In partnership with Bookstat, we are proud to offer three distinctive monthly bestseller lists.1
- Top 50 Self-Published Print Books (online sales only)
- Top 50 Self-Published Ebooks
- Top 50 Hidden Gems (print, online sales only) — includes traditionally and self-published books
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 January 2025, we’ve excluded maps and atlases, Bibles and Bible studies, comics/manga compilations, box sets, educational workbooks and activity books for kids, 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 | Dr. Nicole Apelian | Global Brother | Oct. 8, 2024 |
| 2 | Inner Excellence: Train Your Mind for Extraordinary Performance and the Best Possible life | Jim Murphy | Self-published | May 1, 2020 |
| 3 | Four Ruined Realms, Deluxe Limited Edition (Broken Blades 2) | Mai Corland | Entangled: Red Tower Books | Jan. 7, 2025 |
| 4 | The Crash | Freida McFadden | Poisoned Pen Press/Sourcebooks | Jan. 28, 2025 |
| 5 | Melania | Melania Trump | Skyhorse Publishing | Oct. 8, 2024 |
| 6 | 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 |
| 7 | Phantom | H.D. Carlton | Self-published | Jan. 14, 2025 |
| 8 | Girl Moments: Coloring Book for Adults and Teens Featuring Cute Cozy Daily Activities for Relaxation | Coco Wyo | Self-published | Oct. 26, 2024 |
| 9 | Little Corner: Coloring Book for Adults and Teens, Super Cute Designs of Cozy, Hygge Spaces for Relaxation | Coco Wyo | Self-published | May 29, 2024 |
| 10 | 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 |
| 11 | The Psychology of Money: Timeless Lessons on Wealth, Greed, and Happiness | Morgan Housel | Harriman House | Sept. 8, 2020 |
| 12 | What If YOU Are the Answer? And 26 Other Questions That Just Might Change Your Life | Rachel Hollis | Authors Equity | Jan. 7, 2025 |
| 13 | Barbara O’Neill’s Forgotten Home Remedies Apothecary | Margaret Willowbrook | Self-published | Dec. 3, 2024 |
| 14 | Stress Relief: Coloring Book for Adults and Kids, Bold and Easy, Simple and Big Designs for Relaxation Featuring Animals, Landscape, Flowers, Patterns, Cute Things and Many More | Coco Wyo | Self-published | May 4, 2024 |
| 15 | The Holistic Guide to Wellness: Herbal Protocols for Common Ailments | Nicole Apelian | Global Brother | March 20, 2023 |
| 16 | Don’t Believe Everything You Think, Expanded Edition: Why Your Thinking Is the Beginning & End of Suffering | Joseph Nguyen | Authors Equity | Oct. 29, 2024 |
| 17 | Save America | Donald J Trump | Winning Team Publishing | Sept. 3, 2024 |
| 18 | AI Engineering: Building Applications with Foundation Models | Chip Huyen | O’Reilly Media | Jan. 7, 2025 |
| 19 | Don’t Believe Everything You Think: Why Your Thinking Is the Beginning & End of Suffering | Joseph Nguyen | Self-published | March 28, 2022 |
| 20 | Unreasonable Hospitality: The Remarkable Power of Giving People More Than They Expect | Will Guidara | OptimismPress | Jan. 1, 2022 |
| 21 | Livingood Daily: Your 21-Day Guide to Experience Real Health | Dr. Livingood | Self-published | Dec. 24, 2017 |
| 22 | The Lost Book of Herbal Remedies | Claude Davis | Global Brother | Jan. 1, 2019 |
| 23 | The Housemaid Is Watching | Freida McFadden | Poisoned Pen Press/Sourcebooks | June 11, 2024 |
| 24 | 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 |
| 25 | There’s Treasure Inside | Jon Collins-Black | Self-published | Nov. 12, 2024 |
| 26 | Fuzzy Hygge: Cute and Cozy Coloring Book for Adults & Teens Featuring Adorable Animals Characters for Stress Relief | Vivi Tinta | Self-published | May 24, 2024 |
