Hwang Bo-reum

There was only one thing on her mind. 'I must start a bookshop.' Yeongju did everything she was supposed to, go to university, marry a decent man, get a respectable job. Then it all fell apart. Burned out, Yeongju abandons her old life, quits her high-flying career, and follows her dream. She opens a bookshop. In a quaint neighbourhood in Seoul, surrounded by books, Yeongju and her customers take refuge. From the lonely barista to the unhappily married coffee roaster, and the writer who sees something special in Yeongju - they all have disappointments in their past. The Hyunam-dong Bookshop becomes the place where they all learn how to truly live. A heart-warming story about finding comfort and acceptance in your life – and the healing power of books. 'An incredibly exciting debut novel. At once gentle and invigorating. I devoured it' Sarah Crossan Reader Reviews: 'Love love love this book! Cosy, heart warming, wholesome...Will be recommending this to everyone. It makes me smile when I think about it!' 'Such a beautiful book, I adored the story and characters, The writing style was gorgeous. 100% recommend.' 'A love letter to books, bookshops and all who love them' 'Such a warm and cosy read! Was completely here for it...and the appreciation for books was magical' 'A heart-warming cosy read that makes you think about how important it is to be happy, and that we can all find a place to call 'home'.'

The heart-warming Korean sensation

Welcome to the Hyunam-dong Bookshop

어서 오세요, 휴남동 서점입니다

Jane S

Every one of us is like an island; alone and lonely. It’s not a bad thing. Solitude sets us free, just as loneliness brings depth to our lives. In the novels I like, the characters are like isolated islands. In the novels I love, the characters used to be like isolated islands, until their fates gradually intertwined; the kind of stories where you whisper, ‘You were here?’ and a voice answers, ‘Yes, always.’ You think to yourself,

 I was a little lonely, but because of you, I’m less alone. 

It’s a wonderful feeling and the book in your hands gives me a taste of that joy.

mikee ♡

Devika M

Books are not meant to remain in your mind, but in your heart. Maybe they exist in your mind too, but as something more than memories. At a crossroads in life, a forgotten sentence or a story from years ago can come back to offer an invisible hand and guide you to a decision.

Lindy

To achieve happiness at the end of life, you have to be miserable for a lifetime. When I think of it this way, happiness becomes horrible. It’s such an empty feeling, to stake everything on a single accomplishment in life. So, I changed my mind and decided to chase after pleasure - the feeling of happiness instead.

blue

A life surrounded by good people is a successful life. It might not be success as defined by society, but thanks to the people around you, each day is a successful day. 

Books are not meant to remain in your mind, but in your heart. Maybe they exist in your mind too, but as something more than memories. 

‘“When significant proportions of our time are spent working, recuperating from work, compensating for work,  or doing the many things necessary in order to find, prepare for, and hold on to work, it becomes increasingly difficult to say how much of our time is truly our own.”’

She was always trying to be ahead of the curve. It wasn’t as if she had to deliberately push herself to do it. Even without conscious effort, she still studied and worked hard. She lived like a robot who didn't know rest.

this book is seriously unearthing some deeply buried thoughts and emotions ! 

She was desperate to return to the bright and cheery middle-school kid who loved books more than anything else. She wanted to start from there again. That was all she could think about.

I’m the kind of person who may throw someone away again for my own sake, for my own life. I’m not the person you will want to keep close to you.

Welcome to the Hyunam-dong Bookshop quotes

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