jessicamusch's reviews
180 reviews

Welcome to the Hyunam-dong Bookshop by Hwang Bo-Reum

hopeful lighthearted reflective relaxing slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

“I worked so hard, so intensely, but at the end of the day, time just passed me by. I hated that feeling. I hope you’ll never experience that. Go for satisfaction instead.”

This is a quiet little book about a bookshop and the people that frequent it. Much of the book is actually a critique of society’s work culture. All the characters in some way or another are subverting social expectations by choosing their own path in the world. 

This book must be enjoyed slowly, which worked for me as I found this hard to pick up as it isn’t a compelling read. 

The translation is awkward at times and I found typographical errors. 

The Wind-Up Bird Chronicle by Haruki Murakami

adventurous challenging dark funny mysterious medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

This was completely absurd and I loved it

Korean Short Stories for Beginners and Intermediate Learners: Engaging Short Stories to Learn Korean and Build Your Vocabulary by Language Guru

challenging informative lighthearted fast-paced

4.0

I really enjoyed reading this and found it was a good level for me. However I think it is definitely not for beginners, and is more at the upper intermediate or low advanced level. There are many complex words and even a few idioms used. 

As a lower advanced learner, I found it really satisfying to be able to finish this really quickly but still understand the content. There are questions at the end of each chapter to test understanding which were helpful. 

Ignite Me by Tahereh Mafi

adventurous dark medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

Felt a little anti climactic 

DallerGut Dream Department Store by Mi-Ye Lee 이미예

adventurous hopeful lighthearted relaxing fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

This is such a fun book!! Penny works at a department store that sells dreams. The perfect read before bed. 

The English translation is excellent - it doesn’t feel like a translation which is rare for books translated from Korean in my opinion. 

Unravel Me by Tahereh Mafi

dark tense slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

The beginning dragged on but the ending was so exciting I couldn’t put it down 

The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho

adventurous hopeful inspiring reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

I’m inspired to keep on my path to realising my personal legend. 

I’m glad I read this 

Destroy Me by Tahereh Mafi

dark fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

I haven’t read Unravel Me yet, but I don’t quite get the hype around this book and don’t consider it a must read.

Quicksilver by Callie Hart

adventurous mysterious tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

I loved the world building but didn’t love the relationship between the 2 fated lovers. We never really got a sense of why they are into each other. 

Ghosts by Dolly Alderton

emotional funny hopeful medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

Excellent, of course