Hidden Gems | May 2026 > Likes and Comments

Welcome to this month's Hidden Gems challenge!

Hidden Gems is a fantastic way to plow through those mountains of books claiming space in your house or e-reader. This challenge produces some fun group interaction as well, because someone else chooses which book you’ll read next.

If you sign up, you'll be matched up with a Hidden Gems partner. You will choose a book from the list your partner designates which you have already read and cannot believe your partner hasn’t read yet. Your partner will do the same for you with the list you designate. The point is to find that “Hidden Gem” that you think they’ll love… because you adored it when you read it!

Let us know which books you choose for each other. When you finish reading your gem, let us know what you thought about it. Perhaps your Hidden Gem might find its way to someone else’s wish list!

Match-ups will be created on the 10th of the month. Please choose books for each other by the 13th.

Sign up by telling us which list you’d like your partner to choose from.

Happy reading, friends!

I'm in! Please select 3-4 books from my Hidden Gems shelf:

https://www.goodreads.com/review/list...

I'm in!

Please pick 5 books from my hidden gems shelf:

https://www.goodreads.com/review/list...

I'm in. Please select 3-4 books from my Hidden Gems shelf:

https://www.goodreads.com/review/list...

I'm in! Please choose 3-4 from my Series in Progress
https://www.goodreads.com/review/list...

and/or physical books shelves
https://www.goodreads.com/review/list...

I'm in! Please give me at least 2 options from my 2026-hg shelf: https://www.goodreads.com/review/list...

I’m in - I don’t have a specific shelf.

Please choose 3-4 books.

I'm in. Choose 2-3 from my Hidden Gems shelf.

I'm in! Please choose 3-4 books from my Temp Read Soon shelf:

https://www.goodreads.com/review/list...

I’m in! Please pick 3-4 from any of the following shelf’s

My 2026 Must Read Shelf

My Hidden Gems Shelf

I'm in. Please choose several from my hidden gems shelf
https://www.goodreads.com/review/list...

I'm in. Please select 4-5 from my CFD Current Challenges shelf:

https://www.goodreads.com/review/list...

hope i’m not too late thought i already joined! pls pick 2-3 books from my to read list!

I'm in! Please pick from any book from my to read shelf. 😊

Will we be getting our matches soon?

Many, many apologies, friends! Who knew May would be so busy for me this year? Thanks for your patience and for checking in. I am so, so sorry for the delay. Matchups are coming up in a jiffy.

No worries as long as you’re ok. Life can be like a roller coaster at times so completely understand :)

Here are this month's match-ups. Let's get picks in by May 15 this time, due to my delay in posting matchups. (Again, I'm so sorry and strive to do better next time around.)

Hope (13) - Sarita (7)
Michelle (2) - Brittany (9)
Missy (8) - Bridget (11)
Jackie (4) - Andrea (18)
Chantel (14) - Charlene (10)
Staci (5) - Kate (6)
Karen (12) - Kathi (3)

Jackie, here's my list: https://www.goodreads.com/review/list...

Charlene wrote: "No worries as long as you’re ok. Life can be like a roller coaster at times so completely understand :)"

Other than some foot pain (maybe plantar fasciitis, definitely stress fractures again) and clearly some memory issues (haha!), I'm doing well. I should have spotted that Mother's Day was on the 10th this month. I am hardly ever productive on holidays that my family celebrates. Live and learn, right? I got a great reminder course on that this month, for sure!

Glad all is well Andrea! :-) Time with family is a blessing.

Kate, your list is short but has multiple excellent options!

Here are my picks:


I enjoyed all of these.

Jackie, here are my picks for you.


The Hiding Place: The Triumphant True Story of Corrie Ten Boom
This book broke me in the best way. It's poignant and worth the tears.


Echoes of Mercy
This story remains a fond memory for me. There's something about Mrs. Sawyer's author voice that resonates long-term.


The Medallion
Mrs. Gohlke's writing challenges as it dives deep. Her books are ones I like to settle in with for a good ethical rumination.

Happy reading!

Thank you, Andrea. I will begin with the Hiding Place. I am looking forward to read all three.

Andrea, your link took me to your currently reading list is that correct? I am not at a computer so typing the titles for you.

Goodness. Let me get the correct link. I'm not sure how that happened!

Let's see if this link gets you to my CFD Hidden Gems list.
https://www.goodreads.com/review/list...

Michelle,

You have a few books that I have really loved! Here are my picks for you:

Staci, you've given me some great options! I'm planning on going for The Women of Oak Ridge , but if I have enough time, I think I want to sneak in A Hidden Hope as well.

My choices for you:
The Collector of Burned Books , Through Each Tomorrow , The Juliet Code , The Road Before Us

Happy Reading!

Karen here are your 4 choices:

Andrea, here are my selections for you.

Hope's Enduring Echo by Kim Vogel Sawyer

Great story of family, love, and youth learning about themselves and the correct path to take.


All's Fair in Love and Christmas by Sarah Monzon

Cute story. Work rivals compete for a promotion during the company's holiday competition

Without a Clue by Melissa Ferguson

Rom-Com mystery. Good chuckles

Enjoy reading

Thank you so much, Jackie! I'm going with Without a Clue. I could use a fun, lighthearted mystery right now.

Brittany, here are a few of your books that caught my eye. I hope you find one that you enjoy!

Thank you, Brittany! I'll read and .

Thanks Kate! I will probably go with:

Thanks, Michelle! I will probably start with as it also helps me with another challenge I'm doing.

Missy,
You have some really good books to choose from, I had a hard time just choosing a few.
Here's my choices for you - I've enjoyed all of them


Enjoy!

Thanks, Kathi - I'll go with and also hope to read

Unfortunately, I have not read anything on your shelf but here are books either on my TBR List or by authors I've enjoyed:


Hope you find an enjoyable read.

Andrea wrote: "Charlene wrote: "No worries as long as you’re ok. Life can be like a roller coaster at times so completely understand :)"

Other than some foot pain (maybe plantar fasciitis, definitely stress frac..."

Good to hear your well. Celebrating with family is important so definitely a priority. Hope your foot pain relieves soon. (Praying)

Karen I picked :

Hi Chantel,

For you I pick

- I loved all of these but they are all on the emotional heavy side! So I also pick

Happy reading for the one you pick :)

Hi Hope

Here are my selection for you:

Hi Sarita!
My picks for you are

Ty for your picks! I will probably go with

Thanks Hope, I will read

Hi Bridget -

Here are my picks for you. I have read a couple of these and liked them. The other one just looks cute. Hope you enjoy one of them.

, , .

I am going to choose -