INSTANT USA TODAY BESTSELLER * NATIONAL INDIE BESTSELLER
INDIE NEXT PICK * Debutiful Most Anticipated Book of 2024 * Powell's Pick of the Month * A Bookshop Best Book of the Year So Far
A heart-warming story about finding comfort and acceptance in your life - and the healing power of books.
There was only one thing on her mind.
'I must start a bookshop.'
Yeongju is burned out. She did everything she was supposed to: go to school, marry a decent man, get a respectable job. Then it all fell apart. In a leap of faith, Yeongju abandons her old life, quits her high-flying career, and follows her dream. She opens a bookshop. In a quaint neighborhood 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 heartwarming story about finding acceptance in your life and the healing power of books, Welcome to the Hyunam-dong Bookshop is a gentle reminder that it's never too late to scrap the plot and start again.
“[This book] suggests that finding daily satisfaction is itself a serious job . . . Hwang explores . . . how a meaningful life might be built by applying oneself to even the most pleasurable pastimes.” ―The Atlantic
“The perfect book to read while curled up in a comfy chair with a cup of coffee on a lazy Sunday.” ―Readers Digest, "Books Everyone Should Read"
“A real love letter to reading . . . wonderful.” ―Good Housekeeping
“I may have found my ideal bookshop book . . . By the end of Hyunam-Dong, [Yeongju] has encountered enough surprises to figure out that bookshops - and love - rarely go by the book.” ―The Minneapolis Star-Tribune
“A thoughtful slice-of-life story that also serves as a tribute to the power of books and community … Welcome to the Hyunam-dong Bookshop treats both grand and small dreams with respect while appreciating that we can find joy even in the fleeting present. If you feel uncertain about your path in life or your bonds with others, you may find as much comfort in this book as its characters do in the books that shape and change them.” ―Illinois News-Gazette
“Already a run-away hit in its original Korean, this gentle, philosophical novel is a balm for book lovers, for the burnt-out, and for anyone seeking change or community. It reminded me of all the reasons bookstores are my favorite 'third-place' and also my favorite way to get to know a place.” ―Powell's Books, February Pick of the Month
“This is a heartwarming story that everyone should read in their quiet moments.” ―The New York Journal of Books
“A wonderfully cozy novel . . . It is wonderfully true-to-life and a very charming, intimate reading experience.” ―Books & Bao, 24 Must-Read Korean Novels in English
“A story that embraces its sentimentality.” ―The Observer
“Delightful, reflective and heart-warming . . . we challenge you not to fall in love with it.” ―Woman's Weekly
“The book reads like a well-thought, free-flowing conversation … I absolutely loved Welcome to the Hyunam-dong Bookshop. Something is life-affirming about the story and its characters that will stay with me, in my heart and thoughts. It is the kind of book that will feel new and exciting every time you read it.” ―Fresh Fiction
“What is perhaps most surprising about Welcome to the Hyunam-dong Bookshop is the way in which Hwang Bo-reum juxtaposes the coziness of a favorite bookstore with the creative and financial stress situated just below the surface. It's a warm read, to be sure, but it comes by that warmth honestly.” ―Words Without Borders
“With its slice-of-life chapters and lovable cast of characters, Hwang Bo-reum's Welcome to the Hyunam-dong Bookshop is the key to starting your healing journey … [It is] equal parts cute and thought-provoking, and who doesn't need some healing fiction in their life?” ―The Honey Pop
“The book is a cup of hot tea on a rainy day … [It] is observational, approachable, and makes you feel as if you're reading an account of real people versus a wild book of fiction. It's clear the writer loves books, and as a fellow book lover, the book felt like coming home.” ―Mochi Mag
“The prolonged philosophical considerations of reading, community, happiness, and the meaning of work offer moments of reflection and observation. Bo-Reum pleasantly evokes the feeling of spending an afternoon in a favorite bookstore.” ―Publishers Weekly
“A slice-of-life tale with appealing characters. Their stories explore aspects of Korean culture … the messages about happiness and not wasting time in unsuitable and meaningless endeavors are uplifting and provide a cozy read.” ―BookPage
“Already a bestseller in Korea, this quiet debut novel poses big questions about what it means to be successful and lead a fulfilling life. A worthy entry into the ever-growing constellation of fiction about the power of books, reading, and community.” ―Booklist
“Hwang Bo-reum's graceful, meditative debut novel, translated by Shanna Tan, introduces readers to an engaging cast of lost souls seeking answers to the central questions of their lives: What does it mean to live a contented life in a competitive culture? And can we achieve contentment if our decisions make others unhappy? … A meditation on bookstores and the communities they foster, as well as an aspirational story of finding purpose when you think you might be ready to give up.” ―Shelf Awareness
“A snapshot of life in a quiet corner of Seoul examines how reading can help give voice to emotions, worries, and dreams.” ―Kirkus Reviews
“[This] debut novel is a comfortable book about books … Bound to be a book club favorite.” ―Library Journal
“Ever have a dream where you chuck your life and start over as the owner of a small bookstore? Of course you have. Live out that fantasy with this hit Korean novel available in English for the first time. This will be great when you really need a feel-good read.” ―Goodreads Editors
“Via her thoughts on literature, Yeongju gives voice to the author's message about the redemptive power of reading. Yeongju's definition of a good book could be a description of Welcome to the Hyunam-dong Bookshop itself: '[L]iterary novels with social commentary . . . When authors delve deep into their understanding of life to touch the hearts of readers, helping them to navigate life, isn't that what a good book should be?'” ―Washington Independent Review of Books
“This buoyant, charming novel celebrates books as a source of growth and connection, and as a gentle antidote to the pressures of modern life. Hwang Bo-reum has created a quirky comfort read that invites readers into the heart of this sweet bookstore . . . a delightful place to be!” ―Matthew Sullivan, author of MIDNIGHT AT THE BRIGHT IDEAS BOOKSTORE
About the Author
Hwang Bo-reum studied Computer Science and worked as a software engineer. She wrote several essay collections: I Read Every Day, I Tried Kickboxing for the First Time and This Distance is Perfect.
Welcome to the Hyunam-dong Bookshop is her first novel, which has sold over 150,000 copies in Korea and been sold into 9 territories. Before its release as a paperback, the novel was initially published as an e-book after winning an open contest co-organised by Korean content-publishing platform 'Brunch'.
