Welcome to the Hyunam-dong Bookshop

“A story that embraces its sentimentality.”—The Observer

“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

“A wonderfully cozy novel . . . It is wonderfully true-to-life and a very charming, intimate reading experience.” —Books & Bao

“A real love letter to reading . . . wonderful.”—Good Housekeeping

“I may have found my ideal bookshop book when I read Welcome to the Hyunam-Dong Bookshop. What sets Hyunam-Dong apart is how much it reveals about getting a store up and running … 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

“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

“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

“Delightful, reflective and heart-warming . . . we challenge you not to fall in love with it.”—Woman's 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

“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

“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

“[This] debut novel is a comfortable book about books . . . Bound to be a book club favorite.”—Library Journal

“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