self-published | July 19, 2019 |
| 5 | A Beautiful Year in the Bible: The 52-Week Bible Study for Women | Alabaster Co. | Alabaster Co | Sept. 24, 2024 |
| 6 | Mom’s Story: A Memory and Keepsake Journal for My Family | Korie Herold | Paige Tate & Co | Sept. 13, 2022 |
| 7 | A Navy SEAL’s Bug-In Guide: How to Turn Your House into the Safest Place on Earth | Joel Lambert | Global Brother | Jan. 1, 2024 |
| 8 | Today Loves Food: Recipes from America’s Favorite Kitchen | Emi Boscamp | Harry N. Abrams | April 29, 2025 |
| 9 | The Israel Decree: Understanding God’s Unbreakable Covenant with His People and Their Land | Amir Tsarfati | Harvest House Publishers | May 6, 2025 |
| 10 | Hotter in the Hamptons: A Novel | Tinx | Sourcebooks / Bloom Books | May 6, 2025 |
| 11 | Don’t Believe Everything You Think (Expanded Edition): Why Your Thinking Is the Beginning & End of Suffering | Joseph Nguyen | Authors Equity | Oct. 29, 2024 |
| 12 | Dad, I Want to Hear Your Story: A Father’s Guided Journal to Share His Life & His Love | Jeffrey Mason | Self-published | May 27, 2019 |
| 13 | Rewind It Back (Standard Edition) (Windy City 5) | Liz Tomforde | Entangled: Amara | May 20, 2025 |
| 14 | Releasing 10 (Deluxe Edition): An Epic, Emotional, and Addictive Romance from TikTok Phenomenon! (Boys of Tommen 6) | Chloe Walsh | Sourcebooks / Bloom Books | May 27, 2025 |
| 15 | The Book: The Ultimate Guide to Rebuilding a Civilization | HUNGRY MINDS | Self-published | Jan. 1, 2022 |
| 16 | How to Draw Everything: 300 Drawings of Cute Stuff, Animals, Food, Gifts, and Other Amazing Things | Emma Greene | Self-published | Nov. 18, 2023 |
| 17 | Cozy Friends: Coloring Book for Adults and Teens Featuring Super Cute Animal Characters with Easy and Simple Designs for Relaxation | Coco Wyo | Self-published | May 22, 2024 |
| 18 | The Psychology of Money: Timeless Lessons on Wealth, Greed, and Happiness | Morgan Housel | Harriman House | Sept. 8, 2020 |
| 19 | JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure: Part 7: Steel Ball Run, Vol. 1 | Hirohiko Araki | VIZ Media | May 27, 2025 |
| 20 | The Holistic Guide to Wellness: Herbal Protocols for Common Ailments | Nicole Apelian, PhD | Global Brother | March 20, 2023 |
| 21 | Mamá, quiero escuchar tu historia: una madre diario guiado comparte tu vida y su amor (Spanish Edition) | Jeffrey Mason | Self-published | Oct. 1, 2024 |
| 22 | Moms on Call: Basic Baby Care 0–6 Months | Laura Hunter, LPN | Moms on Call | Jan. 1, 2006 |
| 23 | Odyssey: The Greek Myths Reimagined (Stephen Fry’s Greek Myths) | Stephen Fry | Chronicle Books | May 13, 2025 |
| 24 | Chainsaw Man, Vol. 18 | Tatsuki Fujimoto | VIZ Media | May 6, 2025 |
| 25 | Stress Relief: Coloring Book for Adults and Kids, Bold and Easy, Simple and Big Designs for Relaxation | Coco Wyo | Self-published | May 4, 2024 |
| 26 | King of Envy (Kings of Sin 5) | Ana Huang | Sourcebooks / Bloom Books | April 29, 2025 |
| 27 | The Lost Book of Herbal Remedies | Claude Davis | Global Brother | Jan. 1, 2019 |
| 28 | Architectural Digest at 100: A Century of Style | Architectural Architectural Digest | Abrams | Oct. 8, 2019 |
| 29 | NO GRID Survival Projects | Claude Davis | Global Brother | Dec. 5, 2021 |
| 30 | The Backyard BBQ with Fire and Spice: Filipino- and Cajun-Inspired Recipes for the Smoker and Grill | Tony Ramirez | Harvard Common Press | May 6, 2025 |
