Here are some of the books that didn't park themselves atop the NYT bestseller lists and movies that didn't do boffo box office numbers in 2025, but, in the opinion of HCPL staff members, deserve some love and attention.
For Kids
Bigfoot's Big Heart by Sarah Glenn Marsh
Recommended by Sarai A. / Galena Park Branch
This is such a cute, heart-warming book about friendship and community amongst cryptids and scouts.
The Day the Earth Blew Up: A Looney Tunes Movie
Recommended by Raul O. / Atascocita Branch
2D Animation theater releases are rare these days, and this sci-fi animated comedy displays all the slapstick and charm of Looney Tunes to all its glory. It's a film that, although not perfect, will bring out the laughs in children and one's inner child.
For Teens & Young Adults
I Am Not Jessica Chen by Ann Liang
Recommended by Katelyn H. / Cataloguing, Aquisitions & Technical Services Division
This is the book I wish I'd read as a teenager. Body swapping novels (a la Freaky Friday) are always a treat in my opinion, but the raw emotional heart at the core of this one -- plus beautifully written prose -- is what really makes this one shine. A satisfying romantic subplot doesn't hurt, either. I recommend this to any teen or former teen who struggles with feeling like they never measure up to their own expectations and wishes they could be someone else.
Where the Heart Should Be by Sarah Crossan
Recommended by Emily G / Maud Marks Branch
Crossman’s YA novel in verse transports readers to famine-stricken mid-19th-century Ireland, where Nell, forced to leave school, works as a scullery maid in her landlord’s grand manor. Inside the lavish “Big House,” she witnesses stark contrasts to her own family’s desperate struggle after yet another failed potato crop. When the new heir arrives, Nell is drawn to him despite the gulf between their worlds, and he to her. Crossman captures both the cruelty and beauty of the era, making this a perfect choice for historical fiction fans.
For Adults
Fantasy
Anji Kills a King by Evan Leikam
Recommended by Kelly H. / Parker Williams Branch
Yes, Anji killed a king, and now the whole world is hunting her down. But one bounty hunter is fighting all the rest to try to keep her alive for the bounty. They take magical drugs to fight faster, make illusions, and stave off pain. I follow this author as a book reviewer on Instagram, and I was pleasantly surprised to enjoy this genre-bending story full of twists and turns, fighting for redemption, and with a surprisingly lonely Western feel to it.
For Whom the Belle Tolls by Jaysea Lynn
Recommended by Gage P. / Aldine Branch
An ultimate cozy fantasy-romance read about the afterlife. It's based on a popular TikTok series, but you don't need to have seen that to enjoy the book.
House of Blight by Maxyim M. Martineau
Recommended by Zoe B. / Barbara Bush Branch
This was one of the best romantic fantasy books I read this year! House of Blight is a gothic world full of intrigue, betrayal, lots of tension, and a unique magic system that had me obsessed from page one. It's perfect for fans of Silvia Moreno-Garcia's Mexican Gothic but with more magic!
The Country Under Heaven by Frederic S. Durbin
Recommended by Aleca J. / Information Technology Services
Eldritch horror/fantasy seamlessly interwoven with evocative western writing. Set post-Civil War and told from the perspective of Ovid, a former Union soldier who has visions and an awareness of an arcane dimension that exists alongside our own following a near-death experience during the war, this book is a fascinating blend of genres with so much humanity and creativity. It is a fascinatingly imaginative fantasy with elements of horror and an extremely well-written western without sacrificing the intensity and worldbuilding of fantasy or the pacing and environment-as-character elements of westerns. The western-style cover caught my eye, the Cthulhu-esque monster on it caught my interest, and the description of this book as “Louis L’Amour meets H.P. Lovecraft” sealed the deal.
General Fiction
The Road to Tender Hearts by Annie Hartnett
Recommended by Loli d. / Spring Branch Memorial Branch
Okay, I'm not sure this is really a hidden gem. It has 415 holds on the audio version, but I still think it's under the radar and should be promoted more. I guarantee it will be made into a movie.
Historical Fiction
Junie by Erin Crosby Eckstine
Recommended by Nathan L. / North Channel Branch
A debut historical fiction novel with a supernatural twist: 16-year-old enslaved Junie awakens her sister’s ghost on the Eve of the Civil War, setting in motion a story of survival, legacy, and power. The unusual premise and rich setting make it a standout that might not yet be widely known in broader reading circles.
The Gods Time Forgot by Kelsie Sheridan Gonzalez
Recommended by Rozette P. / Evelyn Meador Branch
I love historical fiction and fantasy books. This book was an easy read, and even though it contains a romance, it keeps it clean. It makes a great book to read on a rainy day with a cup of tea and a warm blanket.
The Seed Keeper by Diane Wilson
Recommended by Carrie V. / Baldwin Boettcher Branch
I found the novel both poetic and moving, and the storyline of finding a connection to family and land was something I could relate to in my personal life. The author guides us through the story and family heritage in such an effortless way that it felt like I was there in those times and places. I definitely would recommend this book to anyone that is wanting something both meaningful and educational, because I felt like I learned so much about the Dakota people and their true stories.
Horror
Bring Her Back, directed by Danny and Michael Philippou
Recommended by Dylan S. / Programs, Partnerships & Outreach Division
Last year, I recommended that patrons check out "Talk to Me," and if they liked that, they would surely like "Bring Her Back," as the same studio and director made it. This movie had me questioning if I actually liked horror movies. Unlike "Talk To Me," which mostly revolves around unexplained fantastical elements (Ghosts), the events in "Bring Her Back" focus on things that can happen in real life. The little fantastical elements that occur in this movie stem from logical places, and that's what I find so scary about this movie. I understand where the antagonist is coming from and could see how something like this could happen in real life. So, if you're looking for a horror movie with amazing storytelling, no cheap jump scares, and that deals with the complications of trauma, love, and grief, then check out "Bring Her Back."
