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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: Fiction
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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Citizens of Light – Sam Shelstad
(Reviewed by JD Jung) #CommissionsEarned You may wonder how the characters in this story function in everyday life, but that’s part of the charm of Citizens of Light. Colleen Weagle is not proud of her past. As a teenage runaway, … Continue reading
Posted in Crime, Mystery and Thrillers
Tagged Canadian fiction, Crime, cults, Niagara Falls, Toronto
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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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Song Noir: Tom Waits and the Spirit of Los Angeles – Alex Harvey
(Reviewed by JD Jung) #CommissionsEarned My first introduction to Tom Waits was in Jim Jarmusch’s 1985 film, “Down By Law”. I found him quite enigmatic, and as a singer/songwriter was drawn to his authenticity. While reading Song Noir, I realized … Continue reading
Posted in Bios and Memoirs, Culture, History
Tagged beat generation, film noir, Los Angeles, music, songwriting
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The Stories Behind the Poses: The Indian mythology that inspired 50 yoga postures – Raj Balkaran
(Reviewed by JD Jung) #CommissionsEarned For yoga aficionados who wish to dig deeper into the theory of their practice, this is the book for you. Author Dr. Raj Balkaran’s hope is that the book “will not only deepen your inner … Continue reading
Posted in Health and Fitness, Philosophical reads, Sci-Fi/Speculative/Fantasy/Mythology
Tagged lore, myth, yoga
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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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The Safe Game – Wes Verde
(Reviewed by Christopher J. Lynch) #CommissionsEarned The Safe Game by Wes Verde is undoubtedly one of the best books I have ever read. Set in the late 1920’s America, it follows the story of three con artists trying to pull … Continue reading
Posted in Crime, Mystery and Thrillers, Historical Fiction, Reviewers' Top Picks
Tagged crime fiction, grift, Historical fiction
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The Weasel Cay Chronicles – Chadd Allan Wheat
(Reviewed by Don Jung) #CommissionsEarned Two brothers live in a remote area of paradise, Weasel Cay, a fictitious island in the Caribbean. Charlie Spinnaker is a former Navy pilot who runs the local helicopter service from the island to Key … Continue reading
Posted in Crime, Mystery and Thrillers
Tagged Caribbean Islands, CIA, drugs, murder
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