eBook, 320 pages
English language
Published Oct. 26, 2023 by Bloomsbury Publishing.
There was only one thing on her mind.
'I must start a bookshop.'
Yeongju did everything she was supposed to, go to university, marry a decent man, get a respectable job. Then it all fell apart. Burned out, Yeongju abandons her old life, quits her high-flying career, and follows her dream. She opens a bookshop.
In a quaint neighbourhood in Seoul, surrounded by books, Yeongju and her customers take refuge. From the lonely barista to the unhappily married coffee roaster, and the writer who sees something special in Yeongju - they all have disappointments in their past. The Hyunam-dong Bookshop becomes the place where they all learn how to truly live.
A heart-warming story about finding comfort and acceptance in your life – and the healing power of books.
Just finished reading this and still am collecting my thoughts.
This is not my usual kind of read. I did pick it up because it was supposed to be a cosy read and I needed one.
What I’m left with is a sadness though.
Not much happens in the book. It’s like watching a lake on a wind-stilled day. After a while, the view does become boring even if it’s still as beautiful.
prescindible. m’hi he quedat per saber com l’autora resolia el tema aquest de deixar la teva feina d’oficina que és la teva vida fins que tens un burnout i decideixes deixar-ho i obrir una llibreria perquè llegir era el teu hobby d’adolescent i acabes convertint la teva vida en la teva feina de nou perquè oh sorpresa t’has fet empresària i ara treballar 24/7 sembla que sí que està bé i portes una vida feliç i en ordre amb els nous amics que has fet a la teva nova feina (però que és el barista que has contractat, veïns del barri i un autor que fa un curs d’escriptura a la llibreria). en resum: convertir el teu hobby en la teva feina si eres addicte a treballar no canviarà que segueixis dedicant la teva vida a la feina i no està clar que hagis d’estar més feliç per treballar del …
prescindible. m’hi he quedat per saber com l’autora resolia el tema aquest de deixar la teva feina d’oficina que és la teva vida fins que tens un burnout i decideixes deixar-ho i obrir una llibreria perquè llegir era el teu hobby d’adolescent i acabes convertint la teva vida en la teva feina de nou perquè oh sorpresa t’has fet empresària i ara treballar 24/7 sembla que sí que està bé i portes una vida feliç i en ordre amb els nous amics que has fet a la teva nova feina (però que és el barista que has contractat, veïns del barri i un autor que fa un curs d’escriptura a la llibreria). en resum: convertir el teu hobby en la teva feina si eres addicte a treballar no canviarà que segueixis dedicant la teva vida a la feina i no està clar que hagis d’estar més feliç per treballar del que t’agrada…
This is not my usual type of read - in fact, I almost put it down early on, but then I identified so hard with the first Minjun chapter that I stuck with it.
It's very much like a version of Bookshops & Bonedust without the fantasy trappings and the larger plot - characters with a variety of personal issues come together around a bookshop.
It's well written (and well translated! which is not a given!) - what I'm really missing is something actually happening. The characters each go through their different journeys of personal discovery and/or growth, but nothing is materially different at the end of the book. 🤷
Intentionally read this slow to savor it. This is what I want from a light hearted cozy slice of life - enough depth and emotional resonance for characters to work through small (but big to them) struggles without it feeling too perfect.
It is a bit episodic in nature at times, but the slow pace I read it made it so I didn’t mind that at all. If I gave into my desire to devour this quickly then I may have felt a little differently and knocked a star based on my mood influencing the feel.
Great if you like some of the other recent slice of life darlings that feature bookish or coffee themes. Lower emotional stakes but still has depth.
