I was on Pinterest the other day looking for ideas for a cozy reading corner in my bedroom when I searched for “book nook” instead of “reading nook.” What to my wondering eyes should appear, but a delightful new world of tiny, illuminated bookshelf dioramas known as book nooks. These little wonders, which you can snap together with a kit or create your own, slide onto your bookshelf to create an intriguing miniature world hidden between your books. 

Book nooks are not a new invention, but I guess I was so absorbed in reading books that I missed them entirely. I was instantly mesmerized by these magical little cobblestoned alleyways, cozy bookstores, fantasy scenes, and fairy gardens. 

Watch this video to see just how cute book nooks are.

Overview of book nooks

While book nooks are new to me, they have been around for a while. There is a very active Booknooks subreddit, where enthusiasts and DIYers post their finished projects and discuss the various book nook offerings on the market. 

Through reading the subreddit and doing some research, I learned that book nooks are the creation of a Japanese artist named Mondo, who wanted to create a Tokyo-inspired back alley hidden in the gaps between books. After his initial exhibit at a design fair, the crafters took over, and the concept evolved into a market of mass-produced DIY snap-together kits. 

Where should you buy your book nook kits? 

This Reddit post offers great tips on how to compare kit quality, watch out for knockoffs, and estimate costs. Simple kits can be found for around $40-50, but elaborate ones can run $80 or more, so this could easily become an expensive hobby! 

Since discovering book nooks, I’ve seen them at many bookstores, but you can also find them at Amazon, Michael’s, Etsy, or directly from the manufacturer.

Making my first book nook

Of course, once I discovered book nooks I had to get one. I hit Noe Valley Books in San Francisco and picked up this darling Rolife Arcade Book Nook. My daughter used to love making Rolife’s miniature rooms and I hoped she’d enjoy making the book nook, but she got bored with it quickly.

I took over the project with a bit of trepidation, since part of my brain seems to shut down whenever I try to assemble something, but I found it to be quite easy to put together. The kit came with several boards of woodcut pieces that are well labeled and snap out easily, along with stickers to add cute visual accents. The designers of the kit were very thoughtful with the assembly and instructions, and I even managed to wire it properly to illuminate it!

Are book nooks difficult or time consuming to make?

With the caveat that I’ve only made one, and I believe it was a fairly straightforward set, I’ll say no. I’m the kind of person who regularly assembles flat pack furniture backwards or upside down, but I had no trouble fitting the pieces together or understanding where everything went. The Rolife designers clearly put a lot of thought into making the kit easy to assemble, so I was able to relax and actually enjoy the process. The larger kits do look a little intimidating, but I think with patience and careful following of directions, even a new crafter could assemble them. 

As for time commitment, I probably spent 4 or 5 hours building mine; I’ve noticed many of the manufacturers’ estimated time to build ranges from 4-8 hours. But part of the joy is in the process, so I suggest taking your time and having fun with it!

What will I build next?

After making my first book nook, I was hooked! It was so relaxing and enjoyable to build, and I love seeing it on my bookshelf. I’m ready to build another one, but there are so many adorable options it’s hard to choose. 

Here are the top five kits I have my eye on.

Owl Bookstore from Nooktales 

I’m a book nerd and this is an inviting little vintage bookstore with a door that opens. How could I not love it?

The Secret Garden from Tonecheer

The Secret Garden is one of my favorite childhood books and I love the idea of stepping into Colin’s garden from my bookshelf.

Classic bookstore from Rolife

This is the first kit I saw fully assembled when I was browsing the book nook offerings at Noe Valley Books. It’s inspired by the Shakespeare & Co bookstore in Paris and it just looks so welcoming and cozy. The perfect place to curl up with a cup of tea and a novel on a foggy day.

Kyoto Gion from Anavrin

I’ve never been to Kyoto, but this alleyway looks absolutely magical and inviting, and I love the tiny details at the noodle bar. 

Dreamy Mini Alley from Techarge on Etsy

I’d like to take a walk down this book lover’s alley! The book nook comes with a mobile puzzle game that lets you discover secrets woven into your book nook’s design.

Have you ever built a book nook? Share in the comments!