| 27 | Architectural Digest at 100: A Century of Style | Architectural Architectural Digest | Abrams | Oct. 8, 2019 |
| 28 | Carnivore in the Kitchen: A Fresh and Fun Approach to Meat-Based Meals | Courtney Luna | Victory Belt Publishing | Oct. 1, 2024 |
| 29 | Real Anthony Fauci: Bill Gates, Big Pharma, and the Global War on Democracy and Public Health | Robert F. Kennedy Jr. | Skyhorse Publishing | Nov. 16, 2021 |
| 30 | The Mindf*ck Series | S.T. Abby | Self-published | April 3, 2019 |
| 31 | The Boyfriend | Freida McFadden | Poisoned Pen Press/Sourcebooks | Oct. 1, 2024 |
| 32 | The Constitution of the United States of America: The Declaration of Independence, The Bill of Rights | Founding Fathers | East India Publishing Company | Aug. 20, 2020 |
| 33 | The Muscle Ladder: Get Jacked Using Science | Jeff Nippard | Victory Belt Publishing | Dec. 31, 2024 |
| 34 | I Wrote a Book about You: A Fun, Fill-in-the-Blank Book | M.H. Clark | Compendium Inc | Feb. 7, 2017 |
| 35 | Lights Out (Into Darkness 1) | Navessa Allen | Zando – Slowburn | Aug. 6, 2024 |
| 36 | Comfy Days: Coloring Book for Adults and Teens Featuring Super Cute Animal Characters in Cozy Hygge Moments for Relaxation | Coco Wyo | Self-published | July 9, 2024 |
| 37 | 100 QUEST Color by Number: Squares + Triangles + Hexagons + Circles (Black Backgrounds) | Sunlife Drawing | Self-published | Jan. 1, 2023 |
| 38 | The Mountain Is You: Transforming Self-Sabotage into Self-Mastery | Brianna Wiest | Thought Catalog Books | June 1, 2020 |
| 39 | The Lost Ways | Claude Davis | Global Brother | Jan. 1, 2016 |
| 40 | The Four Agreements: A Practical Guide to Personal Freedom | Don Miguel Ruiz | Amber-Allen Publishing | Nov. 7, 1997 |
| 41 | Chainsaw Man, Vol. 17 | Tatsuki Fujimoto | VIZ Media | Jan. 7, 2025 |
| 42 | Man’s Search for Meaning | Viktor E. Frankl | Beacon Press | June 1, 2006 |
| 43 | Comfy Patterns: Coloring Book for Adults and Kids, Bold and Easy, Simple and Big Designs for Relaxation Featuring Lovely Cozy Pattern and Mandala | Coco Wyo | Self-published | May 4, 2024 |
| 44 | Meditations | Marcus Aurelius | Fingerprint! Publishing | Feb. 15, 2023 |
| 45 | 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 |
| 46 | Can’t Hurt Me: Master Your Mind and Defy the Odds | David Goggins | Self-published | Dec. 10, 2018 |
| 47 | 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 |
| 48 | The Man behind the Maps | Jason Blevins, Ben Farrow | Open Road Ski Company | Jan. 1, 2019 |
| 49 | Never Lie | Freida McFadden | Poisoned Pen Press | Dec. 5, 2023 |
| 50 | The 5 Second Rule: Transform Your Life, Work, and Confidence with Everyday Courage | Mel Robbins | Savio Republic | Dec. 27, 2024 |
Top 50 Self-Published Ebooks
| Rank | Title | Author | Release Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | The Boyfriend: A Psychological Thriller | Freida McFadden | Oct. 1, 2024 |
| 2 | The Crash | Freida McFadden | Jan. 28, 2025 |
| 3 | Promise Me Forever (Manhattan Ruthless 2) | Sadie Kincaid | Jan. 10, 2025 |
| 4 | The Path to Loving Him | Meghan Quinn | Jan. 7, 2025 |
| 5 | Don’t Let Her Stay: An Unputdownable Psychological Thriller with a Breathtaking Twist | Nicola Sanders | Feb. 9, 2023 |
| 6 | Haunting Adeline (Cat and Mouse Duet 1) | H.D. Carlton | Aug. 12, 2021 |
| 7 | Inked Athena (Litvinov Bratva 2) | Nicole Fox | Jan. 1, 2025 |
| 8 | Wild Love (Rose Hill 1) | Elsie Silver | April 9, 2024 |
| 9 | Inked Adonis (Litvinov Bratva 1) | Nicole Fox | Jan. 1, 2025 |