| 31 | Aprender inglés para adultos principiantes: 7 libros en 1: ¡Habla inglés en 30 días! (Spanish Edition) | Explore ToWin | Self-published | June 5, 2024 |
| 32 | Livingood Daily: Your 21-Day Guide to Experience Real Health | Dr. Livingood | Self-published | Dec. 24, 2017 |
| 33 | Little Corner: Coloring Book for Adults and Teens, Super Cute Designs of Cozy, Hygge Spaces for Relaxation | Coco Wyo | Self-published | May 29, 2024 |
| 34 | The Mindf*ck Series | S.T. Abby | Self-published | April 3, 2019 |
| 35 | There’s Treasure Inside | Jon Collins-Black | Self-published | Nov. 12, 2024 |
| 36 | The Housemaid Is Watching | Freida McFadden | Sourcebooks / Poisoned Pen Press | June 11, 2024 |
| 37 | Adult Children of Emotionally Immature Parents: How to Heal from Distant, Rejecting, or Self-Involved Parents | Lindsay C. Gibson | New Harbinger Publications | June 1, 2015 |
| 38 | Life of Your Dreams: How to Take Your Family, Fun, and Financial Freedom to a Whole ’Notha Level | Mark Pentecost | Mission Driven Press | May 6, 2025 |
| 39 | Because I Had a Teacher | Kobi Yamada | Compendium Inc | March 1, 2017 |
| 40 | Girl Moments: Coloring Book for Adults and Teens Featuring Cute Cozy Daily Activities for Relaxation | Coco Wyo | Self-published | Oct. 26, 2024 |
| 41 | Why a Daughter Needs a Mom: Celebrate Your Special Mother Daughter Bond with this Sweet Picture Book! | Gregory E. Lang | Sourcebooks Wonderland | April 2, 2019 |
| 42 | Saga, Vol. 12 | Brian K Vaughan | Image Comics | May 13, 2025 |
| 43 | AI Engineering: Building Applications with Foundation Models | Chip Huyen | O’Reilly Media | Jan. 7, 2025 |
| 44 | The Four Agreements: A Practical Guide to Personal Freedom | Don Miguel Ruiz | Amber-Allen Publishing | Nov. 7, 1997 |
| 45 | Grandma’s Story: A Memory and Keepsake Journal for My Family | Korie Herold | Paige Tate & Co | Dec. 21, 2021 |
| 46 | Theo of Golden | Allen Levi | Allen Levi | Oct. 11, 2023 |
| 47 | Lights Out: An Into Darkness Novel | Navessa Allen | Zando Slowburn | Feb. 3, 2030 |
| 48 | Tell Me Your Life Story, Mom: A Mother’s Guided Journal and Memory Keepsake Book | Questions About Me | Self-published | April 18, 2021 |
| 49 | See You Later, Alligator | Sally Hopgood | Sky Pony Press | Sept. 20, 2016 |
| 50 | Heaven Official’s Blessing: Tian Guan Ci Fu (Deluxe Hardcover Novel), Vol. 4 | Mo Xiang Tong Xiu | Seven Seas | May 13, 2025 |
Top 50 Self-Published Ebooks
| Rank | Title | Author | Release Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | The Tenant | Freida McFadden | May 6, 2025 |
| 2 | King of Envy (Kings of Sin 5) | Ana Huang | April 29, 2025 |
| 3 | Rewind It Back (Windy City 5) | Liz Tomforde | May 20, 2025 |
| 4 | The Things We Water | Mariana Zapata | May 2, 2025 |
| 5 | The Pucking Wrong Rookie: A Hockey Romance (Pucking Wrong 5) | C.R. Jane | May 13, 2025 |
| 6 | Rebound: A Standalone, Second Chance Romance (Manhattan Ruthless) | Sadie Kincaid | April 25, 2025 |
| 7 | The Rejected Wife: A Single Dad Nanny Billionaire Romance (Davenports 5) | L. Steele | May 6, 2025 |
| 8 | The Pretend Fiancé Fiasco (Copper Valley Bro Code 6) | Pippa Grant | May 8, 2025 |
| 9 | King of Wrath (Kings of Sin 1) | Ana Huang | Oct. 20, 2022 |
| 10 | Bridesmaid by Chance | Meghan Quinn | April 15, 2025 |
