An UnderratedRead Revisited:Shameless: Republicans’ Deliberate Dysfunction and the Battle to Preserve Democracy – Brian Tyler Cohen

Posted on January 28, 2025 by J D Jung

(Reviewed by JD Jung)

Exceptional

“You can’t understand the Trump phenomenon unless you understand the role that independent media on the right has played in terms of social media, in terms of amplification of his message, in terms of getting his fake news across.”

Democrats have yet to create a strategy to compete with the right-wing media environment. How can they create a message that is delivered to the audience that most needs to hear it? How can they get it out effectively? Why are Democrats held to higher standards than Republicans?

Political commentator Brian Tyler Cohen explores these questions in depth as well as how shamelessly Republicans use anti-democratic techniques to stay in power, in Shameless: Republicans’ Deliberate Dysfunction and the Battle to Preserve Democracy. These tactics include gerrymandering, voter suppression, manipulating the courts and the Electoral College.

Cohen explains the history of this Republican strategy, back to the 1971 “Powell memo”, including Reagan instilling public distrust in our institutions, political hostility and media manipulation from Newt Gingrich in the 1990’s and the REDMAPing (Redistricting Majority Project ) of the 2010’s.

Opinions from Maryland Rep. Jamie Raskin (inc. the forward), former Minnesota senator Al Franken, journalist Mehdi Hasan and other political contributors add to this essential read.

This must-read book not only suggests what Democrats can do to effectively get their message out, but also what we, as citizens, can do preserve our democracy. And isn’t that a worthwhile struggle for every American?

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An UnderratedRead Revisited- Not Too Late: Changing the Climate Story from Despair to Possibility – by Rebecca Solnit

Posted on January 25, 2025 by J D Jung

 

(Reviewed by JD Jung)

 

Exceptional “Nothing is inevitable, and that’s crucial to remember in this fight.”

Personally, I have felt both hopeless and helpless when it comes to preserving our planet and fighting climate change. Not Too Late convinced me through its essays and interviews that what I do on an individual basis and what we can do collectively does, in fact, matter.

The writers, through their diverse backgrounds and perspectives, take a global look at the current climate crisis, both causes and possible solutions.

For example, in “Decolonizing Climate Coloniality”, Farhana Sultana shows how colonization throughout the world has managed to ruin our climate. Gloria Walton in her essay, “Shared Solutions Are Our Greatest Hope and Strength” acknowledges that indigenous peoples, immigrants and communities of color are hardest hit by climate change. But she also explains how these communities are successfully working towards a more affordable and sustainable way of life.

There is even an interesting timeline, “An Extremely Incomplete List of Climate Victories”. Many writers explain the specific frame of mind that this fight will take.

There are so many thought-provoking essays in this anthology, that I can’t mention them all here. One that particularly stuck with me was “What to Do When the World is Ending” by Yotam Marom. He provides examples of how people successfully fought despair when their world seemed to be ending. While despair is the easy way out, it “is also, quite simply, bad politics. By surrendering the fight outward, despair refocuses us inward.”

Every reader will probably relate more to some essays than to others, based on their life experiences. I suggest that you don’t read the collection all at once but savor it in bite-sized morsels.

Not to Late is an essential handbook for fighting the climate crisis. Readers will look at this fight in a whole new and inspiring light.

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Invisible Helix – Keigo Higashino (Author), Giles Murray (Translator)

Posted on January 22, 2025 by J D Jung

(Reviewed by JD Jung)

Exceptional
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If you’re searching for a crime thriller that grips you from the first page and doesn’t let go, Invisible Helix is the novel for you. When homicide detectives investigate a plausible murder: a man floating in Tokyo Bay, shot in the back, they think it will be open and shut. The victim, Ryota Uetsuji was physically abusive to his live-in girlfriend, Sonoka Shimauchi who reported him missing about a week prior to the discovery. Though she has an alibi, she cannot be found when they later try to question her. Add to that, they discover that she is on the run with children’s book author, Mae Matunaga.

A lot here doesn’t make sense to Chief Inspector Kusanagi, so he pays a visit to his friend, Physics Professor Manabu Yukawa, who often consults the Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department.

One of the book’s strengths lies in its storytelling. Every detail, no matter how seemingly insignificant, serves the larger mystery. The author crafts a world where lies are rampant, truth is elusive, and nothing is as it appears. Even the layered backstory, including family history, kept me hooked until the last revelation.

I thought Invisible Helix was a superb stand-alone novel, but I discovered that it is the fifth installment in the “Detective Galileo Series”. Detective Galileo is Professor Manabu Yukawa, though he plays only a supporting character in this novel. Heads up: We learn a surprise about him, too.

Invisible Helix is such a page-turner that fans of intricate crime thrillers are sure to enjoy it. I hope to read more translated works by author Keigo Higashino.

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The Silver Squad: Rebels With Wrinkles – Marty Essen

Posted on January 17, 2025 by J D Jung

(Reviewed by Don Jung)


Sometimes you want to read a feel-good book that isn’t violent and full of unrelated events that get you all confused. Well, this is one of those quirky stories with surprises along the way.

