The Most Underrated Books
I’ve been loving crowd sourcing on my Instagram! It’s fascinating to know what everyone thinks and values. Plus it feels like we’re building the strength of the Read & Wright community each time we’re collectively answering the same question!
On Wednesday, I asked for what you think are the most underrated books and let me tell you, it was so fun to read through them and see if I agree or disagree. If you’ve read any of them or they’ve been sitting on your shelves for years, I’d love to know!
Underrated Books
We’re Going to Need More Wine by Gabrielle Union
The Miracle Tree by Davalynn Spencer
A Long Way Gone : Memoirs of a Boy Soldier by Ishmael Beah—This one sounds fascinating and heartbreaking! A memoir of a man who at age 13 was picked up by the government army in his country and a gentle hearted boy was forced to commit heinous acts of violence.
Go Set A Watchman by Harper Lee—I haven’t read this one yet but I know a lot of people think this on taints the legacy of To Kill A Mockingbird. I don’t know if I want to read this one but I’m glad it resonated with others!
Uprooted by Naomi Novik—This sounds like an epic fantasy! Dragons, Wizards, a girl who loves the quiet of her village and is called upon to save it from corruption and evil! Another Naomi Novik that was mention is Spinning Silver.
The Wolves of Winter by Tyrell Johnson—This one is compared to Station Eleven, The Hunger Games, The Road, and The Walking Dead! A young girl crosses a frozen landscape to find her destiny.
The Curious Charms of Arthur Pepper by Phaedra Pepper—Perfect for fans of A Man Called Ove, this one sounds like a story that deals with loss but with a hopeful spin.
Rabbit by Patricia Williams
Sweep by Jonathan Auxier—”Sweep is the story of a girl and her monster. Together, these two outcasts carve out a new life—saving each other in the process. Lyrically told by one of today's most powerful storytellers, Sweep is a heartrending adventure about the everlasting gifts of friendship and wonder.”
The Sun Does Shine by Anthony Ray Hinton—”A powerful, revealing story of hope, love, justice, and the power of reading by a man who spent thirty years on death row for a crime he didn't commit.”
Beyond the Point by Claire Gibson—”Three women are brought together in an enthralling story of friendship, heartbreak, and resilience. Set at the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, this is an amazing debut novel.”
The Bronze Horseman by Paullina Simons
Chances Are by Richard Russo—A novel about the complexities and power of friendsip
Magic Hour by Kristin Hannah—I’ve only read The Great Alone but I loved it, so I’m sure Kristin Hannah’s other work is outstanding!
The TIger’s Wife by Tea Obreht
Last Christmas in Paris by Hazel Gaynor and Heather Webb—I heard that this one is so sweet!!!
Cloud Atlas by David Mitchell—”In this groundbreaking novel, an influential favorite among a new generation of writers, Mitchell explores with daring artistry fundamental questions of reality and identity.”
The Queen of Tearling trilogy by Erika Johansen: “Magic, adventure, mystery, and romance combine in this epic debut in which a young princess must reclaim her dead mother’s throne, learn to be a ruler—and defeat the Red Queen, a powerful and malevolent sorceress determined to destroy her."
The Gilded Years by Karen Tanabe: This is being turned into a film starring Zendaya by Reese Witherspoon’s company, Hello Sunshine! From The Skimm: ““Based on the true story of the first African-American woman to ever go to Vassar College. The catch? No one knew she was African-American…Think: “Gatsby” meets college meets an impressive beach read".”
A Nearly Normal Family by M.T. Evardsson: “A gripping legal thriller that forces the reader to consider: How far would you go to protect the ones you love? In this twisted narrative of love and murder, a horrific crime makes a seemingly normal family question everything they thought they knew about their life—and one another.”
Tuesday Nights in 1980 by Molly Prentis: “A transcendent debut novel that follows a critic, an artist, and a desirous, determined young woman as they find their way—and ultimately collide—amid the ever-evolving New York City art scene of the 1980s.”
The Idea of You by Robinne Lee: A fun, juicy, love story that examines fame and how it affects us all. I think I’m going to add this one to my TBR!
The Nix by Nathan Hill: This has been on my list forever!!! I need to get to it this year!
The Name of the Wind by Patrick Rothfuss: Looks like an epic fantasy series! Fans include Lin-Manuel Miranda and George R.R. Martin.
Pachinko by Min Jin Lee: “Richly told and profoundly moving, Pachinko is a story of love, sacrifice, ambition, and loyalty. From bustling street markets to the halls of Japan's finest universities to the pachinko parlors of the criminal underworld, Lee's complex and passionate characters--strong, stubborn women, devoted sisters
The City Baker’s Guide to Country Living by Louise Miller: This has been on my TBR for YEARS. It supposed to be so cozy and Gilmore Girls-esque. I will read it this year!
American Wife by Curtis Sittenfeld: Rodham is one of my most anticipated books of the year! I loved Eligible and still need to read Prep. My mom loved both and American Wife, which is loosely based on the life of Laura Bush. I think I need to read both this summer!
Between Me and You by Allison Win Scotch: An intense look at love and marriage.
Delicious by Ruth Reichl: I 100% need to read this! Sounds like the movie No Reservations meets Sweetbitter meets The Devil Wears Prada!
Do you agree with any of these? I have a few that I am dying to read, a few I’ve read, and then some I haven’t even heard of! I think it’s a great reminder that it’s easy to get distracted by the shiny new books that come out each week but never be afraid to hit those backlist titles! Some of my favorite books are ones that have taken me years to read and then I’m like “well, shoot Phoebe! Why’d you wait so long?!”.
Some quotations taken from Amazon descriptions. These are marked in quotations. I do not claim to have written anything in quotes.