7 months ago
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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.
The Hidden Gems list—which looks for titles performing well outside of the Big Five—includes the following new releases:
- At number three: the self-help book I Just Wish I Had a Bigger Kitchen: And Other Lies I Think Will Make Me Happy by Kate Strickler, published by Bethany House. The author has a significant online platform, and the book made the NY Times bestseller list.
- At number four: The Protein Advantage Cookbook by Carolyn Ketchum, from Fair Winds Press, an imprint of Quarto, a UK publisher. The author has run a popular recipe website and blog since 2010 that focuses on keto and low-carb recipes.
- At number five: Standing on the Edge of Eternity: The End Times according to Revelation by Gary Hamrick, published by Harvest House. The author is a well-known pastor in Leesburg, Virginia.
Notably, on the self-published bestsellers in print format, you’ll find Entitled: The Rise and Fall of the House of York by Andrew Lownie, which he self-published in the US market. The UK publisher is HarperCollins, which does not hold rights to publish and distribute in the US.
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 August 2025, we’ve excluded maps and atlases, Bibles and Bible studies, compilations and box sets, kids’ school workbooks, 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).
| 1 | Forgotten Home Apothecary: 250 Powerful Remedies at Your Fingertips | Nicole Apelian, PhD | Global Brother | Oct. 8, 2024 |
| 2 | The Book: The Ultimate Guide to Rebuilding a Civilization | HUNGRY MINDS | Self-published | Jan. 1, 2022 |
| 3 | I Just Wish I Had a Bigger Kitchen: And Other Lies I Think Will Make Me Happy | Kate Strickler | Bethany House | Aug. 26, 2025 |
| 4 | The Protein Advantage Cookbook: High-Protein, Low-Carb Recipes That Burn Fat, Build Muscle, and Restore Metabolism | Carolyn Ketchum | Fair Winds Press | Aug. 12, 2025 |
| 5 | Standing on the Edge of Eternity: The End Times according to Revelation | Gary Hamrick | Harvest House Publishers | Aug. 5, 2025 |
| 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 | World of Eric Carle: Around the Farm 30-Button Animal Sound Book | PI Kids | PI Kids | Jan. 31, 2013 |
| 8 | Our Class Is a Family | Shannon Olsen | Shannon Olsen | May 5, 2020 |
| 9 | The Surrogate Mother | Freida McFadden | Sourcebooks/Poisoned Penn Press | Aug. 19, 2025 |
| 10 | A Beautiful Year in the Bible: The 52-Week Bible Study for Women | Alabaster Co. | Alabaster Co | Sept. 24, 2024 |
| 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 | Theo of Golden | Allen Levi | Allen Levi | Oct. 11, 2023 |
| 13 | Love Arranged (Lakefront Billionaires 3) | Lauren Asher | Sourcebooks/Bloom Books | Aug. 19, 2025 |
| 14 | Absolute Batman, Vol. 1: The Zoo | Scott Snyder | DC Comics | Aug. 5, 2025 |
| 15 | The Psychology of Money: Timeless Lessons on Wealth, Greed, and Happiness | Morgan Housel | Harriman House | Sept. 8, 2020 |
| 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 | Spooky Cutie: Coloring Book for Adults and Teens Featuring Adorable Creepy Creatures in Cozy Hygge Moments for Relaxation | Coco Wyo | Self-published | July 9, 2024 |
| 18 | Moms on Call: Basic Baby Care 0–6 Months | Laura Hunter, LPN | Self-published | Jan. 1, 2006 |
| 19 | First Day Jitters | Julie Danneberg | Charlesbridge | Feb. 1, 2000 |
