AND THE WINNER IS!! I am ashamed to say that I almost forgot to draw a winner for this blog post, BUT, I saved myself at the last minute. 🙂 The winner of the $10 Amazon Gift card is Stephanie Ortiz Jenkins!! Stephanie watch your inbox! Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
It is always a challenge to pick just ten books from the many books I read each year. Because it was so difficult this year, I have listed a Bonus book and also some fabulous short stories. I hope you enjoy my Top Ten, and if you see a book that catches your interest, click on the purchase link and add it to your TBR list!
PURCHASE LINK: WHERE THE CRAWDADS SING
PURCHASE LINK: THE MAGIC STRINGS OF FRANKIE PRESTO
PURCHASE LINK: WHATEVER IT TAKES
PURCHASE LINK: THE OUTLAW’S MAIL ORDER BRIDE
PURCHASE LINK: VOYAGE OF THE LANTERNFISH
PURCHASE LINK: MEMOIR OF A MAD WOMAN
PURCHASE LINK: THE LOVE THAT DARE NOT SPEAK ITS NAME
PURCHASE LINK: WHEN CAN I STOP RUNNING?
PURCHASE LINKS: RAVE WRITER’S INT’S SOCIETY OF AUTHORS (RWISA) ANTHOLOGY VOL I
VISITORS: A SHORT STORY MYSTERY
RED EYES IN THE DARKNESS – A SHORT STORY
And, last but not least, I will be giving away a $10 Amazon Gift card to some lucky person! Just leave a comment and share this post to be entered! MERRY CHRISTMAS!! HO! HO! HO!
Writing and Music 
Awesome! I’ve read two and have two others napping on my kindle. Thanks for the recommends! 🙂
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Wonderful, Bette! Happy reading!
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Hi Jan ma’am ! I am honored to be here in this amazing list. Thank you so much for all the love & support you have showered upon me this year, my first at RRBC. A very Merry Christmas to you & have a wonderful New Year 2020 ! You are a wonderful human being. God bless you always. 😀 😀 😀 – Fiza Pathan
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Hi, Fiza. You have a unique ability to go into the total dark side of life and come out unscathed. I’m happy to include your short story here! It was gripping, to say the least! Merry Christmas to you too, and thank you for stopping by and leaving a comment!
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I have read several of the books listed. I will have to read the others next year. Wishing you a wonderful Xmas.
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Thank you for stopping by, Karen! Merry Christmas to you too!!
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My pleasure, John! It is such an inspiring book! Merry Christmas!
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Merry Christmas, Jan! Thank you for your generous mention of “Reflections” on this Top Ten List of books!
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Great list, Jan. Some of these I’ve read, some are on my TBR list, and others I want to read. The non-fiction book from the Vietnam War vet sounds interesting.
Wishing you a Merry Christmas!
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That was such a good story, Joan, and the author told it in such a way that I was right there beside him, crouched in the darkness! I hope you pick it up. I think you will enjoy it if you do! Merry Christmas!
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Thank you Jan! Such an honor to be here, among these amazing authors!
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It is a well-deserved spot, Mark! “Vanished” changed my life! Merry Christmas!
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Thank you, Jan! 🙂
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How wonderful to be included among this superb collection of talented authors. I am both humbled and delighted to have “Whatever it Takes” earn a place here. I’ve read a few of these books and will be adding others to my TBR. Thanks so much, Jan. This is such a lovely way to wind up my year. Merry Christmas to you and yours, my friend.🥰
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Thank you, Soooz, for stopping by, and for writing such a gripping story!! It deserves to be on my Top Ten list! Merry Christmas!
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What a terrific surprise, Jan! I’ve been so tied up with out of town guests, Christmas shopping, birthdays (yes, there are 6 this month) I almost missed this. I’m so happy you enjoyed Memoir of a Mad Woman. Thank you! ❤ xo
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Thanks for stopping by, Vashti! I truly enjoyed your telling of such a dark and horrendous story. And it deserves to be on this list! Merry Christmas!
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I appreciate you, Jan! Merry Christmas!
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Oh my goodness! You’ve got to stop this, Jan. But my heart is full of thanks that you found mine worthy to be #4. I’m so happy, happy. This is amazing and a great Christmas present. Love you so much. 🙂
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Jan, I forgot to say that Where the Crawdads Sing is one of my absolute favorite books of all time. Just an amazing story that deeply touched me. Also the second one. Such an unusual and different way to tell a story. Pure genius!
