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: Tell No One by Harlan Coben

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The Running Bibliophile's Book Review of Tell No One by Harlan Coben
There are very few books that make me want to stay up all night to finish it, but Harlan Coben's Tell No One was one of the few that made me want to stay up all night. However, I wasn't actually able to do that as I had lunch plans the following day. All I can say is that I am thrilled that this book was chosen for one of the book clubs I belong to.

This was my first time ever reading one of Harlan Coben's novels, and I absolutely loved his writing. I was sucked in from page one, and it had twists and turns galore. Like most thrillers, it does follow the typical formula most thriller writers use, so you knew the ending would be somewhat predictable. There really isn't much I can complain about . . . except for the last page when you're thrown for yet another twist. I really didn't care for that last minute twist. Other than that I was quite pleased.The Running Bibliophile's Book Review of Tell No One by Harlan Coben - Alternate Cover

While reading some of the reviews on Goodreads.com, one of the reviewers said they felt like it hinted at super violence and had more than they were comfortable with. I'm not really sure what they were expecting with a thriller as they typically have an element of violence in it. So, if you don't like violence, then you won't like this book, but in my opinion, Tell No One is a must read.

Synopsis of Tell No One by Harlan Coben:  Dr. David Beck and his wife Elizabeth are at the family summer home when Elizabeth is kidnapped and killed. David is beaten and left for dead. Eight years later, David receives cryptic emails leaving him to believe his wife is still alive. Wanting to know if it is an elaborate hoax, David starts digging into the past, which just might cost him his life.

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