Savvy Summers and the Po’boy Perils – Sandra Jackson-Opoku

Posted on July 21, 2026 by J D Jung

(Reviewed by JD Jung) I usually gravitate toward gritty thrillers rather than cozy mysteries, so I wasn't expecting Savvy Summers and the Po'boy Perils to hook me the way it did. But this engaging culinary mystery quickly won me over. Savvy Summers owns Essie's Place, the most popular soul food restaurant on Chicago's South Side,…

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We’re Here Again…An UnderratedRead Revisited: Mr. Siegel Writes to Washington – Rich Siegel

Posted on July 18, 2026 by J D Jung

(Reviewed by Don Jung)   (Editor's note: With the political demise of Graham Platner, the actual demise of Lindsey Graham, and the questionable demise of Mitch MConnell, the United States Senate is back in the spotlight. Though written during Trump's first term, Mr. Siegel Writes to Washington is still a timely and hilarious read. -JD…

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Happy Life – David Foenkinos (Author), Sam Taylor (Translator)

Posted on July 14, 2026 by J D Jung

(Reviewed by JD Jung) Eric Kherson is forty years old, divorced, has little contact with his son, and is struggling to find meaning in his life. He makes a good living but feels disconnected from both his personal life and his sense of purpose . When an old school acquaintance he barely remembered, Amelie, offers…

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Diary of a Tuscan Bookshop – Alba Donati (Author), Elena Pala (Translator)

Posted on July 10, 2026 by J D Jung

(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, restore trust, instil beauty into their hearts.” One of my favorite things to do while…

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Everything Was Beautiful and Nothing Hurt – Ben Reeves

Posted on July 7, 2026 by J D Jung

(Reviewed by JD Jung) Everything Was Beautiful and Nothing Hurt offers a fascinating and deeply original perspective on death through the character of Travis Smith, who is death in human form. Rather than causing death or deciding who dies, Travis has a singular purpose: he comforts people in their final moments and gently releases them…

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An UnderratedRead Revisited on this 4th of July:America’s Best Idea: The Separation of Church and State – Randall Balmer

Posted on July 4, 2026 by J D Jung

(Reviewed by JD Jung) For years Americans have taken for granted the most cherished and essential constitutional principles, one being the separation of Church and State. Historian and ordained minister Randall Balmer presents a timely, thoughtful, and deeply researched examination of this issue from the 17th century to current day in his book, America’s Best…

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Driving Mr. Albert: A Trip Across America with Einstein’s Brain – Michael Paterniti

Posted on July 1, 2026 by J D Jung

(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 an underrated read. He had a soft spot for road trip stories, and this was…

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An Exceptional UnderratedReads Revisited: Pancakes in Paris: Living the American Dream in France – Craig Carlson

Posted on June 28, 2026 by J D Jung

(Reviewed by J.D. Jung)  “I spoke of my favorite city and how beautiful it was…How all it needed was an American breakfast joint, and then it would be perfect!” Former Hollywood screenwriter, Craig Carlson, wanted to live his dream and open up an American diner in Paris. He fell in love with the city when…

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An UnderratedRead Revisited: Selamlik – Khaled Alesmael (translated from the Arabic by Leri Price)

Posted on June 25, 2026 by J D Jung

(Reviewed by JD Jung) “I am so glad I was born in Syria and get to be young in Damascus, no matter the fear and danger. I love Damascus even if she is cruel to me.” Our narrator Furat lives in the shadows and has always had to hide his sexuality. There are places where…

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An UnderratedRead Revisited: The Fitful Sleep of Immigrants – Orlando Ortega-Media

Posted on June 21, 2026 by J D Jung

(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 the last stop on that journey.” Such is the case of thirty-six-year-old attorney and recovering…

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