I’m convinced you sometimes just need a comfort read and ‘Soyangri Book Kitchen’ by Kim Jee Hye, translated from Korean by Shanna Tan, fulfilled that perfectly for me.

Yoojin opens a bookshop with a few beds in a mountainous village as an escape from busy Seoul. We hear about different visitors that stumble across this little safe haven and the troubles they come up with. Hearing their stories felt soothing and the place came alive with its changing seasons and bookish happenings. There is an element of predictability but I found it to be comforting and the stories a great reminder of strength through connection and shared moments.

I recommend it for fans of Before the Coffee Gets Cold, Diary of a Tuscan Bookshop and Welcome to the Hyunam-Dong Bookshop. The latter is also translated by Shanna Tan and I’ve come adore her translations!

This book has made me want to run away somewhere in the remote countryside and rediscover myself!
Reading this made me feel so cosy and comforted even with the feeling of melancholy that runs throughout with each of the characters going through their own struggles.
A great read for anyone who maybe thinks they're falling behind their peers or questioning if they should make that change they've been thinking about.

3.5

Soyangri Book Kitchen is a cozy upcoming novel from a Korean author that follows the popular trend of gentle, atmospheric fiction that is similar to beloved Japanese books like Before the Coffee Gets Cold, one of my personal favorites in this genre. Like many books in this style, it's divided into several parts, each focusing on a different character who visits the central setting.

The story takes place in a charming sanctuary-like bed and breakfast called Soyangri Book Kitchen, run by the warm and welcoming Yoojin. People from various walks of life arrive there, each carrying their own burdens, and find a space to rest, reflect, and heal. We follow seven different characters throughout the novel. I found maybe about four of them engaging, while the rest didn’t leave much of an impression.

The writing is gentle and pleasant, and overall, the reading experience was cozy and enjoyable. That said, the story didn’t leave a deep emotional impact on me. It didn’t bring anything particularly new to the genre, it didn't differ from other books in the genre. Still, this is the author’s debut novel, and I’d definitely be interested in seeing what they write next.

This book has a very special way of telling its story. Reading this book definitely slowed me down in my reading pace because it makes you take in every single word in a very present and slow way. Every single story is filled with lots of emotion and a new way of seeing and dealing with life. The idea behind this book sounded amazing to me. I love reading about books and what makes them special to people. But here I just wasn’t able to fully dive into the story. Although this book is filled with so many emotions, I wasn’t able to actually feel them myself. I only read about the way these people felt but wasn’t able to feel any of their emotions myself which put a big distance into this book. I wasn’t able to experience fully experience this story. I do think someone else might love this book a lot more, but for me it wasn’t the right book.

Gentle, dreamy book about a special bookstore. Various people who feel they’re on the wrong track in life find their way to the books and the staff, and by the magic of the right books and conversation manage to find themselves. Their stories weave in and out with those of the owners and booksellers in their first year in the store.

The style isn’t quite for me - a bit too slow and descriptive - but for the right person this would be a perfect break, transporting them to a beautiful part of Korea.

A charming and heartwarming story about food, family, and finding your place in the world. Kim Jee Hye’s writing is warm and inviting, making the book feel like a comforting meal you want to savor slowly.

The characters are relatable and well-drawn, especially the protagonist, whose journey to rebuild her life through cooking and community feels genuine and uplifting. The setting of the small restaurant adds a cozy, intimate atmosphere that draws you in.

While the plot is gentle and sometimes predictable, it’s perfect for readers looking for a feel-good story with plenty of warmth and soul.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC!

Wholesome, heartwarming, and rich with cultural charm 📚🍲. Soyangri Book Kitchen is a delightful, cosy novel blending the love of food, books, and community. Kim Jee Hye crafts a gentle, uplifting story set in a picturesque Korean village where stories and meals heal the soul. I adored the rich atmosphere, lovable characters, and comforting message. Perfect for fans of cosy fiction with heart and delicious detail.

