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: Secret Spells (Diary of an Accidental Witch, #4) by Perdita Cargill and Honor Cargill

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NetGalley ARC of Secret Spells (Diary of an Accidental Witch, #4) by Perdita Cargill and Honor Cargill
Secret Spells (Diary of an Accidental Witch, #4) written by Perdita Cargill and Honor Cargill, Illustrated by Katie Saunders is told from the perspective of eleven year old Bea via her diary entries and is about the main character and her classmates preparing for the Winter Solstice Grand Tournament, and they will be competing against a non-magical school, so no magic will be allowed! Which school will win?

A huge thank you goes out to NetGalley for giving me an Advanced Readers Copy (ARC) of Secret Spells (Diary of an Accidental Witch, #4) by Perdita Cargill and Honor Cargill and Illustrated by Katie Saunders for free in exchange for my honest review. I was intrigued by the book title and cover art and was thrilled to be approved to read this book.

This book has a light, playful feel that may remind readers of The Worst Witch by Jill Murphy. Both stories feature a young girl attending a school for witches and navigating the occasional mishap involving spells and magical lessons. However, beyond the magical school setting and a few spell-related hiccups, the similarities are minimal. Secret Spells has its own voice, tone, and storyline that sets it apart within the children’s fantasy genre.

One of the aspects I enjoyed most was the diary-style format. The story unfolds through Bea’s personal entries, which makes the narrative feel authentic, engaging, and accessible for its target audience of readers ages six to nine. The diary format breaks the story into manageable sections, making it easier for younger readers to follow along and stay invested in the plot. It also adds a personal touch, allowing readers to connect directly with Bea’s thoughts, worries, and excitement surrounding the Winter Solstice Grand Tournament.

Book Review Secret Spells Diary of an Accidental Witch #4 Perdita Cargill Honor Cargill While Secret Spells can certainly be read as a standalone book, I would recommend reading the Diary of an Accidental Witch series in order to fully appreciate Bea’s backstory and character development. Having that context enhances the reading experience and provides a deeper understanding of her friendships, magical mishaps, and growth throughout the series.

Even though this is a fantasy novel for children, the characters’ reactions to various situations feel realistic and age-appropriate. The friendships, rivalries, and competitive spirit surrounding the tournament are portrayed in a believable way that young readers can relate to. That said, readers looking for deep character exploration may find it somewhat limited but that is to be expected in a fast-paced chapter book designed for early elementary readers.

Overall, Secret Spells (Diary of an Accidental Witch, #4) by Perdita Cargill and Honor Cargill is a fun, magical adventure filled with friendship, school competition, and plenty of heart. Perfect for fans of magical school stories and light fantasy for kids. This book earns four out of five stars from me.

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