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.
Last month, I did something I never thought I would: I traded my Kindle Paperwhite Signature Edition for the Kindle Basic.
On paper, it looked like a downgrade. My Paperwhite Signature had lots of storage, warm light, waterproofing, wireless charging, and a 6.8-inch screen. I figured I would miss those features the second I let it go. But here’s the surprising part — I do not.
I never realized how little I actually used the 32gb storage and warm light. Th 16gb is more than enough and I found that I read better without the warm light. The waterproofing? Nice in theory, but I was not exactly reading in the bathtub or at the beach all the time. And the wireless charging pad? I never had a need for it since I used the cable to charge.
The real magic happened when I switched from 6.8 inches down to 6 inches. That small change made a big difference. The Kindle Basic feels lighter, more compact, and just easier to hold. I reach for it more without even thinking about it. It also fits in more of my bags as well.
And then there’s the color. I went from standard black to the soft, calming Matcha green. I didn’t think it was going to make a huge difference, but it actually changed the whole vibe. It feels more personal, more me. Now when I see it on my desk or in my bag, I want to pick it up.
The best part? The deal I got. I traded in my Paperwhite Signature and got a $30 gift card plus 20% off. I stacked that with a Prime Day discount and my credit card reward points. In the end, my Matcha Kindle Basic cost me about $30 — roughly the price of a new hardcover.
I thought I was giving up the “better” Kindle for something simpler. What I actually did was find the Kindle that fits me best. And now? I am reading more than ever.
Asha Reads 