| 10 | Zodiac Academy: The Awakening (Zodiac Academy 1) | Caroline Peckham, Susanne Valenti | Aug. 2, 2019 |
| 11 | Twisted Love | Ana Huang | April 29, 2021 |
| 12 | The Serpent and the Wings of Night (Crowns of Nyaxia 1) | Carissa Broadbent | Aug. 30, 2022 |
| 13 | The Proposal Play (Love and Hockey 3) | Lauren Blakely | Jan. 8, 2025 |
| 14 | Steal My Heart: A Small Town, Enemies to Lovers, Workplace Romance (Rosewood River 1) | Laura Pavlov | Jan. 9, 2025 |
| 15 | Bad Little Bride: An Enemies-to-Lovers Romance | Meagan Brandy | Jan. 7, 2025 |
| 16 | The Ritual: A Dark College Romance | Shantel Tessier | Nov. 19, 2021 |
| 17 | Heat of the Everflame (Kindred’s Curse 3) | Penn Cole | Sept. 12, 2023 |
| 18 | Spark of the Everflame (Kindred’s Curse 1) | Penn Cole | June 1, 2023 |
| 19 | Zodiac Academy: Cursed Fates (Zodiac Academy 5) | Caroline Peckham, Susanne Valenti | May 20, 2020 |
| 20 | Hunting Adeline (Cat and Mouse Duet 2) | H.D. Carlton | Jan. 28, 2022 |
| 21 | Zodiac Academy: Shadow Princess (Zodiac Academy 4) | Caroline Peckham, Susanne Valenti | Jan. 13, 2020 |
| 22 | Never Lie | Freida McFadden | Sept. 19, 2022 |
| 23 | Just Like That (Kings 4) | Lena Hendrix | Jan. 20, 2025 |
| 24 | Devil’s Thirst: A Mafia Stalker Romance (Moretti Men 1) | Jill Ramsower | Dec. 27, 2024 |
| 25 | Credence | Penelope Douglas | Jan. 13, 2020 |
| 26 | Forged in Blood: A Dark Paranormal/Fantasy Romance (Broken Bloodlines 1) | Sadie Kincaid | Oct. 22, 2024 |
| 27 | Forbidden Dreams : A Small Town, Single Mom, Enemies to Lovers, Workplace Romance (Dreams 2) | Natasha Madison | Jan. 3, 2025 |
| 28 | Quasim: King Inferno (Season Four: Inferno Gods 1) | Jahquel J. | Jan. 18, 2025 |
| 29 | Zodiac Academy: The Reckoning (Zodiac Academy 3) | Caroline Peckham, Susanne Valenti | Oct. 4, 2019 |
| 30 | The Ashes and the Star-Cursed King (Crowns of Nyaxia 2) | Carissa Broadbent | April 14, 2023 |
| 31 | The Teacher: A Psychological Thriller | Freida McFadden | Feb. 6, 2024 |
| 32 | Zodiac Academy: Ruthless Fae (Zodiac Academy 2) | Caroline Peckham, Susanne Valenti | Aug. 30, 2019 |
| 33 | God of Malice: A Dark College Romance (Legacy of Gods 1) | Rina Kent | July 14, 2022 |
| 34 | Zodiac Academy: Heartless Sky (Zodiac Academy 7) | Caroline Peckham, Susanne Valenti | Dec. 18, 2021 |
| 35 | Say You Swear | Meagan Brandy | Feb. 16, 2022 |
| 36 | Zodiac Academy: Fated Throne (Zodiac Academy 6) | Caroline Peckham, Susanne Valenti | Dec. 25, 2020 |
| 37 | War: Boston Bolts Hockey | Brittanee Nicole | Jan. 2, 2025 |
| 38 | Broken (Manhattan Ruthless 1) | Sadie Kincaid | July 16, 2024 |
| 39 | Things We Never Got Over (Knockemout 1) | Lucy Score | Jan. 13, 2022 |
| 40 | Twisted Games | Ana Huang | July 29, 2021 |
| 41 | Deserving Ryleigh (Refuge 7) | Susan Stoker | Jan. 7, 2025 |
| 42 | Glow of the Everflame (Kindred’s Curse 2) | Penn Cole | July 18, 2023 |
| 43 | Boys Who Hunt (Spine Ridge University 4) | Clarissa Wild | Dec. 27, 2024 |
| 44 | The Deal (Off-Campus 1) | Elle Kennedy | Feb. 24, 2015 |
| 45 | The Art of You | Brittney Sahin | Jan. 9, 2025 |
| 46 | Heartless: A Small Town Single Dad Romance | Elsie Silver | Oct. 14, 2022 |
| 47 | Field of Bones (Maddie Castle 6) | L.T. Ryan | Jan. 14, 2025 |
| 48 | Zodiac Academy: Sorrow and Starlight (Zodiac Academy 8) | Caroline Peckham, Susanne Valenti | Dec. 11, 2022 |
| 49 | The Inmate: A Gripping Psychological Thriller | Freida McFadden | June 13, 2022 |
| 50 | Metal Slinger (Fire & Metal 1) | Rachel Schneider | May 12, 2024 |
Top 50 Self-Published Print Books
Box sets are excluded from this list.
