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pagesfromhome's review
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
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
4.0
Wow, this book really dropped into my lap right at the time that I needed it. Beyond that, it was a perfect start to my 2025 reading year.
Welcome to the Hyunam-dong Bookshop is a book that feels like a cup of tea. It warms you. In the author's note, Bo-Reum wrote that she wanted her book to feel like, "A space to snuggle comfortably for the day," and she did exactly that.
The book follows Yeongju and the cast of characters that surround her life in the bookshop that she has built. It's simple slice-of-life stories, nothing majorly dramatic or overwhelming, but every moment feels worth being on the page. I wanted to follow each character, even beyond the page, but Bo-Reum does a fantastic job of showing just enough to make us fall in love and also let the characters live their lives as they will.
I'd recommend this if you're going through a chance in your life (or are questioning if you should) or if you just need a moment of comfort in a hard time. This would be a great pick for fans of character-driven novels and stories that you can feel comfortable picking up and putting down/taking your time reading.
I will note that, as with lots of translations, the dialogue can feel stilted at points, but it's not enough to frustrate and the narrative doesn't hold that same discomfort, but worth noting if you are new to translated works.
Welcome to the Hyunam-dong Bookshop is a book that feels like a cup of tea. It warms you. In the author's note, Bo-Reum wrote that she wanted her book to feel like, "A space to snuggle comfortably for the day," and she did exactly that.
The book follows Yeongju and the cast of characters that surround her life in the bookshop that she has built. It's simple slice-of-life stories, nothing majorly dramatic or overwhelming, but every moment feels worth being on the page. I wanted to follow each character, even beyond the page, but Bo-Reum does a fantastic job of showing just enough to make us fall in love and also let the characters live their lives as they will.
I'd recommend this if you're going through a chance in your life (or are questioning if you should) or if you just need a moment of comfort in a hard time. This would be a great pick for fans of character-driven novels and stories that you can feel comfortable picking up and putting down/taking your time reading.
I will note that, as with lots of translations, the dialogue can feel stilted at points, but it's not enough to frustrate and the narrative doesn't hold that same discomfort, but worth noting if you are new to translated works.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Toxic relationship and Grief
Minor: Alcohol
gabrielle713's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
It was as if she’d been at the mercy of tumultuous waves, knocking her into a daze as they pushed and pulled her in different directions until, luckily, she Landon a place she loved
Content Warnings
Graphic: Emotional abuse and Gaslighting
Moderate: Alcoholism, Sexism, Toxic relationship, and Grief
Minor: Suicidal thoughts
oceanwriter's review against another edition
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75
Cute and cozy story, although I think this is one I would have enjoyed more with my eyes rather than listening to the audiobook (which is what was currently available to me). I just didn’t connect with the main character, although I loved the setting.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Toxic relationship, Gaslighting, and Alcohol
Moderate: Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, and Grief
Minor: Infidelity, Sexism, and Suicidal thoughts
angeldevoursliterature's review against another edition
hopeful
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
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
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Toxic relationship, Gaslighting, and Alcohol
Moderate: Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, and Grief
Minor: Infidelity, Sexism, and Suicidal thoughts
amberinpieces's review against another edition
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
medium-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
5.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Sexism, and Grief
Minor: Infidelity, Alcohol, and Classism
clavishorti's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
informative
inspiring
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
4.0
Let me tell you about a book that’s both heartwarming and thought-provoking: Welcome to the Hyunam-Dong Bookshop by Hwang Bo-reum. Translated with grace by Shanna Tan, this novel offers a calming yet invigorating glimpse into the everyday magic of a small bookshop.
At its heart, the story follows Lee Yeongju, who decides to open a bookshop in Hyunam-dong, a charming neighborhood full of character and warmth. But this isn’t just any bookshop; it becomes an unexpected nexus of life-changing stories and encounters. Each page reveals the bookshop as a connecting thread between diverse individuals. It’s more than a place for buying and selling; it’s a stage for serendipitous meetings and profound connections. Through these interactions, characters both influence and inspire one another, creating a vibrant web of relationships that enrich their lives. The bookshop becomes a gravitational pull, drawing together intertwined narratives and emotions in a beautifully orchestrated way.
