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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.
Category Archives: Modern Literary Fiction
All-Night Pharmacy-Ruth Madievsky
(reviewed by JD Jung) #CommissionsEarned “You have no idea what it’s like being your sister. I’ve never had a day of rest in my life. Chasing after you like a dog. Leaving pieces of myself behind. And every time, you … Continue reading
Posted in Modern Literary Fiction
Tagged drug abuse, drug addiction, family, family dysfunction, Judaism, refugees, Soviet Union
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Maximum Taxi – Douglas Bales
(Reviewed by JD Jung) #CommissionsEarned “As I come out of the tunnels on my way home, the city lies below me with its lights sparkling. I think about Misty and Mickey and all of the screwed-up people running around the … Continue reading
Posted in Modern Literary Fiction
Tagged dark humor, drugs, society
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The Fitful Sleep of Immigrants – Orlando Ortega-Medina
(Reviewed by JD Jung) “We were a family of emigrants, on the move from generation to generation. Forced to flee our homes because of intolerable situations imposed on us by those in power. The United States was meant to be … Continue reading
Posted in Crime, Mystery and Thrillers, Modern Literary Fiction, Reviewers' Top Picks
Tagged addiction, family, immigration, Judaism, LGBTQ, Religion, San Francisco, thrillers
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Central Places – Delia Cai
(Reviewed by JD Jung) Twenty-seven-year-old Audrey Zhou is leading a life most of us would be envious of. Living in New York City as a sales rep for a newspaper, she has many friends and is engaged to a … Continue reading
Posted in Immigration, Modern Literary Fiction
Tagged immigrants, relationships
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Many Are Invited – Dennis Cuesta
(Reviewed by JD Jung) #CommissionsEarned An untimely death at a housewarming party takes place just prior to the millennium, and Silicon Valley IT professional Steve Galanos is trying to make sense of it all. Later, he proceeds to recount events … Continue reading
Posted in Crime, Mystery and Thrillers, Modern Literary Fiction
Tagged Big Tech, friendship, jealousy, Silicon Valley
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Which Side Are You On – Ryan Lee Wong
(Reviewed by JD Jung) #CommissionsEarned Why did Reed’s grandparents want him to have the best education? “His answer: “So I could participate in the great American ladder climb, where East Asians hoard resources and try to become white at the … Continue reading
Posted in Culture, Modern Literary Fiction
Tagged Asian American, Los Angeles, New York, political activism, race relations, social justice
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Life Slightly – Nigel Jay Cooper
(Reviewed by JD Jung) #CommissionsEarned “An entire life, lived on the outside edges, like a shadow pressing into other people’s problems and dramas.” What happens when you deny your true self in order to avoid conflict and comply with other’s … Continue reading
Posted in Modern Literary Fiction
Tagged British literature, denial, LGBTQ, life
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A Cigarette Lit Backwards-Tea Hacic-Vlahovic
(Reviewed by JD Jung) #CommissionsEarned “Punk rock is pure, it stands for nothing.” It’s the early 2000’s and sixteen-year-old Kat feels that punk rock was intrinsically made for her. She desperately wants to be accepted by the punk crowd in … Continue reading
Posted in Modern Literary Fiction
Tagged coming-of-age, drugs, punk, punk rock
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Dark State – Christopher J. Lynch
(Reviewed by Don Jung) #CommissionsEarned “The terrorists know…The government knows…Now – YOU will know” A terrorist attack is something we all fear but would it ever be so horrific that you would want to leave your home and not come … Continue reading
Posted in Modern Literary Fiction, Reviewers' Top Picks
Tagged California, power grid, terrorist attack
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The Deceptions – Jill Bialosky
(Reviewed by JD Jung) #CommissionsEarned “Beautiful Aphrodite, she did what she pleased. Surely, she did not worry about pleasing her husband, or hate herself for her acts of infidelity. Those gods and goddesses, they have no shame.” Our unnamed narrator … Continue reading
Posted in Modern Literary Fiction, Reviewers' Top Picks
Tagged betrayal, Greek mythology, poetry, seduction
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