Title: Soyangri Book Kitchen
Author: Kim Jee Hye, narrated by Shanna Tan
Length: 224 pages
Genre: Asian lit (Korean), slice of life, healing with books, cozy, translated books
Is this book part of a series? No, but I would love to see that. I feel like this could possibly take off like Before the Coffee Gets Cold.
I discovered this book via…. Netgalley working with Union Square & Co
Publish Date: Odctober 7th, 2025
Summary courtesy of Goodreads:
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.
My thoughts:
This was not a fast read for me, and I mean that in the best way possible. Broken into sections by character, each one is an emotional rollercoaster that leaves you feeling hopeful. Filled with honest emotion and beautiful turns of phrase, I found myself stopping constantly to think about the things I read. ( Personally, I was also never done with the character when they wanted to introduce another, and so I would daydream a “What’s next?” scenario for them before moving forward- you will be happy to know that we do actually touch base with the characters again). I will be buying the paper copy of this book for myself, and probably the eBook for a friend.
Looking back through my notes, I really thought there would be one section, one character, that spoke to me more than another. There isn’t though, each character spoke to me in a different way. Their pain is easy to identify with, their struggles real, and the moments of clarity, of healing, are just so much better for it. The loss of loved ones, of identity, scary new adventures… I feel that. I loved how the character interacted, and the book recs for each. (I don’t want to delve too deep into each character’s story because I feel like that would lead to Spoiler Territory.) For me, this is a five star book- it’s moving and beautiful and left me feeling hopeful. This book is perfect for anyone that loved Before the Coffee Gets Cold and The Phone Booth at the Edge of the World.
As far as adult content goes, some of the issues may not resonate as much with the younger crowd, but I don’t feel like there’s anything that would be hard to handle. There is language, and talk of past self harm/ depressive episodes. It delves into mental health as well. I would say New adult and above.
I was lucky enough to receive an eARC from Netgalley working with Union Square & Co in exchange for an honest review. My thanks.
The book comes out tomorrow! Are you ready?
Happy Reading,
Gwen
