Underrated Reads

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…

Posted in Bios and Memoirs, Italian Literature | Tagged bookstores, Italian literature, memoirs | Comments Off

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…

Posted in Modern Literary Fiction | Tagged death | Comments Off

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…

Posted in Revisited | Tagged American politics, Christian Nationalism, Religion | Comments Off

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…

Posted in Bios and Memoirs | Tagged memoirs | Comments Off

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…

Posted in Revisited | Tagged cooking, LGBTQ, Paris | Comments Off

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…

Posted in Revisited | Tagged immigration, LGBTQ, Religion, Syria | Comments Off

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…

Posted in Revisited | Tagged immigration, LGBTQ | Comments Off

Lisette – Clare Castleberry

Posted on June 16, 2026 by J D Jung

(Reviewed by JD Jung) I'll be honest — erotic horror isn't usually my genre. But after enjoying Clare Castleberry's Bound by Blood, I gave Lisette a chance, and I'm glad I did. Set against the gritty backdrop of New Orleans and its surrounding swamplands, Lisette packs an impressive amount of story into just 77 pages.…

Posted in Dark/Sordid/Bizarre, Horror | Tagged horror, murder, New Orleans, sex, short books | Comments Off

An Excellent UnderratedRead Revisited:The Riddle of the Sphinx – Alexandre Montagu

Posted on June 13, 2026 by J D Jung

(Reviewed by JD Jung) Eric (Keyvan) fled Iran as a child during the Islamic revolution and grew up in Paris. He later studied Comparative Literature at Princeton. That is one scenario. What would have happened if he was forced to stay in Iran? So much of one’s life (or death) is determined by a…

Posted in Revisited | Tagged identity, Iran, Islam, LGBTQ | Comments Off

An Author’s Dozen: Thirteen Short Stories – Christopher Amato

Posted on June 9, 2026 by J D Jung

(Reviewed by JD Jung) If you enjoy literary short story collections that explore the complexities of human nature, then An Author's Dozen is well worth your time. The thirteen stories are remarkably original, taking readers across different locations, time periods, and emotional landscapes. Themes of destiny, regret, resilience, love, and self-discovery run throughout the collection.…

Posted in Fiction, Modern Literary Fiction, Short stories | Tagged short stories | Comments Off