In partnership with Bookstat, we are proud to offer three distinctive monthly bestseller lists.1
- Top 50 Self-Published Ebooks
- Top 50 Self-Published Print Books (online sales only)
- 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 May 2024, we’ve excluded maps and atlases, study and test prep guides, Bibles and Bible studies, comics/manga compilations, educational workbooks for kids, and box sets.
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 | The Lost Book of Herbal Remedies | Claude Davis | Self-published | Jan. 1, 2019 |
| 2 | Discovering Daniel: Finding Our Hope in God’s Prophetic Plan Amid Global Chaos | Amir Tsarfati | Harvest House | May 7, 2024 |
| 3 | Five Broken Blades, Deluxe Limited Edition (Broken Blades 1) | Mai Corland | Entangled: Red Tower Books | May 7, 2024 |
| 4 | Bits and Pieces: My Mother, My Brother, and Me | Whoopi Goldberg | Blackstone Publishing | May 7, 2024 |
| 5 | Mom, I Want to Hear Your Story: A Mother’s Guided Journal to Share Her Life & Her Love | Jeffrey Mason | Self-published | Jul. 19, 2019 |
| 6 | Heavenbreaker, Deluxe Limited Edition | Sara Wolf | Entangled: Red Tower Books | May 21, 2024 |
| 7 | Home Is Where the Bodies Are | Jeneva Rose | Blackstone Publishing | Apr. 30, 2024 |
| 8 | The Book: The Ultimate Guide to Rebuilding a Civilization | HUNGRY MINDS | Bad Idea Company Ltd | Jan. 1, 2022 |
| 9 | What’s Gaby Cooking: Grilling All the Things | Gaby Dalkin | Harry N. Abrams | May 21, 2024 |
| 10 | Tell Me Your Life Story, Mom: A Mother’s Guided Journal and Memory Keepsake Book | Questions about Me | Questions about Me | Apr. 18, 2021 |
| 11 | Self Heal By Design: The Role of Micro-Organisms for Health | Barbara O’Neill | Bang Printing | Jan. 1, 2014 |
| 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 | Chainsaw Man (15) | Tatsuki Fujimoto | VIZ Media | May 7, 2024 |
| 14 | The Teacher | Freida McFadden | Sourcebooks | Feb. 6, 2024 |
| 15 | Millionaire Mission: A 9-Step System to Level Up Your Finances and Build Wealth | Brian Preston | Matt Holt Books | May 28, 2024 |
| 16 | For Love of Country: Leave the Democrat Party Behind | Tulsi Gabbard | Regnery | Apr. 30, 2024 |
| 17 | Sweet Nightmare, Deluxe Limited Edition (Calder Academy 1) | Tracy Wolff | Entangled | May 7, 2024 |
| 18 | Don’t Believe Everything You Think: Why Your Thinking Is the Beginning & End of Suffering | Joseph Nguyen | Self-published | Mar. 28, 2022 |
| 19 | King of Sloth (Kings of Sin 4) | Ana Huang | Bloom Books | Apr. 30, 2024 |
| 20 | High Road Leadership: Bringing People Together in a World That Divides | John C. Maxwell | Maxwell Leadership | May 7, 2024 |
| 21 | The Holistic Guide to Wellness: Herbal Protocols for Common Ailments | Nicole Apelian | Self-published | Mar. 20, 2023 |
| 22 | The Dixon Rule (Campus Diaries 2) | Elle Kennedy | Sourcebooks | May 14, 2024 |
| 23 | The Unvanquished: The Untold Story of Lincoln’s Special Forces, the Manhunt for Mosby’s Rangers, and the Shadow War That Forged America’s Special Operations | Patrick K. O’Donnell | Atlantic Monthly Press | May 7, 2024 |
| 24 | Mom’s Story: A Memory and Keepsake Journal for My Family | Korie Herold | Self-published | Sep. 13, 2022 |
| 25 | Haunting Adeline (Cat and Mouse Duet 1) | H.D. Carlton | Self-published | Aug. 13, 2021 |
| 26 | Morning after the Revolution: Dispatches from the Wrong Side of History | Nellie Bowles | Thesis | May 14, 2024 |
| 27 | The Psychology of Money: Timeless Lessons on Wealth, Greed, and Happiness | Morgan Housel | Harriman House | Sep. 8, 2020 |
| 28 | The Covenant of Water | Abraham Verghese | Grove Press | May 2, 2023 |
