The Sparrow Falls series by Catherine Cowles has become one of my all-time favorites. Each book blends small-town romance, healing, and just the right touch of suspense. While waiting for the final book, Secret Haven, to release later this month, I decided to create something special inspired by the series.
This is the first book-inspired Kindle insert and charm set I’ve created, and I loved every part of the process. It felt like the perfect way to say farewell to a series that’s meant so much to me.
✨ The Charm Set
Each charm represents one of the books in the series:
🐾 Fragile Sanctuary • Rhodes’ dog
🌸 Delicate Escape • Thea’s garden
🧁 Broken Harbor • Sutton’s bakery and Colt’s love for her cupcakes
🥊 Beautiful Exile • Arden and Linc’s boxing gloves
🎀 Chasing Shelter • Keely’s bow
🖋 Secret Haven • Kye’s tattoo machine pen
It was so fun choosing details from each story. I also added mountain and heart charms to represent the full series as a whole.
Here’s another photo including my favorite pop socket featuring my dog and dust plug (I purchased both of these):
One day while scrolling through TikTok, I came across a video about Kindle charms. A book influencer was showing off the cutest little accessory she had bought from a TikTok shop, and I was instantly intrigued. Down the rabbit hole I went, looking at all the different styles being sold and then I found videos of people making their own which looked even better.
That’s when the wheels started turning. I made a list of supplies, compared the cost of DIY vs. buying ready-made. I realized that if I wanted just one set, purchasing might make sense. But if I wanted several, making them myself would be way more fun and cost efficient. Plus, it felt like the perfect off-screen hobby! I picked up some charms at local craft stores, ordered others online, and got started.
My first charm haul from Michaels for upcoming DIYs.
To my surprise, I loved it. I’ve made three sets for myself, one for a friend, and worked on five more for an Instagram giveaway last week. I enjoy every step from picking a theme to mixing and matching charms. It’s relaxing, it gets me off my phone, and it feels so rewarding to actually use what I’ve made.
Fairytale inspired charms I made for an Instagram giveaway hosted Sep 2-8th.
Once I got hooked on charms, TikTok nudged me toward Kindle inserts. Sellers offered seasonal and themed designs that were cute, but not always my style. When I discovered DIY tutorials, my creativity exploded. Making inserts were inexpensive. I loved that I could design ones that matched my mood like seasonal vibes, favorite quotes, or bookish themes I connected with.
Turned Pinterest inspo into a fall Kindle insert & made a ghost dust plug.
With inserts mastered, I thought why not try dust plugs too? Since I already had the supplies, I followed a TikTok tutorial and was surprised at how easy they were to make.
Lastly, I revisited something I’d always known about but never explored fully: Kindle screensavers. Inspired by all the charms and inserts, I started experimenting with custom screens. Now, whenever I close my Kindle, it feels like an extension of my reading life and personal style.
Created a customized kindle screensaver.
What I love most about this new obsession is how inspiring it’s been. Instead of doom-scrolling, I’m using TikTok to fuel creativity. What started as a random scroll has turned into one of my favorite ways to mix books, creativity, and comfort.
Remember the joy of summer reading programs as a kid? Logging books, collecting stickers, and racing to the prize table? Turns out, some libraries still get it and they’re making summer reading fun for adults too! 🙌
Here are 3 SoCal libraries that totally understood the assignment:
📍 Long Beach Public Library
🎮: Level Up at Your Library
🗓️: June 14 – August 9
📖: Read 6 books and earn prizes along the way
🏆: 2 free books, keychain, patch, book light, and tote bag
📍 Los Angeles Public Library
🌳: Summer With the Library Reading Brings Us Together
🗓️: June 1 – August 1
📖: Read 60 minutes each week for at least 3 weeks
🏆: Sticker sheet & exclusive LAPL tote bag
📍 OC Public Library
🎮: Level Up! Summer Reading Challenge
🗓️: June 16 – August 3
📖: Read once a day for 20 days
🏆: Free book from Friends of the Library or a brand new squishmallow
I’m genuinely so grateful to these libraries for making summer reading fun again and not just for kids, but for all of us book lovers! Some other systems offered only grand prize drawings (no guaranteed rewards), but these three? They showed up and handed out the goods.