| Rank | Title | Author | Release Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Phantom | H.D. Carlton | Jan. 14, 2025 |
| 2 | Girl Moments: Coloring Book for Adults and Teens Featuring Cute Cozy Daily Activities for Relaxation | Coco Wyo | Oct. 26, 2024 |
| 3 | Little Corner: Coloring Book for Adults and Teens, Super Cute Designs of Cozy, Hygge Spaces for Relaxation | Coco Wyo | May 29, 2024 |
| 4 | 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 |
| 5 | Barbara O’Neill’s Forgotten Home Remedies Apothecary | Margaret Willowbrook | Dec. 3, 2024 |
| 6 | Stress Relief: Coloring Book for Adults and Kids, Bold and Easy, Simple and Big Designs for Relaxation Featuring Animals, Landscape, Flowers, Patterns, Cute Things and Many More | Coco Wyo | May 4, 2024 |
| 7 | Don’t Believe Everything You Think: Why Your Thinking Is the Beginning & End of Suffering | Joseph Nguyen | March 28, 2022 |
| 8 | Livingood Daily: Your 21-Day Guide to Experience Real Health | Dr. Livingood | Dec. 24, 2017 |
| 9 | Mom, I Want to Hear Your Story: A Mother’s Guided Journal to Share Her Life & Her Love | Jeffrey Mason | July 19, 2019 |
| 10 | There’s Treasure Inside | Jon Collins-Black | Nov. 12, 2024 |
| 11 | Fuzzy Hygge: Cute and Cozy Coloring Book for Adults & Teens Featuring Adorable Animals Characters for Stress Relief | Vivi Tinta | May 24, 2024 |
| 12 | The Mindf*ck Series | S.T. Abby | April 3, 2019 |
| 13 | Comfy Days: Coloring Book for Adults and Teens Featuring Super Cute Animal Characters in Cozy Hygge Moments for Relaxation | Coco Wyo | July 9, 2024 |
| 14 | 100 QUEST Color By Number: Squares + Triangles + Hexagons + Circles (Black Backgrounds) | Sunlife Drawing | Jan. 1, 2023 |
| 15 | Comfy Patterns: Coloring Book for Adults and Kids, Bold and Easy, Simple and Big Designs for Relaxation Featuring Lovely Cozy Pattern and Mandala | Coco Wyo | May 4, 2024 |
| 16 | Dad, I Want to Hear Your Story: A Father’s Guided Journal to Share His Life & His Love | Jeffrey Mason | May 27, 2019 |
| 17 | The Man behind the Maps | Jason Blevins, Ben Farrow | Jan. 1, 2019 |
| 18 | Spooky Cutie: Coloring Book for Adults and Teens Featuring Adorable Creepy Creatures in Cozy Hygge Moments for Relaxation | Coco Wyo | July 9, 2024 |
| 19 | Simple Art: Coloring Book for Adults and Teens, Bold and Easy Designs for Relaxation with Minimalist Features | Coco Wyo | July 31, 2024 |
| 20 | Hunting Adeline (Cat and Mouse Duet 2) | H.D. Carlton | Jan. 25, 2022 |
| 21 | Haunting Adeline (Cat and Mouse Duet 1) | H.D. Carlton | Aug. 13, 2021 |
| 22 | Cozy & Cute: Coloring Book for Adults and Teens, Bold and Easy Designs for Relaxation with Hygge Inspirations | Coco Wyo | Aug. 21, 2024 |
| 23 | 2025 Vision Board Clip Art Book: 500+ Extensive Collection of Powerful Pictures, Quotes, Words, and Affirmations to Create Dream Boards for Women & Men | Olivia Everly | Aug. 30, 2024 |
| 24 | Ward D: A Gripping Psychological Thriller | Freida McFadden | May 8, 2023 |
| 25 | Cute & Groovy: Coloring Book for Adults and Kids, Bold and Easy, Simple and Big Designs for Relaxation Featuring Lovely Things | Coco Wyo | April 1, 2024 |
