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Księgarnia wspomnień
Które chwile ze swojego życia byś wybrał, gdybyś mógł przeżyć je jeszcze raz?
Życie Jiwon zaczęło rozpadać się, gdy zachorowała jej matka. Po ośmiu latach zmarła, a kolejne siedem lat minęło dziewczynie na przeżywaniu żałoby. Pewnego deszczowego dnia, gdy Jiwon zaczyna czuć, że życie ją przerasta, trafia na tajemniczą księgarnię, gdzie w nieskończonej liczbie książek przechowuje się wspomnienia.
Księgarnia pojawia się przed osobami, które pragną odejść z tego świata. Właścicielka przybytku składa im niezwykłą ofertę: w zamian za część przyszłego życia mogą trzykrotnie powrócić do przeszłości.
Przeglądając półki, Jiwon zdaje sobie sprawę, że nie ma już nic do stracenia. Postanawia cofnąć się w czasie, by uratować swoją matkę. Otwierając kolejne woluminy w Księgarni wspomnień, wyrusza w podróż, która zmieni wszystko… a najbardziej ją samą.
Życie Jiwon zaczęło rozpadać się, gdy zachorowała jej matka. Po ośmiu latach zmarła, a kolejne siedem lat minęło dziewczynie na przeżywaniu żałoby. Pewnego deszczowego dnia, gdy Jiwon zaczyna czuć, że życie ją przerasta, trafia na tajemniczą księgarnię, gdzie w nieskończonej liczbie książek przechowuje się wspomnienia.
Księgarnia pojawia się przed osobami, które pragną odejść z tego świata. Właścicielka przybytku składa im niezwykłą ofertę: w zamian za część przyszłego życia mogą trzykrotnie powrócić do przeszłości.
Przeglądając półki, Jiwon zdaje sobie sprawę, że nie ma już nic do stracenia. Postanawia cofnąć się w czasie, by uratować swoją matkę. Otwierając kolejne woluminy w Księgarni wspomnień, wyrusza w podróż, która zmieni wszystko… a najbardziej ją samą.
208 pages, Paperback
First published May 1, 2024
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July 10, 2026
Reading this book at 4 AM is a dangerous game. It’s the hour when the world is quiet enough for a book to slip past your defenses, and for me, that is exactly what happened with this one, it is becoming a crying fest.
I went into this with almost no expectations. In fact, I had been putting off buying it for the longest time because I was convinced it would end up disappointing me. I was sure it would be just another story about grief, and after reading so many translated novels with that same theme, I thought I had become desensitized. I was wrong. As it turns out, I simply hadn't come across one that expressed it with this much sincerity and emotional precision. This is my second five-star read of the year, and it is another Korean literature book that has completely undone me.
The story centers on Kim Jiwon, a woman still drowning in sorrow seven years after her mother’s death, burdened by guilt, and no longer sees much purpose in living. I initially assumed it would be a collection of interconnected stories, but instead, it is a focused, intimate portrait of one person’s journey. The heart of the novel is the ‘Memory Bookshop' that holds a space where past memories are stored as books.
The Memory Bookshop is not about changing the past through magic, but instead quietly explores how accepting our memories allows us to move forward in the present. The bookstore itself feels less like a fantasy setting and more like a metaphor; a place where memories are carefully archived, revisited, and understood. The novel moves between the past and present, weaving together Jiwon's reflections, fragments of childhood, and the encounters she has within the bookstore. Nothing particularly dramatic happens, yet each chapter gently builds upon the last until you realize how beautifully those scattered moments come together to form a life.
What stayed with me most was not really the premise, but the reminder it offered. So often, I finish a book feeling moved in the moment, only for those emotions to fade with time. This one lingered. It made me realize how effortlessly we take the people we love for granted simply because they are still here. In Jiwon's case, it was her mother. For me, it is my mother as well.
By the time I finished, the first thing I wanted to do the next morning was tell my mom I loved her, to spend more time, to create more memories, and to cherish the time we still have together so that, one day, I would not be left with regrets over moments I could have shared but didn't. Few books have ever left me with such an immediate desire to change something in my own life.
Rather than overwhelming readers with burden and strains, this novel gently lays them out like books on a shelf, inviting us to look at them without fear. Its words seem to breathe warmth into wounds known only to ourselves, while memories drift quietly between the pages like dust caught in the morning light. It offers a different way of understanding grief—not as something to overcome, but as something we eventually learn to carry with tenderness.
That said, I can also understand why this book may not work for everyone. If you are looking for a plot-driven story with constant developments or high stakes, this probably is not it. The narrative is almost entirely anchored in Jiwon's emotional journey, and its pacing remains consistently quiet and introspective. Whether that feels deeply affecting or uneventful will ultimately depend on what you are hoping to get from it.
