Book description
INSTANT USA TODAY BESTSELLER * NATIONAL INDIE BESTSELLER INDIE NEXT PICK * Debutiful Most Anticipated Book of 2024 * Powell's Pick of the Month The Korean smash hit available for the first time in English, a slice-of-life novel for readers of Matt Haig's The Midnight Library and Gabrielle Zevin's The Storied Life of AJ Fikry. Yeongju is burned out. She did everything she was supposed to: go to school, marry a decent man, get a respectable job. Then it all fell apart. In a leap of faith, Yeongju abandons her old life, quits her high-flying career, and follows her dream. She opens a bookshop. In a quaint neighborhood in Seoul, surrounded by books, Yeongju and her customers take refuge. From the lonely barista to the unhappily married coffee roaster-and the writer who sees something special in Yeongju-they all have disappointments in their past. The Hyunam-dong Bookshop becomes the place where they all learn how to truly live. A heartwarming story about finding acceptance in your life and the healing power of books, Welcome to the Hyunam-dong Bookshop is a gentle reminder that it's never too late to scrap the plot and start again.
About the Author
Hwang Bo-reum has authored several essay collections: I Read Every Day, I Tried Kickboxing for the First Time, and This Distance Is Perfect. Welcome to Hyunam-dong Bookshop is her first full-length novel. Before its release as a paperback, the novel was initially published as an ebook after winning an open contest co-organized by Korean content-publishing platform "Brunch." She lives in Seoul. Shanna Tan is a Singaporean translator working from Korean, Chinese, and Japanese into English. She was selected for two emerging translator mentorships in 2022, where she was mentored by Anton Hur for Korean prose and Julia Sanches for Singapore literature (from Chinese). Her prose translations have appeared or are forthcoming in The Southern Review, The Common, Azalea: Journal of Korean Literature & Culture, and others. She lives in Singapore.
Natural Mess
The ability to adjust playback speed is a game-changer for faster or more immersive listening. This app has made my downtime so much more productive and enjoyable. Audiobook enthusiasts, celebrate! This app's thoughtful features, like auto-rewind and easy chapter navigation, cater perfectly to our reading cravings. 🎉📚 Bravo to the creators of this app – they've truly captured the essence of convenient audiobook enjoyment. The smooth playback and thoughtful design are a win. 📚👏
Troubled Chick
I love that I can switch between fiction and non-fiction effortlessly. I'm hooked on this app's effortless downloading process – I can have my favorite audiobooks in seconds. Audiobook immersion simplified – this app's ease of use is a true asset. Library organization and book groups make managing my audiobook collection a breeze. ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature has made my recordings sound clearer than ever.
Wiccan Trouble
Being able to download audiobooks for offline listening is a game-changer. Audiobooks have never been this accessible and enjoyable. This app's compatibility with various formats and its emphasis on user experience have made it an essential tool for me. 📱🔊 Sharing audiobooks with friends through AirDrop is a delightful way to share the joy of storytelling. This was my first audiobook in this genre and I'm hooked! The performance brought the story to life in a way reading never could. Already downloaded another by the same narrator.
Osprey
Audiobooks on this app have made me look forward to my long commutes. I can't imagine a day without this app – it has made my audiobook journey seamless and fulfilling. The statistics feature in ListenBook provides valuable insights into my audiobook habits, helping me learn and grow. This audiobook made my workouts fly by! The engaging narration kept me motivated to keep listening, which meant longer gym sessions. The narrator's energy matched the material perfectly - upbeat when needed, somber when appropriate. A great example of how narration can enhance text.
Potato Sub
📱 An app that truly understands audiobook enthusiasts – it's all about functionality, and this app nails it! 📚💡 I love the ability to share my progress with friends. It’s a fun feature.
Mad Robin
Audiobooks have become a source of inspiration and motivation, thanks to this app. WiFi downloads save a lot of time. Great feature!
Clang Glyph
This app has transformed my daily walks into exciting literary adventures. This app is my secret weapon for making the most of my free time. Adjusting the tone of the voice is an innovative feature that enhances the immersion in the content. ListenBook’s playback speed control is very useful. I can listen at my own pace.
Loot
ListenBook has made me fall in love with my audio content all over again – it's a must-have. ListenBook's loop and shuffle playback features have become indispensable tools in my audiobook learning. The app's performance is remarkable – it's fast, stable, and designed to cater to audiobook enthusiasts. It's a pleasure to use. This app is perfect for audiobook lovers. The interface is beautiful and easy to navigate.
Ladysmith
I'm amazed by the variety of genres available – there's something for everyone. With this app, I've discovered a new way to make my daily routines more enriching and rewarding.
