Cozy Book Recommendation: Welcome to The Hyunam-Dong Bookshop!

Posted On March 20, 2024

Hi Readers! After a long time, I read a book that I really loved. When I started reading Welcome to The Hyunam-Dong Bookshop, I knew it was a book about books. I knew it would be a cozy read. I had read few such books, and in most cases, I had found them just above average. I liked them but didn’t love them. But, this one I loved. And the irony is that in the initial chapters of the book, I thought I wouldn’t like it much. Isn’t it funny how the books we think we will love end up disappointing us and the books we think might disappoint us end up being the ones we love.

I read this book as part of the Korean March challenge in which many readers are actively participating. This is also my second book written by a woman this month, so in that sense, I am celebrating Women’s History Month too!

~~GOODREADS DESCRIPTION~~

The Korean smash hit available for the first time in English, a slice-of-life novel for readers of Matt Haig’s The Midnight Library and Gabrielle Zevin’s The Storied Life of AJ Fikry.

Yeongju is burned out. With her high-flying career, demanding marriage, and busy life in Seoul, she knows she should feel successful, but all she feels is drained. Yet an abandoned dream nags at her, and in a leap of faith, she leaves her old life behind. Quitting her job and divorcing her husband, Yeongju moves to a small residential neighbourhood outside the city, where she opens the Hyunam-dong Bookshop.

For the first few months, all Yeongju does is cry, deterring visitors. But the long hours in the shop give her time to mull over what makes a good bookseller and store, and as she starts to read hungrily, host author events, and develop her own bookselling philosophy, she begins to ease into her new setting. Surrounded by friends, writers, and the books that connect them all, she finds her new story as the Hyunam-dong Bookshop transforms into an inviting space for lost souls to rest, heal, and remember that it’s never too late to scrap the plot and start again.

~~THOUGHTS~~

~~NARRATION & CHARACTERS~~

When I started reading Welcome to the Hyunam-Dong Bookshop, I realized that it was going to be a slow-paced book with a lot of focus on multiple characters and their growth. Initially, I struggled with it. I fell asleep several times reading it. I took a lot of time reading it. At several times, it also felt quite disjointed and repetitive. But, I then realized how the book exactly mirrors life. Some things don’t make sense in the present. But when you look back, you realize how it was all connected. So, yes, I cribbed about some parts (book and in life), but alter, I realized how there was a reason for it all (book – yes and in life – soon, I hope!)

As for the characters, we have Yeongju, the owner of the bookshop, Minjun, the barista and then slowly we have all the bookshop regulars. We see all of them living their lives and each of them offer insights. Minjun worked as a barista only because he needed a job. But soon he starts focusing on it and slowly and steadily develops himself in it. He teaches us that no matter what the work is, you can always be fully committed to it. I learned curiosity and living in the moment instead of thinking of from him and how crucial that self-acceptance can be.

Seongyoo, who is an author and does writing workshops tells us how you are not your career. It was thought provoking to learn that we could be unhappy doing something we like and happy doing something we don’t like because if we don’t like it, we might get the time to look for something we weren’t looking for. Also, he talked about about how no matter what career you choose, you will face difficulties. No career is devoid of difficulties, so you might as well do what you really want leaving behind no regrets.

Jungsuh, a bookshop regular is someone I’d love to become. We learn about giving one thing your undivided attention. And the fulfilling part of it is doing that just because you can and with no ulterior purpose. It made me wonder when was the last time I did that? Even as I write this review, I am listening to music!

Mincheol was just a kid whose mom was worried about his future but soon he came unto himself. He started thinking for himself and not what society dictated him to think.

~~RUNNING A BOOKSHOP~~

There are quite a few books about bookstores but the difference with this one is how much effort is shown to actually keep an independent bookshop running. And, though it sounds technical, I REALLY enjoyed reading those parts. Whether it was about writing notes and placing them in the books or posting on Instagram or book talks or how one book club turned into 3 specific book clubs which or writing workshops or the owner writing a newspaper column. Just SO stunning to read about the progress of a fictional bookshop!

~~WHAT I LOVED~~

I think this book was super ambitious. It tried to do a lot of things in 300 pages. And I never say this lightly, but it managed to achieve it. Whether it was this dream that all readers have of quitting their jobs to open a bookshop which is also a café, but also because it was realistic about its feasibility. It also goes to discuss jobs and there’s a healthy debate about the refusal of work vs making a living. It’s so meditative as well while talking of living in the moment. It’s cozy, yes. But it’s also thought provoking in the most comfortably uncomfortable ways.

At times, some chapters might come off as preachy. But if the content is relatable to you, you’ll err on the side of insightful than preachy. And I belonged to the former, for a change! And I think it would be relatable to a large crowd because there are multiple characters who go through different problems such as divorce, parental pressure, work life balance, unemployment, anxiety and stress. Something for everyone, but in the most healthy way possible.

Reading this book also made me realize how it’s okay to live your life the way you want. Just because you’re not hustling or working 80-hour weeks, doesn’t mean what you’re doing id devoid of passion or is unimportant. If it makes you happy, it’s important.

~~BOOKS MENTIONED IN THE BOOK~~

The Elegance of the Hedgehog by Muriel Barbery

Animal Triste by Monica Maron

The Catcher in the Rye by J. D. Salinger

Insights of Eurasia by Lee Byeong-han

Amy and Isabelle by Elizabeth Trout

The Guard of Light by Che Hae-Jin

Glimpses of World History by Jawaharlal Nehru

Too Bright Outside for Love by Kim Keum-hee

Shoko’s Smile by Choi Eun-young

Faust, a Tragedy by Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

The Refusal of Work: The Theory and Practice of Resistance to Work by David Frayne

To Have or to Be? by Erich Fromm

The Evening’s Chance Encounter by Park Wan-suh

A Standing Woman by Park Wan-suh

Demian by Hermann Hesse

Zorba the Greek by Nikos Kazantzakis

Our Souls at Night by Kent Haruf

Franny And Zooey by J. D. Salinger

~~TO READ OR NOT TO READ~~

If you love reading warm-hearted books, you should read this. If you love a book about bookshops and coffee, you will probably like this. If you like cozy Japanese novels, then this Korean book will be right up your ally. If you do not enjoy slow-paced books, this might not be for you. If you enjoy character-driven books, this will be an interesting read. I have rated Welcome to The Hyunam-Dong Bookshop by Hwang Bo-Reum, translated by Shanna Tan at 4.5/5 stars!

Until next time,