| 20 | The Only Living Trusts Book You’ll Ever Need: How to Make Your Own Living Trust, Avoid Probate & Protect Your Heirs | Garrett Monroe | Self-published | June 25, 2024 |
| 21 | Zodiac Academy 7: Heartless Sky | Caroline Peckham, Susanne Valenti | King’s Hollow | Aug. 5, 2025 |
| 22 | A Letter from Your Teacher: On the First Day of School | Shannon Olsen | Self-published | May 19, 2021 |
| 23 | Handsome Devil (Deluxe Edition) (Forbidden Love 3) | L.J. Shen | Sourcebooks/Bloom Books | Aug. 12, 2025 |
| 24 | The Amish Ways | Eddie Swartzentruber | Global Brother | Oct. 8, 2024 |
| 25 | The Simple Path to Wealth (Revised & Expanded 2025 Edition): Your Road Map to Financial Independence and a Rich, Free Life | JL Collins | Authors Equity | May 20, 2025 |
| 26 | Absolute Superman, Vol. 1: Last Dust of Krypton | Jason Aaron | DC Comics | Aug. 19, 2025 |
| 27 | 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 |
| 28 | 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 |
| 29 | AI Engineering: Building Applications with Foundation Models | Chip Huyen | O’Reilly Media | Jan. 7, 2025 |
| 30 | Jujutsu Kaisen, Vol. 27 | Gege Akutami | VIZ Media | Aug. 19, 2025 |
| 31 | The Cruel Dawn (Vallendor 2) | Rachel Howzell Hall | Entangled: Red Tower Books | Aug. 19, 2025 |
| 32 | Little Corner: Coloring Book for Adults and Teens, Super Cute Designs of Cozy, Hygge Spaces for Relaxation | Coco Wyo | Self-published | May 29, 2024 |
| 33 | Fantasy Football Index Book 2025: Full Player and Team Reviews, Cheat Sheets, Experts’ Guide, Best of the Rookies, Advice & Analysis Magazine | Ian Allan | Fantasy Index Magazines | June 10, 2025 |
| 34 | See You Later, Alligator | Sally Hopgood | Sky Pony Press | Sept. 20, 2016 |
| 35 | Nobody Wants Your Sh*t: The Art of Decluttering Before You Die | Messie Condo | Skyhorse Publishing | March 7, 2023 |
| 36 | The Golden Thread: A History of the Western Tradition, Vol. I: The Ancient World and Christendom | James Hankins | Encounter Books | Aug. 26, 2025 |
| 37 | Man’s Search for Meaning | Viktor E. Frankl | Beacon Press | June 1, 2006 |
| 38 | The Mountain Is You: Transforming Self-Sabotage into Self-Mastery | Brianna Wiest | Thought Catalog Books | May 29, 2020 |
| 39 | Livingood Daily: Your 21-Day Guide to Experience Real Health | Dr. Livingood | Self-published | Dec. 24, 2017 |
| 40 | Would You Rather Book For Kids: 300+ Hilarious, Silly, and Challenging Questions to Make You Laugh | Stephen J. Ellis | Self-published | Sept. 22, 2021 |
| 41 | Absolute Wonder Woman, Vol. 1: The Last Amazon | Kelly Thompson | DC Comics | Aug. 12, 2025 |
| 42 | Invincible Compendium, Vol. 1 | Robert Kirkman | Image Comics | Aug. 30, 2011 |
| 43 | The Natural Healing Handbook: Spiral-Bound Guide for Herbal Remedies and Natural Recipes | Ancient Remedies | Ancient Remedies | Jan. 1, 2023 |
| 44 | Murphy’s Law Life Principles for Children：A Comprehensive Guide to Benefit a Lifetime | Doris Walton | TIKBOOKS | Feb. 3, 2024 |
| 45 | The Bible Recap: A One-Year Guide to Reading and Understanding the Entire Bible | Tara-Leigh Cobble | Bethany House | Nov. 3, 2020 |
| 46 | Stop Letting Everything Affect You: How to Break Free from Overthinking, Emotional Chaos, and Self-Sabotage | Daniel Chidiac | Undercover Publishing House Pty Ltd | July 4, 2025 |
| 47 | I Love You to the Moon and Back | Amelia Hepworth | Tiger Tales | March 3, 2015 |
