Author Archives: J D Jung
An UnderratedRead Revisited: The Coin – Yasmin Zaher
(Reviewed by JD Jung) “…in my family, America was both the key and the curse.” Our narrator, who is from a wealthy Palestinian family moved to New York after her parents died. She was left with an inheritance of which … Continue reading
An UnderratedRead Revisited: Wait- Gabriella Burnham
(Reviewed by JD Jung) “They threw me out of the country like I was a nothing.” Wait delves into the intricate layers of family, identity, and the harsh realities faced by undocumented immigrants in the United States. Through the … Continue reading
An UnderratedRead Revisited: Black Pill: How I Witnessed the Darkest Corners of the Internet Come to Life, Poison Society, and Capture American Politics – Elle Reeve
(Reviewed by JD Jung) I’ve been amazed how CNN correspondent Elle Reeve has put herself in risky situations to get a story as well as to obtain the perspective of potentially dangerous people. This is even more evident in her … Continue reading
Selamlik – Khaled Alesmael (translated from the Arabic by Leri Price)
(Reviewed by JD Jung) “I am so glad I was born in Syria and get to be young in Damascus, no matter the fear and danger. I love Damascus even if she is cruel to me.” Our narrator Furat lives … Continue reading
Posted in Immigration, Middle Eastern Literature, Scandinavian Literature, World Issues
Tagged homoerotic, LGBTQ, refugees, Religion, Sweden, Syria, Syrian civil war
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Curdle Creek – Yvonne Battle-Felton
(Reviewed by JD Jung) It’s around 1960 and the residents of Curdle Creek never leave for any reason. Black residents have lived there for generations and believe that anywhere outside this small remote town is dangerous. An exception to … Continue reading
Posted in Dark/Sordid/Bizarre, Horror, Sci-Fi/Fantasy/Mythology
Tagged horror, magic, mystical, ritual
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An Underrated Read Revisited: Down with the Poor! – Shumona Sinha, translated by Teresa Lavender Fagan
(Reviewed by JD Jung) “…the same stories and the same bodies blended in my head, lost all definition and all form, became a dark and shapeless mass of giant bodies, that growled, shouted, demanded, cried, pleaded. Were they inventing a … Continue reading
California Rain – Frank McAdams
(Reviewed by JD Jung) Set against the backdrop of 1950s America, California Rain delivers a gripping noir thriller that blends the intrigue of political scandal, the fight for justice, along with the glamour of old Hollywood. With an evocative sense … Continue reading
Posted in Crime, Mystery and Thrillers, Historical Fiction, Noir-esque fiction
Tagged crime fiction, Hollywood, murder, noir
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Pieces: Maddy Reynolds in the Crosshairs – John Netti
(Reviewed by JD Jung) Detective Maddy Reynolds was so burned out from her job that she decided to take early retirement and move to the small, quiet town of Berry Lake, New York. Little did she know that her … Continue reading
Posted in Crime, Mystery and Thrillers
Tagged Crime, New York, serial killers
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A Relevant Poem by Lawrence Ferlinghetti
Pity The Nation (2007)- Lawrence Ferlinghetti (1919-2021) (inspired by Khalil Gibran) Pity the nation whose people are sheep, and whose shepherds mislead them. Pity the nation whose leaders are liars, whose sages are silenced and whose bigots haunt the airwaves. … Continue reading
A Must Read Now! -On Heroism: McCain, Milley, Mattis, and the Cowardice of Donald Trump – Jeffrey Goldberg
(Reviewed by JD Jung) Why do so many politicians and public servants continue to support a man who has little regard for the military, no regard for the Constitution, and holds dictators in such high regard? Jeffrey Goldberg, Editor in … Continue reading
Posted in Revisited
Tagged American History, American politics, Donald Trump, heroism, military
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