On my list ever since my wife took me to the Philippines for the first time many years ago. While touring Intramuros, our guide educated me on José Rizal, who died because of this book. Check out José Rizal's "Noli Me Tangere" > https://amzn.to/4pbstl1

I’m looking for underappreciated memoirs to promote in my newsletter. Please comment!

Another stop on my journey to better understand and appreciate the craft of poetry. Take some time at the end of this year to explore some poetry. Check out Jenny Xie's "Eye Level" > https://amzn.to/49p4jyK

My novel writing process is a combination of unplanned inspiration and detailed planning. Life, observation and eavesdropping inspire the core idea. Once the premise of the book fully reveals itself to me, I frantically jot down as many notes as possible. Read more > https://bit.ly/4pToGtG

What are some underrated books by famous authors?

When I was editing a review of “O Beautiful” by Jung Yun, I noticed she gave herself a five-star rating on Goodreads. I was aware of this feature that allows an author to rate and/or review their own books, but she was the first I saw exercise this privilege. Read my take > https://bit.ly/49bycm1

A gothic suspense thriller infused with rich historical intrigue, romance, and the dark secrets of an ancient curse, recommended to us on Threads when we connected with the author. Check out "Terror in Tuscany: The Crimson Vines" by Kirsten Pistorius > https://amzn.to/4oQUyhd

What’s your favorite literary fiction title right now? Maybe we can promo it in our newsletter.

With the exception of small plot holes and underdeveloped minor characters, the novel is well-written. If you like literary fiction, environmental stories, thrillers or tragic romance, you’ll find “Wild Dark Shore” worthwhile. See our review of Charlotte McConaghy's novel > https://bit.ly/4pYvO7S

This memoir hits differently knowing how much of her poetry circles around exile, displacement, starting over. Here, she tells her own story, moving between Iraq and America, with the same clarity that makes her poetry powerful. Check out Diary of a Wave Outside the Sea > https://amzn.to/4pQSpmA

Every week I promote one literary fiction and one nonfiction book (usually memoir or political) in my newsletter. Drop yours here, and I’ll consider it. We prioritize hidden gems and self-published authors.

A beautiful a collection of poems, essays, and visual art inspired by Saeed Jones and Maggie Smith’s conversations in the wake of the 2024 election. Suggested to us by a follower on Threads! Check out The People's Project: Poems, Essays, and Art for Looking Forward > https://amzn.to/4iEo3Sg

When evaluating writing quality, many of us focus on subjective measures. What we enjoy is “good.” What we don’t enjoy is “bad.” Dig through these subjective layers, however, and you discover a foundation of objective quality. So what exactly defines good writing? Read more > https://bit.ly/4axujZE

What have you been reading lately? Post it here. If it’s underappreciated and within our scope, we’ll promote it on our newsletter and other social channels.

Espada connected with us on Threads! While blending self-help, Espada's memoir follows her journey from Puerto Rico to Silicon Valley to NYC. Check out "A Renegade's Journey to Stillness" by Marita Espada > https://bit.ly/3KjdFlY

The Rauch Review published its list of the 10 Best Novels About Mental Illness: From Young Adult to Science Fiction. Are missing any hidden gem novels that deserve to be on this list? Check it out and let us know > https://bit.ly/3MmoPH6

Who’s your favorite literary author right now? If I haven’t heard of them, I’ll consider adding their books to my newsletter promo list.

My response was selected for this recent Forbes Communication Council article about how to combat misinformation. Check it out here >> https://bit.ly/4i1avQ8

Nope, not the TV show. This 2015 novel is about a love triangle between anthropologists in the 1930s. Pretty different lol. Check out "Euphoria" by Lily King > https://amzn.to/49qHETo

Virginia Roberts Giuffre’s posthumous memoir, “Nobody’s Girl: A Memoir of Surviving Abuse and Fighting for Justice” unveils a life marred by sexual abuse and trauma. It was written before the author died, reportedly of suicide, last April. Find out more >> https://bit.ly/3JXopGm

We were looking for unique memoirs via Threads, and we happened to connect with Janel. Check out "Between Farm and Fork: Journey to Find a True Path" >> https://amzn.to/4nNUf6o

A memoir by Nora Ephron with a theme of women aging. I had only heard of her fiction works, so I was surprised to see this. Check out "I Feel Bad About My NecK'k" >> https://amzn.to/48UOn7I

Sidelined from a fast-paced career during the pandemic, Author Chloe Dalton retreats to her English country house. After encountering an abandoned baby hare, Dalton overcomes her conflict about intruding on nature and tries caring for it. Read our review of Raising Hare >> https://bit.ly/4hJVd2c

Check out "Tablets: Secrets of the Clay" by Dunya Mikhail. I met the author at Diwan, an arts conference held in the Arab American National Museum. She spoke on Iraqi writing specifically. >> https://amzn.to/4oCrUAN