Not Another Love Song by Julie Soto Publisher: Forever Pub Date: 7/16/2024
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Gwen Jackson and Xander Thorne (aka Alex), two musical prodigies from different backgrounds, whose professional rivalry intensifies when Gwen is offered the role of First Chair in the Pops Orchestra, a position Xander has long coveted. Despite their hostility, their undeniable musical chemistry and growing feelings for each other face challenges from external pressures and publicity stunts.
Not Another Love Song captivated me much more than Forget Me Not. The world of orchestra and musical performance was fascinating, especially since I have no musical talent and admire those who do. Gwen and Xander’s relationship develops into a sweet and sexy slow burn. While the villains are easy to spot from the beginning and some of the characters’ initial decisions seem dumb due to their age, these elements didn’t detract from the story. Mabel’s character was particularly enjoyable, and her backstory could easily have been a book on its own. Although a few parts dragged, the story remained compelling. I wished we got to have more of Xander’s POV as that would have added more depth to the story, given his complexity.
Just for the Summer by Abby Jimenez Publisher: Forever Pub Date: 4/2/2024
Thank you to Forever for the free copy on NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Justin and Emma, both cursed in love, come up with a plan to date and then break up, hoping to end their bad luck and find true love next. Their simple summer romance fling gets complicated as they face with personal challenges and start having feelings for each other, making them wonder if they were meant to be together after all.
Just for the Summer is one of my most anticipated spring releases! I’ve read all of Abby’s book so far and I’m a huge fan of her writing. Her skill in crafting complex characters who evoke empathy, intertwined with beautifully developed slow-burn romances and intimate moments, always leaves me cheering for the protagonists. Just for the Summer has got to be in my top 3 now and deserves all the stars! Slightly different from Abby’s previous books, Just for the Summer excels by intricately weaves the challenges of life with laughter, tears, and bringing the power of hope all into one. I loved seeing Emma and Justin’s personal growth through their own perspectives and how they intertwine in each other’s lives. The supporting characters really made this book shine and loved the support system that Emma and Justin received through their found families. Abby was able to address heavy topics with sensitivity in a way that was thoughtful and also added another layer of depth to her writing. There are so many other things I want to say, but I want to keep this review spoiler free! If you’re an Abby fan or new to her writing, pick this one up on release day!
Almost Surely Dead by Amina Akhtar Publisher: Mindy’s Book Studio (Amazon Publishing) Pub Date: 2/1/2024
This was my January Amazon First Reads pick
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Almost Surely Dead by Amina Akhtar tells the story of Dunia Ahmed, a New York pharmacist coping with personal tragedies, who becomes the center of a true crime podcast after her mysterious disappearance. As she deals with murder attempts on her life and police suspicion of those close to her, Dunia’s reality blurs with childhood superstitions, leading her to believe that a malevolent force is targeting her.
Having enjoyed Amina Akhtar’s previous works, #fashionvictim and Kissmet, I was thrilled to discover her latest thriller, Almost Surely Dead, released under Mindy’s Book Studios. The narrative is told through three distinct perspectives: Dunia’s experiences from a year or two prior, the podcast’s viewpoint, and Dunia’s memories from when she was five years old. A highlight of the book is its exploration of jinn and Pakistani culture, offering insightful perspectives on these beliefs. The podcast hosts, intriguingly flawed, exhibit subtle racism and a penchant for gaslighting their guests, embodying the antithesis of ideal hosts with their overt commercial focus. Dunia’s character and her interactions with those around her are fascinating along with the extremely horrifying methods at attempts on her life. Though the culprits were easily predictable which had me reduce a star, the integration of jinn into the storyline was chillingly effective which added a haunting and terrifying layer that resonated deeply. Overall, I highly recommend picking this one if you’re looking for an entertaining and spine-tingling thriller!
I want to focus on reading goals. At the beginning of this year, I had two reading goals I wanted to focus on:
1. GoodReads Challenge: Put at 1 for fifth year in a row to continue to enjoy what I read. <—I love that I kept this goal because I don’t have the pressure of reading a specific number of books for the year.
2. Continue to read more books from South Asian authors.<— This has been an interesting goal. I’ve been more intentional in the books I’m reading and who is writing them. I’ve found it difficult to find books I truly enjoy but I’m still trying and I’m currently at 14 books.
Here are some other loose goals I decided to follow before the end of the year.
23 for 23 Challenge: In August, I decided to join the #23for23 that amplifies BIPOC voices from BIPOC authors. since the challenge since that only books in August onwards count, I’m only at 13 books so I’m not sure if I’ll be able to complete this by the end of the year.