| 11 | When We Break: A Small Town, Cowboy Romance (Blackwells of Montana 2) | Kristen Proby | May 8, 2025 |
| 12 | Zodiac Academy: The Awakening | Caroline Peckham | Aug. 2, 2019 |
| 13 | The Crash | Freida McFadden | Jan. 28, 2025 |
| 14 | Haunting Adeline (Cat and Mouse Duet 1) | H.D. Carlton | Aug. 12, 2021 |
| 15 | Wild Side | Elsie Silver | March 4, 2025 |
| 16 | Gild (Plated Prisoner 1) | Raven Kennedy | Oct. 16, 2020 |
| 17 | Protecting Addison (SEAL of Protection: Alliance 5) | Susan Stoker | May 6, 2025 |
| 18 | Wild Love (Rose Hill 1) | Elsie Silver | April 9, 2024 |
| 19 | The Boyfriend: A Psychological Thriller | Freida McFadden | Oct. 1, 2024 |
| 20 | The Serpent and the Wings of Night (Crowns of Nyaxia 1) | Carissa Broadbent | Aug. 30, 2022 |
| 21 | Wildest Dreams: An Enemies to Lovers Romance (Forbidden Love 2) | L.J. Shen | April 8, 2025 |
| 22 | Gleam (Plated Prisoner 3) | Raven Kennedy | May 31, 2021 |
| 23 | Dirty Grovel (Pavlov Bratva 2) | Naomi West | April 16, 2025 |
| 24 | Zodiac Academy 4: Shadow Princess | Caroline Peckham, Susanne Valenti | Jan. 13, 2020 |
| 25 | Direbound: A Dark Romantasy (The Wolves of Ruin 1) | Sable Sorensen | Feb. 26, 2025 |
| 26 | Zodiac Academy 5: Cursed Fates | Caroline Peckham, Susanne Valenti | May 20, 2020 |
| 27 | The Ritual: A Dark College Romance | Shantel Tessier | Nov. 19, 2021 |
| 28 | Flawless: A Small Town Enemies to Lovers Romance | Elsie Silver | June 24, 2022 |
| 29 | Heartless: A Small Town Single Dad Romance | Elsie Silver | Oct. 14, 2022 |
| 30 | Stolen Dreams: A Single Dad, Workplace, Enemies to Lovers, Age Gap Romance (Dream Series 4) | Natasha Madison | May 9, 2025 |
| 31 | Zodiac Academy 7: Heartless Sky | Caroline Peckham, Susanne Valenti | Dec. 18, 2021 |
| 32 | The Best of Us | Brittney Sahin | May 15, 2025 |
| 33 | Forged in Blood: A Dark Paranormal/Fantasy Romance (Broken Bloodlines 1) | Sadie Kincaid | Oct. 22, 2024 |
| 34 | Glow (Plated Prisoner 4) | Raven Kennedy | June 18, 2022 |
| 35 | Mile High (Windy City 1) | Liz Tomforde | June 7, 2022 |
| 36 | God of Malice: A Dark College Romance (Legacy of Gods 1) | Rina Kent | July 14, 2022 |
| 37 | The Carver (Fifth Republic 2) | Penelope Sky | Feb. 21, 2025 |
| 38 | Zodiac Academy 6: Fated Throne | Caroline Peckham, Susanne Valenti | Dec. 25, 2020 |
| 39 | Zodiac Academy 2: Ruthless Fae | Caroline Peckham, Susanne Valenti | Aug. 30, 2019 |
| 40 | The Saint (Fifth Republic 3) | Penelope Sky | April 1, 2025 |
| 41 | Heat of the Everflame (Kindred’s Curse 3) | Penn Cole | Sept. 12, 2023 |
| 42 | Zodiac Academy 3: The Reckoning | Caroline Peckham, Susanne Valenti | Oct. 4, 2019 |
| 43 | Glint (Plated Prisoner 2) | Raven Kennedy | Jan. 11, 2021 |
| 44 | Spotlight (Holland Brothers 4) | Rebecca Jenshak | May 15, 2025 |
| 45 | Last Witch Attempt (Wicked Witches of the Midwest 26) | Amanda M. Lee | May 6, 2025 |
| 46 | Bridesmaid for Hire | Meghan Quinn | April 2, 2024 |
| 47 | The Accidental Marriage: A Grumpy Billionaire Romance (Huxleys) | Nadia Lee | April 4, 2025 |
| 48 | Dirty Damage (Pavlov Bratva 1) | Naomi West | April 16, 2025 |
| 49 | Twisted Love | Ana Huang | April 29, 2021 |
| 50 | Crescent Kingdom (Wolves of Crescent Creek 1) | Tessa Hale | April 23, 2025 |
Top 50 Self-Published Print Books
Box sets are excluded from this list.
