Author Archives: J D Jung

Are We French Yet? Keith & Val’s Adventures in Provence – Keith Van Sickle

Posted on January 3, 2019 by J D Jung

(Reviewed by Don Jung) What would happen if you decided to divide your family life between two countries and live six months of the year in each place? Well, that’s what author Keith Van Sickle has done as he tells … Continue reading →

Posted in Bios and Memoirs, Culture, Non-fiction, Travel | Tagged culture, France | Comments Off

Our Favorites of 2018

Posted on December 30, 2018 by J D Jung

( by JD Jung) We at UnderratedReads wish all of you health, happiness and prosperity in 2019. As a tradition, we want to remind you of the books that received a 5 bookmark (Must-read now!) rating from our reviewers … Continue reading →

Posted in Let's talk | Comments Off

An UnderratedRead Revisited:The Trouble with Reality: A Rumination on Moral Panic in Our Time – Brooke Gladstone

Posted on December 24, 2018 by J D Jung

(Reviewed by JD Jung) “American history is picked with ferment, battles and brawls over with is true. But at this moment, the nation seems to waging Civil War over reality itself. It is thrilling to watch, and tough to sit … Continue reading →

Posted in Revisited | Tagged American politics, Donald Trump, politics | 1 Comment

Hôtel Inspiré – Douglas Warren

Posted on December 21, 2018 by J D Jung

(Reviewed by JD Jung) “Without realizing it at the time he would be unable to crawl back into his former ‘safe’ life. He had emerged like a butterfly, le papillon. Now he would learn to fly, in fact soar.” Though … Continue reading →

Posted in Modern Literary Fiction | Tagged France, Paris, short books | Comments Off

Lowdown – Anthony Schneider

Posted on December 14, 2018 by J D Jung

(Reviewed by JD Jung) “…Jimmy is from the old days…They really were family when he was young; now there’s not the same trust. Some things like that, they never come back once they’re gone. All five families are the same. … Continue reading →

Posted in Crime, Mystery and Thrillers | Tagged crime fiction, Mafia, Romance | Comments Off

A much needed reminder of our ratings

Posted on December 12, 2018 by J D Jung

Dear readers, authors, publicists and publishers, I have received numerous comments on books that have received a “3 bookmark” (highly recommended) rating. Some of you have asked, “Why did my book only receive 3 bookmarks?” Since we only post reviews … Continue reading →

Posted in Let's talk | Tagged book reviews | Comments Off

A Drinkable Feast: A Cocktail Companion to 1920s Paris- Philip Greene

Posted on December 7, 2018 by J D Jung

(Reviewed by JD Jung) “When spring comes to Paris the humblest mortal alive must feel that he dwells in paradise.” – … Continue reading →

Posted in Food & Cooking, History | Tagged 1920s, cocktails, Hemingway, Lost Generation, Paris, Prohibition, WWI | 1 Comment

Corkscrew: The highly improbable, but occasionally true, tale of a professional wine buyer – Peter Stafford-Bow

Posted on December 4, 2018 by J D Jung

(Reviewed by Don Jung) Prep school failure Felix Hart got his first job as an inventory clerk at a wine shop. Little did he realize that this would set the stage for his career as a premier wine buyer in … Continue reading →

Posted in Modern Literary Fiction | Tagged book review, dark humor, wine | Comments Off

The Seeker’s Riddle: A Novel of First Contact – Andrew Calhoun

Posted on November 27, 2018 by J D Jung

(Reviewed by Dorothy Rendon) Locke Howden is a 17-year-old with ambitions to rescue himself and his sister from their dead-end existence in south Texas in the 23rd century. Mankind is using local wormholes to colonize the galaxy and Locke wants, … Continue reading →

Posted in Sci-Fi/Speculative/Fantasy/Mythology | Tagged science fiction, space | Comments Off