Because every bookshelf tells a story.
On the occasion of World Book and Copyright Day (23rd April), Sakal Publications celebrates the deep, enduring bond between readers and their books through its much-loved Shelfie Contest initiative. Designed as a joyful and engaging way to honour reading, this contest invites book lovers to showcase their personal libraries and share the stories behind their collections.
On the occasion of World Book and Copyright Day (23rd April), Sakal Publications celebrates the deep, enduring bond between readers and their books through its much-loved Shelfie Contest initiative. Designed as a joyful and engaging way to honour reading, this contest invites book lovers to showcase their personal libraries and share the stories behind their collections.
From Selfie to Shelfie: A Natural Evolution
Books are not just read; they are collected, cherished, arranged, revisited, and remembered. They quietly become part of our homes, our childhoods, our journeys, and our identities. The Shelfie Contest invites readers to step behind the camera and into their reading world — to share not just their photograph, but their relationship with books.
Whether you are a seasoned bibliophile with shelves of classics, a young reader just beginning your collection, or a family nurturing a shared reading corner, the Shelfie Contest celebrates every kind of reader.
What Does the Shelfie Contest Celebrate?
Participants are encouraged to:
- Click a selfie with their personal book collection, bookshelf, home library, or society library
- Share a special memory, story, or thought connected to their books or reading habit
- Showcase how they have creatively arranged or decorated their book space
- A bestseller corner you are proud of
- A collection of classic novels and timeless stories
- Rare books gathered from different places and times
- A child’s colourful shelf, a senior citizen’s lifetime collection, or a family reading nook
We are eager to discover:
Every shelf has a soul — and every collection has a story worth telling.
A Truly Inclusive Celebration of Reading
One of the most heart-warming aspects of this initiative has been the diversity of participants. Readers from as young as 3–4 years old to inspiring book lovers in their 80s have taken part, proudly sharing their shelves and their love for reading.
The participation has not been limited to Maharashtra alone. Entries have come in from different states across India, making this initiative a truly national celebration of reading culture.
Celebrating Readers Beyond the Contest
One of the most memorable aspects of the Shelfie initiative has been the celebratory prize distribution events organised over the last two years. In the first year, Sakal Publications hosted a special recital programme, open and free for all participants, creating a warm, literary atmosphere where readers could connect beyond the contest. Last year, the celebrations took a vibrant cultural turn with a live performance by a Marathi rap artist, blending contemporary expression with literary celebration and drawing an enthusiastic audience. These events beautifully reflected Sakal’s vision of making reading a joyful, community-driven experience, not limited to the page but alive on stage as well.
Why Shelfie?
In an age dominated by screens and short attention spans, the Shelfie Contest is a gentle yet powerful reminder that reading is still alive, personal, and deeply meaningful. By highlighting home libraries and society libraries, Sakal Publications aims to:
This initiative reflects Sakal Publications’ long-standing commitment to promoting literature, learning, and lifelong reading.
Because Books Build More Than Shelves – They Build Minds
Your bookshelf is not just furniture. It is your curiosity. Your imagination. Your growth. Your journey.
Through the Shelfie Contest, Sakal Publications invites every reader to celebrate the quiet magic of books and the spaces that hold them.
Because when reading thrives, society grows.