| 29 | The Four Agreements: A Practical Guide to Personal Freedom | Don Miguel Ruiz | Amber-Allen Publishing | Nov. 7, 1997 |
| 30 | The Mountain Is You: Transforming Self-Sabotage into Self-Mastery | Brianna Wiest | Thought Catalog Books | Jun. 1, 2020 |
| 31 | The Inmate | Freida McFadden | Sourcebooks | Mar. 5, 2024 |
| 32 | Dungeons & Dragons Core Rulebooks Gift Set | Wizards RPG Team | Wizards of the Coast | Nov. 20, 2018 |
| 33 | STILL: The Art of Noticing | Mary Jo Hoffman | The Monacelli Press | May 1, 2024 |
| 34 | Can’t Hurt Me: Master Your Mind and Defy the Odds | David Goggins | Lioncrest Publishing | Dec. 10, 2018 |
| 35 | Never Lie | Freida McFadden | Sourcebooks | Dec. 5, 2023 |
| 36 | Poor Charlie’s Almanack: The Essential Wit and Wisdom of Charles T. Munger | Charles T. Munger | Stripe Press | Dec. 5, 2023 |
| 37 | Seasons of the Witch—Litha Oracle | Lorriane Anderson | Rockpool Publishing | May 7, 2024 |
| 38 | Adult Children of Emotionally Immature Parents: How to Heal from Distant, Rejecting, or Self-Involved Parents | Lindsay C. Gibson | New Harbinger Publications | Jun. 1, 2015 |
| 39 | Hunting Adeline (Cat and Mouse Duet 2) | H.D. Carlton | Self-published | Jan. 25, 2022 |
| 40 | Short-Row Colorwork Knitting: The Definitive Step-by-Step Guide | Woolly Wormhead | Sixth & Spring Books | May 7, 2024 |
| 41 | Moms on Call: Basic Baby Care 0–6 Months | Laura Hunter LPN | Moms on Call | Jan. 1, 2006 |
| 42 | The Mindf*ck Series | S.T. Abby | Self-published | Apr. 3, 2019 |
| 43 | Blood at the Root | LaDarrion Williams | Labyrinth Road | May 7, 2024 |
| 44 | The Perfect Son | Freida McFadden | Self-published | Apr. 7, 2020 |
| 45 | If He Had Been with Me | Laura Nowlin | Sourcebooks Fire | Nov. 1, 2019 |
| 46 | Berserk Deluxe (Volume 2) | Kentaro Miura | Dark Horse Manga | Jul. 9, 2019 |
| 47 | It’s Not You: Identifying and Healing from Narcissistic People | Ramani Durvasula, PhD | The Open Field | Feb. 20, 2024 |
| 48 | Berserk Deluxe (Volume 1) | Kentaro Miura | Dark Horse Manga | Mar. 26, 2019 |
| 49 | Shōgun: The Complete Novel | James Clavell | Blackstone Publishing | Dec. 12, 2023 |
| 50 | The Inner Work of Relationships: An Invitation to Heal Your Inner Child and Create a Conscious Relationship Together | Mathew Micheletti | The Inner Work | Mar. 18, 2024 |
Top 50 Self-Published Ebooks
| Rank | Title | Author | Release Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | The Dixon Rule (Campus Diaries 2) | Elle Kennedy | May 14, 2024 |
| 2 | Never Lie | Freida McFadden | Sep. 19, 2022 |
| 3 | What I Should’ve Said | Max Monroe | Apr. 19, 2024 |
| 4 | Wild Scottish Beauty (Enchanted Highlands 5) | Tricia O’Malley | May 2, 2024 |
| 5 | The Teacher | Freida McFadden | Feb. 6, 2024 |
| 6 | Nine Month Contract | Amy Daws | Apr. 11, 2024 |
| 7 | The Dressmaker on Amelia Island (Seven Sisters 6) | Hope Holloway | May 3, 2024 |
| 8 | Bridesmaid for Hire | Meghan Quinn | Apr. 2, 2024 |
| 9 | Chasing Wild (Wilds of Montana 2) | Kristen Proby | May 9, 2024 |
| 10 | Things We Never Got Over (Knockemout 1) | Lucy Score | Jan. 13, 2022 |
| 11 | Still Mine (Lasker Brothers) | Nadia Lee | May 3, 2024 |
| 12 | The Serpent and the Wings of Night (Crowns of Nyaxia 1) | Carissa Broadbent | Aug. 30, 2022 |
| 13 | Heartless | Elsie Silver | Oct. 14, 2022 |
| 14 | State of Suspense (First Family 7) | Marie Force | May 24, 2024 |
| 15 | Sweet Collide (Saints of Redville) | Ava Harrison | Apr. 17, 2024 |
| 16 | Baskets and Beignets (Miss Fortune Mysteries 27) | Jana DeLeon | May 19, 2024 |
