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Hey there lovely readers!
Like so many of us bookies, I’ve always loved curling up with a good book. I would just casually pick one up to destress, while traveling, or simply to escape into another world. So back in 2014, I was watching The Equalizer with Denzel Washington at home, and something in the movie sparked an idea that changed how I approached reading. There’s a scene where his character is sitting in a diner, talking about a list of 100 books his late wife was working through before she passed away. He couldn’t sleep, so he’d go to an all-night diner to read—a habit that eventually leads to his friendship with Teri (played by Chloë Grace Moretz), a teenage girl caught up in the Russian mafia.
The 100 Book Reading Challenge
That scene stuck with me. I thought, What an awesome goal—to read (and track) 100 books! Inspired, I decided to challenge myself to do just that. I set a goal of reading at least 12 books a year back in 2014. Some years I read more, and other years less, depending on what life threw my way. When I had my twins, there were a few years where I barely read at all, and I felt a little bummed about it. Then I realized I’d actually been devouring audiobooks during that time—so while I wasn’t flipping pages, I was still consuming stories.
(Side note: I have a friend who read 75 books in just one year last year! For those who have a bit more time on their hands, I’d definitely recommend setting a high goal—it’s incredible to think that with consistent effort, you could read 1,000 books in just over a decade!)
A Creative Way to Celebrate My Reading Journey
Fast forward to a few months ago: I was searching for gift ideas for book lovers and stumbled upon the idea of miniature books as decorative items. That sparked a fun idea—I decided to create mini versions of all the books I’ve read (including audiobooks) and display them in a shadow box. This little personal project has been such a joy, especially as I’ve looked back on all the books and audiobooks I’ve read over the years.
Since I don’t always buy physical copies of the books I read (hello, library and Kindle!), I thought this would be a unique way to showcase my reading journey.
Here’s how I brought my vision to life:
- Finding Supplies: I ordered small wooden book shapes on Amazon and found the perfect shadow box at Michaels. I wanted to see the shadow box in person before committing, so a trip to the store was a must.
- Creating the Covers: I tracked down the covers of all the books I’ve read and designed mini replicas. I used Canva to upload and format all my book titles, making it easy to resize and style each one for the wooden book shapes. For audiobooks, I added a small “A” to one side to indicate that I listened instead of reading the physical or digital book.
- Adding a Colorful Touch: To personalize my shadow box even more, I decorated the back of it with a vibrant sheet from The Paper Studio’s watercolor pack, which I’ve had for years. The colorful background adds a fun, artistic vibe to the display, making it pop!
Deciding on Audiobooks
Initially, I wasn’t sure if audiobooks counted as “reading.” After some research, I concluded that they absolutely do—and here’s why:
- Content Absorption: Whether you’re reading with your eyes or listening with your ears, you’re still engaging with the story, characters, and themes.
- Cognitive Engagement: Studies show that listening to audiobooks activates many of the same mental processes as reading.
- Purpose and Enjoyment: My project is about celebrating the stories and knowledge I’ve gained, and audiobooks brought me just as much joy and insight as physical books.
- Flexibility: Life gets busy, and audiobooks offer a way to enjoy literature during times when sitting down with a book isn’t possible.
Although I’ve added audiobooks to my collection, I’m still only counting the books I’ve physically or digitally read toward my 100-book goal. This project has been a creative and nostalgic way to celebrate my love of reading. It’s a constant reminder of all the stories that have shaped me, whether I held a book in my hands or listened to it while multitasking.
If you’re a book lover looking for a unique way to showcase your reads, I highly recommend trying something like this. It’s a meaningful way to honor your literary adventures—and it looks amazing as home décor!