NetGalley: I’d like to try to finish my 2023 NetGalley books before the end of the year so they don’t carry over. I have ten 2023 NetGalley books. I’m not sure if I can get to all of them, but I know most of them are on my TBR for this month and next month.
Book of the Month: I want to finish all the BOTM books I purchased this year. I only have two left but one is over 500 pages which I’m not sure if I’ll get to it or not. This year I haven’t been as impressed with the BOTM selections as I have the previous year. I’m still debating whether I want to renew or not. I think my annual renewal is in March or something.
That’s all I got for now. If I’m able to accomplish these, that’s great and if not, that’s fine too.
Once More With Feeling by Elissa Sussman Publisher: Random House Pub Date: 5/30/2023
Thank you to PRH Audio for the free audiobook copy in exchange for my honest review.
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️
GoodReads Synopsis: Then. Katee Rose is living the dream as America’s number one pop star, caught in a whirlwind of sold-out concerts, screaming fans, and constant tabloid coverage. Everyone wants to know everything about her and her boyfriend, Ryan LaNeve, the hottest member of adored boy band CrushZone. Katee loves to perform but hates the impossible demands of stardom. Maybe that’s why she finds herself in the arms of another CrushZone member, Cal Kirby. Quiet, serious Cal, who’s always been a good friend to Katee, is suddenly Cal with the smoldering eyes and very good hands. One unforgettable night is all it takes to blow up Katee’s relationship with Ryan, her career, her whole life…
Now. Kathleen Rosenberg is okay with her ordinary existence, and leaving her pop star image in the past. That is, until Cal Kirby shows up with the opportunity of her dreams–a starring role in the Broadway show he’s directing and a chance to perform the way she’s always wanted. The two haven’t spoken since the joint destruction of their careers, and each of them blames the other, making their reunion a tense battle of wits and egos. Katee reluctantly agrees to the musical, as long as she keeps her guard up around Cal. But rehearsals are long, those eyes still smolder, and those hands are still very good. Despite everything, Katee can’t deny the chemistry between them. Is it ever a good idea to reignite old flames? Especially if you’ve been burned in the past?
Review:Once More With Feeling is the second book I’ve read from Elissa Sussman. Former pop star Katee Rose, now living an ordinary life as Kathleen Rosenberg, has her world upended when Cal Kirby, her ex-lover and former bandmate, offers her a starring role in a Broadway show he’s directing. As they work together, the two struggle with unresolved tension and undeniable chemistry, forcing them to confront their past and decide if reigniting old flames is worth the risk. I found the premise of this book quite intriguing and full of potential, but I couldn’t shake the feeling that something was lacking in its execution. The story is told from the perspective of Kathleen Rosenberg, both in the past and present. Kathleen’s character was very well-developed and I enjoyed seeing her growth throughout the story. However, I was disappointed with Cal’s character which I found to be underdeveloped. It was hard for me to see how he had changed from the past to the present. When Kathleen and Cal reunited as adults, their chemistry felt forced and I didn’t feel like they resolved any of their issues. I wasn’t a fan of the subplot involving Kathleen and her best friend, Harriet, having an underlying fight that’s only explained later in the book. On the other hand, I appreciated that the infidelity in the past was presented upfront and not treated as a surprise reveal. Overall, I had mixed feelings about this book. I preferred her first book, Funny You Should Ask.
Nisha Sharma, Adriana Herrera, Nicki Payne, and other talented authors started this challenge to read 23 books by BIPOC authors with BIPOC characters before the end of 2023. The purpose of this initiative is to amplify and elevate marginalized voices in publishing by promoting, showcasing, and celebrating the works of Black, Indigenous, and People of Color dedicated to telling stories that center marginalized identities.
I’m joining this challenge too!! Over the past couple of years, I’ve made a conscious effort to selecting what I read mindfully and will continue to hold myself accountable. I love to read books by BIPOC authors featuring marginalized identities across all genres.
Here are the physical books I’m hoping to get to. This does not include the audiobooks and ebooks I’m planning to read as well. I’m in the middle of The Art of Scandal by Regina Black & The Name Drop by Susan Lee (not pictured) which I’m planning to count towards #23FOR23 once I’m done reading them.
Wondering how to take action? Participate in the #23FOR23 Challenge! Take control of your reading choices, curate your social media content thoughtfully, and back your words with action. Let’s be more intentional with our reading!
Here are a few links to help you learn more about the challenge and how you can participate:
Asha Reads 