Underrated Books More People Should Read

I really struggled with today's prompt for Girlxoxo's Month of Favs.  I tend to have an eclectic take in books and often feel that those that get a lot of hype don't live up to it.  But I wasn't sure if I just include stand alone books, books from popular/ bestselling authors that maybe aren't as popular?, series that I read that I pretty much never see anyone else talking about?, etc.  

I finally settled on some stand alone books that even years later I can remember in great detail; because to me those are fabulous book and I think that most of the ones on my list aren't talked about much in the blogging world where book reviews are so popular. 





1. Sea of Tranquility by Katja Millay--  I just LOVED this book.  Two years after a horrible tragedy left Nastya unwilling to talk and trying desperately to reinvent herself.  She moves to a new high school and finds herself drawn to Josh, a boy who is just as isolated as she is.  Josh, who has lost every family member in his life is determined to ignore Nastya but find himself unable to do that.  A gripping story about second chances.  I found myself thinking of these characters long after I had finished the book.



2. A Town Like Alice by Nevil Shute-- I was skeptical to read anything on the Mensa reading list but I really liked this book so much!  Part love story, part historical fiction, part women's empowerment it was a fabulous read.  Jean is living and Malaysia and captured by invading Japanese soldiers.  Forced to march through the country with other women and children she meets a young Australian soldier named Joe. Years later in her search for Joe she ends up in Willstown and decides she wants to make it a town like Alice Springs. 



3. A Walk in the Woods by Bill Bryson-- This non-fiction novel about Bill's trip trying to hike the Appalachian trail is one of my all time favorite non-fiction novels. I am an avid day hiker but I don't think you need to be a hiker at all to enjoy this hilarious look at hiking. 



4. Please Look After Mom byKyung- Sook Shin Translated from Korean and set in Korea it was a book about a family who's mother has gone missing.  All the children are older and have families/lives of their own and no one really realized how much their mother was aging and failing until she went missing.  I really enjoyed it!



5. Between Shades of Gray by Ruta Sepetys -- I LOVED this book.  I read a lot about World War II and while I have heard so much about the German concentration camps I could not believe that I had never heard about the Russian work camps.  In this book a young Lithuania girl and her family are taken away the Russian police and forced to work in camps in Siberia-- for 10 years!  If you read this you must read the author's note too; I learned so much about a part of history that no one seems to talk about.



6. Driving Miss Norma: One Family's Journey to Saying "Yes" to Living by Tim Bauerschmidt-- I loved this book so much (in fact it made it onto my favorite books of 2019 list)!  When Miss Norma is diagnosed with cancer at the age of 90 she and her son and his wife decided that rather undergo very intensive treatments they were going to hit the road.  What unfolded was an unforgettable year of driving around the country and really living life.  Miss Norma seemed like a real character and the photos in the book were just priceless. 



7. A Royal Duty by Paul Burrell-- My grandmother gave this book to read years ago and while I was never a HUGE royal family or princess Diana fan I did enjoy this inside the scenes look written by the butler.  



8. We Never Asked for Wings by Vanessa Diffenbaugh-- My sister gave me this book suggestion and it was a great one!  Letty has been raising her kids with the help of her parents for many years but they decide it's time to head back to Mexico and Letty must raise her kids on her own. It was a lovely book of family and growth. 



What are some less than popular books that you would recommend?


Linking up with: #AMonthofFaves







Comments

  1. Ok definitely ordering that Princess Diana book- she will forever be one of my favorite people- thanks for sharing :)

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  2. I’m so glad you shared these, I often think about those lesser-known books and if we don’t try will never know! I have read the princess Diana book as I am obsessed with her and it was really good! Have a wonderful Wednesday!

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  3. I haven't read any of these! It's an interesting topic to think about.

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    1. I bet you could come up with a great list of underrated books!

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  4. I haven't heard of any of these, thanks for sharing!!

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  5. I think the only one I've read of these is A Walk in the Woods - but I read that so long ago I don't remember anything from it. Several books you listed sound really touching. I'd also recommend Where the Forest Meets the Stars, and What I Leave Behind. Another all-time favorite is the Practical Magic series from Alice Hoffman. Enjoy your holidays!

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  6. I will add these books to my reading list Joanne. Thanks for sharing these books!

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  7. I love a good underrated book. I will look at some of these to add to my TBR list.

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  8. I'm adding a few of these to my list. I've never read any of them.

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    1. Oh great! I'm glad you see some that interest you.

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  9. There are several on this list that sound like they'd interest me. I am currently re-reading Phillipa Carr's "Daughters of England" series but only have a few more to re-read so will be looking for something new. Thanks for sharing these!

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  10. Some interesting books. I really need to start reading again!

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    1. I can't imagine not reading; it is such a huge part of my life.

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  11. I loved Princess Diana, so that would be right up my alley! I have never read any of these.

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  12. I haven't read any of these, but I did read Salt to the Sea by Ruta Sepetys. I, too, learned things I had never known. I'm intrigued by the Driving Miss Norma book. Thanks for sharing!

    https://marshainthemiddle.com/

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    1. I have read all of Ruta's books and enjoyed them tremendously. I keep checking to see if she has published any new ones...

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  13. I'm going to read a few of these over the holidays. I LOVED The Language of Flowers by Vanessa Diffenbaugh so I'm excited to read another one of hers.

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    1. I am going to request The Language of Flowers right now!

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  14. I love the sound of these books. I haven't heard of any of them until now x

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  15. I think I should add some of these books to my library list. Of course A Town Like Alice has been in our world for years. I remember seeing the original movie years and years ago when I was young. I am rereading some books at the moment, and I think I should drag this one out. Thank you for sharing these interesting books. Enjoy the rest of your week, stay safe, and thankyou for visiting my blog this week.

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  16. You have three of my favourite books on this list. I usually list A Walk in the Woods as my favourite book ever. I read Please Look After Mom a few years back and it still haunts me to this day. I began reading Nevil Shute when I was in University. A Town Like Alice is my favourite of his.
    Thank you for sharing these books with us.

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    1. If you liked A Walk in the Woods you might also enjoy Dear Bob and Sue; a book about a couple writing letters to their best friends as they visit all the National Parks. It was both informative and funny.

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  17. Hi Joanne, being Australian, A Town Like Alice is a well known classic although have I read it? No. I remember the movie growing up but perhaps I need to add it to my list. A Walk In the Woods has been mentioned several times by two of my co-hosts and is a favourite. I have it but have not read it yet. Thanks again for your recommendations and best wishes to you for the Festive Season and 2022. See you at the next WOYBS Link Party. Sue L. x

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  18. I adore A walk In the Woods - it's one of my favourite books. And A Twon Like Alice is a classic. I remember studying it in high school. Thanks for your recommendations and thanks also for your support of this (and other) link-up. We truly appreciate it and wish you and your family all the very best of the holiday season.

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    1. Wishing you and your family the very best as well.

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  19. I'm not really a reader of non-fiction but the only one I've heard of here is A Town Like Alice. I know I've read it, but after I'd seen the movie or tv series or whatever it was decades (and decades) ago.

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    1. It is not really a book that anyone here in the states has heard of-- at least no one I've known.

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