Underrated Books From Every Genre

When beginning my reading journey, recommendations through TikTok were something I depended on to keep my TBR list long. I listened to every BookToker and added every popular book to my list. But as the years have gone on, I have relied less and less on the algorithm. I’ve done my independent research, and I’ve borrowed books from friends. What I’ve gathered through all this is that we often overlook so many hidden treasures. Books that are funny, well-developed, and binge-worthy often don’t get the spotlight they deserve. So, I’ve gathered a few underrated books from each genre that will hopefully receive a lot more love. 

First Genre: Fantasy

”The Prison Healer” series by Lynette Noni 

This book genuinely had one of the most unique and riveting plots that will immediately have you interested. It follows 17-year-old Kiva, a young girl forced to work as a healer within the dangerous and disparaging walls of the death prison, Zalindov. Her life soon changes as she is presented with a new patient, the Rebel Queen. The Queen is on the brink of death, but Kiva has to fight against all odds to maintain her health because she receives secret coded messages telling her to keep the Queen alive, as help is coming. Long story short, the Rebel ends up being subjected to a series of deadly trials where Kiva ends up taking her place. Freedom for both women is on the line. Oh, and if that wasn’t enough action, there’s also a mysterious plague and budding romance brewing—such a good book and one that deserves way more hype.

2. “Three Dark Crowns” by Kendare Blake 

This story is dark and eerie and ultimately very fascinating and complex. It follows three triplet sisters, all heirs to the throne of Fennbirn. It’s a matriarchal world, which makes the path to succession and the recipient of the title “Queen Crowned” pretty complicated. There’s a tradition; the sisters have to kill each other to take over the throne. It creates a tale of immense suspense as each triplet has a different power. They’re each trained and raised separately, all while trying to hone and strengthen their power so they can be the last sister standing. Naturalism, elementalism, and the art of poison are all present in the sisters. And they are backed up politically by various social groups like priestesses and scheming families. Character building is a strong suit of this author, and you definitely won’t be let down by this dark tale. 

Second Genre: Romance 

1) “Last Call at the Local” by Sarah Grunder Ruiz 

Not sure where the love for this book has been, but I can confirm that this love story is so warm, sweet, and charming. It follows traveling musician Raine Hart, who is stuck in Ireland because all of her musical gear has been stolen. Lucky for her, she stumbles across a pub with a very charming owner. Jack Dunne looks intimidating as he parades around with his completely black outfits and tattoo-covered body, but his looks are definitely deceiving because he proves to be such a considerate and gentle man. He’s been wanting to spruce up the life of the pub, and this energetic and chaotic musician is exactly what he needs. On a whim, Raine is hired, and she and Jack work together to bring warmth back to the pub and also stabilize Raine before her next travel adventure. This love story will have you smiling at each turn, and the characters are crafted so uniquely with complex backgrounds that really make you understand them at their core. Totally recommend! 

2) “Sunburn” by Chloe Michelle Howarth 

This coming-of-age tale takes place in a small and conservative Irish town in the 1990s. It follows a sapphic storyline with a young Lucy and her school friend, Susannah. Lucy has always felt different in the traditional view of marriage. It all changes one summer when she finds herself amidst a spiraling and devastating kind of love with her school friend. It’s an uncertain time; she doesn’t know how her village will accept her or how her future will look. But what both she and the reader know for sure is the passion, the adoration, and the devastating amounts of love present in the book. The prose is nothing short of gorgeous, and, gosh, your heartstrings will be pulled so hard. You see Lucy’s internal struggles when it comes to wanting to be accepted, but she also wants to find herself so bad. It is such a lovely book. 

Third Genre: Nonfiction 

1) “Smoke Gets in Your Eyes” by Caitlin Doughty 

This is honestly such a unique memoir filled with wit and philosophical reflections. It follows Doughty’s experience in working as a mortician in a crematory right out of college. She shares valuable lessons and knowledge on what she’s learned in being a part of this field and how she has coped with death and even accepted it. Her attitudes are also reflected towards the reader as Doughty questions the way we perceive death and how societally it is avoided. Her goal is to educate and help us understand death, and our worldview and our conceptions of death are improved when we understand it on a deeper level. It’s a unique novel, but it also covers many sensitive topics. Make sure you read content warnings before delving into this incredibly interesting memoir. 

2) “The Warmth of Other Suns” by Isabel Wilkerson 

Between the years 1915 and 1970, America saw the Great Migration, a movement of about six million individuals from the American South as they sought out futures that were free of the racial oppression that stifled their jobs, education, and social freedom. This novel covers that event and also the lives of three individuals and their unique stories and circumstances that provide larger insight and context into what exactly the Great Migration entailed. Ida Gladney, George Starling, and Robert Foster are stories that we become familiar with as their diverse livelihoods, backgrounds, and experiences all culminate in a novel that is worth reading and is also of great importance. 

Fourth Genre: Poetry 

1) “I Sing the Glory of this Land” written by Bharathiyar and translated by M. Rajaram 

Originally written in the Indian language of Tamil, this poetry book contains works that embrace Indian diversity and show various facets of the country itself. This poetry book expands your perspective and your worldview, as these poems focus on the unique cultural and social happenings of a country many years ago. Taking place right in the heart of the Indian freedom struggle, you see Bharathiyar’s love for his country and all that he hopes to see it blossom into. The original Tamil version is also displayed across the pages which, in my opinion, makes it an even more special and unique reading experience. 

2) “Call Me by My True Names” by Thich Nhat Hanh 

Thich Nhat Hanh was a Vietnamese Buddhist monk whose work and advocacy left a lasting imprint on the Western world. He was a peace activist, author, and man titled “Father of Mindfulness.” This poetry book offers insight into the aspects of his life that we don’t know much about, his formative years in Vietnam, and his experiences as a refugee in an increasingly war-torn country. His beginnings and spiritual journey into meditation are also narrated through this collection of poems that spans many decades. It’s beautiful and insightful; it will diversify your bookshelf and your reading taste. It’s a book with valuable themes written by an inspirational man.