--- type: "Article" title: "Build A Quaint Library: LEGO® GWP Books Are My Passion Set 40698" description: "LEGO® 40698, Books Are My Passion, is a phenomenally quaint set with a lovely little design. However, it's no longer available and finding it won't be easy—or affordable." resource: https://baumlinks.com/lego-ideas/books-are-my-passion-set-40698-gwp-review/ tags: ["Baumlinks LEGO® IDEAS Post Archive"] timestamp: 2026-02-06T06:59:01+00:00 --- **_LEGO® Came Out In Style October 2025 With A GWP, Gift With Purchase, Set That Was Rare, Aesthetically Pleasing, And Quick To Leave Stock_** This incredibly small and aesthetically designed LEGO® Gift With Purchase Set, 40698: _Books Are My Passion_, could help you ring in the New Year in style. This 285-piece set brings a special flare of tranquility to any LEGO® collection, matching similar vibes to the botanical collection. Personally, I feel like this set brings a dash of serenity and a bit of inception by bringing a small bookcase to your bookcase right in your living room. Let’s explore the key aspects of this set: - The Build - The Design - The Minifigure(s) - The Cost (or how to get this unique GWP) With these key elements, you can decide if it’s worth hunting for and buying on third-party platforms. ![LEGO® GWP Books Are My Passion Set 40698 Box](https://baumlinks.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/GWP-Books-Are-My-Passion-Set-40698-Box-1-573x1024.webp) ## What’s The Build Like For Books Are My Passion? With 285 pieces, you are looking at a build that will take the average LEGO® builder a maximum of 1.5 hours. Most beginner to advanced builders take roughly 1-1.5 hours to build a few hundred pieces. The build itself is not complicated, and the multi-colored gold/silver bar bricks used to copy the appearance of book bindings are an exceptional touch. This is a LEGO® bookshelf building technique I don’t see very often—it comes out marvelously. Nothing is difficult about the build, and you should have a lot of fun modifying it or making your own MOC (My Own Creation) by surrounding it with your collection’s LEGO® structures. ![LEGO® GWP Books Are My Passion Built And Displayed With Minifigure Holding Book](https://baumlinks.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/Books-Are-My-Passion-Complete-Built-Displayed-40698-1-1024x768.webp) ## What’s The Design Like For The Books Are My Passion LEGO® Set? I love the design of _Books Are My Passion_, and you will, too! It is quite small, with **dimensions of 12 cm (5 in.) high, 9 cm (3.5 in.) wide, and 9 cm (3.5 in) deep**—but these dimensions add to the allure. A few really unique callouts: - The minifigure head on top of the bookcase is a world map printed on a LEGO® head that appears to be one-of-a-kind to this set. - Using 1×1 brown studs to make ornaments on top of the bookcase is an insanely simple yet beautiful design. - The design of the blue reading chair and library ladder are two elegant pieces that complement the bookcase’s brown-hue well. Honestly, this set has such an artsy and authentic feel to it. It’s a wonderful design. ![Books Are My Passion Gift With Purchase Side View Of Set With Minifigure on Ladder](https://baumlinks.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/Side-View-Books-Are-My-Passion-LEGO®-Set-940x1024.webp) ## Is The Minifigure Inside Worth It? Unfortunately, the minifigure is the worst part of this set. It is a very simple female minifigure with only a finely printed LEGO® sweater for the torso. The hairpiece, head, and legs are nothing to write home about. Still, I think this simple minifigure does contribute to the overall aesthetic of set 40698. This set lives by two watchwords: **Simple and elegant**. ![LEGO® GWP Books Are My Passion Closeup Of Female LEGO® Minifigure On Bookshelf](https://baumlinks.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/LEGO®-GWP-Books-Are-My-Passion-Minifigure.webp) ## Is The GWP Books Are My Passion Worth It? How Do I Get It? Another downside to this set: It’s a GWP Gift With Purchase. This set is no longer offered as it was a GWP from October 28th to November 11th, 2024, when holiday LEGO® shoppers spent US $130.00 / AU $215.00 / €130.00 / £130.00 on LEGO.com or spent their LEGO® funds at a local LEGO store during the promotion. It was worth it as a [rare find and collectible](/okf/posts/lego-minifigure/rarest-lego-minifigures-most-expensive-minifigs.md) in late October to early November 2024, but with February 2026 here, the only way you can get this set is via third-party platforms and sellers—bummer. According to BrickEconomy, the current market value for 40698 _Books Are My Passion_ sits around $90 USD for a sealed copy in early 2026. That’s a significant premium considering this was originally a free promotional set. If you’re trying to pick one up secondhand, expect to pay anywhere from $65 to $100+ depending on condition and seller. Frankly, I would take inspiration from this design and build your own using pieces from your personal LEGO® collection! Plus, I’ve linked the [LEGO® page that allows you to download the directions for the Books Are My Passion set to get you started](https://www.lego.com/en-us/service/buildinginstructions/40698). Enjoy! ## How Books Are My Passion Fits Into The LEGO® Ideas Legacy Set 40698 _Books Are My Passion_ holds a special place in LEGO® history as it was the winning entry in the LEGO® Ideas “Me, Myself and I” design contest back in 2023. The original design, titled “Reading, Reading and Reading” by fan designer Fr_An, captured the community’s imagination with its cozy, literary aesthetic. LEGO® Ideas continues to thrive in 2026 with exciting releases like the _Love Birds_ set for Valentine’s Day, upcoming _Snoopy_ and _Knight Rider_ sets, and even a Yu-Gi-Oh! design challenge launching this February. The Ideas platform remains one of the most beloved ways for fans to see their creative visions become official LEGO® products.