A Healing Book Worth Every Page

“Right after their divorce, Yeongju started to look for a location for the bookshop. She settled on Hyunam-dong because of the character hyu 휴, which came from the hanja 休 for rest. Once she heard that, her heart was set.” pg. 245

If you’ve been to a bookstore recently, you might have noticed stacks of books with similar covers. Bookshops, cafes, and even laundromats have become popular settings in the publishing industry. And for good reason. These stories tackle themes of grief or huge life changes, while highlighting the little joys that come with managing or working at what many view as mundane or temporary jobs.

These books challenge to notion of meaningful work. They depict characters who are hungry for authentic emotional fulfillment rather than a traditionally ‘successful’ career and a nuclear family.

So while on the outside they seem like deceptively cozy, easy reads, they contain a multitude of lessons within their pages.

“Reading makes you deviate further from the textbook definition of success because books don’t make us go ahead of or above anyone else; they guide us to stand alongside others.” pg. 39

Welcome to the Hyunam-Dong Bookshop was one of the first novels to help popularize this particular subgenre of cozy adult fiction in the West. As a resident of South Korea, it made me proud to see a Korean author reach international success for her contemporary debut.

Hwang Bo-Reum describes her book as ‘healing fiction’ rather than the popularized term ‘cozy fiction’, and I agree with her take.

Watching characters try their best, fail, and make impactful relationships along their journey was incredibly healing as a reader who was looking for an escape from the chaotic and often devastating world we inhabit. Books have always been used as escapism. And even though Welcome to the Hyunam-Dong Bookshop was realistic and set in the present age, it held a similar feeling of escapism that I often find in fantasy.

This book helped me relax and feel connected to the human condition. That alone made reading this book feel like a much-needed step in my daily routine.

Hwang Bo-Reum is an essayist in South Korea. She is most well-known for her book reviews of popular Korean fiction. Her nonfiction book, Every Day I Read: 53 Ways to Get Closer to Books, feels like it could be the perfect companion piece to her English debut.

(Its equally cozy cover is a sweet bonus!)

“Writing was tough; showing it to someone else was worse. Each time she posted something on her blog, her heart thumped wildly.” pg. 211

Welcome to the Hyunam-Dong Bookshop tells the story of Yeongju, a woman in her 30s who has left an unfulfilling life behind to live out her fantasy of owning a bookstore, even if it’s just for a few years.

Throughout the book, she jokes and tries to be realistic about the future of her business. She understands that in South Korea, small businesses often go bankrupt or fall out of the public eye after their first two years.

Yeongju’s intention was never to make a popular or commercially successful store, but rather a place of rest and refuge for herself to hide away in as she healed from the trauma of her divorce and her mother, who only loved her conditionally.

In the secluded area she chose for her bookshop, she slowly becomes a staple in the community. She takes on the role of guidance counselor to a high schooler, Mincheol, who hates reading, and a shoulder to lean on to another soon-to-be divorcee. Her honest and kind demeanor draws people in. Despite her anxieties around being ‘the bad guy’ in her divorce, she opens up to the people around her and forms strong bonds that were simply a joy to watch unfold.

Among this community of people Yeongju befriends include a feverish knitter with anger management issues named Jungsuh, the introverted barista, Minjun, who has no desire to get a ‘real job’, and the mysterious, reclusive writer Seongwoo, who can’t help but be drawn to the thoughtful Yeongju and her healing bookshop.

The side characters all had distinct traits that helped them stand out on the page. They acted as regulars who added to the realism of the bookshop setting. It often felt like I was sitting across from Yungsuh as she knitted, while eavesdropping on Yeongju and Seongwoo as their shy relationship bloomed.

“Standing in front of the bestseller section in major bookshops felt like looking at the state of the publishing industry- highly skewed towards a few titles. Whose fault was it? Nobody’s. It was simply a reflection of a society which doesn’t read.” Pg. 294

Throughout the book, Bo-Reum uses her vast knowledge of literature to give realistic book recommendations to her fictional customers and, by extension, us, the reader. As a book lover, it was so fun to spot books that I’ve read and loved. I felt a great sense of pride when Yeongju shared a bookish opinion about one of my favorite texts.

I also found myself persuaded to pick up books she discussed that I hadn’t heard of before. It was a fun way to interact with a book. I typically only annotate when I find writing particularly beautiful, but in this book, I let go and allowed myself to circle and star little moments with books that have brought me joy over the years.

After reading this book, I was immediately inspired to write a book review of my own. And what better book to start with?

“It is often said that being able to put in effort is also an ability in itself.” pg. 190

Yeongju, because she is so open, kind-hearted, and honest, is able to befriend just about anyone. Her acceptance of even the rudest of customers is heartwarming and inspirational. Her backstory, being peppered throughout the novel, keeps readers intrigued while sustaining the overall peaceful setting and mood.

I typically finish a 300-page book in about two weeks, but I took my time reading this one. I wanted to savor the calm and the atmospheric writing, so I spent the month with it. Just as the characters felt at peace inside Yeongju’s bookshop, I too felt at ease with this book in my hands. It became a companion throughout a rather hectic August.

This summer, I worked long hours at a second job. I left my house at 7:30 a.m. and came home around 8:00 p.m. each night. I found moments to read and enjoy this book on my commute and on weekends. Having a relaxing and emotionally cheerful book like this kept me feeling a wave of gratitude.

Even if you think cozy or healing books might not be your cup of tea, I would still highly recommend this one. If you’re a writer or a book lover, it’s such a sweet experience. I also recommend reading it in a cafe, if you’re really looking for an escape.