Name: Natasha Mok's review of Welcome to the Hyunam-dong Bookshop by Hwang Bo-reum
Item: Welcome to the Hyunam-dong Bookshop
Rating: 3
Author: Natasha Mok

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

In any case, there was only one correct answer: the one she had in mind right now. Isn’t that what life is about? Forging forward with the answer you have – stumbling along the way and picking yourself up – only to one day realise that the answer you’ve held on to for a long time is not the right one. When that happens, it’s time to look for the next answer. That’s how ordinary folks, like herself, live. Over our life span, the right answer will keep changing.

Immersing herself into the feelings of the characters provided a reprieve from her own. She grieved, suffered, and emerged stronger with them. As if sharing their experiences and emotions would, at the end of the book, allow her to understand anyone in the world.

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.

“As if trying her best to mend a broken friendship from her childhood, she immersed herself into the books, day and night, never leaving their side. It didn’t take long for their treasured relationship to rekindle. The books welcomed her back with open arms without judging the person she’d become, and accepted her for who she was.” 

I wonder if there is something about busy parents that causes children to feel their hearts with books and media. 

“Up until middle school, Yeongju had been an avid reader. Her parents, both perpetually busy, left her alone in a corner at home.” 

Emma Hak-Kovacs

'Sometimes I think about how lucky it is that I enjoy the wind. When the evening breeze blows,I thank it for clearing up the stuffiness in me and letting me breathe easier. They say hell hath no wind, so thank goodness where I am now must not be hell. If I could capture a moment like this every day, I'Il be strong enough to keep going. Humans are every complex, but sometimes, we can be so simple. We can be content with having some time — whether ten minutes, or an hour — where I can feel, Ah, I'm so glad I'm alive, so glad to seize and enjoy this moment.’

'But .. does everyone really need something interesting? Why can't I live a mundane Life?' 

‘Well, it's true that forcing yourself to find something would be tough,' she mused. 

'My mum is the same…I don't get why people see a mundane life as a bad thing. Sometimes l'd rather she forced me to study, instead of trying to make me look for something interesting. Isn't life just about going through the motions of living? We live be cause we were born.’

Yeongju didn't reply immediately. Instead, she looked around the bookshop first, to make sure there weren't any customers who needed assistance, before she returned her gaze to the child who'd already concluded that life was nothing to shout about. 

'You have a point. But having something you're interested in clears the airway.' 

Next to Mincheol, Jungsuh nodded in agreement. A frown creased Mincheol's forehead. 'Clears the airway? 

‘It makes breathing easier, and when that happens, life seems much more bearable.’

When she wasn't talking, her inner voice grew louder. She wasn't talking, but she still spent the whole day thinking and feeling.

Perhaps he was miserable precisely because he was trying to simplify a life that was meant to remain complex.

As with everything in life, reading is about the right timing.

Yet, it seemed like she couldn’t get over it; she couldn’t forget the fact that she had abandoned someone, and that person was hurt because of her actions. Or perhaps she was miserable because she realised what kind of a person she was.

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.

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.

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.

‘“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.”’

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. 

Dominik Hofer

This book was highly recommended. It's a cosy read but didn't quite made me want to keep on reading more. Probably the English translation did not quite capture the essence well enough?

Natasha Mok

Hyunam-Dong Bookshop is an honest story about regular people and their lives all converging in this bookshop. Yeongjun was perfectly and imperfectly human. The writing wasn’t too complex nor too casual, the pacing wasn’t slow nor fast. I can imagine myself stumbling upon this bookshop in Seoul and feeling invited into its warm embrace. Hwang Bo-Reum makes you feel like you’re also in this bookshop with the cast of characters. I loved the lessons and takeaways from this book, and I feel many people would benefit from hearing them. Bo-Reum has outdone herself.

Charlotte Squire

A Novel

ineke

I’m not quite sure if the purpose of this book was to bring the realities of owning a bookshop to those who romanticise it (me) and discourage or encourage them. Honestly, maybe it was both maybe it was neither. Either way I enjoyed it deeply and felt connected to the characters in all their different walks of life. The gentle development seen throughout the story and their decisions was subtle but heartwarming and left me invested in characters in a way books can never accomplish. 

I must admit I love books that don’t have a true ‘event’ or climax to them, but are rather books that follow a narrator through mundane aspects of their life. For me, this has to be done well though, and the narrator has to be either endearing, familiar to myself, or somewhat deranged. This book has characters and narrators that very neatly fall into the first two categories. 

This book was a christmas present and one I will definitely be calling the gift giver up about asap. I doubt I would’ve found this book on my own and because of that I am so thankful it was found for me instead.