What’s truly captivating about this book is its serene, warmly engaging storytelling. The leisurely pace of the narrative unfolds in a refreshingly positive way. The characters and their world exude a relaxed, peaceful vibe, as if every detail is designed to offer moments of reflection and peace. In the midst of our fast-paced lives, this book provides a space to pause, appreciate life, and absorb deep insights about human connections and the power of bookshops.
Welcome to the Hyunam-Dong Bookshop by Hwang Bo-reum is the ideal pick if you’re craving a light yet deeply meaningful read about life in a bookshop. It’s not just a treat for those curious about the impact of books and bookshops on our lives but also a source of valuable wisdom about living and connecting. If you’re seeking an escape from the daily grind and a new perspective on how a bookshop can bridge people together, then Welcome to the Hyunam-Dong Bookshop is a must-read.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Toxic relationship, Gaslighting, and Alcohol
Moderate: Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Sexism, Suicidal thoughts, and Grief
Minor: Infidelity
koplomps's review against another edition
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
sad
medium-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
3.75
Content Warnings
Moderate: Toxic relationship and Grief
Minor: Infidelity, Panic attacks/disorders, Abandonment, and Alcohol
drtx_bwt's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Toxic relationship and Grief
Minor: Infidelity and Panic attacks/disorders
yvo_about_books's review against another edition
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
slow-paced
2.5
Finished reading: June 15th 2024
"I think it’s more comfortable to live a life that you want instead of a life that would not disappoint them. Of course, it’s a pity that the closest people to you are the ones disappointed in you. But there’s no way to live your whole life according to your parents’ wishes."
WARNING: it's unpopular opinion time again!!
On paper, Welcome To The Hyunam-Dong Bookshop should have been a great fit for me. I love bookish stories, and the fact that this story is mainly set inside a bookshop and offers lots of bookish references alone should have been able to convince me. I was looking forward to more insight in Seoul life and how the bookshop influenced the characters in play... But somehow this story fell flat for me instead. I've seen this type of stories called 'healing fiction', and it might just be that this particular genre simply isn't for me. It might also be that my fickle reading mood has decided to show its face again, although it has been behaving lately... Either way, I ended up struggling considerably, and I actually contemplated DNFing more than once. There is no real plot to speak of, and no storyline to follow. Welcome To The Hyunam-Dong Bookshop reads more like a rambling journey with no clear path nor end goal, and to make things worse the pace is extremely slow. There were parts that were very repetitive, and as a result the story dragged considerably. I also felt like I never really got to know the main characters at all... I actually caught myself skimreading more than once and I kept stopping to do other things instead, which is never a good sign. I can't deny that I do like the idea behind this story and what it is trying to do, but the execution just wasn't a right fit for me. It's a shame, because I was really looking forward to this one! That said, don't give up on my account as most people do seem to enjoy their time with Welcome To The Hyunam-Dong Bookshop.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Sexism, Suicidal thoughts, Toxic relationship, Grief, Gaslighting, Toxic friendship, and Alcohol
xvicesx's review
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
medium-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
3.5
A beautiful love letter to books, bookshops and the necessity of taking a breather from taking life too seriously.
Its a bit of an acquired taste, very Far East Asian in type, because you don't really have slice-of-life as a Western genre. I'm glad it did get the publicity and the translation for the Western market, though, because this entire book feels like a warm hug. A cosy moment in a cosy place where you can settle down and watch life go by for a little while.
Its a bit of an acquired taste, very Far East Asian in type, because you don't really have slice-of-life as a Western genre. I'm glad it did get the publicity and the translation for the Western market, though, because this entire book feels like a warm hug. A cosy moment in a cosy place where you can settle down and watch life go by for a little while.
Content Warnings
Minor: Grief and Alcohol