| 26 | Into Gardens: Bold & Easy Coloring Book Featuring Plants, Flowers, and Cute Animals for Adults and Teens | Coco Wyo | Oct. 31, 2024 |
| 27 | Cozy Spaces: Coloring Book for Adults and Teens Featuring Relaxing Familiar Corners with Cute Animal Characters for Stress Relief | Coco Wyo | March 9, 2024 |
| 28 | The Great Gatsby, Original 1925 Edition | F Scott Fitzgerald | Sept. 1, 2022 |
| 29 | Monthly Bill Payment Checklist: Bill Tracker Notebook | Hamish Berrani | Jan. 12, 2024 |
| 30 | Rich Dad Poor Dad: What the Rich Teach Their Kids about Money That the Poor and Middle Class Do Not! | Robert T. Kiyosaki | April 5, 2022 |
| 31 | Emotional Intelligence 2.0 | Travis Bradberry | June 16, 2009 |
| 32 | The Inner Work of Relationships: An Invitation to Heal Your Inner Child and Create a Conscious Relationship Together | Mathew Micheletti | March 18, 2024 |
| 33 | Phantom | H.D. Carlton | Jan. 14, 2025 |
| 34 | Trippy & Groovy: Psychedelic Coloring Book for Adults Featuring Mushrooms, Aliens, Magic Worlds and Illusions for Relaxation | Hikaru Kotz | Aug. 16, 2024 |
| 35 | The Housemaid’s Wedding: A Short Story | Freida McFadden | Nov. 4, 2024 |
| 36 | The Simple Path to Wealth: Your Road Map to Financial Independence and a Rich, Free Life | JL Collins | June 18, 2016 |
| 37 | The Power of Discipline: How to Use Self Control and Mental Toughness to Achieve Your Goals | Daniel Walter | April 8, 2020 |
| 38 | Allen Carr’s Easy Way to Stop Smoking | Allen Carr | Nov. 17, 2011 |
| 39 | Real Food for Pregnancy: The Science and Wisdom of Optimal Prenatal Nutrition | Lily Nichols | Feb. 21, 2018 |
| 40 | The Survival Medicine Handbook: The Essential Guide for When Help Is NOT on the Way | Joseph Alton, MD | Aug. 24, 2021 |
| 41 | No Grid Survival Projects Bible: Secure Your Home, Power, Water and Food Supply to Thrive through Any Crisis & Disaster | Jonathan A. Hugg | Oct. 7, 2024 |
| 42 | Glow Cosmetics: Coloring Book for Adults and Kids, Bold and Easy, Simple and Big Designs for Relaxation Featuring Cosmetic Items, Makeup, and Skincare Products | Coco Wyo | June 8, 2024 |
| 43 | Care Free Keto: How to Lose Weight and Have Fun Doing It | iRick Wiggins | Feb. 24, 2023 |
| 44 | The Ritual: A Dark College Romance | Shantel Tessier | Dec. 1, 2021 |
| 45 | Stop Overthinking: 23 Techniques to Relieve Stress, Stop Negative Spirals, Declutter Your Mind, and Focus on the Present | Nick Trenton | March 1, 2021 |
| 46 | The Prepper’s Survival Bible: Your Complete Guide to Surviving Any Crises & Disasters | Morgan J. Kepler | Oct. 29, 2024 |
| 47 | The Sword of Kaigen: A Theonite War Story | M. L. Wang | Feb. 13, 2019 |
| 48 | The Baofeng Radio Bible: The Comprehensive and Easy-to-Follow Guerrilla’s Guide to Become a Pro with Your Baofeng Radio in No Time and Stay Connected When It Matters Most | Eliot J. Hawke | Aug. 25, 2024 |
| 49 | Between Two Fires | Christopher Buehlman | Oct. 2, 2012 |
| 50 | Self-Love: Girl Therapy Coloring Book to Inspire Yourself and Love Who You Are | Hikaru Kotz | Nov. 23, 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.
