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: Murder In The Book Lover's Loft (Book Retreat Mysteries, #9) by Ellery Adams

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book review murder in the book lovers loft book retreat mystery 9 ellery adams

Murder In The Book Lover's Loft (Book Retreat Mysteries, #9) by Ellery Adams opens with resort manager Jane Steward and her fiance Edwin planning a getaway from Storyton Hall in Virginia to the coast of North Carolina.  Things almost immediately go awry when Edwin is stung by stingrays and Jane finds a dead body.

Thank you to NetGalley and Kensington Books for the Advanced Readers Copy (ARC) of Murder In The Book Lover's Loft (Book Retreat Mysteries, #9) by Ellery Adams.  The cover of this cozy mystery was super cute and the synopsis intriguing.  When I got the notification that I was approved to read this book for free in exchange for my honest review, I was excited.

This book was an easy read as well as super cute and fun.  It reminded me a bit of a Nancy Drew book.  Although Murder In The Book Lover's Loft was a bit predictable at times, it was thoroughly enjoyable.  I really enjoyed the characters of Jane, Edwin, and Olivia.  I even liked Mr. Butterworth . . . he reminded me of the butler in the 1998 version of The Parent Trap.  There were plenty of suspects throughout the story and plenty of clues pointing to the murderer.  However, I couldn't quite figure out who it was because so many of the people had such good motives.

I look forward to reading all the preceding books in the Book Retreat Mystery series and all that come after this installment.  Five out of five stars is what I gave Murder In The Book Lover's Loft (Book Retreat Mysteries, #9) by Ellery Adams.

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