Soyangri Book Kitchen follows multiple interconnected stories that all take place in a bookshop. Each story was whimsical with a new intriguing character. This is perfect for fans who like translated Japanese work like 'Before the Coffee Gets Cold'.

With good books, good food and companionship, the Book Kitchen fills people's tired souls. Yoojin, who grew up in Seoul, opened the Book Kitchen by chance in Soyangri, a village two hours from Seoul by car. The Book Kitchen functions as a bookshop and cafe. The second function of the Book Kitchen is a Book Stay, where one can stay overnight in one of the building’s four complexes. Over the course of one year, multiple characters each find comfort and hope at Yoojin’s Book Kitchen. From a music idol facing an identity crisis, to a promising lawyer beset by an unsettling medical diagnosis, to a young, failed music director who has had to rein in his dreams, they happen upon Soyangri at pivotal moments in their lives.

Thank you to Netgalley and Random House UK, Vintage for the ARC!

Personal rating: 2.5/5 stars.

This book was... quite interesting. It's your typical cozy book that makes you think about life and the decision you make. It's warm, heart-warming and gives you some hopefulness to ponder about life in general. Translation wise, I love it! Since I'm a massive Hallyu-enthusiast, in my opinion, reading this even without prior knowledge to Korean culture or language was not a problem at all.

However, I found the writing style (unfortunately) not enjoyable. It's very telling-writing style--not showing. There were bunch of unnecessary description about anything surrounding the characters. By bunch, I meant the author described 'everything' that the character do, see, hold, hear, think--you name it. And combined that with telling-writing style... in my opinion, that's a recipe for (I'm sorry) a complete boredom.

I was bored halfway through this book. Not to mention, the POV that the author used in this book is all over the place. Within one paragraph, the author can jump between 2 or even more characters to tell you what they're all thinking. It was back and forth painful, and it unfortunately made my reading experience confusing and weird, personally.

But, I really do think the book has potential. At the end, my final thought on this book is if the book could focus more on Yoojin's story OBSERVING the customer of Soyangri Book Kitchen thru her POV, this book would be much better. I feel bad giving this 2,5 stars since I really want to love this book so much, but it's unfortunate that the book didn't live up to my expectation T.T

This was a little slow but not something I'm mad about. This was so cosy and wholesome. Loved the vibes from this.

Thank you for the arc!

A beautiful capturing of the 'slow living' lifestyle! Description throughout the book was so impressive and immersive!

Thank you to Net Galley & Random House UK, Vintage for a free E-ARC in exchange for an honest review

📚 Soyangri Book Kitchen
📖 Translated Fiction
📖 208 pages
📖 7 chapters
✅ I adored the characters – it felt like spending time with friends
❌ I only wish it had been longer so I could stay with them a little more
✅ Would recommend
✅ Would read it again
⭐ Rating: 4.5

I had been looking forward to this one ever since it was announced, so I was thrilled when I got approved for the E-ARC. A story about a woman leaving behind a busy job in Seoul to open a book café in the countryside? Absolutely my kind of book.

This is the perfect choice if you're after a gentle, reflective read with characters you'll instantly connect with. Everyone in the book feels real, and the only disappointment is that the Book Kitchen isn’t a place we can visit in real life.

This novel falls into the category of healing fiction. The pace is slow and soothing, yet it doesn’t shy away from the harder parts of life. Those moments help ground both the characters and the story. It’s the kind of book that feels like a quiet glimpse into everyday lives, where not much may happen on the surface, but the emotional connection builds quietly. You’re left feeling as though you’ve caught up with an old friend.

If you enjoyed Welcome to the Hyunam-Dong Bookshop, A Day at the Marosaki Bookshop, Yeonnam-Dong’s Smiley Laundromat, this one will be right up your street.

