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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
An important UnderratedRead Revisited: My (Underground) American Dream – Julissa Arce
(Reviewed by JD Jung) “In less than two weeks there was more than a good chance my secret would finally be exposed—the secret that could ruin my life, that could send me to jail, that could end my career before … Continue reading
Posted in Bios and Memoirs, Immigration, World Issues
Tagged DACA, Dream act, illegal immigration, immigration, Mexico
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Yet Here I Am: Lessons from a Black Man’s Search for Home – Jonathan Capehart
(Reviewed by JD Jung) “Everything we do in life is an audition for something. We just don’t know what for yet.” Journalist, commentator, and Pulitzer Prize winning columnist Jonathan Capehart relates his life experiences in his memoir, Yet Here I … Continue reading
Posted in American Politics, Bios and Memoirs
Tagged gay, journalism, memoir, New York, race, truth
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The Illegals: Russia’s Most Audacious Spies and Their Century-Long Mission to Infiltrate the West: Shaun Walker
(Reviewed by Christopher J. Lynch) Plenty of people love to read crime novels. Others are fans of true crime. Some tastes tend toward the spy thriller genre. But what about a true spy story? The Illegals, by Journalist Shaun Walker, … Continue reading
Posted in History, Non-fiction, Politics and Social Justice
Tagged cold war, Russia, Soviet Union, spy
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Lonely Planet Women Travel Solo: 30 Inspiring Stories of Adventure, Curiosity and the Power of Self-Discovery – Lonely Planet
(Reviewed by JD Jung) From traveling solo on a container ship, walking the Camino de Santiago, hiking Mt. Etna, biking from Paris to Geneva, blackwater diving, and so much more, these women relate their experiences traveling alone. Unfortunately, many read … Continue reading
Posted in Non-fiction, Travel
Tagged camino de Santiago, diversity, sustainability, travel
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A Billion Butterflies: A Life in Climate and Chaos Theory -Dr. Jagadish Shukla
(Reviewed by JD Jung) Meteorologist and climate scientist Dr. Jagadish Shukla was a climate-change skeptic for years. What led him to change his mind? He recalls this and his life in his autobiography, A Billion Butterflies: A Life in Climate … Continue reading
Posted in Bios and Memoirs, Non-fiction, World Issues
Tagged climat4e science, climate change, India
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Black as Hell, Strong as Death, and Sweet as Love: A Coffee Travel Guide – Steven P. Unger (Author), Ruth St. Steven (Photographer)
(Reviewed by JD Jung) For those who consider coffee more than just a morning ritual, Black as Hell, Strong as Death, and Sweet as Love is a rich and aromatic journey through time, culture, and continents. Blending travel writing with … Continue reading
Posted in Culture, Food & Cooking, History, Reviewers' Top Picks, Travel
Tagged coffee, Costa Rica, Cuba, culture, Hawaii, history, Jordan, Miami, New Orleans, San Francisco, travel
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Your Pasta Sucks: A “Cookbook” – Matteo Lane
(Reviewed by JD Jung) “…my romance with pasta has been my longest and best relationship.” What can you expect from a cookbook written by a gay Italian, Irish and Mexican American stand up comedienne from Chicago? Plenty! Matteo Lane writes … Continue reading
Posted in Culture, Food & Cooking, Non-fiction
Tagged comedy, humor, Italy, LGBTQ, pasta
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The Folly of Realism: How the West Deceived Itself About Russia and Betrayed Ukraine – Alexander Vindman
(Reviewed by JD Jung) “Without Ukraine, Russia is a country; with Ukraine, it’s an empire.” Without an independent Ukraine we will see an acceleration of authoritarianism. This war is a fight between authoritarianism and democracy. So how did we get … Continue reading
Posted in American Politics, History, Non-fiction, Politics and Social Justice, Reviewers' Top Picks
Tagged authoritarianism, democracy, Russia, Ukraine
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Cellar Rat: My Life in the Restaurant Underbelly – Hannah Selinger
(Reviewed by JD Jung) Hannah Selinger graduated from Columbia University but found herself working as a server at a hometown dive. She eventually moved back to New York and found employment at some of the most trendy, high-end restaurants. First … Continue reading
Posted in Non-fiction
Tagged abuse, memoirs, New York City, restaurants
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My Bully, My Aunt, and Her Final Gift – Harold Phifer
(Reviewed by JD Jung) Hal endured a tumultuous upbringing under the cruel hand of his Aunt Kathy. While his mother suffered from severe mental illness, it was Aunt Kathy who had to step in to raise him and … Continue reading
Posted in Bios and Memoirs, Non-fiction
Tagged abuse, death, family dysfunction, mental illness
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