Welcome to the Hyunam-Dong Bookshop

Gather initial thoughts and broad opinions about the book.

1. If the Hyunam-dong Bookshop were real, would you want to become a regular there? What about its atmosphere or community do you find appealing?

2. The novel unfolds without urgent external conflict, relying instead on the characters’ inner journeys. Did this slower pace sustain your attention, or did you find yourself wishing for higher stakes?

3. How might you compare this novel’s portrayal of community and healing with Days at the Morisaki Bookshop by Satoshi Yagisawa? Where do these books align and where do they diverge?

Encourage readers to connect the book’s themes and characters with their personal experiences.

1. Like Nina George’s The Little Paris Bookshop, Hwang’s novel explores literature’s healing power. Have you ever read a book that changed your life for the better? What about it resonated with you?

2. How do you balance work and life in your daily routine? Do you find yourself prioritizing one over the other? If so, why?

3. Minjun finds meaning in brewing the perfect cup of coffee while Jungsuh takes to knitting to calm herself. What personal interests or passions give you a sense of purpose or renewal? How do they help restore balance in your life?

4. The characters in this novel often struggle with societal expectations. How do you navigate these expectations in your own life? Do you tend to follow them, resist them, or do you find a middle ground?

Examine the book’s relevance to societal issues, historical events, or cultural themes.

1. How does the novel critique work-centered culture, particularly in the context of South Korea, where overwork is often normalized? In what ways might these critiques also apply to Western models of work and life balance? 

2. Yeongju’s divorce affects her deeply. How does the novel explore the cultural framing of divorce? What does it reveal about women’s choices in contemporary society?

Dive into the book’s structure, characters, themes, and symbolism.

1. Examine how the novel’s flashbacks develop character and expose inner conflicts. In what ways do they shape the novel’s structure?

2. Books and coffee are recurring symbols in the novel. What do these objects represent in the scope of the book’s larger themes?

3. How does Hwang use tone to achieve the “cozy” feel of the novel? Analyze specific passages or descriptions that you found especially comforting.

4. How does intertextuality—Hwang’s continuous references to other books—shape this novel’s themes and tone? How do books impact this story and these characters?

Encourage imaginative and creative connections to the book.

1. Yeongju founds the Hyunam-dong Bookshop based on her lifelong love for books. If you were to create your own shop, what would you sell? How would you design the shop to reflect your identity and values?

2. In Chapter 1, Yeongju plays the Keane album Hopes and Fears to start her day. Curate a playlist for the Hyunam-dong Bookshop to capture its sense of comfort and community.