| Rank | Title | Author | Release Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Forgotten Home Apothecary: 250 Powerful Remedies at Your Fingertips | Nicole Apelian, PhD | Oct. 8, 2024 |
| 2 | Mom, I Want to Hear Your Story: A Mother’s Guided Journal to Share Her Life & Her Love | Jeffrey Mason | July 19, 2019 |
| 3 | Mom’s Story: A Memory and Keepsake Journal for My Family | Korie Herold | Sept. 13, 2022 |
| 4 | A Navy SEAL’s Bug-In Guide: How to Turn Your House into the Safest Place on Earth | Joel Lambert | Jan. 1, 2024 |
| 5 | Dad, I Want to Hear Your Story: A Father’s Guided Journal to Share His Life & His Love | Jeffrey Mason | May 27, 2019 |
| 6 | The Book: The Ultimate Guide to Rebuilding a Civilization | HUNGRY MINDS | Jan. 1, 2022 |
| 7 | How to Draw Everything: 300 Drawings of Cute Stuff, Animals, Food, Gifts, and Other Amazing Things | Emma Greene | Nov. 18, 2023 |
| 8 | Cozy Friends: Coloring Book for Adults and Teens Featuring Super Cute Animal Characters with Easy and Simple Designs for Relaxation | Coco Wyo | May 22, 2024 |
| 9 | The Holistic Guide to Wellness: Herbal Protocols for Common Ailments | Nicole Apelian, PhD | March 20, 2023 |
| 10 | Mamá, quiero escuchar tu historia: una madre diario guiado comparte tu vida y su amor (Spanish Edition) | Jeffrey Mason | Oct. 1, 2024 |
| 11 | Moms on Call: Basic Baby Care 0–6 Months | Laura Hunter, LPN | Jan. 1, 2006 |
| 12 | Stress Relief: Coloring Book for Adults and Kids, Bold and Easy, Simple and Big Designs for Relaxation | Coco Wyo | May 4, 2024 |
| 13 | The Lost Book of Herbal Remedies | Claude Davis | Jan. 1, 2019 |
| 14 | NO GRID Survival Projects | Claude Davis | Dec. 5, 2021 |
| 15 | Aprender inglés para adultos principiantes: 7 libros en 1: ¡Habla inglés en 30 días! (Spanish Edition) | Explore ToWin | June 5, 2024 |
| 16 | Livingood Daily: Your 21-Day Guide to Experience Real Health | Dr. Livingood | Dec. 24, 2017 |
| 17 | Little Corner: Coloring Book for Adults and Teens, Super Cute Designs of Cozy, Hygge Spaces for Relaxation | Coco Wyo | May 29, 2024 |
| 18 | The Mindf*ck Series | S.T. Abby | April 3, 2019 |
| 19 | There’s Treasure Inside | Jon Collins-Black | Nov. 12, 2024 |
| 20 | Girl Moments: Coloring Book for Adults and Teens Featuring Cute Cozy Daily Activities for Relaxation | Coco Wyo | Oct. 26, 2024 |
| 21 | Grandma’s Story: A Memory and Keepsake Journal for My Family | Korie Herold | Dec. 21, 2021 |
| 22 | Tell Me Your Life Story, Mom: A Mother’s Guided Journal and Memory Keepsake Book | Questions About Me | April 18, 2021 |
| 23 | Don’t Believe Everything You Think: Why Your Thinking Is the Beginning & End of Suffering | Joseph Nguyen | March 28, 2022 |
| 24 | How to Draw Patterns: Easy and Fun Step-by-Step Guide for Unique Creations | Coco Wyo | March 27, 2025 |
| 25 | Zodiac Academy 5: Cursed Fates | Caroline Peckham, Susanne Valenti | May 13, 2025 |
| 26 | Would You Rather Book For Kids: 300+ Hilarious, Silly, and Challenging Questions to Make You Laugh | Stephen J. Ellis | Sept. 22, 2021 |
| 27 | The Simple Path to Wealth: Your Road Map to Financial Independence and a Rich, Free Life | J L Collins | June 18, 2016 |
| 28 | The Complete Home Apothecary Book: 401 Easy, Step-by-Step Herbal Remedies and Powerful Blends to Relieve Pain, Boost Immunity, Improve Sleep, and Restore Balance Naturally | Ava Green | Feb. 6, 2025 |