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Your story sits in a well-deserved spot, sister! These characters are unforgettable! I love you! Thanks for stopping by!
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I will have to check out some of your book suggestions – what an interesting mixture. Thanks so much for including 2 of my short stories. Merry Xmas.
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Thanks for stopping by, Wendy! Of course, I had to include your stories. They were awesome!! Merry Christmas!
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Unfortunately, I have not had the time for reading at all over the past years but I am working on making time for it again… although 🤔I am actually having three book projects in mind. Gosh, I can either write or read 😆
However, your 10 suggestions really motivated me to reach my reading time sooner again. I like it a lot how you shared the impression of the books in a short way but very intriguing!
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Wonderful, Erika! I hope that this list inspires you to pick one or two of these books! Thanks for stopping by!
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It absolutely did, Jan. Actually, going through your list totally ignited my excitement for reading again which I have not felt by the long book reviews of our fellow blogger friends. Thank you, I am excited!!
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What a great list, Jan. Congrats to all. I’ve read a lot of these books, but the ones I haven’t are on my TBR list. Thanks for including Red Eyes in the short stories:)
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Thanks for stopping by, Denise! I had to include Red Eyes! It deserved to be on my list!
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A great way of making a retrospective of the year, Jan. This is a wonderfully diverse collection. Hugs on the wing!
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I agree, Teagan! Thanks so much for stopping by! Holiday Hugs to you!
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Nice list Jan. I’ve read 4 of the listed books and 2 short stories. Happy Holidays and Merry Christmas.
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Wonderful, Balroop! I’m so glad you stopped by! Merry Christmas!
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MERRY CHRISTMAS!! HO! HO! HO! 🙂 Love this list, have just downloaded “End of Day” and will be downloading “Where the Crawdads Sing”, soon. Look forward to checking out the rest! Blessings!
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Thank you SO much, Granny Moon, for leaving a comment and for the reblog!! Hugs!
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Reblogged this on GrannyMoon's Morning Feast.
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Great list, Jan 😁
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I’m glad you stopped by, John! It’s so hard to pick just 10. 🙂
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I know.
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A great list, Jan. I have read 5 of these books to date.
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Awesome, Robbie!! Thank you for stopping by and leaving a comment!
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I read so many books each year it’s incredibly hard to imagine trying to list my top 10.
I absolutely loved Where the Crawdads Sing, and have market a few on your list for future reading.
Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to all!
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Wonderful, Patty!! Thank you for stopping by and double thanks for the reblog! Merry Christmas!
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Hi.
You’re double welcome.
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What an unexpected pleasure to find End of Day, on your list, Jan. Wow! I’m so delighted and happy to have made your top ten.
I also loved Voyage of the Lanternfish, Whatever it Takes, and When the Crawdads Sing. Three very different types of genres, but all so engrossing. Of the short reads you have listed, I also read and enjoyed Red Eyes in the Darkness.
Top 10 lists are fun. I never thought of doing one, but you’ve inspired me to think about it!
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It is very hard to do, Mae. Trying to pick only 10 from so many books I read was not easy. And, that’s why I wound up with a Bonus book and the short stories. 🙂 Thanks so much for stopping by. End of Day deserved to be on the list. It was a great story!
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I’m so excited to make your list. You’ve made the rest of my year. I can offer an opinion on End of Day, too. I thought it was wonderful.
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The Voyage of The Lanternfish was truly one of the best Indie books I read all year. It deserved to make my list!
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Just found the Serang review. You really are making my effort worthwhile.
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You have quite a selection of favs here and I’ve read two of them. Linda’s and Crawdad’s were both top ten books for me too!!
I hope you have a very Merry Christmas filled with all the family, friends and things you love!
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Thank you for stopping by and leaving a comment, Stephanie! I hope you saw another book or two that caught your eye. Merry Christmas to you and thank you for your friendship!
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Merry Christmas Jan- What a great lists if books. I have 2 on my list that’s on yours. Where The Crawdads Sing and The Outlaw’s Mail Order Bride by our Miss Linda.
I’ve read so many this year, I’d have to think long and hard to pick mine, but these 2 would definitely be on my list. Thank you for sharing these with us. 2 more days and I’m TEXAS Bound.
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You are such an avid reader, Tonya, and I’m glad I picked two that would be on your list. I hope you saw one that caught your eye to add to your list. 🙂 Merry Christmas to you and Rob and safe travels!
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Thank you Jan- another book I read this past year that was very touching was
When Cricket’s Cry by Charles Martin.
It was a very touching book of unconditional love.
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