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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
Tides Ebb as Islands Dream – Brian J. English, Ph.D
(Reviewed by J.D. Jung) #CommissionsEarned Rule #1: Don’t try to understand anything. This was Sean’s primary rule as he began his assignment at the village of Gilutongan in the Olango Islands in the Philippines. Like so many Peace Corps volunteers, … Continue reading
Posted in Culture, Environmental, Modern Literary Fiction, Travel, World Issues
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A Child Out of Alcatraz -Tara Ison
(Reviewed by J.D. Jung) When I visit San Francisco, I often gaze over the bay to that small island that radiates so much history. This island housed some of America’s most infamous criminals: Al Capone, Robert Franklin Stroud (the Birdman … Continue reading
Posted in Historical Fiction, Modern Literary Fiction
Tagged book reviews, Historical fiction, San Francisco
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Admission – Jean Hanff Korelitz
(Reviewed by J.D. Jung) I don’t know anything about the upcoming release of the film, Admission, starring Tina Fey and Paul Rudd, but I fondly remember reviewing the book right before is was released in 2009. It was college decision time, and students constantly … Continue reading
Posted in Modern Literary Fiction
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Stone the Devil – Jac Simensen
(Reviewed by J.D. Jung) They say that money is power, so what would happen if an American billionaire decided to take international affairs into his own hands? Specifically, what if he could change the balance of power in the Middle … Continue reading
Posted in Crime, Mystery and Thrillers
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Paris I’ve Grown Accustomed to Your Ways. – Ruth Yunker
(Reviewed by J.D. Jung) “…if one comes back often enough and stays long enough, the Parisian precision, their prickliness, and the inability to play fair, will begin to matter less and less-“ Few Americans can appreciate the subtle cultural differences … Continue reading
Posted in Bios and Memoirs, Travel
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Too Bright to Hear Too Loud to See – Juliann Garey
(reviewed by Renée Kay) Greyson Todd, a very successful studio executive, suffers from bipolar disorder. Todd detested his own father whose manic episodes created tremendous chaos both financially and emotionally for the family. On the other hand, he adored his mother … Continue reading
Posted in Modern Literary Fiction
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Where’s the fiction?
Attention, readers. I must apologize for not posting more fiction. It’s not that I haven’t been reading; it’s just that, well, I haven’t found much worth posting. I’m not saying that what I’ve read isn’t good; after all, it’s very … Continue reading
Posted in Let's talk
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16 Seasons in Hell: The Definitive Western Account of The WWII Campaign on The Eastern Front – Daniel Bennett
Reviewed by Glenda Anderson Daniel Bennett’s book is monumental, written with a keen understanding and insight. It encompasses a detailed research and piecing together of thousands of minutiae gleaned from histories, military documents and memoirs, affording an exceptional eagle’s eye … Continue reading
Posted in History, Reviewers' Top Picks
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Fifty-Fifty, The Clarity of Hindsight – Julie L. Kessler
(Reviewed by J.D. Jung) “…forgiveness led to compassion, which in turn led to empathy. Very often empathy, as hard as it may be to extend it to one who has wronged you, is the very best shield of self-protection and … Continue reading
Posted in Bios and Memoirs
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Tales of Tomasewski – Del Staecker
(Reviewed by J.D. Jung) No one remembers your accomplishments, only your last mistake. And it was a whopper. In fact it would plague Jan Tomasewski (aka Jake Thompson) for his entire career in the Chicago PD. While busting a Guatemalan … Continue reading
Posted in Crime, Mystery and Thrillers
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