| 17 | Credence | Penelope Douglas | Jan. 13, 2020 |
| 18 | Forever (Empire High 8) | Ivy Smoak | May 23, 2024 |
| 19 | Promise Me This (Wilder Family 3) | Karla Sorensen | May 9, 2024 |
| 20 | Ivory Oath (Novikov Bratva 2) | Nicole Fox | May 15, 2024 |
| 21 | The Ashes and the Star-Cursed King (Crowns of Nyaxia 2) | Carissa Broadbent | Apr. 14, 2023 |
| 22 | Well and Truly Pucked (My Hockey Romance 4) | Lauren Blakely | May 9, 2024 |
| 23 | All Quiet on the Witchy Front (Wicked Witches of the Midwest 24) | Amanda M. Lee | May 7, 2024 |
| 24 | The Inmate | Freida McFadden | Jun. 13, 2022 |
| 25 | God of Malice (Legacy of Gods 1) | Rina Kent | Jul. 14, 2022 |
| 26 | By His Vow | Tracy Lorraine | Apr. 20, 2024 |
| 27 | Things We Hide from the Light (Knockemout 2) | Lucy Score | Feb. 21, 2023 |
| 28 | Until It Was Love | Pippa Grant | Apr. 11, 2024 |
| 29 | Ivory Ashes (Novikov Bratva 1) | Nicole Fox | May 15, 2024 |
| 30 | How to Get Revenge on a Cheating Ex | Maggie Dallen | Apr. 13, 2024 |
| 31 | Pulse | Adriana Locke | May 13, 2024 |
| 32 | Things We Left Behind (Knockemout 3) | Lucy Score | Sep. 5, 2023 |
| 33 | The Graham Effect (Campus Diaries 1) | Elle Kennedy | Oct. 31, 2023 |
| 34 | Reckless | Elsie Silver | Jun. 9, 2023 |
| 35 | King of Wrath (Kings of Sin 1) | Ana Huang | Oct. 20, 2022 |
| 36 | Ruthless Savage (Savage Kings) | Lilian Harris | May 2, 2024 |
| 37 | Haunting Adeline (Cat and Mouse Duet 1) | H.D. Carlton | Aug. 12, 2021 |
| 38 | Spark of the Everflame (Kindred’s Curse 1) | Penn Cole | Jun. 1, 2023 |
| 39 | Sidewinder (Rachel Hatch 11) | L.T. Ryan | Apr. 30, 2024 |
| 40 | The Perfect Fit | Sadie Kincaid | Dec. 10, 2023 |
| 41 | Two Truths and a Marriage | Nicole Snow | Mar. 27, 2024 |
| 42 | Cold Fury (Cold Justice—Most Wanted) | Toni Anderson | May 13, 2024 |
| 43 | Learn Your Lesson (Kings of the Ice) | Kandi Steiner | Apr. 19, 2024 |
| 44 | The Coworker | Freida McFadden | Aug. 29, 2023 |
| 45 | One by One | Freida McFadden | Jul. 13, 2020 |
| 46 | Devourer of Men | Nikki St. Crowe | May 14, 2024 |
| 47 | The Perfect Son | Freida McFadden | Oct. 8, 2019 |
| 48 | Storms and Secrets | Claire Kingsley | Mar. 14, 2024 |
| 49 | The Reason I Married Him | Meghan Quinn | Feb. 6, 2024 |
| 50 | The Deal (Off-Campus 1) | Elle Kennedy | Feb. 24, 2015 |
Top 50 Self-Published Print Books
| Rank | Title | Author | Release Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | The Lost Book of Herbal Remedies | Claude Davis | Jan. 1, 2019 |
| 2 | Mom, I Want to Hear Your Story: A Mother’s Guided Journal to Share Her Life & Her Love | Jeffrey Mason | Jul. 19, 2019 |
| 3 | Dad, I Want to Hear Your Story: A Father’s Guided Journal to Share His Life & His Love | Jeffrey Mason | May 27, 2019 |
| 4 | Don’t Believe Everything You Think: Why Your Thinking Is the Beginning & End of Suffering | Joseph Nguyen | Mar. 28, 2022 |
| 5 | The Holistic Guide to Wellness: Herbal Protocols for Common Ailments | Nicole Apelian | Mar. 20, 2023 |
| 6 | Mom’s Story: A Memory and Keepsake Journal for My Family | Korie Herold | Sep. 13, 2022 |
| 7 | Haunting Adeline (Cat and Mouse Duet 1) | H.D. Carlton | Aug. 13, 2021 |
| 8 | Hunting Adeline (Cat and Mouse Duet 2) | H.D. Carlton | Jan. 25, 2022 |
| 9 | The Mindf*ck Series | S.T. Abby | Apr. 3, 2019 |
| 10 | The Perfect Son | Freida McFadden | Apr. 7, 2020 |
| 11 | Livingood Daily: Your 21-Day Guide to Experience Real Health | Dr. Livingood | Dec. 24, 2017 |
| 12 | Meditations | Marcus Aurelius | Nov. 7, 2016 |
| 13 | Grandma’s Story: A Memory and Keepsake Journal for My Family | Korie Herold | Dec. 21, 2021 |
