What drew you to book nook kits?

When I was a kid I was obsessed with miniature versions of things, even if it was the silly mini concessions you can get from hotels and airports. I collected miniatures of so many different kinds for several years. I've also loved puzzles my whole life, including some of those older 2D puzzles with the 3D buildings you could layer on top of them.

I didn't know book nooks existed until last year sometime, but the first few I bought were gifts for friends' birthdays who are avid readers and love fantasy as well. Then I found the CuteBee Champs-Elysses kit right after I got back from my first trip to Paris and I bought it to build for myself as a little souvenir of sorts. I was immediately hooked. I went looking for other kits that resemble or represent actual places I might have been and found the Left Bank Bookstore kit (a riff on the Shakespeare & Company bookstore on the left bank of the Seine River in Paris, which I had also just been to), the Hemingway House kit, and then the Corner Coffee Shop kit that looks so much like my favorite local coffee shop. So it sort of started out as a collision of my love of miniatures, puzzles, and travel souvenirs.

What I didn't realize was that it would unlock a lot of the creativity in me that has been dormant or pushed aside because of life events, stress, work, and just... *gestures broadly*. It's such a great way to enjoy some creativity without the stress of the whole project having to originate from my brain and without needing a lot of supplies for it. I've added to my supplies and customizations over time and I'm slowly embracing the more challenging kits (I've purchased but haven't started Sea Breeze... not sure there's enough whiskey in the 'verse for that kit from the sounds of it..), but my favorite aspect of this hobby so far is the community. It's just amazing watching people from all over the world enjoy the same hobby, helping each other out, trying out adding personal touches to it, and putting more creativity into the world.

It really boosts my faith in humanity, and I don't think there's ever been a time when that wasn't welcome. I'd love to hear stories from all of you about how you got into this hobby. What brought you to book nooks?