Low Menace
I love how ListenBook extracts artwork and metadata from audio files, adding a visual touch to my listening experience. Effortless and enriching – that's how I'd describe my experience with this app. Its functionality, from seamless downloads to binaural audio processing, has truly raised the bar. 📱📖 ListenBook is the best audiobook player I’ve ever used. The app is packed with features like customizable skip intervals, playback speed, and sleep timers. The interface is clean and easy to navigate, making it a joy to use. Five stars! A functional audiobook. It kept me entertained, but I wasn’t blown away. The narrator’s performance was competent, though some emotional scenes fell a bit flat.
Houston Rocket
With ListenBook, I can listen to my favorite audiobooks and speeches with the utmost comfort and convenience. I'm blown away by the quality of narration on this app – it's like being in the story. This app has made audiobook listening an integral part of my daily routine – it's a habit I cherish. 🎧 My daily chores just got an upgrade! Thanks to this app, I can dive into captivating stories while cooking and cleaning. 📚🍳
Gingersnap Woman
ListenBook's support for playlists in CUE format is a detail-oriented touch I truly appreciate. This app has made me realize that I don't need a lot of time to read.
Trash Sling
I'm hooked on this app's intuitive features – from chapters to playback controls. Looping playback is a fantastic study tool. It helps me focus and retain information effectively. ListenBook’s bookmarking feature is incredibly useful. I never lose my place in a book. The app is perfect for long flights. It keeps me entertained the whole time.
Suicide Crusher
ListenBook is a must-have for any audiobook enthusiast. It's reliable, efficient, and a pleasure to use. ListenBook has transformed my daily routine into an opportunity to learn, relax, and enjoy.
Midnight Rider
I'm amazed at how effortlessly this app has made reading a constant in my life. Audiobook enthusiasts, gather round! This app's remarkable features, including audio filters and compatibility, have transformed my commutes into captivating journeys. 🎉🎧 ListenBook Pro's unlimited audiobook length feature is fantastic.
West Warrior
ListenBook's versatility with various audio formats means I can enjoy audiobooks from multiple sources effortlessly. The best app for audiobooks. Downloading and organizing files is super easy with ListenBook. I love the download options. ListenBook gives me so many ways to get my audiobooks onto my device.
Iron Butterfly
Audiobook multitasking made simple – this app's functionality is a true delight. ListenBook's Pro version is worth every penny. The noise reduction feature makes even noisy environments an ideal place for immersive listening. ListenBook Pro is worth every penny. Unlimited audiobook length? Count me in! ListenBook’s support for CarPlay and Apple Watch is fantastic. I can listen anywhere. This audiobook spoiled me for others! The narrator's professional delivery set a high bar - perfect diction, ideal pacing, and emotional authenticity. The recording quality was equally impressive with no distracting artifacts. I finished it far too quickly because I couldn't stop listening.
Iron Butterfly
The extensive statistics feature on ListenBook helps me track my audiobook consumption habits – so cool! Audiobook heaven! This app's functionality is a dream – simple and efficient. Sharing audiobooks with friends through AirDrop is a wonderful way to spread the love of literature. ListenBook is the ultimate audiobook player. The app supports all formats, and the import process is seamless. I love the playback history feature—it’s so easy to revisit my favorite parts. Highly recommend this app!
DZE
I love the ability to change the background color. It’s a nice touch. Solid performance, but not outstanding. The narrator did a fine job, though their tone was a bit monotonous at times. The story itself was engaging enough, but I wouldn’t call it unforgettable.
Jade Fox
I love how this app's user-friendly interface allows me to navigate through chapters and controls effortlessly. 👩‍🍳 Elevating culinary experiences with auditory tales – cooking has never been this entertaining and educational! 🍳🎧 Talk about convenience! This app's ease of use and support for multiple audio formats ensure that I can enjoy my favorite stories without any hassle. 📱🔊 The audio quality is superb. ListenBook enhances my audiobook experience.
Playing a wide variety of audio formats
Works on all devices with iOS 13 and newer
Huge amount of features for a small price
Frequent updates to add new features and improve existing ones
Advanced playback controls
Live sound processing
Changing the timbre of the reader's voice and noise reduction
Translated into more than 20 languages
If you love listening to fiction audiobooks, ListenBook has features to make the process easier.
Edit book data: title, author, cover
Use equalizer to make the sound comfortable for you
Adjust the playback speed
Enjoy dark and light app themes
Supported formats: MP3, M4B, AWB, FLAC, OGG audio files and many more (must be DRM free)
Auto-Bookmarks make it easy to find your place
AirPlay support allows redirection of audio output.
VoiceOver support
Dark mode for night owls
Convenient bookmarking system helps you mark the most important places.
Unlimited bookmarks for each audiobook
Put your own cover on the wager
Share your audiobook with friends
Lock-screen control
Customise app with extensive options
Sleep timer with shake to reset, set custom notification sounds, and a few unique options
Auto rewind depending on paused time, customize rewind times to your liking
Removing background noise from recordings made in classrooms and meetings
Changing the timbre of the reader's voice for a better listening experience