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The Goods

10 Bookish Jigsaw Puzzles For All Your Audiobook Reading Time

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Jamie Canaves

Contributing Editor

Jamie Canavés is the Tailored Book Recommendations coordinator and Unusual Suspects mystery newsletter writer–in case you’re wondering what you do with a Liberal Arts degree. She’s never met a beach she didn’t like, always says yes to dessert, loves ‘80s nostalgia, all forms of entertainment, and can hold a conversation using only gifs. You can definitely talk books with her on Litsy and Goodreads. Depending on social media’s stability maybe also Twitter and Bluesky.

Since my earliest memories, I have loved doing jigsaw puzzles. Now as an adult, working on a jigsaw puzzle has joined activities like building Legos, doing Pilates, playing Nintendo Switch, and watching TV in the “things I do to de-stress” category. But of all those activities, the only two that I can do while also listening to an audiobook are working on a jigsaw puzzle and Legos — and anything that I can do while also reading a book (especially when I’m super absorbed by one) wins out most days. 

Thankfully, the world is filled with tons of great jigsaw puzzles and tons of amazing audiobooks. Do I naturally gravitate toward bookish jigsaw puzzles? Of course! And there are a lot — from settings in bookstores to ones inspired by actual classic books. I even sometimes add a jigsaw puzzle to my purchase when shopping at an indie bookstore (I bought Camilla d’Errico’s Hydie: A Pop Manga Jigsaw Puzzle from Harriett’s Bookshop) or at Barnes & Noble (Book Nerd 1,000-Piece Puzzle). If your fingers are itching to put together a jigsaw puzzle and your heart is always delighted by bookish things, here’s a list that includes mini puzzles and 500 pieces and 1,000 pieces. Bonus: there’s even a ghost, mermaids, and a unicorn!

a jigsaw puzzle of an illustration of Smokey Bear reading a book about trees to two cubs

Smokey Bear 1,000 piece jigsaw puzzle ($30): Wittle bebe bears reading about trees — squeeeeeeeee!

micro jigsaw puzzle with an illustration of colorful books on a white background

So Many Books, So Little Time Mini Puzzle ($9): Mini puzzles are great paired with novelas and short story audiobooks and they also make excellent gifts!

jigsaw puzzle illustration of library with books, flowers, and a ghost

Halloween Ghost Puzzle in Library ($29): Have you got your fall reading stack ready? Because here’s the perfect jigsaw puzzle! If you need a ghostly audiobook rec, try Murder in G Major by Alexia Gordon or Ophie’s Ghosts by Justine Ireland.

jigsaw puzzle illustration of person reading on sofa with couch an da background of bookshelves filled with books

Booked All Weekend ($25): A cozy bookish puzzle for a relaxing day.

jigsaw puzzle illustration of mermaids in an underwater bookstore

Underwater Library Jigsaw Puzzle ($39): Yes, I absolutely want to be a mermaid and shop in an underwater bookstore!

Harle Renaisance themed 1000 piece jigsaw puzzle

Laurence King Publishing The World of The Harlem Renaissance 1000 Piece Jigsaw Puzzle ($22): Get a little history lesson and learn, refresh, or admire greats like Langston Hughes and Zora Neale Hurston — maybe even listen to the audiobook of Their Eyes Were Watching God while you put it together.

jigsaw puzzle of unicorn reading

Unicorn Reading 500 Piece Puzzle Brand New ($14): How do I join a unicorn book club?!

jigsaw puzzle illustration of a bookstore with Black people shopping at tables filled with books

Black Bookstore Puzzle ($21): A cozy puzzle giving all the vibes of spending the afternoon shopping in a bookstore. Maybe pair it with one of these 10 Bookstore Romances To Get Lost In.

small jigsaw puzzle illustration of Black girl reading on a stack of books

Black girl reading children’s jigsaw puzzle ($13): Here’s an adorable jigsaw puzzle that makes a great gift for kids!

a jigsaw puzzle with an illustration filled with people reading books

Galison Book Club Puzzle 1,000 Pieces Hundreds of People Reading Books Puzzle ($17): There are adorable details in this one, like a cat reading The Great Catsby. Would pair great with one of these audiobooks: 10 Books About Books for Serious Bibliophiles.


Want to look at even more bookish jigsaw puzzle designs? Of course you do: The Ultimate Guide To Book Puzzles To Do and To Give This Winter and New Book Puzzles for Cozy Winter Enjoyment (Yes, we are dying in the summer heat but winter is right around the corner).