Heartwarming and healing. Have many characters that overcoming their own struggles, searching a way to make up from pasts. Relatable moments and quotes especially when it comes to reader and books appreciation. Would love to reread again when I'm down.

Lili Airen

A charming soft book with elegant messages about life, different ways to consider work, living well and the people in it.

Giulia

This book is so cozy and warm. And my eyes are Misty because I somehow feel calm and loved and seen while reading this book. This book feels like the warmth of the sun during cold winters. And I absolutely loved it. 

Teeeeeesha

I absolutely enjoyed every bit of this book! It's the epitome of warmth and coziness—the perfect companion to a relaxing Sunday afternoon. I love that even though it's a slice of life, I never once felt bored reading it. HIGHLY recommended for people like me who always dreamt of opening their own bookshop and cafe.

it’s like a warm hug every time i read this. every page reassures me to slowly take time to figure out what i want to make myself out of in this world. it stresses on the idea that everyone has their own pace and own’s definition of success. teaches me to be present always and be good at whatever i’m doing at the moment, even at the simplest little thing like breathing.

if you’re happy with your decisions and your peace of mind is well taken care of, isn’t that a life well lived?

izzah

it’s like a warm hug every time i read this. every page reassures me to slowly take time to figure out what i want to make myself out of in this world. it stresses on the idea that everyone has their own pace and own’s definition of success. teaches me to be present always and be good at whatever i’m doing at the moment, even at the simplest little thing like breathing.

if you’re happy with your decisions and your peace of mind is well taken care of, isn’t that a life well lived?

a very comforting read that feels like a warm blanket and respite from today’s capitalistic society yet doesn’t outright vilify such conditions but acknowledges them and shows characters learning to ride the storm and find their own calm within the rough seas

Lettuce Wrapped Cabbage Cat

I felt quite skeptical about this book initially as I struggled to grasp the points the author was trying to make and understand the hidden meaning of the text. As I read on, I started seeing the beauty of the story - it’s simplicity, leisurely pace and how it never tried to hard to please. I love how the book made me reflect on my own desire for speed and efficiency, how society has shaped much of how I define a good life and how it all doesn’t matter - to each their own. Everybody takes life at their own pace and direction - it can be beautiful regardless.

Xi Hui Teo

Jazmine Manere

a light and cozy read 🥹 feels like it was written for me! i genuinely enjoyed reading every page

Uma livraria comum num bairro pitoresco poderia passar despercebida. Mas a Livraria Hyunam-dong não é como as outras. Yeongju tem se sentido desmotivada. Sua vida se tornou uma sucessão de frustrações e ela sente um vazio eterno no peito. Cansada de viver assim, ela decide deixar tudo para trás e colocar em prática um antigo sonho: abrir uma livraria. Desde a infância, Yeongju encontra conforto nos livros, e abrir uma livraria parece ser a solução ideal para os seus problemas. Mas começar um negócio nunca é fácil, e ela precisa aprender que ser uma amante dos livros não é o suficiente para tornar o seu sonho realidade. Conforme vai entendendo como administrar uma livraria, Yeongju também descobre mais sobre si mesma e quem ela quer ser. Cercada por livros, ela encontra um novo significado para a vida à medida que a Livraria Hyunam-dong se transforma em um espaço convidativo para que almas feridas descansem, se curem e descubram o que realmente importa. E quando os clientes começam a se sentir confortáveis para compartilhar suas histórias, experiências, esperanças e emoções naquele espaço, Yeongju finalmente sente que encontrou o seu lugar. Repleto de diálogos sinceros e profundos, Bem-vindos à Livraria Hyunam-dong é uma história emocionante sobre os momentos decisivos da nossa vida e como os livros são capazes de curar feridas e mudar as pessoas.

Bem-vindos à livraria Hyunam-dong

Bianca Boscaro

gostei das temáticas abordadas, gostei das metáforas com cafés, queria muito poder visitar essa livraria e ficar ali batendo papo e fazendo amizades. uma gracinha, me tocou bastante.

essa parte da autora no final resume bem minha experiência: 

"Queria escrever sobre um dia em que sua energia não está sendo sugada, mas sim preenchida. Um dia em que você acorda com expectativa e termina satisfeito. Um dia esperançoso, em que passamos horas tendo conversas significativas com aqueles que amamos. E, acima de tudo, um dia em que nos sentimos bem. Eu queria retratar um dia assim e como as pessoas o vivem."

Dominik Hofer &
Welcome to the Hyunam-dong Bookshop by Hwang Bo-reum

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Dominik Hofer &Welcome to the Hyunam-dong Bookshop by Hwang Bo-reum

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Join the club

Dominik Hofer &
Welcome to the Hyunam-dong Bookshop by Hwang Bo-reum