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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: Non-fiction
The Confederacy Myth: How an Insurrection of Slaveholders Tried to Destroy the United States – Connor Williams
(Reviewed by JD Jung) At a time when politicians, civic leaders, and school boards are trying to erase uncomfortable parts of American history, particularly the Civil War and the treatment of African Americans, historian Connor Williams offers a timely corrective … Continue reading
Posted in American Politics, History, Non-fiction, Politics and Social Justice
Tagged American Civil War, politics, racism, U. S. History
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I Did Not Survive. I Just Refused To Stop.: The Extraordinarily Abnormal Life of an Average Desi Muslim Girl – MissFit Writes
(Reviewed by JD Jung) “There is one unforgivable sin in any society: to be different. Be different and be damned. And yet—whenever you find yourself on the side of the majority, it is time to pause and reflect.” … Continue reading
Posted in Bios and Memoirs, Middle Eastern Literature, Poetry, World Literature
Tagged culture, Muslim, Pakistan, poetry
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The Art of Mingling, (4th Ed.): Fun and Proven Techniques for Socializing in Person – Jeanne Martinet
(Reviewed by JD Jung) Do you ever walk into a party where you hardly know anyone and immediately wonder, “Who am I supposed to talk to?”, and then, ”What do I say?” If so, The Art of Mingling is the … Continue reading
Posted in How do I do that?, Non-fiction, Your Best Self
Tagged self-discovery, self-help
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American Caesar How Theocrats and Tech Lords Are Turning America into a Monarchy – Bradley B. Onishi
(Reviewed by JD Jung) When I finished reading American Caesar, I found myself thinking that this book is about much more than the possibility of an American Caesar. Bradley B. Onishi examines a movement that is working to fundamentally reshape … Continue reading
Posted in Non-fiction, Politics and Social Justice
Tagged American politics, Christian Nationalism, democracy
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The Ingredients of Emotional Maturity: How to become more self-aware and resilient -The School of Life
What I appreciate about The Ingredients of Emotional Maturity is its emphasis on understanding ourselves rather than constantly trying to “fix” ourselves. The authors explain how much of our behavior, reactions, and inner dialogue can be traced back to childhood. … Continue reading
Posted in Non-fiction, Your Best Self
Tagged psychology, self-help
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Kindred Spirits: Thomas Merton, Jack Kerouac, and Zen – Edward C Sellner
(Reviewed by JD Jung) Edward C. Sellner’s Kindred Spirits brings together two unlikely figures—Trappist monk Thomas Merton and Beat Generation icon Jack Kerouac. This well-researched biography explores how Buddhist thought influenced each man’s spiritual journey. Both men battled depression, wrote … Continue reading
Posted in Bios and Memoirs, Philosophical reads
Tagged biography, philosophy
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Diary of a Tuscan Bookshop – Alba Donati (Author), Elena Pala (Translator)
(Reviewed by JD Jung) “People want stories; it doesn’t matter who wrote them, they need stories to take their mind off things, stories to identify with or to take them elsewhere. Stories that won’t hurt, that will heal a wound, … Continue reading
Posted in Bios and Memoirs, Italian Literature
Tagged bookstores, Italian literature, memoirs
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Driving Mr. Albert: A Trip Across America with Einstein’s Brain – Michael Paterniti
(Reviewed by JD Jung) I first heard about this book the way all the best recommendations happen — from a stranger in a secondhand bookstore. During a visit to Nashville, I ducked into Defunct Books and asked the bookseller for … Continue reading
Posted in Bios and Memoirs
Tagged memoirs
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Inspiration Porn: Essays – Ryan O’Connell
(Reviewed by JD Jung) Inspirational Porn is one of the most honest, funny, and emotional memoir collections I’ve read in a long time. Known for the Netflix series “Special” and his television writing career, Ryan O’Connell infuses these essays with … Continue reading
Posted in Bios and Memoirs, Non-fiction
Tagged LGBTQ, memoirs
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The Royal We – Roddy Bottum
(Reviewed by JD Jung) It’s the early 1980’s and San Francisco is a city of non-conformity, tolerance, and acceptance in contrast to Los Angeles, where most try to conform. That along with the abundance of drugs is part of what … Continue reading
Posted in Bios and Memoirs, Non-fiction
Tagged LGBTQ, memoirs
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