The story of a Yeong-ju who, after burn out at work, decides to realise her old dream of opening a bookshop in a quiet residential neighbourhood. As the bookshop gets established, we discover more and more characters, until a small community is built up around it. We get to know knew characters, and participate in their personal struggles.

The main theme of this book, at least in my view, is the question of what makes some happy, and the pursuit of that happiness over various periods in one's life. The book upends what could be perceived as the "traditional" path to success in Korean (and probably most developed) society - good school, good university, temp job, permanent job, marriage, etc. Each of the main characters in the book is rebelling against this path, and, often through a certain level of personal suffering, aims to redefine what it means to them, and how best to achieve personal satisfaction from life.

There is lots to like about this book. In a very elegant way it helps accept alternative ways of living fulfilling lives. It also does so without extreme ideas or solutions - this is not about radical politics, or extreme ways of life. The characters all still want to make enough money to be comfortable, do something interesting, be surrounded by good and kind people, and create enough room in their lives to pursue their passions.

I also liked the way the book uses the birth and early years of a bookshop as a mechanism to convey some of its messages. There is clearly a lot of love for the ecosystem of books in this particular story, potentially even more than there is a love of books. In that way, it's also quite different from a similar book I read this year (Days at the Morisaki Bookshop), which was much more oriented towards the joy that books bring to their readers, and how these affect their lives.

I did find the book a bit too preachy, and a bit too simplistic. It could be that in its own social context it is particularly bold, within the context I live in (Western Democracies) it feels rather timid, and full of cliches. In many places it comes across as a collection of sayings from self-help best-sellers. I would even go as far as to state that I found much of what the book was saying quite banal - follow your dreams, don't stay in unhappy marriages, don't stick to jobs that make you unhappy, don't surround yourself by toxic people, etc. It's like an expanded story from a weekly Magazine, rather than a literary novel.

I also found the books and movies sprinkled throughout the story quite uninspiring. Nothing bad, but I expected something more sophisticated perhaps? Or thoughtful? Using Catcher in the Rye as one of the governing thoughts in the book feels a bit too shallow.

I also found the book difficult to read - it just wasn't engaging. It kind of languished, and didn't draw me in. It's not that I was looking for action, but I think I just found it boring and motherhood-and-apple-pie. In contrast, books that deal with similar issues that have much more heft are Chopin's Awakening, Hawthorne's Scarlet Letter, much of Muriel Spark's work, etc.

It might be a good read for folks who are struggling with similar issues and looking for emotional reassurance of how they might choose to pursue changing their circumstances.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for providing me with an early copy of this book in return for an honest review.

Writing a book about books is a good way to be certain of finding a setting and topic readers will relate to - after all the only interest everyone who reads for pleasure has in common is that they read for pleasure. So Hwang Bo-reum's debut novel set in an independent bookshop, full of discussion about books, reading and writing, should have a broad appeal on those grounds alone.

More importantly though, it's a good book. The characters are likeable, the pacing gentle but never slow, and whilst it might be considered 'feel good' fiction, it's the thoughtful, measured kind, not the melodramatic slushy sort. In fact, I've read a few east Asian 'feel good' novels this year and I prefer them to their western counterparts on the whole. The more restrained culture reigns in the emotive excesses you can see in USA or Europe based examples of the genre and makes for more plausible reads. I felt I could actually learn something from this book, rather than just rolling my eyes.

The novel focusses on a number of characters - the bookshop's owner, it's one other staff member, a writer who attends for a book talk, and several regular customers. It's quite a philosophical book, with a strong theme of finding happiness and fulfilment in life. Most of the characters are still working out what happiness might be, let alone attaining it. South Korean culture tends to being conservative with a fairly narrow definition of 'success' and very high pressure to achieve it. The characters in this book are mostly unable to meet the criteria for 'success', either having done so and then burnt out, or just being ill suited in the first place. Should they keep trying to achieve an ideal that is unlikely to be achievable or enjoyable, or strike out and find another way? The bookshop's owner, Yeong-ju, has done the latter, but following her dream of selling books turns out not to be an easy one stop answer to contentment.

As well as books, there's plenty about coffee as well which I found quite interesting. As you get to know the characters, the storylines become more involving, and I particularly liked and felt very drawn in by the romance storyline - which is understated and never allowed to become the purpose of the book. I cared about the characters, and I felt I could identify with them. Although I'm a different ethnicity, I've always driven myself hard at work and striven to attain an unrealistic standard, only to reach middle age and wonder why exactly. So I felt a great kinship with these characters that transcends any cultural differences.

I would highly recommend this book to people who enjoy feel good novels, those with an interest in Korean culture, and more broadly to readers who enjoy well written, easy to read fiction. It particularly touched me, perhaps because I could empathise so closely with the characters. I will certainly read more novels by this author.

Welcome to the Hyunam-dong Bookshop is a wonderfully life-affirming, low stakes read for those looking to get lost in the lives of a bookshop owner, her employees and her friends.

