Booknotes : Welcome to Hyunam-dong Bookshop
"Warm and healing, guiding you out of the hustle culture and letting you glide into a dream of a simpler, happier life."
Book Details
🛒 Welcome to Hyunam-dong Bookshop by Hwang Bo-Reum, Shanna Tan (Translator) | Kinokuniya Malaysia
Published in January 2022
301 pages
Contemporary, Books about Books, Korean Lit, Adult, Slice of Life
Welcome to Hyunam-dong Bookshop by Hwang Bo-Reum
A gist of thoughts
I listened to this on Audible somewhere in February this year. Anyone who’s experiencing burnout, working in a toxic corporate life, or not in a good headspace, the warm and wholesome feelings just take over.
This book is not meant to be cerebral but rather gently lets you dream your way out of the hustle culture that’s poisoning our lives today. I love the main character, who left her corporate job to pursue her dream of opening a bookshop. The story is about how she discovers her customers' struggles and connects with them through the comforting books she offers at her bookshop.
This book makes me dream.
I dream of working for what I love to do. I dream of waking up to do just what I love to do. There’s nothing not to love about this one—the characters, the imagery of a friendly neighborhood, and the books in the bookshop. It is all you could ask for in a good dream. It’s a healing book that brings me joy, hope, and courage to find happiness in the mundaneness of life. I love how Bo Reum brings comfort and explores the themes around connection, especially in a world where it is hard to find genuine connections as an adult.
Welcome to Hyunam-dong Bookshop by Hwang Bo-Reum
Quotes :
“To find happiness, do what you enjoy. All of you should find something you enjoy doing, something that makes you excited. Instead of pursuing what is recognized and valued by society, do what you like. If you can find it, you’ll not waver easily, no matter what others think. Be brave.”
Others
I’m glad I had the chance to meet Hwang Bo-Reum at Kinokuniya Malaysia last Sunday, July 14th, where she shared insights into her journey from engineer to writer and the story behind her book. It was also wonderful to meet the talented translator, Shanna, and learn briefly about her translating journey.
During the meet and greet, one of the most memorable questions from a reader was, ‘How did you decide to finally become a writer and how do you stay consistent in your writing routine?’ Bo-Reum replied, accompanied by a smile, was enlightening: ‘From the moment I committed to becoming a writer, I wrote every day for 4-5 years before I actually became one.’ (Of course, we had to wait for Shanna to help translate her words to English for us 😅 .)
Rating ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
It's a strong 4.5 for me ~ it's like Harry Potter magic! This book is memorable, engaging, and a true page-turner. While the plot isn't overly complex, the characters have their own distinct voices and left me with heartwarming feelings. Though it may not be entirely unique compared to other healing-themed books I've read, it still offers a gentle escape, helping you dream of your ideal life without intense drama.
Here’s how I rate books I read
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