The author's note mentions that this was not written to heal or comfort people, but simply to portray grief as a universal human experience; to offer warmth and solidarity to anyone who may one day find themselves carrying the same weight. Ironically, despite never having experienced a loss like Jiwon's, the novel still resonated with me in ways I did not expect. Maybe it's because of how much I love my mom, or maybe it's because it reminded me that the ordinary moments we overlook today often become the memories we treasure most tomorrow.
I don't really have anything profound to add beyond that. I have always been an emotional reader, and stories tend to get under my skin, whether they leave me happy or heartbroken. So perhaps it is not surprising that I cried my way through this novel. But when a book can make me feel this deeply, long after I have turned the final page—and even while writing this review—I can only conclude that the author accomplished exactly what they set out to do.
I went into this with almost no expectations. In fact, I had been putting off buying it for the longest time because I was convinced it would end up disappointing me. I was sure it would be just another story about grief, and after reading so many translated novels with that same theme, I thought I had become desensitized. I was wrong. As it turns out, I simply hadn't come across one that expressed it with this much sincerity and emotional precision. This is my second five-star read of the year, and it is another Korean literature book that has completely undone me.
The story centers on Kim Jiwon, a woman still drowning in sorrow seven years after her mother’s death, burdened by guilt, and no longer sees much purpose in living. I initially assumed it would be a collection of interconnected stories, but instead, it is a focused, intimate portrait of one person’s journey. The heart of the novel is the ‘Memory Bookshop' that holds a space where past memories are stored as books.
The Memory Bookshop is not about changing the past through magic, but instead quietly explores how accepting our memories allows us to move forward in the present. The bookstore itself feels less like a fantasy setting and more like a metaphor; a place where memories are carefully archived, revisited, and understood. The novel moves between the past and present, weaving together Jiwon's reflections, fragments of childhood, and the encounters she has within the bookstore. Nothing particularly dramatic happens, yet each chapter gently builds upon the last until you realize how beautifully those scattered moments come together to form a life.
What stayed with me most was not really the premise, but the reminder it offered. So often, I finish a book feeling moved in the moment, only for those emotions to fade with time. This one lingered. It made me realize how effortlessly we take the people we love for granted simply because they are still here. In Jiwon's case, it was her mother. For me, it is my mother as well.
By the time I finished, the first thing I wanted to do the next morning was tell my mom I loved her, to spend more time, to create more memories, and to cherish the time we still have together so that, one day, I would not be left with regrets over moments I could have shared but didn't. Few books have ever left me with such an immediate desire to change something in my own life.
Rather than overwhelming readers with burden and strains, this novel gently lays them out like books on a shelf, inviting us to look at them without fear. Its words seem to breathe warmth into wounds known only to ourselves, while memories drift quietly between the pages like dust caught in the morning light. It offers a different way of understanding grief—not as something to overcome, but as something we eventually learn to carry with tenderness.
That said, I can also understand why this book may not work for everyone. If you are looking for a plot-driven story with constant developments or high stakes, this probably is not it. The narrative is almost entirely anchored in Jiwon's emotional journey, and its pacing remains consistently quiet and introspective. Whether that feels deeply affecting or uneventful will ultimately depend on what you are hoping to get from it.
The author's note mentions that this was not written to heal or comfort people, but simply to portray grief as a universal human experience; to offer warmth and solidarity to anyone who may one day find themselves carrying the same weight. Ironically, despite never having experienced a loss like Jiwon's, the novel still resonated with me in ways I did not expect. Maybe it's because of how much I love my mom, or maybe it's because it reminded me that the ordinary moments we overlook today often become the memories we treasure most tomorrow.
I don't really have anything profound to add beyond that. I have always been an emotional reader, and stories tend to get under my skin, whether they leave me happy or heartbroken. So perhaps it is not surprising that I cried my way through this novel. But when a book can make me feel this deeply, long after I have turned the final page—and even while writing this review—I can only conclude that the author accomplished exactly what they set out to do.
April 18, 2026
Serendipidade
Kim Jiwon está triste. Abúlica. Deprimida…
Nada lhe apetece!
Volvidos sete anos sobre a morte de sua mãe permanece prisioneira num labirinto de dor e recriminações
Escutou conselhos e tentou médicos mas nada resultou.
Porém, recorda-se de alguém lhe ter sugerido a caminhada como terapia.
Não tendo nada a perder, decidiu tentar: num dia de chuva intensa entregou-se a uma caminhada sem rumo até estancar perante uma livraria que lhe despertou a atenção. Curiosa, entrou e deparou com uma árvore majestosa que parecia uma clonagem daquela famosa árvore utilizada como portal para viagens no tempo no Outlander. Aquela árvore imponente habitava no interior da livraria! Que local tão estranho e surreal!
Foi-se aventurando e explorando os livros nas estantes. Para seu grande espanto verificou que muitos continham memórias escrevinhadas por si. Que intrigante os seus velhos livros se encontrarem ali!
Kim ainda não sabia, mas acabara de dar com a chave do seu cárcere! A serendipidade conduzira-a à liberdade!