| 48 | Berserk Deluxe, Vol. 1 | Kentaro Miura | Dark Horse Manga | March 26, 2019 |
| 49 | Shield of Sparrows | Devney Perry | Entangled: Red Tower Books | May 6, 2025 |
| 50 | Chop Wood Carry Water: How to Fall in Love with the Process of Becoming Great | Joshua Medcalf | Self-published | Dec. 2, 2015 |
Top 50 Self-Published Ebooks
| 1 | The Fallen and the Kiss of Dusk (Crowns of Nyaxia 4) | Carissa Broadbent | Aug. 5, 2025 |
| 2 | Till Summer Do Us Part | Meghan Quinn | June 3, 2025 |
| 3 | Handsome Devil: A Dark Mafia Romance (Forbidden Love 3) | L.J. Shen | Aug. 12, 2025 |
| 4 | The Tenant | Freida McFadden | May 6, 2025 |
| 5 | Vows We Never Made: A Grumpy Sunshine Romance | Nicole Snow | July 29, 2025 |
| 6 | Forever Country (Forever Bluegrass 24) | Kathleen Brooks | Aug. 22, 2025 |
| 7 | Haunting Adeline (Cat and Mouse Duet 1) | H.D. Carlton | Aug. 12, 2021 |
| 8 | Mountain Daddy (Mountain Men 2) | S.J. Tilly | July 31, 2025 |
| 9 | Down Island: A Jesse McDermitt Novel (Caribbean Adventure 30) | Wayne Stinnett | Aug. 1, 2025 |
| 10 | Ward D | Freida McFadden | May 8, 2023 |
| 11 | Dust Devil (Dalton Savage Mystery 6) | L.T. Ryan | Aug. 5, 2025 |
| 12 | Precious Hazard: An Arranged Marriage Mafia Romance (Perfectly Imperfect 11) | Neva Altaj | July 31, 2025 |
| 13 | Love Arranged (Lakefront Billionaires 3) | Lauren Asher | Aug. 19, 2025 |
| 14 | Flirting with Trouble: Wells Silver (Silvers at Silver Island 1) | Melissa Foster | Aug. 6, 2025 |
| 15 | Zodiac Academy: The Awakening | Caroline Peckham, Susanne Valenti | Aug. 2, 2019 |
| 16 | The Empress (Mafia Empire 4) | Michelle Heard | Aug. 4, 2025 |
| 17 | The Wrong Husband: Brother’s Best Friend Marriage of Convenience Romance (Davenports 6) | L. Steele | Aug. 19, 2025 |
| 18 | Gild (Plated Prisoner 1) | Raven Kennedy | Oct. 16, 2020 |
| 19 | Over the Moon: A Small Town, Hockey Romance (Rosewood River 3) | Laura Pavlov | July 29, 2025 |
| 20 | Theo of Golden | Allen Levi | Oct. 11, 2023 |
| 21 | The Deal (Off-Campus 1) | Elle Kennedy | Feb. 24, 2015 |
| 22 | The Boyfriend: A Psychological Thriller | Freida McFadden | Oct. 1, 2024 |
| 23 | Unbound: A Fantasy Romance (Confluence Academy 1) | Penelope Bloom | May 27, 2025 |
| 24 | Goal Line (Boston Rebels 4) | Julia Connors | Aug. 15, 2025 |
| 25 | Pucking Strong: An MM Workplace Hockey Romance (Jacksonville Rays 4) | Emily Rath | Aug. 26, 2025 |
| 26 | The Summer We Kept Secrets (Destin Diaries 4) | Hope Holloway | Aug. 15, 2025 |
| 27 | Chasing Shelter (Sparrow Falls 5) | Catherine Cowles | July 22, 2025 |
| 28 | Make Me Yours: A Friends-to-Lovers Close Proximity Sports Romance (Chicago Railers Hockey 1) | Jennifer Sucevic | Aug. 1, 2025 |
| 29 | Gleam (Plated Prisoner 3) | Raven Kennedy | May 31, 2021 |
| 30 | Never Dance with the Devils (Never Say Never 6) | Lauren Landish | Aug. 8, 2025 |
| 31 | Dungeon Crawler Carl (Dungeon Crawler Carl 1) | Matt Dinniman | Oct. 2, 2020 |
| 32 | Other Woman Drama (Content Advisory 4) | Lani Lynn Vale | Aug. 12, 2025 |
| 33 | The Surrogate Mother: An Addictive Psychological Thriller | Freida McFadden | Oct. 10, 2018 |
| 34 | The Serpent and the Wings of Night (Crowns of Nyaxia 1) | Carissa Broadbent | Aug. 30, 2022 |
| 35 | Isles of the Emberdark: A Cosmere Novel (Secret Projects 5) | Brandon Sanderson | July 10, 2025 |
| 36 | God of Malice: A Dark College Romance (Legacy of Gods 1) | Rina Kent | Dec. 1, 2022 |
