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: A Storm of Swords (A Song of Ice and Fire, #3) by George R.R. Martin

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third book in the game of thrones

In the third installment of A Song of Ice and Fire series, A Storm of Swords by George R.R. Martin, one of the five fighting for the throne is dead and another is in disfavor. As the war progresses, Daenerys is making her way a continent with her dragons and army. Meanwhile, the wall is being protected by the brothers in black against the wildlings.

Holy cow! This series just keeps getting better and better. I absolutely loved A Storm of Swords (A Song of Ice and Fire, #3). Even though it's a fantasy book, it has a bit of everything in it, and both men and women alike would enjoy the story.

The writing, character development, and storyline are absolutely amazing. I found myself completely absorbed in it and forgetting where I was because I could see it all playing out in my head as I read. My favorite characters are still Tyrion Lannister and Jon Snow. Arya Stark keeps growing on me and is now one of my favorite characters too. The book ends in a cliff hanger. I don't know what I would have done if I had to wait several years for the next book to come out, so it makes me happy that I waited so long to read this series.

As far as complaints go, I don't really have any about this book other than how long it is, and at times, it can be difficult to keep up with all the different characters. Luckily, there is an appendix that has a list of all the characters and what houses they belong too. This helpful if I need to reference it.

I gave A Storm of Swords (A Song of Ice and Fire, #3) by George R.R. Martin five out of five stars. If you enjoyed this book, I recommend Desperation by Stephen King.

 

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