Hi!
Welcome to my last post of the year. Books that Changed Me is a list of some of the very best books I’ve read. Each season, I pick three or four books that have either changed me or stayed with me after I finished reading them—not easy since I read a lot of good books. A variety of genres have made the list including poetry and children’s books. I started doing this back in 2018 and if you are interested in seeing all my picks, click here: LINK
In no particular order, here are my winter recommendations with their blurb and link and universal link to Amazon. You’ve already seen my reviews in the past.
Wouldn’t any of these make a great present?

Twenty-Four Days Rowe-Delamagente #2
By J. Murray
Blurb
In the latest Rowe-Delamagente thriller, the two unlikely partners have less than a month to stop a North Korean missile strike after hijackers steal nuclear warhead-armed submarines. If they don’t, the USS Bunker Hill, on a peaceful mission to observe a North Korean missile launch, will be in grave danger. Piece by piece, Rowe and Delamagente uncover a bizarre nexus between a man Rowe thought dead, a North Korean communications satellite America believes is weaponized, an ideologue that cares only about revenge, and the USS Bunker Hill (a Ticonderoga-class guided missile cruiser) tasked with supervising the satellite launch. As the deadline looms, they call on the unusual skills of a quirky AI named Otto with the unique ability to track anything with a digital trail.

Menagerie
By Joan Hall
Blurb
King’s. The Tower of London. Glass. What do these have in common?
Each is a famous menagerie.
While this Menagerie doesn’t focus on exotic animals, it does contain a collection of stories that explore various trials people face and how their reactions shape their worlds.
Survivors of a haunted bridge. Women who wait while their husbands fight a war. Former partners reuniting to solve a cold-case murder.
These are just three of the thirteen stories in this compendium, encompassing past and present, natural and supernatural, legend and reality. The genres and timelines are varied, but there’s a little something for everyone who enjoys reading about simpler times and small-town life.

Tales from the Irish Garden
By Sally Cronin
Blurb
The queen of Magia and her court have fled their sun filled Spanish homeland and the palace beneath the magnolia tree.
Arriving on the backs of geese and swans, they seek sanctuary in the magic garden of The Storyteller who welcomes them to the Emerald Island, a place where rain is almost a daily feature.
Grateful for their safe haven and the generosity of their host, the queen and her courtiers embrace their new surroundings with delight.
As the seasons change throughout the year, they come into contact with many of the human and animal inhabitants of the garden and the surrounding forest, all of whom have a story to tell.
This is a magical fairy story infused with fantasy and romance, as well as opportunities for mischief in the company of goblins, witches and Lerpersians.

Neema the Misfit Giraffe
By Robbie Cheadle and Micheal Cheadle
Blurb
Neema is different from her fellow giraffes. Their lack of understanding make her feel unwelcome. Neema sets off on a journey to find a new friends.
Includes illustrations, photographs, and links to video footage of giraffes, as well as fun giraffe facts.
NOTE: I will be taking a end of the year break until January 8th. There will be one special post on January 2nd, but the rest of the week I have grandma duty.
Check your email if you are subcribed to my monthly newsletter! It went out early too.
Not only embrace your inner child by reading a good book, but give the gift of reading this year. I wish everyone a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! D. L. Finn 🙂