| 29 | Haunting Adeline (Cat and Mouse Duet 1) | H.D. Carlton | Aug. 13, 2021 |
| 30 | Grandmother, I Want to Hear Your Story: A Grandmother’s Guided Journal to Share Her Life & Her Love | Jeffrey Mason | July 28, 2019 |
| 31 | Spanish for Real: The Language Learning Workbook to Help You Speak Just Like the Locals, with Common Slang Words, Flirty Phrases, and Grammar Rules to Live By! | La Cucaracha Sara | Dec. 10, 2024 |
| 32 | Hunting Adeline (Cat and Mouse Duet 2) | H.D. Carlton | Jan. 25, 2022 |
| 33 | The Tears That Taught Me | Morgan Richard Olivier | March 1, 2022 |
| 34 | A Letter from Your Teacher: On the Last Day of School | Shannon Olsen | March 30, 2022 |
| 35 | The Amish Ways | Eddie Swartzentruber | Oct. 8, 2024 |
| 36 | Our Little Adventures: Stories Featuring Foundational Language Concepts for Growing Minds | Tabitha Paige | Oct. 20, 2020 |
| 37 | The Lost Ways | Claude Davis | Jan. 1, 2016 |
| 38 | Dad’s Story: A Memory and Keepsake Journal for My Family | Korie Herold | Sept. 13, 2022 |
| 39 | The Easiest Mediterranean Diet Cookbook for Seniors: A Complete Evidence-Based Guide to Healthy Eating, Weight Management, and Longevity | Mary Ellsworth | March 12, 2025 |
| 40 | Mental Toughness for Young Athletes: Eight Proven 5-Minute Mindset Exercises for Kids and Teens Who Play Competitive Sports | Troy Horne | May 2, 2020 |
| 41 | The Complete Self Healing Collection of Natural Herbal Remedies Inspired by Barbara O’Neill | Clara Whitfield | Nov. 30, 2024 |
| 42 | 100 Amazing Patterns: An Adult Coloring Book with Fun, Easy, and Relaxing Coloring Pages | Jade Summer | July 15, 2019 |
| 43 | Setting the Captives Free: Deliverance Manual | Bev Tucker | Feb. 11, 2019 |
| 44 | Self-Love: Girl Therapy Coloring Book to Inspire Yourself and Love Who You Are | Hikaru Kotz | Nov. 23, 2024 |
| 45 | Mystery in Rocky Mountain National Park (National Park Mystery) | Aaron Johnson | May 22, 2022 |
| 46 | Raised by a Killer: Extreme Horror (The Complete Series) | Sea Caummisar | Feb. 10, 2025 |
| 47 | On Wings of Blood (Bloodwing Academy) | Briar Boleyn | Oct. 31, 2024 |
| 48 | What Should Danny Do? (Power to Choose Series) | Adir Levy | May 17, 2017 |
| 49 | The Ritual: A Dark College Romance | Shantel Tessier | Dec. 1, 2021 |
| 50 | Love, Mom: A Fast-Paced Psychological Thriller with Several Twists | Iliana Xander | Oct. 31, 2024 |
Jane Friedman has spent her entire career working in the publishing industry, with a focus on business reporting and author education. Established in 2015, her newsletter The Bottom Line provides nuanced market intelligence to thousands of authors and industry professionals; in 2023, she was named Publishing Commentator of the Year by Digital Book World.
Jane’s expertise regularly features in major media outlets such as The New York Times, The Atlantic, NPR, The Today Show, Wired, The Guardian, Fox News, and BBC. Her book, The Business of Being a Writer, Second Edition (The University of Chicago Press), is used as a classroom text by many writing and publishing degree programs. She reaches thousands through speaking engagements and workshops at diverse venues worldwide, including NYU’s Advanced Publishing Institute, Frankfurt Book Fair, and numerous MFA programs.
