this was one of those books that i read at the perfect time of my life, now as a post-grad. it follows a bookshop, and the characters surrounding it like its owner yeonju, the barista minjun, locals and authors alike. all are going through their lives with passions, dreams and struggles that are written in such a profound way, questioning and reflecting on their lives like so many of us do. the most relatable character for me was minjun, also a post-grad who, like many right now, are struggling with their ambitions in life against the faulty job market. i loved watching him come to terms with his changing dreams, and forming relationships with the women around him. there's a particular analogy he explains to his friend about buttons and holes that really echoed the frustrations and despair our generation have about jobs and getting on the property market. minjun comes to terms with the knowledge that even if some dreams are smaller than others, it doesn't make it insignificant. 

there are many lessons i learned reading this book, not just through minjun but the other characters as well. the stories of yeonju, jungsuh and jimi taught me about taking time to heal, about choosing for yourself and not for others, about rest and the relationships that will change you for the better. additionally, you can really tell that the author has a love for books and is enthusiastic about getting people to read; there are many quotes about what makes a good book and why we should all read. definitely a book that will change your perspective on your life, make you appreciate it and reading a whole lot more.