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: Unruly Julie by Alan Moss

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The Running Bibliophile's Children's Picture Book NetGalley Book Review of Unruly Julie by Alan Moss
Unruly Julie by Alan Moss is a children's picture book with an expected publication date of January 28, 2025. This rhyming kids book is about a girl named Julie who gets herself into trouble by being mischievous before finally realizing she wants to behave like a proper little girl.

I'd like to thank NetGalley and Troubador Publishing Ltd. for providing me with an Advanced Readers Copy (ARC) of Unruly Julie for free in exchange for my honest review. The bright, eye-catching title and appealing cover immediately drew me in, making me curious to discover what Julie’s story was all about, and I’m happy to say it absolutely lived up to my expectations.

The story itself is catchy, memorable, and easy to follow, making it ideal for repeated readings. The rhyming text flows smoothly, helping to build early language skills while keeping children entertained. The illustrations are vibrant and fun, adding an extra layer of charm that brings Julie’s antics to life on each page. One of the standout elements is the subtle, passive lesson woven throughout the story. Rather than feeling heavy-handed, the message about behavior and making better choices is naturally integrated, allowing young readers to absorb it in a gentle and meaningful way.

Overall, Unruly Julie is a delightful and entertaining picture book that is especially well-suited for children between the ages of three and five. It’s the kind of story that both kids and adults can enjoy together, whether at bedtime or during storytime.

Five out of five stars is what I give Unruly Julie by Alan Moss. This is a first in a series that kids and adults can enjoy together. I hope that the rest of the books in the series are as cute and fun as this one.

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