What are the best strategies for a novel hunter to discover hidden gems?

The Beale Ciphers are an interesting part of a buried treasure story. Supposedly, a man named Beale left behind a set of ciphers that, when decoded, would lead to a vast treasure of gold, silver, and jewels. Some have attempted to crack the ciphers, but no one has been able to fully do so and find the treasure yet.

Well, you can find a lot of unique short science - fiction stories on Tumblr. Some independent authors use it as a platform to share their work. Also, there are blogs that focus on the science behind science - fiction concepts, like warp drives and time travel. They break down the theoretical physics in a really accessible way for sci - fi fans.

Checking out small, independent publishers is another way. They sometimes produce really interesting and unique graphic novels that don't get as much mainstream attention but are real hidden gems.

Umineko no Naku Koro ni is a great visual novel. It has a complex mystery story filled with magic, family secrets, and mind - games. The multi - layered plot and the large cast of characters make it very interesting. Another hidden gem could be 'Muv - Luv Alternative'. It starts off as a typical harem - like story but then takes a very different and darker turn, with an epic story of war and survival.

A lesser - known but great piece of Argentine fiction is 'Krindles' by an emerging author. It tells a story of a small town's transformation in a very engaging way.

The book 'Exit West' by Mohsin Hamid is also a great find. It tells the story of refugees in a very unique and almost magical - realist way. It shows how people can find new beginnings even in the most difficult of circumstances. And 'Sing, Unburied, Sing' by Jesmyn Ward is a powerful novel that combines family, race, and the supernatural. It gives voice to the experiences of African - American families in the South in a very moving way.

I think 'On Earth We're Briefly Gorgeous' is a bit of a hidden gem in the 'Best Summer Books 2019 Fiction' category. The prose is lyrical and it tells a very personal and moving story about identity, family, and love. It's not as well - known as some of the others but it's definitely worth reading.

'Tipping the Velvet' by Sarah Waters. It's about a young girl named Nan who falls in love with a male impersonator on stage. Her journey through different relationships and her exploration of her own lesbian identity are beautifully portrayed. It has vivid descriptions of the Victorian theater scene.

In South Korea, 'Please Look After Mom' by Kyung - Sook Shin is a remarkable novel. It's a poignant story about a family's search for their missing mother. It delves deep into the relationships within a family, highlighting the importance of mothers and how often their sacrifices go unnoticed. It makes readers reflect on their own family relationships.

'We Are Not Ourselves' by Matthew Thomas. It's a family - centered story that spans generations. It shows the hopes, dreams, and disappointments of an Irish - American family. It's a very relatable read for those interested in family dynamics and the passage of time.