| 37 | Freaky Festivals (Mystic Caravan Mysteries 20) | Amanda M. Lee | Aug. 5, 2025 |
| 38 | Rewind It Back (Windy City Series 5) | Liz Tomforde | May 20, 2025 |
| 39 | Flawless: A Small Town Enemies to Lovers Romance | Elsie Silver | June 24, 2022 |
| 40 | Dance of Devils: A Dark Age Gap Bratva Romance | Jagger Cole | July 31, 2025 |
| 41 | Flirting with Trouble | Melissa Foster | Aug. 6, 2025 |
| 42 | Dirty Boss (Manhattan Billionaires 7) | Lilian Monroe | Aug. 4, 2025 |
| 43 | Luck of the Devil (Harper Adams Mystery 3) | Denise Grover Swank | Aug. 11, 2025 |
| 44 | My Haven (Bewitched and Bewildered 16) | Alanea Alder | Aug. 26, 2025 |
| 45 | Mile High (Windy City 1) | Liz Tomforde | June 7, 2022 |
| 46 | Glow (Plated Prisoner 4) | Raven Kennedy | June 18, 2022 |
| 47 | Zodiac Academy 5: Cursed Fates | Caroline Peckham, Susanne Valenti | May 20, 2020 |
| 48 | A Little Crush (Little Things 6) | Kelsie Rae | Aug. 7, 2025 |
| 49 | The Female: A Dark Demon Romance | Invi Wright | Jan. 27, 2023 |
| 50 | Zodiac Academy 4: Shadow Princess | Caroline Peckham, Susanne Valenti | Jan. 13, 2020 |
Top 50 Self-Published Print Books
Box sets are excluded from this list.
| 1 | Forgotten Home Apothecary: 250 Powerful Remedies at Your Fingertips | Nicole Apelian, PhD | Oct. 8, 2024 |
| 2 | The Book: The Ultimate Guide to Rebuilding a Civilization | HUNGRY MINDS | Jan. 1, 2022 |
| 3 | A Navy SEAL’s Bug-In Guide: How to Turn Your House into the Safest Place on Earth | Joel Lambert | Jan. 1, 2024 |
| 4 | Our Class Is a Family | Shannon Olsen | May 5, 2020 |
| 5 | Theo of Golden | Allen Levi | Oct. 11, 2023 |
| 6 | How to Draw Everything: 300 Drawings of Cute Stuff, Animals, Food, Gifts, and Other Amazing Things | Emma Greene | Nov. 18, 2023 |
| 7 | Spooky Cutie: Coloring Book for Adults and Teens Featuring Adorable Creepy Creatures in Cozy Hygge Moments for Relaxation | Coco Wyo | July 9, 2024 |
| 8 | Moms on Call: Basic Baby Care 0–6 Months | Laura Hunter, LPN | Jan. 1, 2006 |
| 9 | The Only Living Trusts Book You’ll Ever Need: How to Make Your Own Living Trust, Avoid Probate & Protect Your Heirs | Garrett Monroe | June 25, 2024 |
| 10 | Spanish in 60 Days: The Language Learning Workbook to Help You Speak Just Like the Locals with Common Slang Words and Phrases, Conversation Starters, and Grammar Rules to Live By! | La Cucaracha Sara | Feb. 6, 2023 |
| 11 | Zodiac Academy 7: Heartless Sky | Caroline Peckham, Susanne Valenti | Aug. 5, 2025 |
| 12 | A Letter from Your Teacher: On the First Day of School | Shannon Olsen | May 19, 2021 |
| 13 | The Amish Ways | Eddie Swartzentruber | Oct. 8, 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 | May 4, 2024 |
| 15 | 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 |
| 16 | Little Corner: Coloring Book for Adults and Teens, Super Cute Designs of Cozy, Hygge Spaces for Relaxation | Coco Wyo | May 29, 2024 |
| 17 | Livingood Daily: Your 21-Day Guide to Experience Real Health | Dr. Livingood | Dec. 24, 2017 |
| 18 | Would You Rather Book For Kids: 300+ Hilarious, Silly, and Challenging Questions to Make You Laugh | Stephen J. Ellis | Sept. 22, 2021 |
| 19 | Chop Wood Carry Water: How to Fall in Love with the Process of Becoming Great | Joshua Medcalf | Dec. 2, 2015 |
| 20 | Don’t Believe Everything You Think: Why Your Thinking Is the Beginning & End of Suffering | Joseph Nguyen | March 28, 2022 |
| 21 | The Lost Book of Herbal Remedies | Claude Davis | Jan. 1, 2019 |
