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UnderratedReads is devoted to discovering underrated books and under-represented authors. We highlight hidden gems from around the world–honest reviews only, never pay-to-play.
Author Archives: J D Jung
Goodbye Chinatown – Kit Fan
(Reviewed by JD Jung) This emotionally layered novel blends food, family, politics, and identity into a powerful story. Set between London, Hong Kong, and Shanghai, it follows Amber Fan, a talented young chef determined to build her dream London restaurant, … Continue reading
Posted in Culture, Fiction, Modern Literary Fiction
Tagged food, immigration, multiculture
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An UnderratedRead Revisited and Tribute to Sonny Rollins
JD Jung) Last week, tenor saxophonist and jazz great Sonny Rollins passed away at the age of ninety-five. In 1959, twenty-eight-year-old Rollins disappeared for two years with the purpose of practicing and improving his craft. He wrote down his thoughts … Continue reading
Final Transaction: Murder, Money & Real Estate – Diane Dickinson
(Reviewed by JD Jung) This fast-paced real estate murder mystery pulls readers deep into Houston’s world of wealth, ambition, and secrets. When successful realtor Todd Drake — co-owner of Drake Properties and one of Houston’s top boutique real estate agents … Continue reading
Inspiration Porn: Essays – Ryan O’Connell
(Reviewed by JD Jung) Inspirational Porn is one of the most honest, funny, and emotional memoir collections I’ve read in a long time. Known for the Netflix series “Special” and his television writing career, Ryan O’Connell infuses these essays with … Continue reading
A Timely UnderratedRead Revisited: Shameless – Republicans’ Deliberate Dysfunction and the Battle to Preserve Democracy – Brian Tyler Cohen
(Reviewed by JD Jung) “You can’t understand the Trump phenomenon unless you understand the role that independent media on the right has played in terms of social media, in terms of amplification of his message, in terms of getting … Continue reading
An UnderratedRead Revisited : Great Again – Bill Day
(Reviewed by JD Jung) Ex-Marine Jack O’Mally is divorced and estranged from his adult daughter. He just can’t accept that she is married to a black musician and living in California. Jack is captain of his New Jersey neighborhood watch, … Continue reading
The Royal We – Roddy Bottum
(Reviewed by JD Jung) It’s the early 1980’s and San Francisco is a city of non-conformity, tolerance, and acceptance in contrast to Los Angeles, where most try to conform. That along with the abundance of drugs is part of what … Continue reading
The Promise of America: Reflections On Our Enduring Ideals – National Constitution Center
(Reviewed by JD Jung) For readers interested in American history, and the ongoing debate over the meaning of the founding documents, this collection of essays from the National Constitution Center offers an insightful and balanced examination of the principles behind … Continue reading
KOSTYA – Scott Zimmerman
(Reviewed by Don Jung) This powerful World War II novel delivers a deeply personal and harrowing account of survival, resilience, and the human spirit under unimaginable conditions. Based on a true story, it follows Kostya, a seventeen-year-old Ukrainian boy captured … Continue reading
Good News – Alexa Yasemin Brahme
(Reviewed by JD Jung) If you enjoy character-driven fiction about identity, ambition, and messy personal growth, Good News delivers a captivating and relatable story. Maggie, a woman in her late twenties pursuing her MFA, feels caught between her artistic dreams … Continue reading
Posted in Fiction, More fiction, Romance
Tagged artists., emotion, immigration
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