| 14 | A Little SPOT of Emotion (8 Book Box Set) | Diane Alber | Apr. 29, 2020 |
| 15 | Get Clear Career Assessment: Find the Work You’re Wired to Do | Ken Coleman | May 7, 2024 |
| 16 | A Little SPOT of Emotion (8 Plush Toys with Feelings Book Box Set) | Diane Alber | Jul. 10, 2021 |
| 17 | NO GRID Survival Projects | Claude Davis | Dec. 1, 2021 |
| 18 | The Ritual | Shantel Tessier | Dec. 1, 2021 |
| 19 | The Dr. Barbara Natural Remedies Encyclopedia | Jacqueline Bridge | Mar. 3, 2024 |
| 20 | Stop Overthinking: 23 Techniques to Relieve Stress, Stop Negative Spirals, Declutter Your Mind, and Focus on the Present | Nick Trenton | Mar. 1, 2021 |
| 21 | How to Draw Everything: 300 Drawings of Cute Stuff, Animals, Food, Gifts, and Other Amazing Things | Emma Greene | Nov. 18, 2023 |
| 22 | Ward D | Freida McFadden | May 8, 2023 |
| 23 | Dad’s Story: A Memory and Keepsake Journal for My Family | Korie Herold | Sep. 13, 2022 |
| 24 | The Microsoft Office 365 Bible | James Holler | Dec. 11, 2022 |
| 25 | Back Mechanic | Stuart McGill | Sep. 30, 2015 |
| 26 | Say You Swear, Alternate Cover Edition | Meagan Brandy | Nov. 17, 2022 |
| 27 | Real Food for Pregnancy: The Science and Wisdom of Optimal Prenatal Nutrition | Lily Nichols | Feb. 21, 2018 |
| 28 | The Inner Work: An Invitation to True Freedom and Lasting Happiness | Mathew Micheletti | May 3, 2019 |
| 29 | A Letter from Your Teacher: On the Last Day of School | Shannon Olsen | Mar. 30, 2022 |
| 30 | The Forager’s Guide to Wild Foods | Nicole Apelian | Jun. 21, 2021 |
| 31 | Our Little Adventures | Tabitha Paige | Oct. 20, 2020 |
| 32 | Cozy Spaces: Coloring Book for Adults and Teens Featuring Relaxing Familiar Corners with Cute Animal Characters for Stress Relief | Coco Wyo | Mar. 9, 2024 |
| 33 | Barbara O’Neill Complete Collection | Janet Moore | May 8, 2024 |
| 34 | The Simplest Baby Book in the World | S.M. Gross | Nov. 16, 2021 |
| 35 | The Secret Life of Sunflowers | Marta Molnar | Jul. 14, 2022 |
| 36 | Emotional Intelligence 2.0 | Travis Bradberry | Jun. 16, 2009 |
| 37 | Rapid Interpretation of EKGs, Sixth Edition | Dale Dubin | Oct. 1, 2000 |
| 38 | The Simple Path to Wealth | J.L. Collins | Jun. 18, 2016 |
| 39 | Recovery from Narcissistic Abuse, Gaslighting, Codependency and Complex PTSD | Linda Hill | Sep. 23, 2022 |
| 40 | Rich Dad Poor Dad: What the Rich Teach Their Kids about Money That the Poor and Middle Class Do Not! | Robert T. Kiyosaki | Apr. 5, 2022 |
| 41 | The Midnight Rider Rides Again | Derek Johnson | Jan. 19, 2024 |
| 42 | Stress Relief: Adult Coloring Book with Animals, Landscape, Flowers, Patterns, Mushroom and Many More For Relaxation | Kytefox Publishing | Jun. 22, 2023 |
| 43 | A Little SPOT Emotional Regulation (49–56 Box Set) | Diane Alber | Jun. 6, 2023 |
| 44 | Emotional Intelligence Habits | Travis Bradberry | Aug. 29, 2023 |
| 45 | Grandmother, I Want to Hear Your Story: A Grandmother’s Guided Journal to Share Her Life & Her Love | Jeffrey Mason | Jul. 28, 2019 |
| 46 | Our Little Library: A Foundational Language Vocabulary Board Book Set for Babies | Tabitha Paige | Nov. 7, 2023 |
| 47 | Watercolor Workbook: 30-Minute Beginner Botanical Projects on Premium Watercolor Paper | Sarah Simon | Apr. 27, 2021 |
| 48 | What Should Danny Do? | Adir Levy | May 17, 2017 |
| 49 | The Survival Medicine Handbook: The Essential Guide for When Help Is NOT on the Way | Joseph Alton, MD | Aug. 24, 2021 |
| 50 | Trader Joe’s 5 Items or Less Cookbook | Anna Lisa | Oct. 7, 2022 |
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.
