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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
Café Unfiltered- Jean-Philippe Blondel, translated by Alison Anderson
(Reviewed by JD Jung) “Freedom of movement is what I want more than anything—particularly after eighteen months of restrictions.” Cafes just started to reopen after the release of the Covid-19 vaccines, and José, the waiter at Le Tom’s Café is … Continue reading
Posted in French Literature
Tagged COVID-19, Paris
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An Exceptional UnderratedRead Revisited:The Fall of a Sparrow – Robert Hellenga
(Reviewed by J.D. Jung) #CommissionsEarned After reading one of my favorite books, The Italian Lover, I just wanted to grab anything related to it and its characters. Author Robert Hellenga wrote a book about the protagonist’s lover, classics professor Alan … Continue reading
Another Exceptional UnderratedRead Revisted: The Sixteen Pleasures – Robert Hellenga
#CommissionsEarned Last month, I reintroduced you to The Italian Lover, a sensual work of literary fiction. After reading that wonderful book, I just had to grab Robert Hellenga’s earlier novel, The Sixteen Pleasures. This book recounts the beginning of Margo’s … Continue reading
An Exceptional UnderratedRead Revisited:The Italian Lover – Robert Hellenga
(Reviewed by JD Jung) Margo Harrington, an American expatriate living in Italy, is excited to hear that her memoir, The Sixteen Pleasures, will be made into a feature film. The book details her experiences when she first came to Florence. … Continue reading
An UnderratedRead Revisited: The Riddle of the Sphinx – Alexandre Montagu
(Reviewed by JD Jung) #CommissionsEarned How do I begin a review of a novel that kept me captive from page one and didn’t release me until the very end? I didn’t want to break for work, family, friends, or anything. … Continue reading
Posted in Revisited
Tagged Iran, Islamic revolution, LGBTQ, Shah
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The Man in the Corduroy Suit (The Discipline Files Book 3) – James Wolff
(reviewed by JD Jung) #CommissionsEarned Retired British intelligence officer Willa Karlsson was rushed to the hospital due to an apparent poisoning. Though the exact toxin cannot be verified, the methods look similar to those previously executed by Russian intelligence. Why … Continue reading
Posted in Crime, Mystery and Thrillers
Tagged British literature, espionage, Russia
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A Knock at Midnight: A Story of Hope, Justice, and Freedom – Brittany K. Barnett
(Reviewed by Ann Onymous ) “Listening to King’s voice ringing out from the pulpit, i felt warmth begin to flow where only a wrung-out feeling had been. King’s tenor lifted me from within. His words were a balm for my … Continue reading
Posted in Non-fiction, Reviewers' Top Picks, Social Justice
Tagged criminal justice, Martin Luther King, prison, social justice
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An UnderratedRead Revisited: Antiman: A Hybrid Memoir – Rajiv Mohabir
(reviewed by JD Jung) “I wanted to stop hiding. I wanted to tell them that I was queer. Queer sexually, queer religiously, queer by caste, and queer countried.” Rajiv Mohabir never felt that he belonged. As a resident of Central … Continue reading
Posted in Revisited
Tagged class, culture, Guyanese, immigrants, immigration, India, LGBTQ, political activism, race, sexuality
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Your Turn – Lavelle Andrew Miller
(reviewed by JD Jung) #CommissionsEarned Why was a well-respected detective with the Metro Nashville Police Department framed for a murder he did not commit, and worse, the crime of killing a fellow police officer? After serving ten years, that former … Continue reading
Posted in Crime, Mystery and Thrillers
Tagged murder, Nashville, police, prison
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