Author Archives: J D Jung
An UnderratedRead Revisited: My Part of Her – Javad Djavahery, Preface by Dina Nayeri, Translated by Emma Ramadan
(Reviewed by JD Jung) #CommissionsEarned “For what reason did the people take to the streets to demand the Shah’s departure? I assure you that if we asked the question today, the majority of Iranians wouldn’t know how to respond. For … Continue reading
Posted in Revisited
Tagged Historical fiction, Iran, Islamic revolution, political history, Tudeh party
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The Endless Rose – Carlos Maleno (translated by Eric Kurtzke)
(Reviewed by JD Jung) #CommissionsEarned “Then he thought of that woman, of her writing, that disappeared into itself—chaotic, brutal, savage, suicidal—like automatic writing, or the writing of a lunatic.” Thirty-seven-year-old publisher Roberto Fate was totally mesmerized as he read a … Continue reading
Posted in Crime, Mystery and Thrillers
Tagged crime fiction, murder, publishing, Spain
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An UnderratedRead Revisited: A Drinkable Feast: A Cocktail Companion to 1920s Paris- Philip Greene
(Reviewed by JD Jung) #CommisionsEarned “When spring comes to Paris the humblest mortal alive must feel that he dwells in paradise.” – … Continue reading
Hotel Splendide – Ludwig Bemelmans
(Reviewed by JD Jung) #CommissionsEarned The comical 1941 out-of-print memoir of author and illustrator Ludwig Bemelmans (1898- 1962) has just been re-released by Puskin Press. Bemelmans would later write the Madeline children’s book series. However, this memoir covers his few … Continue reading
Posted in Bios and Memoirs, History, Immigration, Non-fiction
Tagged American History, humor, immigration, memoir, New York
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Uncle Charlie Killed Dutch Schultz: The Jewish Mob: A Family Affair – Alan Geik
(Reviewed by Don Jung) #CommissionsEarned There are a lot of family histories out there to read about, but this one is different. While Alan Geik’s parents were not directly in the mafia, many of their relatives and friends he met … Continue reading
Posted in Bios and Memoirs, History, Non-fiction, Our Best
Tagged Crime, gangsters, Mafia, Prohibition, WWII
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An UnderratedRead Revisited: 1414º- Paul Bradley Carr
Reviewed by JD Jung) #CommissionsEarned “Be fair to the rapists; don’t feed the trolls; investigate the victims; don’t spook the advertisers; if in doubt, stay quiet…” These were the Bay Area Herald’s rules for investigating powerful tech companies, and Raum … Continue reading
Posted in Revisited
Tagged Big Tech, crime fiction, ethics, privacy, sexism, Silicon Valley, social media
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American Refuge: True Stories of the Refugee Experience – Diya Abdo
(Reviewed by JD Jung) “When refugees leave, it is rarely, if ever, happy. And it is never something they choose to do. Their bodies, finding no other way to survive, split themselves from their souls, wave goodbye to them, on … Continue reading
Posted in Immigration, Our Best, World Issues
Tagged immigration, Interviews, refugees, resettlement
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Hold the Line: The Insurrection and One Cop’s Battle for America’s Soul – Michael Fanone and John Shiffman
(Reviewed by JD Jung) “What sort of American tries to overthrow democracy? What kind of man becomes so consumed by a false belief that he drives across the country, storms the Capitol, and assaults police officers?” Those are pressing questions … Continue reading
Posted in Bios and Memoirs, Non-fiction, Our Best
Tagged insurrection, January 6, law enforcement, police brutality, PTSD
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Tower of the Sun – Tomihiko Morimi (Translated by Stephen Kohler)
(Reviewed by JD Jung) #CommissionsEarned “Even if the tides of time take to trumpeting tender togetherness, should we not remain alert to the dangers of praising love? Love is irrational. It is a dark passion that swirls in the depths … Continue reading
Posted in Far Eastern Literature, Humor & Satire, World Literature
Tagged humor, love, self-awareness
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