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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: Bios and Memoirs
Taking Down Backpage: Fighting the World’s Largest Sex Trafficker – Maggy Krell
(Reviewed by JD Jung) “While a commercial sex transaction may seem consensual on the surface, the lopsided power dynamic, the history of trauma and abuse, and the lack of options often make the consent illusory. And sex without consent is … Continue reading
Posted in Bios and Memoirs, Non-fiction, Reviewers' Top Picks, Social Justice
Tagged human trafficking, Non-fiction, rape, sex trafficking, Sexual abuse
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Where Have You Been Bobby Marr?: Friend, Felon, Hero – Morris Dalla Costa
(Reviewed by Christopher J. Lynch) #CommissionsEarned Where Have You Been Bobby Marr? is the memoir of Bobby Marr, a young man who left the US to fight in Viet Nam as a whole man, but came back in pieces, physically … Continue reading
Posted in Bios and Memoirs
Tagged memoirs, PTSD, Vietnam War
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Here, Right Matters: An American Story – Alexander Vindman
(Reviewed by JD Jung) “Regardless of any impact on the president, the domestic and foreign policy consequences, or personal costs, I had no choice but to report what I’d heard. That duty to report is a critical component of U.S. … Continue reading
Posted in American Politics, Bios and Memoirs, History, Immigration, Non-fiction, Politics and Social Justice, Reviewers' Top Picks, World Issues
Tagged Donald Trump, ethics, immigration, impeachment, military, Russia, Soviet Union
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Becoming Trader Joe: How I Did Business My Way and Still Beat the Big Guys – Joe Coulombe with Patty Civalleri
(Reviewed by Don Jung) Becoming Trader Joe is a true story about a marketing genius who went against conventional mega grocery store chains to create his own style of branding, with a name with unusual food products. Joe Coulombe started … Continue reading
Posted in Bios and Memoirs, Business, Non-fiction
Tagged Business, marketing, Trader Joe
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Nine Moons – Gabriela Wiener, Jessica Powell (Translator)
(reviewed by JD Jung) “Europe is the best place for a Latin American to starve to death and drink good wine.” Gabriela Wiener and her husband originally travelled from Peru to Barcelona on student visas. However, when these two journalists … Continue reading
Posted in Bios and Memoirs, Latin American Literature
Tagged childbirth, immigration, pregnancy
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Where Silence Ends – Angela Ruiz, Mary Ruiz
(Reviewed by Jeyran Main) Where Silence Ends is a beautiful story about how a young girl finally breaks silence over all the abuse and trauma she has gone through. Reading through four generations of Mexican American culture, family drama, and … Continue reading
Posted in Bios and Memoirs
Tagged memoirs, Sexual abuse
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Hits, Heathens, and Hippos: Stories from an Agent, Activist, and Adventurer – Marty Essen
(Reviewed by Don Jung) Marty Essen is an interesting personality who went from being in the music industry to becoming a political activist and then a travel writer/lecturer covering seven continents. This autobiography has a laid-back narrative that feels … Continue reading
Posted in Bios and Memoirs, Non-fiction
Tagged autobiography, Business, entrepreneur, travel
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Snow Blind: Recovering After the Random Shooting – William M Johnson
(reviewed by Ann Onymous ) “Why was I given the gift of almost immediate acceptance of what had happened, when othersweren’t?“ July 1991 found our author, Bill, shot in the head, which left him permanently blind. He was working in … Continue reading
Posted in Bios and Memoirs, Non-fiction
Tagged blindness, disabilities, inspirational, memoirs
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This Is the Fire: What I Say to My Friends About Racism – Don Lemon
(Reviewed by JD Jung) “Racism is a cancer that has been metastasizing throughout this land ever since Columbus showed up. It’s persisted because the right people had the luxury of ignoring it. Not anymore.” In fact, Donald Trump, a blatant … Continue reading
Posted in American Politics, Bios and Memoirs, History, Non-fiction, Politics and Social Justice, Social Justice
Tagged American History, racism, Social change, social justice
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