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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
Where’s My Fortune Cookie? – Phil Proctor, Brad Schreiber
(Reviewed by Don Jung) This memoir is a dazzling look into the wild and bizarre life of the talented Phil Proctor. While he is known as one of the four founding members of the Firesign Theatre, his story is full … Continue reading
Posted in Bios and Memoirs
Tagged 1960s, cartoons, comedy, entertainment, Firesign Theatre, New York City
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After the Last Border: Two Families and the Story of Refuge in America – Jessica Goudeau
(reviewed by Ann Onymous ) The subtitle of the book refers to “Refuge in America” but is there REFUGE to be found? They are REFUGEES but they are not experiencing the “condition of being safe or sheltered from pursuit, danger, … Continue reading
Posted in Immigration, Non-fiction, Reviewers' Top Picks, World Issues
Tagged immigration, refugees
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The Boys Are Back in Town: A Brody James Mystery – Karl Kling
(Reviewed by Don Jung) Brody James leaves the military to get a job in the Police Department of his hometown that he left fifteen years ago after graduating from high school. He reunites with old school acquaintances as he settles … Continue reading
Posted in Crime, Mystery and Thrillers
Tagged crime fiction, military, police
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It Takes a Lifetime to Learn How to Live: An Italian American story of coming home – Libby Cataldi
(Reviewed by JD Jung) Libby’s life was falling apart. Recently divorced, recovering from breast cancer, and struggling with her son’s heroin addiction, she felt lost and desperate for strength. Though she never got along with her own mother, she fondly … Continue reading
Posted in Bios and Memoirs
Tagged family, Italy, memoir, relationships
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Fight Night 1939: The Champ, the Challenger, and a Portrait of America on the Brink – Joseph Monninger
(Reviewed by JD Jung) I had never heard of Tony Galento before reading this book—the rough-edged heavyweight best known for flooring Joe Louis in the third round of their championship bout. At first glance, his story might seem like a … Continue reading
Posted in Bios and Memoirs, Non-fiction
Tagged Boxing, culture, racism, society, sports
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An UnderratedRead Revisited – Jump: My Secret Journey from the Streets to the Boardroom – Larry Miller with Laila Lacy
(reviewed by Ann Onymous ) “Should I come clean? I was well aware of the risk of unburdening myself to the executive in a public accounting firm, but all signs indicated I was on the path to landing my first … Continue reading
An Exceptional UnderratedRead Revisited: Scale of Time: From the Beginning – Joseph Lanzara
(Reviewed by Pat Luboff) “The underlying mission of this book is to render, with accuracy, unimaginably long lengths of time and incredibly vast distances in space, conceivable at a glance.” You’ll note that instead of listing just the author’s name, … Continue reading
Best Woman – Rose Dommu
(Reviewed by JD Jung) In times like these, when the world feels heavy and overwhelming, many of us crave a light and fun read. That’s what drew me to Best Woman. Yes, it’s light and humorous on the surface, but … Continue reading
Ham’s Heaven- Ori Gersht (Translated by Joanna Chen)
(Reviewed by Christopher J. Lynch) Ham’s Heaven was a tough book to get through – but not for the usual reasons: poor plotting, pacing, etc. It was tough because it was a very emotional story that needed to be … Continue reading
Posted in Historical Fiction, Middle Eastern Literature
Tagged animal, NASA, space
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The Bolden Cylinder A Bruneau Abellard Novel – Norman Woolworth
(Reviewed by JD Jung) I was excited to read The Bolden Cylinder because of its promise of jazz and its New Orleans setting—two of my favorite things. What I got was so much more: a richly layered mystery involving arson, … Continue reading
Posted in Crime, Mystery and Thrillers
Tagged friendship, history, jazz, New Orleans
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