Yes I’ve seen the praise for a couple of those books and reading what you say about them, and knowing something about the authors, I have a strong feeling they are incredible.
Thanks, Thomas! You can’t go wrong with any of these books 🙂
Great compendium. The book about the giraffe reminded me that Fenn, our baby giraffe at the NC Zoo, died last week. He ran into a fence and broke his neck. We are all horribly sad, especially since we’d seen him the week before.
Thanks, Noelle. Oh, that is very sad about the baby giraffe. Worse that you had just seen him too. I hope they make changes so that doesn’t happen again.
Hi Noelle, that is very sad. Giraffes in the wild sometimes die of electrocution because they walk into power lines. It is very tragic.
Oh, so sad to hear that, Noelle.
I am honored to be included in this collection, Denise. That book (Twenty-four Days) spotlights the ship my daughter served on so has a lot of authentic bits in it.
The authentic bits shine through and make this a compelling read, Jacqui! Xo
Thank you so much Denise that is a lovely surprise and touched that Tales from the Irish Garden was memorable.. I am in great company.. ♥
Very memorable, Sally. I loved those tales, and it’s one I will reread. Xo
Terrific reviews, Denise. Congratulations to J, Joan, Sally, Robbie, and Michael.
Thank you, John 🙂 All good ones you can’t go wrong with!
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Thanks John..hugsx
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Thank you, John.
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These are some really great books, Denise! Thans for sharing them with us.
Thanks, Timothy they really are books that don’t disappoint.
Thank you, Tim
Jacqui’s book is new to me. Thanks for sharing all of these. I enjoyed Menagerie and Neema greatly. Great reviews! Congratulations to the authors.
I loved all her prehistoric books, Jan, and saw this series. It was different but good in a different ways. All good ones that entertain or educate.
Hi Jan, thank you for adding your endorsement to Neema here. It is much appreciated.
Thanks for the reviews, Denise. Congrats all around. I think it’s wonderful that Robbie did the artwork for her cover too. Have a lovely break. Hugs.
Thanks, Teagan 🙂 That’s one of my favorite children’s book covers and amazing she is gifted in that area, too. Thank you, Happy holidays, xo
Hi Teagan, thank you, I’m glad you like the cover. It is one of my favourite of my pictures.
This collection of books look like wonderful reads! Onto the TBR! 🙂
Can’t go wrong with any of them, Kymber! Happy reading and happy holidays xo
Wonderful books and authors, Denise. I’ve read all of these authors and most of these books. Have an excellent holiday and enjoy your break. See you in 2024!
Thank you, Diana:) Yes, all good ones for sure! Have an excellent holiday and break too! Xo
Hi Denise, thank you so much for including Neema on this list. I am honoured and delighted. I have read Sally’s book and have Joan’s on my TBR. Thank you for this reminder about Joan’s book – books have a way of slipping downwards on my pile and I have to go in search of them. I have one of Jacqui’s prehistory man books coming up soon on my TBR too.
Loved your book and the beautiful cover, Robbie. It’s getting a lot of interest in the newsletter and praise for cover. I know about books slipping away in the TBR list. I’m always happy for reminders.
I know, we keep adding and some books slip down. I am trying to catch up this holidays and already have four reviews to write.
These are all wonderful authors. I have enjoyed many of their books, including some highlighted here. Great reviews, Denise!
I agree all wonderful authors, Mae, and these books, great reads. Thank you and Happy Holidays xo
Thank you, Mae
Celebrating every success of each of these talented scribes! Happy holidays to you and those who mean the most to you, Denise!!
Thank you, Annette:) Happy holidays to you and yours too. Xo
Thank you, Annette.
Good choices, Denise!
Thank you, Liz 🙂 xo
You’re welcome, Denise! 🙂
Great reviews! I still haven’t read the Cheadle’s giraffe book yet. I need to!
Thanks, Priscilla 🙂 You will enjoy it! Happy holidays xo
Hi Priscilla, thank you for your wonderful support. Merry Christmas.
It’s an honor to be included in this list, Denise! Happy holidays to you and your family!
It was a great collection, Joan :). Thank you, happy holidays to you and yours to, xo
Wonderful selections, Denise. I have a christmas shopping book budget and these are definitely contenders. I wish you the happiest holidays and grandma duty, my friend.
How fun to have a Christmas book budget! Happy shopping! Wishing you and yours the happiest of holidays too!
Thanks for sharing these wonderful reviews. Many congrats to our talented authors.
Thank you, Sandra
Thank you, Sandra. All good ones. Xo
Wondeerful reviews. Each book sounds very interesting and informative. Thank you, Denise.
All good reads, Karen 🙂 Happy New Year! Xo
GREAT Indie books that just by the joy and courage it took to write them, these authors show it can be done. We can write, and we can change lives. THANKS, Denise, and Happy New Year.
I love your response, Pamela! It can be done and done well. Happy New Year xo
Excellent selection of books from great authors, Denise! I’ve read books from these authors and enjoy their writing. Happy New Year to you!
Thank you, Miriam 🙂 All writers to enjoy. Happy New Year xo
You’re welcome, Denise! 😊
Thanks for sharing these wonderful reviews, Denise! Bravo to all! 🙂
All good ones, Natalie 🙂 Happy reading xo