47. 3 underrated books to read before the end of the year

including a trilogy so basically five.

I can’t believe the words “before the end of the year” just entered my screen. However, I am very excited that the word “underrated” did. I love me a good underrated book because they always end up near and dear to my heart. The ones below were the first few that came to mind when I was thinking about the fall and winter seasons. We have detail and world heavy fantasy, paranormal fantasy with no romance, and magical realism set in a small northern town.

I sincerely hope you like these three (basically five) books! Please, please drop your own recommendations in the comments to share with others.

Oh! And you can find these linked on my Underrated Books List on Bookshop.org! It is an affiliate, and I’m happy to support small businesses.

Vespertine by Margaret Rogerson

via goodreads.com

I am Margaret Rogerson’s certified #1 fan. If she ever acknowledges my existence one day, I will die happy. Personally, I think Margaret in general is extremely underrated. She is someone who has the ability to write stand alone fantasy books that are beautifully written, fully complete, and incredibly unique. In particular, Vespertine is beautiful, and it does not have romance! Yay!

Artemisia is training to be a Gray Lady, those who clean the dead so they can pass on. One night in defense of her convent, she awakens a revenant. The power of the old spirit threatens to consume Artemisia, but she has to trust the revenant - after all, it’s the only one who knows how to stop the threat to Loraille.

That was a bad summary because it doesn’t capture the mystique and characters. Artemisia is just someone you want to hug. The revenant is hilarious. The book emphasizes friendship and comfort in being unique. It brings the unlikely together and pushes you out of your comfort zone with Artemisia. She inspires confidence and trust in being yourself.

Me, the goat, the revenant, we weren't very different from each other in the end. Perhaps deep down inside everyone was a just a scared animal afraid of getting hurt, and that explained every confusing and mean and terrible thing we did.

A Million Junes by Emily Henry

via goodreads.com

I know, it is Emily Henry. However, this book released quite some time ago, and I don’t think it feels similar to what she is known for today.

The O’Donnells and Angerts have been enemies for generations. June O’Donnell has grown up with the mantra: stay away from the Angerts. However, she runs into Saul Angert, and he isn’t what she expected. What caused the rift, all those years ago? The magic of the land and ghosts from their pasts pull June and Saul on a journey to discover the truth - both of their families and of June’s father himself. What happened? Can she let it go?

A stunning tale of magical realism with her trademark lyrical skills and hurtfully real depictions of grief. It’s worth the read.

Letting go is not forgetting. It's opening your eyes to the good that grew from the bad, the life that blooms from decay.

The Glass Alliance Trilogy by Joanna Hathaway

via goodreads.com | cover for Book 1

This is for my history buff fantasy lovers. I really adored this trilogy because of the historical elements and level of detail. This is a slow, detail heavy trilogy. You have an intricate understanding of the world and walk into war with one of our characters. Joanna writes in a breathtakingly beautiful way about it all. Interwoven is a love story of two kids on opposite sides forced to become adults too soon. It left me empty but fulfilled, in awe and shocked.

This is not for the fantasy lovers who want something fluffier (although I do love those). This is for those who like history and detail, world building and powerful writing. It’s stunning. When I tell you I purchased the physical copies of these books immediately upon purchasing just to immediately reread them and annotate them, I did just that.

So perhaps there is something beautiful here and it’s tied, forever, to you.

Oh and this one makes me sick.

Eyes on the horizon, Charm.

(Can you hear me screaming?)

Writing about these three made me reminded me of my love for reading. The emotions I felt? The passion I tried to put into words? I love it, and I love these books.

What about you? Have you read any of these? Do you have underrated books to read?

Articles I loved this week:

1. cool words glossary by

   Elle
   , Postcards By Elle

   1. A paid post, but I sincerely loved the words I was able to see. I also salivate over unique words, so I hastily penned these down.

2. The Books I’ve Loved Lately by

   Michelle
   , Sundaze Book Cafe

   1. I always adore how Michelle writes her reviews and the books she recommends.

3. A Hopeless Introvert’s Guide to Hopeful Public Speaking by

   Elif Shafak
   , Unmapped Storylands

   1. Her writing always takes my breath away, and this is a beautiful collection of tips and her story that really do help me.

4. Issue 89: Sunday Links for book lovers and other lovable nerds by

   Petya K. Grady
   , A Reading Life

   1. I mean, the title says everything, does it not?

5. cozy fall bedtime routine by

   caitlyn
   , Milk Fed

   1. Not to be creepy, but I’ve been obsessed with Caitlyn’s newsletter lately and this one just hit the mid-October Fall Cozy Spot.

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We’re in our fantasy era. There are so many deluxe editions releasing this week as well! Also: affiliate links!

1. Throne of Secrets by Kerri Maniscalco (Fantasy): Oct 29, 2024

2. Don’t Let The Forest In by CG Drews (Dark Fantasy): Oct 29, 2024

3. Portraits of White: Hope and Inspiration for Those Who Struggle with the Holidays by Frances Drost (Inspirational): Oct 29, 2024

4. Blood Over Bright Haven by ML Wang (Fantasy): Oct 29, 2024

5. The Blue Hour by Paula Hawkins (Thriller): Oct 29, 2024

6. Don't Believe Everything You Think: Why Your Thinking Is The Beginning & End Of Suffering by Joseph Nguyen (Motivational): Oct 29, 2024

7. For She Is Wrath by Emily Varga (Fantasy): Oct 29, 2024

8. Little Empty Promises by Cheryl Bradshaw (Thriller): Oct 29, 2024

Books I’ve compiled from a variety of lists such as the New York Times, Amazon, and the B&N Top 100, but also through what I’ve seen online. I’ve decided to simply add the books I haven’t before, since I’ve caught up to the new additions. If you’re curious, last week’s post can be found here.

1. The Waiting by Michael Connelly (Mystery)

2. How My Neighbor Stole Christmas by Meghan Quinn (Rom Com)

3. A Christmas Duet by Debbie Macomber (Romance)

4. Framed by John Grisham and Jim McCloskey (Nonfiction)

5. Bull Moon Rising by Ruby Dixon (Fantasy)

6. The Vegetarian by Han Kang (Psychological)

7. Spectacular: A Caraval Novella by Stephanie Garber (Fantasy)

8. The Striker by Ana Huang (Sports Romance)

I apologize, but it is my friend’s birthday and I unfortunately ran out of time to do an author this week. Let me know who you’d like to hear about next week!

Just a reminder to comment any recommendations or email me: thesundayreads@gmail.com!

1. I beg of you to read one of the ones above.

That’s all for today! Much love

Izzy