If you’re craving thought-provoking stories, unique voices, and fiction that lingers in your mind long after the last page, these picks are absolute must-reads. I’ve personally loved exploring these hidden gems, and I think you’ll find something unex...
A layered, emotionally gripping story about family secrets and memory that keeps you guessing.
Swimming Lessons by Claire Fuller
A witty, brilliant fictional take on two historical geniuses exploring the world.
Measuring the World by Daniel Kehlmann
A haunting, surreal story about memory, loss, and control on a mysterious island.
The Memory Police: A Novel
A fragmentary, poetic masterpiece capturing one man’s inner life with melancholy and beauty.
The Book of Disquiet
Minimalist yet intense; follows a writer’s conversations on life, art, and human nature.
Outline by Rachel Cusk
A tender, fragmented look at marriage, love, and mental life with razor-sharp observation.
Dept. of Speculation by Jenny Offill
Magical realism and political allegory blend seamlessly in this short, mesmerizing read.
Signs Preceding the End of the World by Yuri Herrera
Inventive storytelling and humor mix with a deeply moving journey of family and memory.
Everything Is Illuminated by Jonathan Safran Foer
A quiet, meditative novel about the subtleties of everyday life and small joys.
So Much Life Left Over by Louis de Bernières
A psychological and haunting exploration of friendship, trust, and human complexity.
The Door by Magda Szabó
Epic storytelling about sailors and their lives in a small Danish town spanning generations.
We, The Drowned by Carsten Jensen
Philosophical musings meet endearing characters in a Parisian apartment building.
The Elegance of the Hedgehog by Muriel Barbery
An inventive story about memory, the afterlife, and human connections.
The Brief History of the Dead by Kevin Brockmeier
A chilling, surreal, post-apocalyptic narrative that sticks with you long after reading.
Ice: The hypnotic dystopian cult classic by Anna Kavan
Astounding structure, rich historical fiction, and a gripping plot make this a literary marvel.
The Luminaries (Booker Prize Winner) by Eleanor Catton
Short, luminous, and unforgettable — proof that a slim book can hit just as hard as a long one.
Small Things Like These by Claire Keegan
Vibrant, tender, and full of life — a brilliant portrait of modern adulthood.
All This Could Be Different by Sarah Thankam Mathews
A mind-bending novel about technology, memory, and connection, linked to her Pulitzer-winning A Visit from the Goon Squad.
The Candy House by Jennifer Egan
It’s fresh, daring, and recently won the National Book Award.
The Rabbit Hutch by Tess Gunty
It’s sprawling yet deeply intimate, and was shortlisted for the Booker Prize.
