“To read is to see things from someone else's perspective, and that naturally leads you to stop and look out for other people, rather than chase after success in the rat race. If more people read, I think the world would become a better place.”
― Welcome to the Hyunam-dong Bookshop
As soon as I saw "Welcome to the Hyunam-dong Bookshop" on my explore page, I knew it was exactly what my soul needed. I asked my bookstore business partner to order it as soon as possible, and the moment it arrived, I rushed to the store to get my hands on it. Reading this book felt like a personal reflection of my own life—it echoed many of my experiences, making me pause and recognize the parallels between the protagonist’s journey and mine.
In the story, the main character leaves her high-paying job to pursue her passion, opening a bookstore at the expense of both her comfortable income and her marriage. Coming from a demanding STEM background myself, I deeply resonated with the suffocation she felt in her career. There are moments when my work, although fulfilling in many ways, leaves me feeling drained and disconnected from what I truly love. This is where I find my solace in books, losing myself in stories that recharge my spirit and give me the strength to face reality again.
What really struck me was the way the protagonist’s experience of opening a bookstore mirrored my own. Having recently opened a bookstore, I have faced constant challenges—navigating a tough economy, battling piracy, and contending with a society that doesn't always place a high value on reading. The passion that drove me to start this venture sometimes feels at risk of being overwhelmed by the daily grind. The protagonist’s fear of burning out despite doing what she loves hits so close to home. But seeing how she eventually finds balance was inspiring. Although I haven’t reached that place yet, her journey gives me hope that someday soon, I will.
One of the most beautiful aspects of the book is how the bookstore becomes a gathering space for people from all walks of life, helping them align their thoughts and find their own paths. This reflects what I’ve seen in my own store—the little community we’ve built around books, where kindness and shared love for stories unite people. Books may not solve all your problems, but they certainly guide you, offering strength and resilience, and creating a supportive network around you.
The book also highlights the quiet but profound way bookstores foster community. The protagonist’s bookstore, much like mine, is more than a business; it’s a space that brings people together, sharing warmth, ideas, and inspiration. The simple acts of kindness that characters show one another are heartwarming, and they remind me of the connections I see forming among my own customers.
Although not everyone will relate to the intricacies of running a bookstore, the book's message about how reading can help us build stronger communities is universal. It made me reflect on the vital role independent bookstores play in our society—they nurture not only the love of reading but also a sense of belonging.
If you love books, I can’t recommend "Welcome to the Hyunam-dong Bookshop" enough. It’s a story of perseverance, passion, and the small but significant ways that bookstores make life a little brighter. And with that in mind, I encourage everyone to support their local independent bookstores. They’re more than just places to buy books—they’re spaces that nurture community and resilience, which no amount of piracy can replicate. Piracy is slowly killing this gem of society, and it's up to us to send help before it’s too late.
“Books are not meant to remain in your mind, but in your heart. Maybe they exist in your mind too, but as something more than memories. At a crossroads in life, a forgotten sentence or a story from years ago can come back to offer an invisible hand and guide you to a decision.”
― Welcome to the Hyunam-dong Bookshop
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