2026 Holiday Reading Challenge | The Running Bibliophile

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Who doesn’t love a good challenge, especially when it pushes you to read outside your comfort zone or discover a new author? I’ve always wanted to join a reading challenge or reading bingo, but so many of them feel repetitive. So, I decided to create something a little different. It doesn’t mean a challenge like this isn’t out there; I just haven’t come across one myself. Introducing The Running Bibliophile’s 2026 Holiday Reading Challenge, a fun and unique way to expand your reading list while celebrating the spirit of the year. This challenge features 14 books of your choice, with one key twist: each book’s plot must revolve around the specific holiday mentioned. The challenge runs for January 1 through January 31, 2026. To keep things exciting, you may not duplicate any books on the list. By the time you've completed the challenge, you will have read 14 new books to diversify your reading list. To kick things off, the first prompt is simple: choose any holiday-themed book as l...
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Book Review: Where You've Got To Be by Caroline Gertler

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Set in New York, New York, Where You've Got To Be by Caroline Gertler is about a tween girl named Nolie and her path to growing up, learning that relationships will change, and various life lessons.

I'd like to thank NetGalley and Greenwillow Books for an Advanced Readers Copy of Where You've Got To Be by Caroline Gertler in exchange for my honest review.

Well written, it's reminiscent of Beverly Cleary's Ramona Quimby books. Even as an adult, I can definitely empathize with what the main character of Where You've Got To Be. Who didn't experience friendships that changed and people making fun of them in some way during middle school? The pacing was perfect and kept my interest the entire time. 

It's definitely a perfect book for children between the ages of eight and twelve. This children's novel reassures the reader that things will work out for the better, even though it may not feel like it at the time. I think this is a perfect book for parents to read with their kids as a family and have a discussion about it. Five out of five stars is what I gave Where You've Got To Be by Caroline Gertler.

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