Nia Safar

Salaam wa alaikoum and hi! Let me just start by saying that I was really excited about “Welcome to the Hyunam-dong Bookshop” by Hwang Bo-reum. I mean, who wouldn’t be drawn to the idea of a cozy little bookshop in a quiet corner of Seoul, filled with stories and wisdom just waiting to be discovered? It sounded like the perfect escape, right? And in many ways, it was… but it didn’t quite sweep me off my feet the way I hoped it would.

First things first, there’s a lot to love about this book. The author has a wonderful way with words, and there are some seriously inspiring quotes scattered throughout that made me want to underline and highlight and maybe even frame them. For example, at one point, Yun-Jin, our main character, reflects, “Books are like mirrors; they reflect our souls and make us see who we truly are.” I mean, YES. That’s exactly how I feel about books! Another gem that had me nodding along: “In the quiet moments, we find the most profound stories, hidden in the creases of the ordinary.” It’s so true, right? Sometimes it’s those little, everyday things that stick with us the most.

And then there’s the bookshop itself. Oh, the bookshop! If I could teleport into a fictional location, this one would definitely be on my list. The descriptions are so warm and inviting, you can practically smell the old paper and feel the cozy wood under your fingertips. It’s the kind of place where you’d want to curl up in a corner with a cup of tea and lose yourself in a good story for hours. So, yes, the setting is a dream, and the book absolutely nails that cozy, bookish vibe.

But… (and here comes the “but”), while the setting and quotes are lovely, the story itself didn’t quite grip me. The plot moves at a slow, leisurely pace, which isn’t always a bad thing, but in this case, it just didn’t keep me hooked. The storytelling is where the book falls a bit short. Yun-Jin, our protagonist, is a bit of a mystery. I found it hard to connect with her because her thoughts and emotions aren’t fully explored. She’s there, living her life in the bookshop, but I never felt like I truly understood her or what made her tick. I wanted to care about her journey, but there just wasn’t enough depth to her character to really pull me in. You get the sense there is more to her story by all the hints, but it’s never quite brought to the surface untill the end, leaving her character feeling somewhat incomplete. And to be honest I was expecting a bit more drama as I felt that was hinted throughout the story.

And then there are the side stories. Oh, the side stories! They had so much potential! Throughout the book, we meet various characters who come into the bookshop with their own little backstories and issues. These could have added so much richness to the main plot, but instead, they felt rushed and unfinished. Like, there’s this older gentleman who keeps coming in, searching for a book he read as a young man. You start to get invested, thinking, “Ooh, this is going to be a heart-wrenching tale of lost love or something,” but then… it just sort of ends. No big emotional payoff, no deep dive into his past. Just… done. And the same thing happens with a young woman who’s struggling with her career. She finds comfort in a book she stumbles upon in the shop, and then, poof, her story is over before it even begins.

These side stories could have added so much depth and emotion to the book, but they ended up feeling like little distractions rather than meaningful parts of the narrative. It’s like the author wanted to sprinkle in these additional tales but didn’t have the time or space to fully develop them, so they end up being more like afterthoughts.

So, where does that leave us? “Welcome to the Hyunam-dong Bookshop” is a book that’s full of charm and lovely moments, but it didn’t quite live up to its potential for me. The quotes and the setting are wonderful, and if you’re in the mood for something light and cozy, it’s definitely worth a read. But if you’re looking for a story that’s going to sweep you off your feet and keep you up all night reading, this one might not be it. Still, if you’re a book lover who dreams of spending your days in a cozy little shop, you might just find a little piece of your heart in this book.

Now, I’d love to hear from you! Have you ever read a book that had an amazing setting but didn’t fully deliver on the plot? Or maybe you’ve found a story that spoke to you through its quotes more than its characters? What’s your idea of the perfect bookshop? Drop your thoughts in the comments—I can’t wait to chat with you about it!

Until next time!

Lots of love,

Nia