Confession: I give in to the Bookstagram made me do it urge frequently. I’m easily swayed to buy the newest and shiniest book that my favorite Bookstagrammers are hyping on a weekly basis. Most of the time, the hype is real and I’m happy with my lack of shelf control. But, what about those books that don’t get the beautiful curated photos that fill my feed? There are so many hidden gems that I’ve read and loved.

Here are five of the most underrated books that I think deserve more attention.

Independence by Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni

I’ll always say yes to a sweeping family drama, and it’s a bonus if the story extends across history. Independence is one of those books. While follows the lives of three sisters, this gorgeously written novel depicts the political climate in 1947 British India and examines how the partition separates their family. The complex sibling relationships between Priya, Deepa, and Jamini deepen with conflicts of religion, tradition, and family obligations. I was engaged with Independence from the start and fascinated by the historical context that surrounded these women. My full review is here.

Take My Hand by Dolen Perkins Valdez

Like Independence, Take My Hand is an excellent example of why I adore historical fiction. While I knew about the Tuskegee syphillis experiments and involuntary sterilization in U.S. history, I didn’t know the extent of that wickedness upon Blacks and poverty-stricken individuals that extended well into the later half of the 20th century. Take My Hand unveils that evil in the narrative by Civil Townsend, a young nurse, and is based on the true case of Mary Alice and Minnie Relf, girls who U.S. government workers sterilized without their consent. This is a brilliantly written novel that was a revelation for me. You’ll find my full review here.

Women are the Fiercest Creatures by Andrea Dunlop

I love a character-led story, and Andrea Dunlop delivers perfectly with her three female leads who are pushed to the brink by Jake, the tech giant billionaire who wrongs each of them: from pushing ex-wife Anna out of the business, to leaving ex-girlfriend Sam wondering what could have been, to neglecting new wife Jessica while she tries to maintain the lifestyle he expects. Women are the Fiercest Creatures showcases the sacrifices that women make for others and what happens when they’re pushed too far. As an added plus, none of the three are particularly likable characters. They’re flawed and out for their own sense of justice, whether legal or not. You can check out my full review here.

The Gifted School by Bruce Holsinger

How far will parents go to ensure their children’s future success? That’s the ultimate question in The Gifted School. When the opening of an exclusive magnet school is announced in Crystal, Colorado, the competition to secure their children’s places begins. The book focuses on four families that have known each other for years, showing the before-and-after of the admissions process. With clear examples of classicism, prejudice, and elitism, along with some very unethical adult behavior, they pit themselves and their children against each other. I couldn’t put down this book with its witty commentary on ultimate helicopter parenting.

Perfectly Nice Neighbors by Kia Abdullah

Salma and her Bangladeshi family move into Blenheim, a suburban neighborhood in search of a quieter, more secure lifestyle. But, with financial setbacks and a clearly passive-aggressive, racist neighbor, this fierce mother quickly learns that their decision was wrong. After Tom, the putrid neighbor, rips a Black Lives Matter sign from Salma’s yard, a sign that her son Zain displayed in support of the BLM movement, the tensions grow into an explosive thriller about systemic racism, microaggressions, and parenthood. Perfectly Nice Neighbors is a timely read and one I don’t see praised enough.

These are just a few of the hidden gem books that I recommend. What about you?