Tan's translation reads well and at no point did the narrative feel hindered by being in translation, which was refreshing and enjoyable. Bo-reum's storytelling is intimate and moving, creating a cast of characters you invest in throughout the novel.

Plot-wise, this is not a book of action, but a story of the little moments in our lives; the small steps we take to better ourselves or understand ourselves. Bo-reum is brave in focusing purely on the human aspect, allowing the narrative to unfold quietly as the bookshop itself does.

A comforting read I'd highly recommend.

"We become more compassionate. To read is to see things from someone else's perspective, and that naturally leads you to stop and look out for other people, rather than chase after success in the rat race. If more people read, I think the world will become a better place."

If you love books and you love coffee and are intrigued by the art of making coffee, you will love this book.

Run by Yeongju, the Hyunam-Dong Bookshop becomes a place of comfort and healing for not only the customers but for Yeongju and her employees as well. Having been scathed by social pressures, the characters come to peace with the decisions they have made and strive for their best- keeping their mental wellbeing at the forefront.

The Hyunam- Dong Bookshop is a slice-of-life book; it is charming, wholesome and truly a comfort read. It is also quite reminiscent of the Kdrama Would You Like a Cup of Coffee?

Yeongju did everything that was expected of her - went to university, married and got a decent job, then it all fell apart.
Leaving her old life, she follows her dream to open a bookshop.
The Hyunam-Dong bookshop becomes a place where customers can take refuge.
A heartwarming, healing story about books and bookshops.
At it’s core it’s about work-centric lifestyles and wanting to find solitude and community - very reflective and philosophical.
I found it a bit slow and didn’t really connect with any for the characters.
However it’s a very well written book
Thanks @hwangboreum @bloomsburypublishing & @netgalley for the eARC

This is a case where I picked the book on Netgalley because I had heard about it on Twitter from the translator, Shanna Tan, who was at the time asking for advice about bookshops to visit across the UK, and seemed so enthusiastic about the book I was intrigued.

The book was cute. I don't know how else to describe it. There was not a lot of tension, there was not so much of a plot - the main character is an avid reader who opened a bookshop/coffee shop and hired a barista. They like each other but everything is slow and very quiet. The chapters are very brief, describing the coffee picked and roasted, the customers visiting - the one reading books without buying them, the one knitting scarves...

I personally did not find it particularly memorable - I enjoyed the commentary about books and the character's love of books, but I can't say I felt particularly invested in this story. To give her credit, the translation by Shanna Tan reads very well and felt smooth and well executed - my issue was more with the absence of plot and lack of drama overall.

Work-life (im)balance in modern South Korea is notoriously brutal, not least for women. Not to mention other cultural expectations with regard to gender roles, as the global success of the novel Kim Jee-Young, Born 1982 recently brought to the attention of the worldwide reading public.

And those are precisely the realities that Yeongju is finding herself having to navigate at a time when she should theoretically be happy to be married, gainfully employed, and reasonably successful. Suffering from acute burnout, she decides instead to follow an almost-forgotten dream, quitting her job and marriage in the process.

When Yeongju opens her bookstore, it is not a seamless transition, but it is certainly a striking change of pace. There are quite a few tears involved, too - which is likely therapeutic, and perhaps not strange given the enormity of the changes she has made.

But, as she gradually learns what booklovers want from a bookstore, Yeongju also finds herself learning to observe and appreciate some of the people around her - from a barista, to a struggling teen, to the woman who will become her new best friend. Soon, she has a community of her own, centred around the bookstore and the adjacent neighbourhood.

Essentially, what Yeongju has traded in is not just her earlier career and lifestyle, but also involves a sea-change that shows up in her values and her quality of life. This is a lovely, slow paced, delicate story about the things we are told are important in life, versus having the courage to find out for ourselves what it is that we really want. I suspect that the book's global success reflects the fact that its core message has resonated with many readers.

I wanted to love this. Bookshop and books? What's not too like? But I found it very slow and I didn't connect with the characters. I think I had high expectations since I really like Korean literature. I liked the diversity in yhe characters, though. Real humans.

You'd think that opening a bookshop would be up a book readers alley but perhaps i'm flat out of stories like this. It was okay but didn't bring anything new.

A slow-burn, heart-warming tale set in a newly established indie bookshop run by a lady called Yeongju.

Yeongju had always loved reading and, after burning out in South Korea’s relentless corporate world, started this bookshop. As the novel progresses, we meet more and more individuals who have been burnt by the corporate work-culture: the glittering promise of a secure permanent job is always dangled in front of contractors but seemingly never, ever realised leading to complete disillusionment. Through the book, these characters all grow, develop and decide on their futures.

As this is a novel where everyone ends up happier, highly recommended as an antidote to whatever today’s headlines are and to restore your faith in humanity (as well as being a ode to stepping out of the corporate rat-race). Note, some occasional swearing. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

this was a really nice easy read about running a bookshop, at least on the surface. this book contains many more multitudes, lessons on life, meditations on the human condition and connection, touching on love, loss, confusion about who you are and where you're going and more.

