Tina's Favorite Underrated Reads..........(or books you've heard of but aren't reading)

The Other Life by Ellen Meister (Adult-Contemporary)
~A woman with the power to escape into an alternate reality learns that her unborn child has birth defects and contemplates what life would be like on the other side....only to question her own sanity in the process.

Why I Chose: Meister's take on mental illness proved to be an outrageously bizarre experience, her metaphors for madness masked in an almost paranormal parallel world showcased how creepy and terrifying bipolar disease, manic depression and suicide is for those who suffer from it and for the family who endure watching loved ones struggle. Her writing while very unique, reminded me of Alice Hoffman.

The Story Sisters by Alice Hoffman (Adult Contemporary)
~The haunting tale of three sisters who each meet harrowing fates. Love, loss, and the world of imagination through the everyday mundane explain the interesting life of the Story family.

Why I Chose: Hoffman is a master at disguising her characters issues in the world of fantasy and magic. In this book each sister addresses turmoil due to sexual abuse, guilt, drug addiction or death but at the same time the book is never front and center with a specific telling, everything metaphoric blends in with its reality....it was a powerfully moving read once you could see behind the veiled curtain of the writing.

The Taker by Alma Katsu (Adult-Fantasy)
~A mysterious woman walks into a hospital one night claiming to have stabbed a man who wanted to die. Cutting herself open in front of Dr. Luke and then her body automatically healing itself grabs his attention. From there she weaves a story of love, lies and the price of a betrayal forever being paid for.

Why I Chose: Katsu's story of Lanny and Jonathan, teenagers from a small Puritan town in the early 1900's and a prostitute rumored to be a witch, was a thrilling, heart pounding page turner. I can't believe this hasn't gained more popularity. The writing was superb and the ending....................OHMYYOUKNOWWHAT.

When She Woke by Hillary Jordan (Adult-Contemporary-Dystopian)
~After an abortion and refusing to name the father, a well known TV evangelist, Hannah Payne is sentenced to life as a red chrome, a process that colors ones skin to fit the severity of a crime. What Hannah doesn't realize is the racism, human trafficking and severe enlightenment counseling she will have to endure after.

Why I Chose: I think to date this is one of best retellings of a classic (The Scarlet Letter) Ive read. Jordan's bold yet equally smart commentary on social injustice, religion, human trafficking, sexual relationships and prejudice sparked deep reaction for me as a reader. If anything the book is a brilliant conversation piece.

Veracity by Laura Bynum (Adult-Dystopian)
~A world where the government controls every aspect including what is read, ate, listened too and spoken by the use of a medical slate implanted in ones neck. To ensure law, a military force called The Blue Coats regulates the people by rape, beatings and murder.

Why I Chose: Veracity was (outside of Brave New World) the scariest, most disturbing dystopian I've ever read. The added paranormal or Sci-fi use with the telekinetic characters was a fascinating element. I also loved the exploration of government power, the loss of our freedoms when dealing with national security and the overall value of human life.

Blue Aspen by Tenaya Jayne (Ya-Urban Fantasy)
~Dulcee arrives at a secluded mansion in the middle of winter and is shocked by the luxury it has to offer. Soon though she is being tormented by her insomnia and whether by her own madness or something more sinister....the shadows begin seducing her mind.

Why I Chose: Jayne's Blue Aspen was a serious nail biter and unlike anything Ive read, the reveal, the end....total shockers for me. The writing was a huge surprise, I found myself slipping into madness just going through the process trying to figure out what was going on.

Crossing by Andrew Fukuda (Ya-Thriller)
~A story about a Chinese boy who growing up has always been a tad awkward and somewhat of a social outcast. When students go missing at Kris's school, a serial killer is feared to be the reason.

Why I Chose: Fukuda is pretty well known around the blog world for his latest novel The Hunt, his debut Crossing in 2010 is by far one of the best Young Adult novels Ive read to date (I almost put this on the YA list, but thought it would be better on this one). First off, how many books for ya focus on minority's, better yet how many can you think of focus on Asian or Oriental characters? Secondly the plotting was brilliant, I thought the creepy mystery worked well with all the emotions Kris was dealing with. The writing and the unique way the author choose to address racism and social commentary should have won an award for astounding storytelling.

Split by Swati Avasthi (Ya-Contemporary)
~When Jace flees his abusive father and heads out to find his older brother, secrets, lies and heartbreak follow him. As the brothers begin to reunite and heal each one brings to the table their own set of issues, from an abuser in the works to an emotionally crippled individual, the boys each learn how to deal.

Why I Chose: Avasthi took a bold and scary look at domestic abuse, but delivered it from the perspectives of the children watching it happen to their mother.Those children happened to be boys. Each one being effected in different ways, we see the cycle of abuse, the awful yet understandable way it gets taught and carried on. The book was an emotional, high stakes roller-coaster.

The Secret to Lying by Todd Mitchell (Ya-Fantasy-Contemporary)
~James a teen lacking popularity winds up being accepted at a boarding school for the gifted. To make friends and shake off his inner dweeb, he elaborates many lies about his former highschool all the while dealing with major self esteem issues.

Why I Chose: How many issue books about eating and cutting do we have out there? How many of them focus on a young teenage boy? Just for that alone, you should read this book.

Honorable Mentions

Ashfall by Mike Mullin
Tell me a Secret by Holly Cupala
Jane by April Lindner
Sunshine by Robin McKinley


Fan-Made Graphic- Mystery Science Theater- (CC)