“We know where your brother goes to school,” Epstein said. “You must never let a soul know what goes on in this house.” He later says, “And I own the Palm Beach Police Department, so they won’t do anything about it.” - From Virginia Giuffre's memoir. Watch for our review > https://bit.ly/4nmWoWy

On our list of Best Young Adult books, the reader recommended "The Torch Trilogy" by Moira Buffini was one of the best YA fantasy series. Check out more here >> https://bit.ly/4kcafhB

“I began to do the worst thing I’ve ever done in my life: I drafted other girls into Epstein’s sickening world.” “The faces of girls I recruited will always haunt me. I know their pain, and I will never get over playing a role in causing it.” From Virginia Giuffre's memoir. Watch for our review

“In New York City, they reserved afternoons for hunting. At 3:00 p.m., when the high schools let out, they’d be on the street, looking for pretty girls to approach.” - From Virginia Guiffre’s posthumous memoir, “Nobody’s Girl.” Keep an eye out for our review coming soon > https://bit.ly/4nmWoWy

Virginia Guiffre’s posthumous memoir, “Nobody’s Girl” reveals a life marred by sexual abuse and trauma. Released on October 21, 2025, the memoir quickly jumped to number one for Kindle sales and hit the number four position on Amazon’s sales list October 23.

I met Anan at Diwan, a conference held in the Arab American National Museum. She founded the museum! Now I see she's an author, too. Check out "The Wandering Palestinian" > https://amzn.to/3KZmMs2

"The Book Thief" by Marcus Zuzak is narrated by Death and set in Nazi Germany, this celebrated title tells the story of Liesel stealing books while learning to read. Around 600 pages, it's much longer than a typical YA novel, but made our list of the Best Young Adult Books >> https://bit.ly/4kcafhB

Any new under-the-radar poetry books I should be aware of?

I met Susan at the Diwan conference, and she gave a great talk on how to submit to literary journals and publications. Check out "Behind You Is The Sea: A Novel" by Susan Muaddi Darraj > https://amzn.to/3KFD1dM @susanmd.bsky.social

How did Han Kang manage to portray such an unusual premise and extend what started out as a short story into a full-length novel, going on to win the prestigious International Booker Prize? Our reviewer Kate Jones explores this in her review of "The Vegetarian" > https://bit.ly/3L8v9kX

This week I’m looking for a hidden gem illustrated novel or memoir to promote in my newsletter. We include manga, manhwa, etc. Please leave recs!

I want you to read books written by people I regard as real socialists — not Democrats who call themselves socialists to differentiate their personal brand from self-described liberals and progressives. Check out my list > https://bit.ly/4nDTIoz

On our list of the Best Young Adult Books is Ling Ma's "Severance." A combination of coming-of-age and satire, this novel prompts readers to reflect on the nature of work, survival and truly living. Read more >> https://bit.ly/4kcafhB

I’m looking for underappreciated memoirs to promote in my newsletter. Please comment!

I think going viral should still be a goal because every piece of content you create is a chance to "go viral." If you can afford it, you should have a content program anyway. Why not use it for thoughtful, opinionated pieces that might get shared? Check out more in Forbes >> https://bit.ly/48yrC9e

I'm writing an article on problematic authors, meaning you risk contributing to a net negative impact if you support their work. Any not-so-obvious people you think I should include? If so, what's your argument?

I heard about this book through the panel episode of the Bad Faith podcast where Briahna Joy Gray and the author discuss the U.S. political left's response to Ezra Klein's "Abundance" book. Check out "How China Escaped Shock Therapy" by Isabella M. Weber > https://amzn.to/4pf1TZv

What are some underrated books by famous authors?

Does "The Bell Jar" hold up over 60 years after it was first published? What lessons can we learn from Sylvia Plath's only full-length novel? Take a look at our review of Sylvia Plath's "The Bell Jar" by Eleanor Jones >> https://bit.ly/3Id066v

Sharing this new memoir about travel and agency of the self after the author connected with us on Threads. Check out Heidi K. Brown's "The Map I Draw: A Memoir of Travel as a Passport to Self" >> https://amzn.to/3JY1r1N

What’s your favorite literary fiction title right now? Maybe we can promo it in our newsletter.

A guy with severe depression and a string of failed jobs becomes a basketball coach at a high school for people with mental illness. I'm not a sports fan, but the premise intrigued me. Check out "Head Fake" by Scott Gordon > https://amzn.to/46cJOTm

We connected with the author of this recently published modern Hamlet that focuses on Ophelia, specifically the trauma of having a racist conservative father, underscored with the repercussions of 9/11. Check out Bridget Weldon's "Elsinore" > https://amzn.to/46mNtxT

On our list of The Best Young Adult Books is the reader-recommended series "The Nahx Invasions," a 2-book dystopian series by G. S. Prendergast. Check out our list here >> https://bit.ly/4kcafhB

My review of O Beautiful was just published on The Rauch Reviews. josephrauch.com/therauchrevi...

Every week I promote one literary fiction and one nonfiction book (usually memoir or political) in my newsletter. Drop yours here, and I’ll consider it. We prioritize hidden gems and self-published authors.