What began as a simple handwritten list of nine favorite books during lockdown has blossomed into a remarkable global movement celebrating the transformative power of reading. Queen Camilla's The Queen's Reading Room is marking its fifth anniversary this year, and the milestone showcases an inspiring story of how one person's passion can spark joy worldwide.

"Books do make life better," Queen Camilla emphasized as her charity celebrates half a decade of bringing literature lovers together. From those humble beginnings in 2020, when she literally scribbled down book recommendations on paper during the first lockdown, the initiative has grown to connect over 186,000 book enthusiasts spanning more than 180 countries. It's a heartwarming testament to our shared love of stories.

The charity's anniversary motto, "Make Room for Reading," offers an encouraging and achievable goal: just five minutes of daily reading. Much like the popular wellness goals of walking 10,000 steps or eating five portions of fruits and vegetables, this simple habit can make a profound difference. And the science backs it up beautifully. Neuroscience research reveals that even brief sessions of reading fiction deliver immediate benefits, including a nearly 20 percent reduction in stress levels, an 11 percent improvement in concentration, and decreased feelings of loneliness.

Vicki Perrin, the charity's enthusiastic chief executive, paints a delightful picture of the Queen's dedication: "The defining image of Her Majesty is in her armchair with piles and piles of books on the side table and on the floor by her feet, talking about this latest one that she's read." The Queen personally selects every single book featured in the club, and according to Perrin, she's "by far the most well-read person I've ever had the pleasure to meet."

Over five years, Queen Camilla has personally recommended 76 wonderful books, from Dame Hilary Mantel's The Mirror And The Light to Delia Owens' Where The Crawdads Sing. Popular selections include Anthony Horowitz's Magpie Murders and Maggie O'Farrell's Hamnet, offering something for every taste.

The charity's impact extends far beyond book recommendations. Since evolving from an Instagram book club into a full-fledged charity in 2023, The Queen's Reading Room has hosted an annual literary festival, launched an engaging podcast, and created The Queen's Reading Room Medal to honor local reading champions who inspire their communities.

Perhaps most touching is the charity's grassroots work. Over 2,300 books have been donated to 11 community locations, including 1,400 to patients at Chelsea and Westminster Hospital. Reading groups have been established in St Mungo's homeless shelters and domestic violence refuges, where staff have observed how books "lit something up" in individuals facing tremendous challenges.

"It's really about setting little fires and creating those moments where we assist and help partners incubate those ideas which are going to be transformative," Perrin explained beautifully. Letters pour in from around the world describing how incorporating more reading has genuinely transformed lives.

The charity reflects Queen Camilla's belief that reading "truly changes how we perceive, how we think and how we connect." As the organization enters its sixth year, there's a palpable sense of excitement about expanding this wonderful mission even further, touching more lives and igniting more passion for the written word.