I fell in love with both the cosy setting of the bookshop and the characters. reading this made me want to sit down with a nice coffee (thanks to Minjun) and read, or write. each character has their own struggle and journey to go on, and we see all of this through the calming lens of the bookstore, which seems to ground and centre each of them.

if I could I would live inside this book. I can't wait for the physical copy to be released in stores so lots of people can read and love this book like I did.

A warm, welcoming greeting awaits you at Welcome to the Hyunam-dong Bookshop.

This is a beautiful novel about the power of friendship and of following your passions.

Welcome to Hyunam-dong Bookshop is not a novel with lots of twists and turns, but a comforting and gentle read that will leave the reader a lot to ponder on. This book, with themes of acceptance, self-care and forging friendships left me with realizations that it is important to tell myself that I am enough and to free myself from other's expectations.

I loved this book a lot and highly recommend it!

Thank you to Netgalley and Bloomsbury publishing Plc for the e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Welcome to the Hyunam-dong Bookshop is a heartwarming and magical read conveying the importance of books and bookshops. There’s no real drama, it’s just a warm blanket on a winters day sort of read 😊 📚

Well written and translated and a super cute book! I loved the characters and the way everything was described, and this was the perfect autumn afternoon read.

I’ll start this with a thank you to Bloomsbury and Netgalley for allowing me the pleasure of reading the novel as an ARC. When I first approached them with the request, I simply jumped headfirst into this solely based on the cover and author name. I wanted to read something written by a Korean. Something different.

This is not my first Korean novel, but it is by far the best and it quickly became a favorite. What I hope is to actually find a physical copy next and put it on my wooden bookshelf, at the forefront. The writing is so exquisite and simple at the same time, carrying the writer’s emotion throughout. This is definitely a book to be enjoyed slowly, quietly, with a cup of coffee. It’s soothing and heartwarming.

I found myself marveling at the imagery and emotions behind every word and agonizing over not being part of the story myself. The bookshop of Hyunam-dong is such a magical place, truly. There was not a moment I didn’t wish to be able to visit the place and talk to Yeongju, tease Minjun, bash Jimi’s husband and encourage her, or wholeheartedly embrace Jungsu.

Honestly, I’m speechless at it all, at the plot, the characters, the relatedness of the situations. It’s a book I would not hesitate to recommend, ever.

THE PLOT
Yeongju is the first character we meet in the novel. She’s the main character, a fresh librarian, struggling to make sense of life after going through a divorce and burnout due to her previous job. The reader is presented with her journey from the very beginning of the bookstore and until its more recent and bright days.

Once the business takes off, and Yeongju comes up with various ideas to make the store more profitable, we are met with several other characters: Minjun, the barista, Mincheol, a rebellious teenager trying to find his way in life, his mother, then Jimi, the owner of Goat Beans, the place where Jeongju always buys her coffee beans, and who later becomes her best friend, Jungsu, another former corporate worker dealing with her own anger and burnout, and, finally, Seungwoo, a blogger turned writer.

Each of the characters have their own struggles to manage and find comfort in the bookstore, finding themselves gravitating towards its cozy spaces and tasty coffee. They are all mesmerized by our main female character and bond over various aspects of life, while, at the same time, trying to grow.

OTHER ASPECTS
I honestly loved how the book dealt with various topics, while also following Yeongju’s journey to making the bookstore standout, exploring her business model and work ethics. There was some sort of anticipation with each word and page, allowing the reader to build their own ideas on the descriptors and think ahead, of how the new relationships would be formed and what they would be based on.

The writing was inviting, and the writer tried to touch upon quite a few themes: the overworking culture in Korea, the hardships of running a business, doing what you like versus doing what you are good at, allowing your passion to grow, getting over your fears while pursuing your passion, and, finally, a little bit of love.

I’ll say this again: the entire book was amazing, and if given the opportunity, I’d jump right through its pages, and live my life alongside these characters.

This was a lovely book that really developed the sense of community in the Hyunam-dong bookshop between all the different characters from the neighbourhood. I loved following their stories and seeing how the bookshop grew and developed with the help of Yeong-ju’s friends as she finally follows her dream and throws her determination and business acumen into making the shop a success. Although we see different elements of the shop, this book is far more about the people, their lives and experiences, and seeing them find their way, or look for their place, in the world. It was warm and interesting, and a book I’d certainly recommend!

I received a free copy of this book. All views are my own.

This was an interesting book but it did lack a bit of the emotion I needed. The characters were diverse and quite well fleshed out but I just struggled to engage with them on an emotional level.

This was a cosy read, anyone who loves books and bookshops will enjoy it! There's not much plot itself, but seeing the day to day of the bookshop and the character will warm your heart.

3.5 stars. Is this a fairly slow and gentle book? Yes. And that’s the point - it’s about learning to look at life and what makes you happy. About not necessarily following the conveyor belt that society expects, or using the same yardsticks for determining success that society says we should. It had me questioning whether I was happy and any changes I might want to make. And it’s set in a bookshop, so what’s not to like?

I received a free ARC copy of this via NetGalley and the publishers in return for an unbiased review.