About Us
It's nice to meet you
If you are reading this page, it’s likely because you share at least one thing in common with us and the people we know.
- You love traveling or know someone that does.
- You spend too much time on your phone.
- You love giving interesting gifts (who needs more socks?).
- You love a good book.
- You like decorations for your home that look cool and tell a good story.
That’s why I founded Bookshelf Memories
The first thing you should know about me is that I love traveling. I also love giving good gifts, and I value experiencing the world with those I care about.
The idea for Bookshelf Memories started more than 2 years ago when a friend bought a DIY Book Nook kit for his fiance because it reminded them of their travels across the world.
I wanted to remember our travels in a unique way as well. As soon as I was introduced to book nooks, I was hooked.
Over the next two years, I got deep into Book Tok, learned all about the world of miniatures and DIY Kits, and founded Bookshelf Memories. We designed, tested, and produced the best book nook available on the market. We believe you'll spend weeks staring at it every time you look at your bookshelf.
Meet the team
From Our Studio to Your Bookshelf
We are two passionate travelers who have combined our love for exploring new places with our creativity to bring you a unique DIY Book Nook Kit.
Eric, Founder
I love Tokyo—the hidden alleys, glowing signs, and small moments that make the city feel alive. That’s why I designed the Tokyo Alley Book Nook—not just as a miniature, but as a way to slow down, unplug, and build something meaningful. My goal is simple: to bring joy and help people be more in the moment. Hope you love it as much as I do!
Peter, Design
It was a blast designing Tokyo Alley. My favorite thing was getting to go back and look at pictures of all my favorite places in Tokyo. We spent a lot of time making this extremely fun to build. We found that most book nooks had too many small parts and too many repetitive tasks. This is the coolest thing I've ever seen and I can't stop staring at it.
A Journey Through Tokyo Alleys Book Nook Kit Creation
2018
From a Love of Travel
I've always been an avid traveler who believes that time is always best spent experiencing the world and being with people I care about.
2019
Discovering Tokyo's Alleyways
I traveled to Tokyo's hidden alleyways, and I was mind-blown by the beauty of the traditional Japanese aesthetic.
That trip to Japan left me completely awestruck by the charm of Tokyo's alleys. Those narrow, lantern-lit paths were so magical, that I knew I had to bring a piece of that beauty back home. I wanted to keep those travel memories alive in a way that was more than just photos on my phones.
I hadn't yet found the right way to do that.
2021
Discovering Book Nooks
I was introduced to Book Nooks after my friend bought one for his wife (then fiance) and I was hooked. It instantly clicked that this would be the perfect way to continue my love of Japan and help others do the same.
2023
Testing and Development
We spent the next few years in product development. Creating the Tokyo Alley was a labor of love.
We designed the entire thing from the ground up, taking cues from our prior travels. We prototyped every single piece and had more than three dozen product testers try it out for themselves and give us their firsthand feedback.
2024
Launch of the Tokyo Alley Book Nook
We officially launched for sale in November of 2024 and we couldn't be happier with the result. We learned that sometimes the best things take longer than expected, but we believe it was worth the wait.
Big Buzz for a Tiny Book Nook
