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4.01 AVERAGE
4.01 AVERAGE
Like the subtle dripping of aromatic coffee, so too does Hwang Bo-Reum’s wisdom create the perfect blend of community and friendship over the shared dream of wanting to belong and to be accepted. Her gold nuggets are such a treasure, and I found myself slowing down my pace to savor each subtle morsel of existential meaning. Her writing, though perhaps not eloquent, held such a deep impact that I continue to ponder the meaning of life, dreams, success, and relationships. I love, too, that she does not hit you over the head with a 2x4 but rather gives you light wisps of smoke that mask a roaring fire underneath.
The chapters are short, the titles are perfect, offensive language and/or vulgar scenes are nonexistent (finally!), and the quotes could - well, do - fill the pages of a novel.
A sampling:
“We’re all inadequate, weak and ordinary beings. But because we’re capable of being kind, for a moment - no matter how fleeting- we can be extraordinary….Even a disappointing human like myself can still be, occasionally, a good person. The idea gives me strength. And for the days ahead, hope.”
“What propels life forward are decisions.”
“Just because you’ve achieved your dreams doesn’t mean you’ll always be happy.”
“Just as harmony and dissonance exist side by side in music, life is the same. Because harmony is preceded by dissonance, that’s why we think life is beautiful.”
Ironically, in the Hyunam-Dong bookstore, they choose not to stock bestsellers because they want to be diverse and promote lesser well-known authors because their work is just as good and just as important. I wonder, then, if the bookshop would include this bestseller?? Sometimes a novel is successful because the public is hungry for illiterate fluff, but sometimes the novel is popular because - like this one - it is hugely unique, impactful, and well worth the read. I, for one, hope that her store would carry the book so that everyone could enjoy this absolute and unexpected delicacy. I envy you, dear reader, for what you are about to experience!
The chapters are short, the titles are perfect, offensive language and/or vulgar scenes are nonexistent (finally!), and the quotes could - well, do - fill the pages of a novel.
A sampling:
“We’re all inadequate, weak and ordinary beings. But because we’re capable of being kind, for a moment - no matter how fleeting- we can be extraordinary….Even a disappointing human like myself can still be, occasionally, a good person. The idea gives me strength. And for the days ahead, hope.”
“What propels life forward are decisions.”
“Just because you’ve achieved your dreams doesn’t mean you’ll always be happy.”
“Just as harmony and dissonance exist side by side in music, life is the same. Because harmony is preceded by dissonance, that’s why we think life is beautiful.”
Ironically, in the Hyunam-Dong bookstore, they choose not to stock bestsellers because they want to be diverse and promote lesser well-known authors because their work is just as good and just as important. I wonder, then, if the bookshop would include this bestseller?? Sometimes a novel is successful because the public is hungry for illiterate fluff, but sometimes the novel is popular because - like this one - it is hugely unique, impactful, and well worth the read. I, for one, hope that her store would carry the book so that everyone could enjoy this absolute and unexpected delicacy. I envy you, dear reader, for what you are about to experience!
My expectations were high, but this turned out to be a very mediocre book. It feels like the author took some (amazing) lines from famous books + looked at some Pinterest quotes, and then crafted a story to bind them together.
The book meanders very slowly and the characters are rather boring. It's all very predictable.
I can see how some people might enjoy the feel-good vibes and the absence of any conflict or real struggle.
The book meanders very slowly and the characters are rather boring. It's all very predictable.
I can see how some people might enjoy the feel-good vibes and the absence of any conflict or real struggle.
medium-paced
hopeful
informative
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Welcome to the Hyunam-Dong Bookshop by Hwang Bo-reum is the cozy read book lovers dream of, perfect for those who love books about books and life. This beautiful story focuses entirely on the magic of self-discovery, defining what happiness and a good life mean to you, regardless of societal expectations.
What truly surprised me is how genuinely heartwarming and charming it is. So many cozy books are marketed as whimsical but focus heavily on death and other dark themes. This one is utterly uplifting, without that hyperfixation—a truly rare find.
It was a wonderful read. It instantly made me want to get lost and visit the Hyunam-Dong Bookshop, have a coffee, read, and meditate.
The quote, "A day well spent is a life well lived," made me tear up. Though I borrowed this book from the library, it’s now at the top of my wishlist. I hope to have a copy of my own to read and escape to whenever I want!
I loved this book! It made me feel grateful for the simple things in life, and the power of living in the moment. Enjoy this wonderful story.
Highly recommended if you love:
✨️ Healing fiction
❤️ Cozy reads
📘 Books about books, coffee ☕️ and life 💕
You'll also enjoy these books:
📚 What You Are Looking For Is in the Library by Michiko Aoyama
📖 Days at the Morisaki Bookshop by Satoshi Yagisawa
🐙 Remarkably Bright Creatures by Shelby Van Pelt
🕤 The Midnight Library by Matt Haig
⏳️ The Life Impossible by Matt Haig
What truly surprised me is how genuinely heartwarming and charming it is. So many cozy books are marketed as whimsical but focus heavily on death and other dark themes. This one is utterly uplifting, without that hyperfixation—a truly rare find.
It was a wonderful read. It instantly made me want to get lost and visit the Hyunam-Dong Bookshop, have a coffee, read, and meditate.
The quote, "A day well spent is a life well lived," made me tear up. Though I borrowed this book from the library, it’s now at the top of my wishlist. I hope to have a copy of my own to read and escape to whenever I want!
I loved this book! It made me feel grateful for the simple things in life, and the power of living in the moment. Enjoy this wonderful story.
Highly recommended if you love:
✨️ Healing fiction
❤️ Cozy reads
📘 Books about books, coffee ☕️ and life 💕
You'll also enjoy these books:
📚 What You Are Looking For Is in the Library by Michiko Aoyama
📖 Days at the Morisaki Bookshop by Satoshi Yagisawa
🐙 Remarkably Bright Creatures by Shelby Van Pelt
🕤 The Midnight Library by Matt Haig
⏳️ The Life Impossible by Matt Haig
hopeful
inspiring
relaxing
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Loveable characters:
Yes
This book has my whole entire heart.
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
sad
medium-paced
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Loveable characters:
Yes
I will cherish this deeply, it provided me the warmth, comfort and happiness that I'm currently lacking. The authors note touched my heart. I enjoyed my time at this bookshop with these characters, I feel like because of them I'll grow as well, and move forward