12 books. 4 genres. 1 head-to-head tournament to determine the best under-the-radar read of 2024. The votes on our Instagram polls have been counted and we have a winner!
And the winner is... The Four by Ellie Keel, selected by Deepti in the Mystery/Thriller category! Thank you to all book lovers who played along with us and voted for your favourites.
Learn more about all the best books you may have missed this year with our staff reviews below. These aren’t just books—they’re treasures waiting to be discovered!
The Experts
Our genre experts for 2024 were Community & Programming Librarian Kathleen (Historical Fiction), Customer Service Associate Remy (Contemporary Romance), Digital Resources & Collections Manager Cody (Biography), and Community & Programming Librarian Deepti (Mystery/Thriller).
Image left to right: Kathleen, Remy, Cody, and Deepti faced off in a head-to-head Instagram battle
Check out what each defender has to say about their favourite reads below, and don't forget to follow us @BurlONLibrary on social media!
The Books
Which hidden gems will YOU pick to read?
Historical Fiction - Kathleen
All Our Yesterdays
Discover the untold story of Lady Macbeth in this gripping novel set in 11th-century Scotland. A young woman, burdened by guilt and prophecy, navigates a brutal marriage and a kingdom ravaged by war. Filled with themes of love, betrayal, and power, this reimagining brings depth and complexity to one of Shakespeare's most infamous characters.
Borrow All Our Yesterdays by Joel Morris
The Cure for Drowning
VOTED HISTORICAL FICTION GENRE WINNER! Set between 1931 and 1953, this novel follows Kit, a girl defying traditional gender roles, and Rebekah, a German-Canadian girl, as they navigate forbidden love and family conflict. Against the turbulent backdrop of war, and with subtle elements of the paranormal, their story unfolds with depth and poignancy. Longlisted for the 2024 Giller Prize, this under-the-radar gem blends historical fiction and romance, offering a unique and compelling read.
Borrow The Cure for Drowning by Loghan Paylor
Masquerade
This novel is a captivating epic set in 15th-century West Africa, loosely inspired by the myth of Persephone. The story follows a young woman abducted by a king who ascends to power in a world rife with danger, loyalty, and betrayal. This tale of a powerful woman claiming her destiny is perfect for fans of sweeping, character-driven stories.
Borrow Masquerade by O.O. Sangoyomi
Contemporary Romance - Remy
Happy Medium
Gretchen is a charming spirit medium with a knack for convincing people she can talk to the dead. But actually, she’s a massive fake. But when she shows up at a haunted goat farm, she realizes it's a real haunting. The farm owner’s handsome grandson, Charlie, is a huge skeptic. As Gretchen’s feelings for Charlie grow, so does her belief that he and this farm may be in serious danger. Can she save Charlie and his farm from a century-old haunting? Will she be able to fake her way out—or will she need to play her hardest con yet: her true self? Entertaining with a hint of the supernatural, it's a great choice for the spooky season or any time!
Borrow Happy Medium by Sarah Adler
Good Material
Andy is recently dumped, living in his best friend's spare bedroom, and still waiting for his stand-up comedy to take off. He’s also 35. He doesn’t understand how all his friends have adult lives with kids and houses, and he's still slumming like a 20-year-old. He figures the only way to get his life on track is to get back together with Jen, his ex. She was the one for him, and if he can show her that he’s grown-up, maybe he can win her back! This book is laugh-out-loud funny, and by the end of the book, you'll care for Andy and Jen as though they are your best friends.
Borrow Good Material by Dolly Alderton
The Book Swap
VOTED CONTEMPORARY ROMANCE GENRE WINNER! We meet Erin at a difficult time as she’s struggling to cope with the loss of her best friend. Things get worse when she accidentally donates her beloved copy of To Kill A Mockingbird, containing a card from her late friend, to a Little Library. To her surprise, the book reappears a few days later with the card intact, as well as some added notes from a Mystery Man. As Erin and Mystery Man correspond through notes left in books, a romance starts to bud. This book tackles complex themes like grief, loss, and mental health. Will our characters finally meet face-to-face? Or will their pasts get in the way of their future love?
Borrow The Book Swap by Tessa Bickers
Biography - Cody
Ghost Town Living
Are you an introverted dreamer who longs to leave the hustle and bustle of your city life behind? If so, you’re in good company with Brent Underwood, who, in early 2020, chose to seek adventure and bought Cerro Gordo, the once-largest silver mining town in California. In exchange for his life savings and job in finance, he packed up and moved to the edge of Death Valley to challenge himself, rebuild a town, build a new life, and gain a community of millions.
Borrow Ghost Town Living by Brent Underwood
Drawn Testimony
VOTED BIOGRAPHY GENRE WINNER! Imagine yourself in the courtroom of some of the highest profile court cases in the last 40 years—Boston Marathon Bomber, John Gotti and the New York City Mafia, Martha Stewart, Harvey Weinstein, Bill Cosby, Donald Trump, Tom Brady and the Deflategate scandal—that’s exactly where Jane Rosenberg found herself as one of America’s most prominent courtroom sketch artists. In her book, the author vividly paints her experiences in the justice system so well that it’s impossible not to be drawn in (pun intended!).
Borrow Drawn Testimony by Jane Rosenberg
The Darkest White
This is the story of Craig Kelly, how he became a world-champion snowboarder, brought recognition to the sport, and pursued his passion for free-riding in the backcountry before his life was tragically cut short in an avalanche. This is a tribute to the life of a legendary athlete and a cautionary tale of the dangers of the mountain. Even if you’ve never heard of Craig Kelly or never snowboarded, this book is a must-read.
Borrow The Darkest White by Eric Blehm
Mystery/Thriller - Deepti
One of Our Kind
Yoon's psychological thriller explores identity, privilege, and racial dynamics within an affluent all-Black community in California called Liberty. When Jasmyn Williams moves her family to this seemingly idyllic place to escape systemic racism, she soon uncovers unsettling secrets that challenge her understanding of belonging. This debut adult novel is a thought-provoking exploration of race and community in contemporary America and a chilling yet captivating story that keeps you hooked to the end.
Borrow One of Our Kind by Nicola Yoon
The Four
VOTED TOP HIDDEN GEM of 2024 & MYSTERY/THRILLER GENRE WINNER! This dark thriller follows four scholarship students—Rose, Marta, Sami, and Lloyd—at the elite High Realms boarding school, where they endure relentless bullying from their wealthy peers. These students came together because of a tragic incident. Keel's debut novel explores themes of power, privilege, and the psychological impact of bullying, delivering a gripping narrative that delves into the complexities of youth, trauma, and resilience in a hostile world.
Borrow The Four by Ellie Keel
Death in the Air
Settle in for a captivating murder mystery set in the exclusive Himalayan spa of Samsara. The story follows Ro Krishna, an American lawyer of Indian descent, who becomes an accidental detective when a murder disrupts the retreat. As he investigates alongside a diverse cast of characters, including a movie star and a politician, the novel explores themes of privilege and identity. Murali's debut combines wit and intrigue, delivering a modern whodunit reminiscent of Agatha Christie with unexpected twists.
Borrow Death in the Air by Ram Murali
Check It Out
BPL Instagram - Watch the pitch videos for all 12 Hidden Gems
Looking for More Hidden Gems?
Check out the books that were championed in our 2023, 2022, 2021, and 2020 tournaments—all winners in our view—to add to your 2025 reading list!