When Barry confronts his old age and realizes it would be best for him to move into a Senior Assisted Housing Facility, he finds that his old high school sweetheart, Beth, also lives there. They are both seventy years old and bored with their new daily living routine.

They bring excitement to their dull lifestyle by going around the country in Robin Hood fashion. Along the way, they befriend Jenny, a victim of an abusive husband. She soon joins them in their shenanigans and gives them another cause to take on.
How they go about all this is exciting and entertaining.

What you don’t expect is how they become folk heroes, and at one point their actions propel them to celebrity status. However, they realize that they must confront an injustice at a familiar location near where they started.

The Silver Squad: Rebels with Wrinkles is comical, bizarre, and it’s a good escape from reality. A fun read.

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Second Pocket First – Gregory Grosvenor

Posted on January 13, 2025 by J D Jung

(Reviewed by JD Jung)


Issey had always been a thief, but not a particularly good one. The thrill of lifting someone’s property was overwhelming since he was a boy stealing mail. Lockpicking was his specialty, but as an adult working in Boston for a small-time gangster named Berger, he just didn’t bring in enough valuable items. A big heist was scheduled for Faneuil Hall, but Berger told Issey that he would not be part of it, and so he was essentially fired.

His older brother needed his help in cleaning out his mother’s house, as she was moving in with her latest husband. With a bruised ego and nothing else to do, Issey returned to his small childhood town in Vermont.

Issey had to continue to steal, as his entire self-worth was entangled in this vocation. Though he had previous run-ins with the law, he prided himself in that he never used or carried a gun while committing a burglary. He also found that breaking in and pilfering from these people was just too easy, but he prided himself on that.

Soon, when he finds that three horses are stolen, and not by him, he feels his stability threatened. However, he soon discovers a new and rather novel way to enhance his earnings. Though the local police are on to him, the reader is anxious to learn how our burglar will end up. Will he be arrested, does he leave town, or does he take time for self-reflection?

What I particularly enjoyed about Second Pocket First are the eccentric characters. From family to childhood friends to new acquaintances, these small-town citizens play a vital role in the story and enhance the plot. Though the story is humorous, it isn’t over the top. Though I didn’t particularly like our sociopathic protagonist, I enjoyed reading about this non-violent anti-hero.

With all the serious news and tragedies taking place, Second Pocket First provides a light, fun diversion.

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The Book Censor’s Library – Bothayna Al-Essa , translated from the Arabic by Ranya Abdelrahman and Sawad Hussain

Posted on January 8, 2025 by J D Jung

(Reviewed by JD Jung)

 

 

This cautionary tale takes place “sometime in the future, in a place that would be pointless to name, since it resembles every other place.” All I know is that it is at a time when global democracy is obsolete and is considered part of the “Old World”, and individuality and creativity are considered threats to the carefully curated narrative of the government.

Our unnamed narrator is proud to be employed as a book censor as books and reading are considered more dangerous than firearms or drugs. Not only is the reading of history forbidden, due to the attempt of the government to create its own, but also so is creativity and imagination.

Children with imagination are sent to rehabilitation centers for deprogramming. The cause of a vivid imagination is believed to be a biological fault or a result of poor parenting. Our book censor becomes faced with a predicament when his daughter exhibits a vivid imagination, including asking to be sprinkled with fairy dust, and enjoying the company of her imaginary friends.

But that’s not all. He finds himself entranced by a book he is reading to ban, Zorba the Greek. Against every principle of his training, he is also drawn to Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland and Pinocchio. This dilemma sends him down a rabbit-hole, which will make more sense as you read.

Readers will be eager to find out whether our book censor will stay a patriot or become a traitor (like a reader or bookseller). The author weaves the story’s plot and characters into an enthralling tale. It’s both dark and colorful, sad and humorous.

The Book Censor’s Library provides a satirical, yet poignant look at censorship, providing a wake-up call to those who relish their freedom and liberty. How far will governments go to destroy individual creativity and diversity of thought?

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Tenth Commandment: A Cat Caliban Mystery (The Cat Caliban Mysteries) – D. B. Borton

Posted on January 2, 2025 by J D Jung

(Reviewed by Pat Luboff)

 

Exceptional

“I’m too tired. I just want to go to bed with a book.”

In Chapter 1, sixty- one -year-old Cat was asked what she was good at. She thinks: “Certainly not marriage or motherhood or housekeeping, despite my years of practice.” And she describes other things she’s not good at and notes that none of the friends she is with volunteers anything! A few paragraphs later, another friend calls to say her book club has “a real murder on our hands and we need your help. We want you to find the killer.” Her thought: “At last, something I’m good at.”

This is the third Cat Caliban mystery I’ve read and reviewed. I just “happened” to find my review for Five Alarm Fire while searching on my computer for another file. After reading it, I knew what I was missing in this book. Laughter.