Strange Pictures by Uketsu
Recommended by Esteban S. / Freeman Branch & Maria G. / Northwest Branch
Written by an anonymous author, this Japanese book was only translated and published in English this year. This book is an anthology of prickly short stories that all revolve around... strange pictures! Drawn by victims of crime or trauma, each tale spins a story of ever-growing mystery that wraps together in a shocking, if convoluted, twist. One thing's for sure. You'll never look at doodles the same way again! --Esteban S.
A book that will keep you guessing right until the very end. -- Maria G.
The Substance, written and directed by Coralie Fargeat
Recommended by Garen O. / Research & Development Division
A jarringly surreal and dystopian commentary on modern beauty standards, hyper-materialism, and one's internal struggles of self-worth, depicted in an all-around incredible performance. Recommended for fans of cult classics, body horror, dark comedy, and the Black Mirror series.
When the Wolf Comes Home by Nat Cassidy
Recommended by Laura H. / Crosby Branch
When the Wolf Comes Home is a book about fear and all the ways it affects us. From the eerie opening to the blood-soaked chaos that follows, this book is terrifying in all the best ways-- creative, layered, and 100% relentless. Word of advice: go with the audiobook if possible, and don't skip the afterword.
LGBTQ+
Greta & Valdin by Rebecca K. Reilly
Recommended by Brianna S. / Kingwood Branch
This is a cute, cozy, and meandering book about navigating queerness, love, and multiracial identity. The author is quite funny and it's generally a good time.
Nonfiction
Everything Must Go: The Stories We Tell About the End of the World by Dorian Lynskey
Recommended by davec / Programs, Partnerships & Outreach Division
Humans have probably wondered how the world will end for as long as they have been capable of imagining how it began. The end of the world, in various forms, is prophesied in most major world religions, including Christianity, Islam, Judaism, and Hinduism. But in the 19th century, artists began imagining the end as something disconnected from religious underpinnings. These secular visions of the apocalypse persist in our exceedingly anxious era. In short, depictions of zombie apocalypses in the 1950s were driven by very different fears than those shaping today’s content, and Lynskey explores these shifts with wit and precision, teasing out how apocalyptic stories both shaped and reflected the anxieties of their times.
Ingenious: A Biography of Benjamin Franklin, Scientist by Richard Munson
Recommended by Sarai A. / Galena Park Branch
It is a very straightforward nonfiction book that teaches you a lot about Benjamin Franklin. I thought I already knew a good amount about him, but I learned so much more about him as a scientist/inventor and about his relationships with his friends, the public, and the British and U.S. governments.
Super Visible: The Story of the Women of Marvel Comics by Margaret Stohl
Recommended by Gage P. / Aldine Branch
A really fun and fascinating read about the women who have been at Marvel since the beginning. The layout of the book is great, too; it makes for a quicker read.
The Latina Anti-diet: A Dietitian's Guide to Authentic Health That Celebrates Culture and Full-flavor Living by Dalina Soto
Recommended by Jessica R. / Programs, Partnerships and Outreach Division
In a world where health influencers and Pilates instructors are constantly dropping their (usually misleading) ""hot takes"" on what you should actually be eating on social media, The Latina Anti-Diet is the complete opposite. Instead of pushing restriction or fear, this book embraces Latino foods, cultures, and balance. This guide breaks down nutrition in a way that feels doable and relatable, and it reminds you that your culture is not the problem; it's diet culture. Dalina Soto, a Latina dietitian and author, talks about how to take care of your body without ditching your culture or your food. No guilt, no restriction, no being told arroz con frijoles are “unhealthy.”
Oh, and BMI is BS!
The Möbius Book by Catherine Lacey
Recommended by Nathan L. / North Channel Branch
This book feels like reading someone’s dream — looping, poetic, and full of insight. It’s a perfect pick for readers who like experimental fiction that still hits close to the heart.
Why We Love (and Hate) Twilight: The Highs and Lows of the Twilight Saga by Sarah Elizabeth Gallagher
Recommended by Rachel W. / Barbara Bush Branch
Why We Love (& Hate) Twilight explores the importance of the Twilight series in popular culture, how these pieces of media reflect our society, and the way fandom shapes our lives. This book left me with a new appreciation for how community can be found in fandom has me needing to reread the books and rewatch the movies.
Why We Love (and Hate) Twilight
Science Fiction
All the Water in the World by Eiren Caffall
Recommended by Heidi P. / South Houston Branch
This is a dystopian novel set in an overly flooded New York. The apocalyptic setting demonstrates how communities respond in times of disaster. This book will prompt you to reflect on the environmental and political issues that currently drive us.
The Dream Hotel by Laila Lalami
Recommended by Sarah G. / Spring Branch Memorial Branch
This is one of the most original books I've ever read. The main character shows tremendous strength while going through a very difficult and unfair experience after being targeted by literal thought police using A.I. and algorithms. I started to classify this book as "general fiction." It is definitely "science fiction," but it feels like a future that could be right around the corner if we aren't careful.
We Lived on the Horizon by Erika Swyler
Recommended by Katelyn H. / Cataloguing, Aquisitions & Technical Services Division
If character-driven speculative fiction that examines systemic injustices--particularly injustice in algorithmic-driven systems--is your idea of a good time, might I suggest We Lived on the Horizon? A fresh take on the sentient AI narrator, with really interesting commentary on human-computer interaction, I recommend this to any literary sci-fi readers out there!
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