This Sept holis, I decided to be more intentional with my reading - actively seek out books I want to read.

I actually reinstalled Libby for this even though I much prefer physical books.

I chose “Welcome to the Hyunam-Dong Bookshop” even though I knew I would devour Japanese books of a similar nature. I guess I wanted to pick up cool insights about Korean culture. Something that will either slide into place or clumsily jolt against my well-categorised mental pieces of Japanese cultural trivia.

I got what I desired for. Inside the book was a cool Korean saying about how the rest of the buttons will line up neatly when the first button of a shirt is done up properly, thus representing a smooth-sailing life. I’m sure I will use it in my lesson sometime given that today’s children are obsessed with Korean culture. (Cue K-pop Demon Hunters.)

Besides that, I thought the book carried thought-provoking reflections and ruminations on the meaning of work and life (not necessarily mutually exclusive). Every character, be it main or supporting, boosted a well-defined story arc. Everyone was going through a hard time in different ways. So, it was fun to read how they gradually got to know and lean on one another. Like isolated nuclear particles colliding…

…without any explosion. 💥

I don’t know about other readers, but I felt like I was learning about the characters through tempered glass. Their angst and anguish spilled over the pages, but never to my heart. I read Shaun Bythell’s “Confessions of a Bookseller” previously. Boy could I feel him, particularly his breakup with his girlfriend (even though that wasn’t the focus). Hyunam-Dong Bookshop was a dispassionate read by contrast. I wonder if it’s because the translator, Shanna Tan, is Singaporean. Not that I’m stereotyping my countrymen, but I feel as if we are technically very competent but not emotionally eloquent since we are a nation primarily ruled by logic.

As a result, I never felt like I bonded particularly with any character.

Having said that, I heartily enjoyed Shanna’s translation. I sped through it because I am so accustomed to her way of expressing ideas. This line stood out for me: “And there’s meaning in the act of trying (it’s important to ascribe meaning to things!).”

Geez, I could have written this line myself, including the parentheses!