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: The Photographer II, The Dark Room by Barbara Steiner

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Young Adult Horror Book Series Barbara Steiner
The Photographer II: The Dark Room by Barbara Steiner is a gripping sequel that picks up right where the first book leaves off. Derrick is now living in a new town under an assumed name, attempting to blend in while hiding his dark past. He’s opened a photography studio, presenting himself as a harmless professional, but readers quickly learn that he has developed some disturbing new tricks along the way. As his story unfolds, the tension builds around one central question: will Derrick finally get away with murder, or will his carefully constructed life begin to unravel?

I typically find myself disappointed by sequels, as they often fail to capture the intensity or originality of the first installment. That was not the case here. Barbara Steiner truly outdid herself with this follow-up, and I ended up enjoying it even more than the original book. There are strong V.C. Andrews style vibes throughout the story, which add a dark, unsettling edge and give the plot an extra layer of intrigue. Those gothic undertones pair well with the sci-fi elements carried over from the first book, creating a unique blend of psychological suspense and speculative twists.

Horror Book Series for Tweens and Teens Barbara Steiner
The character development felt stronger this time around, making it easier to connect with the story while simultaneously feeling repelled by Derrick’s actions. In fact, I somehow managed to dislike Derrick even more than before, which speaks to how effectively he’s written as a deeply disturbing protagonist. The plot also felt more believable overall, aside from the obvious sci-fi aspects. Though if you’ve read the first book, you’ll know exactly what to expect on that front.

The Photographer II:  The Dark Room by Barbara Steiner delivers a darker, more engaging continuation of the story, with heightened tension, stronger characters, and an atmosphere that keeps you turning pages. I ultimately gave this book five out of five stars and would recommend it to readers who enjoy psychological thrillers with a touch of sci-fi and a villain you love to hate.

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