| 22 | NO GRID Survival Projects | Claude Davis | Dec. 1, 2021 |
| 23 | My Magical Choices: Teach Kids to Choose a Great Day with their Choices! | Becky Cummings | Oct. 30, 2019 |
| 24 | Our Little Library: A Foundational Language Vocabulary Board Book Set for Babies, Including Farm Animals, Forest Animals, Fruits and Veggies, Toys | Tabitha Paige | Nov. 7, 2023 |
| 25 | The Holistic Guide to Wellness: Herbal Protocols for Common Ailments | Nicole Apelian, PhD | March 20, 2023 |
| 26 | Girl Moments: Coloring Book for Adults and Teens Featuring Cute Cozy Daily Activities for Relaxation | Coco Wyo | Oct. 26, 2024 |
| 27 | Dad, I Want to Hear Your Story: A Father’s Guided Journal to Share His Life & His Love | Jeffrey Mason | May 27, 2019 |
| 28 | Entitled: The Rise and Fall of the House of York | Andrew Lownie | Aug. 14, 2025 |
| 29 | $100M Offers: How to Make Offers So Good People Feel Stupid Saying No | Alex Hormozi | July 13, 2021 |
| 30 | How to Draw Anything for Kids: 300 Cute Step-by-Step Drawing Stuff: Amazing Food, Animals, Kawaii, Gifts and Other | Patricia Rogers | April 12, 2024 |
| 31 | What I Love about You: 30 Things I Love about You and the Reasons Why I Love You Fill-in-the-Blank Gift Book | Questions about Me | July 7, 2022 |
| 32 | The Mindf*ck Series | S.T. Abby | April 3, 2019 |
| 33 | Emotional Intelligence 2.0 | Dr. Travis Bradberry | June 16, 2009 |
| 34 | Mom, I Want to Hear Your Story: A Mother’s Guided Journal to Share Her Life & Her Love | Jeffrey Mason | July 19, 2019 |
| 35 | The Girl Who Makes a Million Mistakes: A Growth Mindset Book for Kids to Boost Confidence, Self-Esteem, and Resilience | Brenda Li | Oct. 17, 2023 |
| 36 | Setting the Captives Free: Deliverance Manual | Bev Tucker | Feb. 11, 2019 |
| 37 | Self-Love: Girl Therapy Coloring Book to Inspire Yourself and Love Who You Are | Hikaru Kotz | Nov. 23, 2024 |
| 38 | Fuzzy Hygge: Cute and Cozy Coloring Book for Adults & Teens Featuring Adorable Animals Characters for Stress Relief | Vivi Tinta | May 24, 2024 |
| 39 | Memento Mori: Recuerda Tu Muerte (Spanish Edition) | Humberto Montesinos | March 26, 2025 |
| 40 | Our Little Adventures: Stories Featuring Foundational Language Concepts for Growing Minds | Tabitha Paige | Oct. 20, 2020 |
| 41 | SOG Codename Dynamite: A MACV-SOG 1-0’s Personal Journal | Henry L. Thompson, PhD | July 5, 2023 |
| 42 | How to Draw Patterns: Easy and Fun Step-by-Step Guide for Unique Creations | Coco Wyo | March 27, 2025 |
| 43 | The Books of Enoch: Complete Collection, Featuring 1 Enoch, 2 Enoch, 3 Enoch, Original Illustrations, and Bonus Apocryphal Texts (Illustrated) | Divine Press | Sept. 4, 2024 |
| 44 | Meditations: Adapted for the Contemporary Reader | Marcus Aurelius | Nov. 7, 2016 |
| 45 | 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 |
| 46 | Our Big Book of First Words: A Collection of 100+ Foundational Words for Language Development | Tabitha Paige | Sept. 24, 2024 |
| 47 | Adult Swear Words Coloring Book: Live, Laugh, Fuck Off | Pink Stylish Press | June 22, 2021 |
| 48 | The Simplest Baby Book in the World: The Illustrated, Grab-and-Do Guide for a Healthy, Happy Baby | S.M. Gross | Nov. 16, 2021 |
| 49 | The Lost Ways | Claude Davis | Jan. 1, 2016 |
| 50 | Little Spooky: Coloring Book for Adults and Teens Featuring Cute Creepy Creatures in Cozy Hygge Moments for Relaxation | Coco Wyo | Aug. 21, 2024 |