In the tenth Cat Caliban book, Cat is nearing the end of her of her training to become an official detective. She reluctantly takes on a case that may or may not be a murder. As I predicted in my last review, Borton brings us into a whole new world of information. This time it’s book clubs, writers, publishers, and academia. I found that more interesting than the world of pottery from book five. I’m a writer, not a potter!

I did enjoy reading the book. It is like a meal of many courses. One needs to slow down and savor each sentence for its subtle wit and depth of insight. No big laughs, but a few chuckles along the way and lots of food for thought. Many theories of the crime are entertained. The ending is a surprise. It sheds further light into the world of literature and how it gets created and published.

I recommend Tenth Commandment for readers who enjoy taking their time to immerse in a new world of possibilities.

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Happy New Year 2025!

Posted on December 31, 2024 by J D Jung

(by JD Jung)

Happy New Year!

We at UnderratedReads wish all our readers a safe and Happy New Year filled with health and love throughout 2025.

We have discovered wonderful books during 2024, and since we only post reviews of books that we recommend, all books on our site are highly recommended.

However, here’s an abbreviated list of our highest rated books that we discovered in 2024, in no particular order. There’s something here for everyone:

 

Non-Fiction

The Scale of Time: From the Beginning – Joseph Lanzara (reviewed by Pat Luboff)

On Heroism: McCain, Milley, Mattis, and the Cowardice of Donald Trump – Jeffrey Goldberg (reviewed by JD Jung)

 

Fiction

Rakiya: Stories of Bulgaria – Ellis Shuman (reviewed by JD Jung)

The Safekeep – Yael van der Wouden (reviewed by JD Jung)

Nein, Nein, Nein!: One Man’s Tale of Depression, Psychic Torment, and a Bus Tour of the Holocaust – Jerry Stahl (reviewed by JD Jung)

Goldenseal – Maria Hummel  (reviewed by JD Jung)

Ilium  – Lea Carpenter  (reviewed by JD Jung)

 

Please peruse our site to find all of our “must-reads” and “highly recommended” books.

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Trust Issues – Katherine Nichols

Posted on December 27, 2024 by J D Jung

(Reviewed by JD Jung)


From the moment you pick up Trust Issues and are drawn in by its intriguing cover, you might expect a romance or women’s fiction story. But don’t be fooled—this novel packs a crime thriller punch, brimming with suspense, mystery, and unforgettable characters.

The story revolves around Claire Kincaid, a PR professional in Atlanta whose work demands she spin the less-than-redeeming actions of her powerful clients, from judges to politicians. Her task takes a chilling turn when murder comes into the picture. Not only does she find herself in danger, but also a grieving teenager that she is hiding and trying to protect. As if that weren’t enough, her fiancé—claiming to be a forensic accountant—mysteriously vanishes, leaving behind an empty apartment and more questions than answers.

The novel’s strengths lie not only in its tightly woven plot but also in its richly crafted characters. Claire’s bond with her free-spirited grandmother (a vestige from the hippie era) adds warmth and levity to the narrative, contrasting her strained relationship with her mother, who is fixated on uncovering the identity of Claire’s biological grandfather. These personal dynamics enrich the story, providing layers of depth that make the high-stakes thriller even more compelling.

Trust Issues masterfully balances the personal and the perilous, offering twists and turns that keep readers guessing until the very end. The fast-paced narrative is complemented by a cast of quirky, yet pivotal characters that will captivate fans of contemporary crime fiction.

For those seeking a gripping read that blends suspense with moments of heartfelt humanity, Trust Issues is the book for you.

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An UnderratedRead Revisited: The Scale of Time: From the Beginning – Joseph Lanzara

Posted on December 24, 2024 by J D Jung

(Reviewed by Pat Luboff)

“The underlying mission of this book is to render, with accuracy, unimaginably long lengths of time and incredibly vast distances in space, conceivable at a glance.”

You’ll note that instead of listing just the author’s name, I have included the phrase as he has it on the front of his book. This isn’t just a book you sit down and read. It is a creation that is meant to convey the history of the universe from its start to today, with a glimpse into billions of years of the possible future. It comprises graphics, a book-length timeline, pages that read one way and then upside-down and the other way. It’s fun, it’s chock-a-block with facts. Names are dropped: Woody Allen, Stephen Hawkings, Raquel Welch, Clarence Darrow. How do all these connect? You’ll have to get the book to find out!

How many zeros in a googol? How far is a light year? What are the chances that two snowflakes would be alike when one septillion (1 + 24 zeros) flakes fall in a winter? These and many other juicy questions are answered in the book. The creator delivers a huge amount of information in 67 pages (127 when you turn it around and read it the other way), in easy-to-follow language, with a touch of whimsy here and there.

I love this book, the idea of it and the execution. It would make a great gift to anyone interested in science, including yourself. I watch a lot of YouTube videos on the latest in science, including quantum physics and space exploration. Even though some of the information here was not new to me, the presentation and the concentration of it all in one place kept me interested throughout.

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