4.01 AVERAGE

emotional hopeful informative inspiring lighthearted relaxing medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven: A mix
Strong character development: Yes
Loveable characters: Yes
Diverse cast of characters: Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus: Complicated
emotional funny hopeful inspiring lighthearted reflective relaxing fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven: Character
Strong character development: Yes
Loveable characters: Yes
Diverse cast of characters: No
Flaws of characters a main focus: No
challenging emotional hopeful informative reflective relaxing slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven: Character
Strong character development: Complicated
Loveable characters: Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus: Complicated

An immediate add to my “favorite books” list. Hwang Bo-reum’s book is so comforting and heartwarming, and is able to address many “heavy” topics without the book feeling heavy itself. (Rather, the opposite- I feel like a weight has been lifted)

I could gush about the book more, but here is a quote from the author, who is more eloquent than I could be:

“In other words, I wanted to write what I want to read. Stories of people who find their own pace and direction, of people who believe in others and wait by their side as they go through difficult times, lost in worry. Stories of those who support others, who celebrate small efforts and resolve in a society that puts people - and everything about them - down once they take a fall. Stories that bring comfort, providing a pat on the shoulder for those who’ve lost the joy in life, having pushed themselves too hard to do well.” -Hwang Bo-reum (excerpt from the authors note)

Also huge kudos to the amazing translator, Shanna Tan!!

If you are feeling tired of life, or burned out, if you are looking for a place to just sit and rest, this book is a soothing balm to assuage the constant friction and the "go go go" mentality of the modern world. Reminded me of the Netflix show "Tokyo diner". I heard the audiobook and the narration was exemplary.
emotional hopeful reflective slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven: Character
Strong character development: Yes
Loveable characters: Yes
Diverse cast of characters: No
Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes
hopeful informative inspiring lighthearted reflective relaxing sad slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven: Character
Strong character development: Yes
Loveable characters: Yes
Diverse cast of characters: Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

If you're struggling to keep up with books that is heavily plot driven or are struggling to start reading this is a good book to pick up. It's slow paced but not boring. The type of book where you want to root for the characters in the book as they are trying to grow as people at their own pace. The book is for those who are burnt out because of work or even life and need a break from it and a refresher to realise you don't have to constantly meet the expectation of others. It's quite reflective and talks about serious topics without being triggering. The whole story focuses on different characters and how they are moving forward with their lives even though they have reached points in their lives where they think they have already reached the best they can and now have to divert their direction and start from scratch to live a life they are satisfied with. Would recommend to pick up if you want to read a book that is slow paced and reflective, not for those who are interested in plot driven stories and need drama.

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book1jenn's review against another edition

DID NOT FINISH: 53%

Just wasn’t feeling it. It was a cute book in theory and parts of it was okay- but overall no plot and I didn’t feel connected to the characters or care to continue reading… 
hopeful inspiring lighthearted reflective relaxing slow-paced
emotional funny hopeful inspiring reflective slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven: Character
Strong character development: Yes
Loveable characters: Yes
Diverse cast of characters: No
Flaws of characters a main focus: Complicated