Reading Recommendations: That Bookish Life Vol. 2
A new month means another batch of reading recommendations! August’s theme is books about books! Each book featured has some kind of book-themed focus (see previous post here). I hope you enjoy these picks!
Welcome to the Hyunam-Dong Bookshop
Yeongju is burned out. With her high-flying career, demanding marriage, and bustling life in Seoul, she knows she should feel successful—but all she feels is drained. Haunted by an abandoned dream, she takes a leap of faith and leaves her old life behind. Quitting her job and divorcing her husband, Yeongju moves to a quiet residential neighborhood outside the city and opens the Hyunam-dong Bookshop.
The transition isn’t easy. For months, all Yeongju can do is cry. But as the long hours in the shop stretch on, she begins to reflect on what makes a good bookseller and a meaningful store. She throws herself into reading voraciously, hosting author events, and crafting her own philosophy on bookselling. Gradually, Yeongju finds her footing in her new surroundings.
Surrounded by friends, writers, and the books that bind them, Yeongju begins to write a new chapter in her life. The Hyunam-dong Bookshop evolves into a warm, welcoming haven for lost souls—a place to rest, heal, and remember that it’s never too late to scrap the plot and start over.
It’s no secret that I adore books about books and this novel was like a warm hug. It reminded me of reading Morisaki Bookshop where the bookstore is not only a place to find a good book but also an inviting space for wandering souls to rest. I loved the characters who felt realistic and easy to connect to on their individual journeys of growth. Most importantly the novel reminds us and remember it’s never too late to start again.
Awake For Ever In A Sweet Unrest
Deep within the hidden library of Los Angeles’ iconic poetry venue, Beyond Baroque, all modern electronics mysteriously fail. There, 19-year-old Beatriz encounters Mary Wollstonecraft Godwin Shelley, who promises a magical adventure back to 19th-century Europe. There, Beatriz meets literary legends John Keats, Percy Bysshe Shelley, Mary Shelley, and Lord Byron, experiencing the romantic landscapes and dangerous exploits of their world. As she navigates this liminal space, Beatriz discovers the power of poetry and art, and the courage to find her own identity. Rosenthal, an acclaimed author, brings historical figures to life, offering a deeply intimate tale of passion, creativity, and self-discovery. Awake For Ever in a Sweet Unrest is perfect for anyone who has ever lost themselves in the magic of a hidden library.
Reading this novel reminded me of the film Midnight to Paris as Beatriz gets to live out some of her literary fantasy only if for a brief moment. Time is fleeting and each visit brings her somewhere new. The novel leaves you with a magical feeling since most readers (I know I do) desire to travel to the places explored in each of the books we read. The story is also a testament to why reading is so powerful as Beatriz discovers herself through reading new literature and interacting with writers on a deeper level. With the ability to travel to the past the reader’s curiosity is piqued as to how Beatriz’s travels may affect history.
Wake Now in the Fire
Told from multiple perspectives, based on extensive interviews with the real-life students and teachers who were affected, and written by the librarian who exposed key information about the Chicago Public Schools censorship decision, Wake Now in the Fire is a fictionalized account of a true event that galvanized a community. With illustrations by Alex Award-winner AJ Dungo that perfectly capture the everyday joys, heartbreak, and stresses of high school, this graphic novel is an inspiring portrayal of student activism taking on one of the most urgent issues of our time, and a passionate reminder of why protecting the books we love matters.
This book raises awareness about the escalation of book bans happening across the United States in the last few years.
What I enjoyed most about this book was not only hearing about the book ban and process of the students to get the ban reversed, but also seeing live through their viewpoints. This gave the story a more personal touch and allows the reader to connect deeply with the students and teachers lives outside of school. I appreciated the variety of viewpoints of hearing their life stories, reading snippets from the press and Satrapi herself, and how they worked together to protest the book ban. The graphic novel does a solid job of showcasing the lengthy process of trying to reverse banned/challenged book decisions (which is not easy at all).
Love On Paper
Macy Descanso is a writer. Who cares if her bestselling-author mother pulled some strings to get her into a prestigious writing retreat? Macy belongs here. Even when the coordinators unexpectedly announce that this year’s theme is romance, Macy—a total cynic—is up for the challenge.
But she’s not prepared for her critique partner to be fellow publishing nepo baby Caleb Bernard. While Caleb may be what most romance writers would describe as “swoony,” he’s off-limits, because the Descansos and Bernards have beef.
With a chance at publication at their fingertips, though, Macy and Caleb have to put aside their issues. But is four weeks enough time to fight through writer’s block, step out of their parents’ shadows, and find the courage to create their own love story?
As a writer and fan of all things romance, Love on Paper is a story that I highly recommend and enjoyed thoroughly. The novel’s premise of a prestigious writing camp was fun, and in doing so allows the reader to interact with the novel’s vibrant characters. The novel has cute, swoon-worthy scenes that occur between the main couple as they work together and develop a relationship (despite their warring literary parents). Macy and Caleb want to show they can rise to the challenge and carve out their individual paths as writers (separating them from their parent’s novels). On top of the sweet romance this novel has I loved how the writing camp has a treasure hunt to find the secrets left in a manuscript by Betty Quinn. It added an element of mystery and adventure to the overall plot.
The Readers of Broken Wheel Recommend
Once you let a book into your life, the most unexpected things can happen…
Broken Wheel, Iowa, has never seen anyone like Sara, who traveled all the way from Sweden just to meet her pen pal, Amy. When she arrives, however, she finds that Amy’s funeral has just ended. Luckily, the townspeople are happy to look after their bewildered tourist—even if they don’t understand her peculiar need for books. Marooned in a farm town that’s almost beyond repair, Sara starts a bookstore in honor of her friend’s memory.
All she wants is to share the books she loves with the citizens of Broken Wheel and to convince them that reading is one of the great joys of life. But she makes some unconventional choices that could force a lot of secrets into the open and change things for everyone in town. Reminiscent of The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society, this is a warm, witty book about friendship, stories, and love.
While the novel is slow-moving I didn’t feel as if there were any dull moments whatsoever. What drew me to this story was the main character Sara, and how she has such a passion for literature and how she wants to spread that joy around her. I as an avid reader could relate to this novel and how I’m always trying to get the non-readers in my life to pick up a book. It was interesting to watch her personal journey of growth while also finding a place where she can truly call home. Reading this novel felt like getting a big hug and it instantly became a comfort read for me. I enjoyed getting to know Broken Wheel and it’s residents and the ending left me with a smile on my face.
The Jellyfish
Odette is a twenty-something year old with their own place, a steady job at a local bookstore, an adorable pet rabbit, and a budding crush on one of their customers. But Odette is haunted by something only they can see: a jellyfish that’s floating in their eye, blocking their vision. It’s a seemingly minor annoyance…until the jellyfish starts multiplying.
Showcasing stunning and inventive artwork by Boum (Boumeries), The Jellyfish is a tour-de-force of graphic storytelling, a powerful, occasionally terrifying story of facing the thing that we fear the most and finding a light to guide us through the darkness.
I felt like this graphic novel does a good job of representing the complexities of a disability from trying to grasp to new life changes as well as learning how to accept help from others. The story is thoughtful and written with care for a delicate topic that has many ways of being represented through storytelling. I felt The Jellyfish provided a unique and honest interpretation of what it’s like to lose your senses. It’s an emotional read that takes down the stereotype around disabled individuals through beautiful artwork and solid storytelling.
That concludes my reading recommendations for books about books! What books do you recommend or what are your favorites? Comment below!