This very much reminded me of ‘Before the Coffee Gets Cold’ by Toshikazu Kawaguchi, with its interconnected stories based around a cafe or, in this case, a bookshop. I found the style quite whimsical and feel I was the wrong audience for it, as I prefer stories with stronger narratives.
There was also the fact it had lots of Korean words in this translation, which put me off, as I had to keep coming out of the story to translate them, therefore being distracted. E.g. jondaemal, ajusshi, sunbae

A heartwarming book set in South Korea, where a lady buys some land and sets up a place where people can visit and have a reading retreat. There’s food, books, activities to do… and I’m thinking “where can I sign up?” 😂

The visitors to the Book Kitchen all have various things going on in their life which has prompted the escape to the Book Kitchen, which then helps heal them or give them the mental and emotional reset to help them when they return. My only quibble was that while each chapter features a different visitor (with some returning for cameos in later chapters), we don’t always get much of a closure to some people’s visits. But that aside, I really enjoyed this book and would happily go and visit the Soyangri Book Kitchen myself!

I received a free ARC copy of this via NetGalley and the publishers in return for an unbiased review.

Another fun translated fiction, I enjoyed this one and loved the concept of the staycations I would love this to be a possibility where I live. Definitely one I’d recommend to friends who are wanting to join the healing fiction readers.

Soyangri Book Kitchen is another translated Korean healing fiction novel and one that I was very happy to win an eARC of on NetGalley. Set in a quaint village outside of the bustling capital city of Seoul, the book-filled Soyangri Book Kitchen is a book-stay haven owned by Yoojin, a woman desperate to leave her busy lifestyle behind. Through the book-stay, we meet seven individuals at crossroads in their lives, including a K-pop idol, a lawyer and a music director.

Once again, this book doesn’t reinvent the wheel and even I must admit I’ve been burned out by this genre before. But I completely loved the sentimentality behind this book, especially since I read it on my train to Busan, whipping past such small South Korean villages. The translation was great and it’s imbued with tidbits of South Korean culture as well as the kindness of other people when you may need it the most.

I was so excited about this book - the concept, the cover, the title - all perfect. I was definitely the target audience, with its focus on books, a bookshop/hotel, and quiet stories of people who visit.

The story follows a remote bookshop and guesthouse in South Korea, with little glimpses into the lives of those who pass through. It’s a very quiet, meditative book, and for the first half, I was quite charmed. The reflective tone, small moments, and insights into the characters drew me in.

But then I found myself losing interest. The second half didn’t hold me in the same way, and I ended up procrastinating on finishing it.

If you love gentle, introspective reads that don’t focus on plot but more on atmosphere and reflection, like "Before the Coffee Gets Cold" or other similar style and tone books, this might be one for you. Sadly, it wasn’t quite the fit for me, but I can see its appeal.
3/5 ⭐

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the advanced copy in exchange for my honest review.

Yoojin's book kitchen is a sanctuary from the pressures of modern life, located far away from the hustle and bustle of Seoul in peaceful Soyangri.

The world weary individuals who come there seeking comfort get far more than delicious food and good book recommendations. They get an opportunity to revitalise their very soul.

This sweet and uplifting novel follows some of those tired travellers' tales, renewing and recharging the reader's energy in the process. It gets 3.5 stars

This was a really lovely, calming read. The kind of book that feels like a warm hug on a gloomy day.

Yoojin, one of our protagonists, decides to leave her hectic life in Seoul, South Korea, and move to the countryside to open the ‘Soyangri Book Kitchen’. Her dream was to open a place where people from all walks of life could come and rest, reset and enjoy her thoughtfully curated ‘book stays’.

The story takes place over the course of a year, during which quite a few characters end up at the Soyangri Book Kitchen. They’re all looking for something in their lives - whether it’s clarity, comfort, reassurance, a new job, a new life, to move on from a loss - and through their visits to the Book Kitchen we learn about them, the Soyangri Book Kitchen staff and how each visit impacts the characters.

It’s wonderfully written, especially for a debut novel, and I think Shanna Tan has translated it beautifully as well. The only thing missing is a character list - this would make it a bit easier to follow.