Ten Underrated/Hidden Gem Books I’ve Read In The Past Year Or So

Marriage Material – Sathnam Sanghera

This is an epic tale of family, love, and politics, spanning the second half of the twentieth century, and the start of the twenty-first. Told with humour, tenderness and insight, it manages to be both a unique and urgent survey of modern Britain by one of Britain’s most promising young writers, and an ingenious reimagining of a classic work of fiction.

The Sundial – Shirley Jackson

Most people know of Jackson’s The Haunting of Hill House, We Have Always Lived in the Castle, and of course, her most famous short story, The Lottery. But I would like to add this book, set in an old sinister house, and the occupants within are convinced that the world is coming to an end and that they have to close themselves off from the world. The paranoia! The wit of Jackson! The creepy old house they are in! Just brilliant.

Half a Lifelong Romance – Eileen Chang (my review)

A love affair set in Shanghai. A story of class differences. Beautiful and cinematic. Many know of Eileen Chang’s Love in a Fallen City and Lust, Caution, and I definitely recommend this one too.

Memoirs of a Porcupine – Alain Mabanckou (my review)

I mean, what other book are you going to read that’s narrated by a porcupine?

Harbinger –  Joshua Dysart (Writer), Khari Evans (Artist), Lewis LaRosa (Artist), Ian Hannin (Colourist), Mico Suayan (Cover Artist)

Faith first made her appearance in the Harbinger series, kind of like the X-men. The main character Peter is a powerful psiot who’s being recruited by philanthropist and fellow harbinger, Toyo Harada, to the Harbinger Foundation where he can learn to control his abilities. Of course Harada is not the man he seems. Peter is a flawed character and hard to like, but that’s where Faith comes in, she’s fun and it’s so easy to see why she got her own spin-off. I just adore Faith and while the Harbinger series is a lot more ‘doom and gloom’ than the Faith series, I’m really glad I read it!

 

Master Keaton – Naoki Urasawa, Takashi Nagasaki, Hokusei Katsushika (Creator)

This manga by Urasawa is such a delight. Keaton is an Indiana Jones type character, but, wait for it, he is an insurance investigator! Ok before you stifle a yawn, the stuff he investigates is quite fascinating, and he’s armed with an archaeology education as well as his experience as a former member of the SAS! Such a great manga series.

The Song Poet – Kao Kalia Yang (my review)

I know I’ve talked about this book a lot, but it really deserves every mention (it still only has 152 ratings on Goodreads!). Go read it!

Genius – by Marc Bernardin, Adam Freeman (writer), Afua Richardson (artist)

Riveting and action-packed comic.

The Makioka Sisters – Junichiro Tanizaki, Edward G. Seidensticker (Translator) (my review)

Why haven’t more people read this Japanese classic? Go read it! And hey, if you’re doing the Read Harder challenge, it fits in the “classic by an author of colour” category!

Flight – Oona Frawley (my review)

This book only has 45 ratings on Goodreads! It is definitely deserving of a wider audience. Set in Ireland in 2004 as a referendum on citizenship approaches, Flight discusses among other things, immigration, citizenship, and is beautifully written.

Have you read any of these books?