Review : LEGO ICONS 11379 Bookstore: Book Nook

07/09/2026 ICONS Lego 2026 REVIEWS404

Today we are taking a very quick look at the contents of the LEGO ICONS 11379 Bookstore: Book Nook set , a box of 1690 pieces which is currently available for pre-order on the official online store at a public price of €129,99 and which will be available from October 1, 2026.

This is not the first attempt by LEGO to ride the Book Nook trend; the manufacturer has already produced several sets on this theme, taking more or less liberties with the concept, to the point that one can almost accuse them of appropriating the name of these products when the account doesn't fit if we admit that there are rules on the subject.

Upon arrival, some products like the 10351 Sherlock Holmes: Book Nook set were reasonably convincing, while others like the 10367 The Lord of the Rings: Balrog Book Nook set frankly usurped the name used by straying too far from the subject in both substance and form.

This time, there's no licensed product, and LEGO simply offers us a modest, very cluttered bookstore whose shelves are scattered with more or less obvious references to literary works, which are generally destined to end up on a shelf wedged between two books. Visually, it's closer than ever to the Book Nook concept, even if the construction can seem messy and too dense to be properly appreciated visually.

Once unfolded, the diorama regains some airiness and homogeneity, with the shelves becoming much more legible and the layout appearing far more coherent. This is the paradox of this product, which almost tries too hard: its closed version loses considerable clarity, and this visual confusion can be partly attributed to the lack of integrated lighting. A few LEDs would have been enough to add depth, create shadows, and instill a certain atmosphere in this decidedly well-stocked bookstore.

The very concept of Book Nook is to be a cleverly designed, enclosed space that exploits lighting and perspective. Here, however, none of that is present; when folded, the structure resembles an overly dark, disjointed mess that evokes nothing artistically. The atmosphere is lacking, as is the perspective effect.

Worse still, LEGO tries to compensate for the lack of built-in lighting by attempting to bring light in from above. In reality, it's far too cluttered to actually see what's happening in this bookstore, which also serves coffee. The absence of a roof, or even just a ceiling, therefore serves little purpose other than to give the impression that the product lacks polish.

Regarding the outer sides of the model, which shouldn't be visible when the object is placed between two books, it's a bare minimum. LEGO doesn't bother with the finish on the blue cover, and a large number of studs remain exposed. Everyone has their own opinion about LEGO studs; I think a cover entirely covered in Tiles would have been more elegant.

There's no escaping a large number of stickers, although some might be surprised not to see more, which is a shame, as usual, on an unlicensed product aimed at an adult audience and sold for €130. The landscape visible through the two windows is rather ridiculous; it looks like the bookstore is located in the middle of a field of windmills.

Don't spoil too much for yourself the references installed on the bookstore shelves, they are documented in the pages of the instruction booklet in the form of clues and this will be an opportunity to rack your brains a little during assembly.

Upon arrival, it's still not a Book Nook in the literal sense, even if it comes close despite the lack of built-in lighting. Yet, this isn't LEGO's first attempt: set 10351 Sherlock Holmes: Book Nook did quite well with its street scene, set 76450 Book Nook: Hogwarts Express offered a somewhat ridiculous train split in two when folded, set 10367 The Lord of the Rings: Balrog Book Nook featured too much empty space, and set 76478 Book Nook: Dumbledore's Office also handled perspective reasonably well. This new set regresses in this last area, with a setup far too messy to evoke any kind of atmosphere.

What will remain is the pleasure of building for all fans of micro-things and rather original techniques, a few references to guess, two minifigs that reuse many elements already seen elsewhere but which at least allow you to obtain a new torso and face for the female character and a few pad-printed pieces.

Nothing to get worked up about, and certainly not worth spending €130 on this unlicensed product that offers nothing special to justify the inflated price. I can already see the per-unit pricing enthusiasts reassuring themselves by doing the usual division, but these are mostly small items, and that formula has been outdated for a long time. A kilo of tomatoes can contain a different quantity of tomatoes, but it's still a kilo at the checkout.

If this topic interests you, wait patiently until this product is available at a bargain price elsewhere than at LEGO.

129,99 €

Review : LEGO ICONS 11379 Bookstore: Book Nook

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