……………
O passado será sempre imutável mas as memórias que o revisitam são selecionáveis — basta escolhê-las como livros numa livraria! 😉
A Livraria das Memórias é um livro que transcende a história que transmite. Levou-me para lá da trama e espero que o mesmo suceda a quem lhe der uma oportunidade…
————————————————-
Serendipity
Kim Jiwon is depressed. Seven years after her mother's death, she’s still a prisoner in a labyrinth of longing and regrets.
Friends couldn’t help her!
Doctors couldn’t cure her!
However, someone suggested walking as a therapy. Having nothing to lose, she gave it a try: on a day of heavy rain she indulged in an aimless walk until a peculiar bookstore caught her attention. Once inside, she noticed a magnificent tree that could perfectly be a sibling of that famous tree used as a portal for time travel in the Outlander movie. How such a majestic tree survived inside the bookstore was quite an enigma?!…
However, a bigger surprise was expecting her: the moment she started exploring the books in the bookshelves, she noticed that some of them contained her memories penned in her own handwriting. How the heck did her old books landed in those shelves?! …
Kim still didn’t know, but… the moment she entered this bookshop, she gave her first step to freedom. Serendipity led her there!
…………….
“Memories are like a snowball. The more you roll them over in your mind, the bigger they get, and then sometimes they become too much to handle.”
Don’t let memories pick you! Instead, try choosing them in the same way you pick books in a bookstore 😉
I’m already practicing, btw 😁
Kim Jiwon está triste. Abúlica. Deprimida…
Nada lhe apetece!
Volvidos sete anos sobre a morte de sua mãe permanece prisioneira num labirinto de dor e recriminações
Escutou conselhos e tentou médicos mas nada resultou.
Porém, recorda-se de alguém lhe ter sugerido a caminhada como terapia.
Não tendo nada a perder, decidiu tentar: num dia de chuva intensa entregou-se a uma caminhada sem rumo até estancar perante uma livraria que lhe despertou a atenção. Curiosa, entrou e deparou com uma árvore majestosa que parecia uma clonagem daquela famosa árvore utilizada como portal para viagens no tempo no Outlander. Aquela árvore imponente habitava no interior da livraria! Que local tão estranho e surreal!
Foi-se aventurando e explorando os livros nas estantes. Para seu grande espanto verificou que muitos continham memórias escrevinhadas por si. Que intrigante os seus velhos livros se encontrarem ali!
Kim ainda não sabia, mas acabara de dar com a chave do seu cárcere! A serendipidade conduzira-a à liberdade!
……………
O passado será sempre imutável mas as memórias que o revisitam são selecionáveis — basta escolhê-las como livros numa livraria! 😉
A Livraria das Memórias é um livro que transcende a história que transmite. Levou-me para lá da trama e espero que o mesmo suceda a quem lhe der uma oportunidade…
————————————————-
Serendipity
Kim Jiwon is depressed. Seven years after her mother's death, she’s still a prisoner in a labyrinth of longing and regrets.
Friends couldn’t help her!
Doctors couldn’t cure her!
However, someone suggested walking as a therapy. Having nothing to lose, she gave it a try: on a day of heavy rain she indulged in an aimless walk until a peculiar bookstore caught her attention. Once inside, she noticed a magnificent tree that could perfectly be a sibling of that famous tree used as a portal for time travel in the Outlander movie. How such a majestic tree survived inside the bookstore was quite an enigma?!…
However, a bigger surprise was expecting her: the moment she started exploring the books in the bookshelves, she noticed that some of them contained her memories penned in her own handwriting. How the heck did her old books landed in those shelves?! …
Kim still didn’t know, but… the moment she entered this bookshop, she gave her first step to freedom. Serendipity led her there!
…………….
“Memories are like a snowball. The more you roll them over in your mind, the bigger they get, and then sometimes they become too much to handle.”
Don’t let memories pick you! Instead, try choosing them in the same way you pick books in a bookstore 😉
I’m already practicing, btw 😁
January 11, 2026
| ARC REVIEW | Publication Date: 12th March 2026
⚠️ Trigger Warnings ⚠️
➙ Bereavement (loss of mother)
➙ Cancer
➙ Grief
➙ Suicidal ideation
➙ Depression
📚 Summary 📚
Ever since her mum died, Jiwon has struggled to live. Consumed by guilt and riddled with a feeling of hopelessness, she has often debated whether life is still really worth living.
However, one day, Jiwon stumbles across a bookshop housing the entirety of her memories within its pages. The bookshop's manager, K offers visitors the chance to revisit three chapters of their past in exchange for a part of their future, in the hope that doing so will help the visitor to discover a new sense of hope and a will to carry on living.
💭 My Thoughts 💭
This was an incredibly moving story, filled with wistfulness and bittersweet realities. I enjoyed seeing Jiwon's personal growth and her newfound drive to live develop, but I did find it very melancholic for my overly emotional self. Although, amongst the sad themes I did also find it rather beautiful, especially the ending which rather charmingly demonstrated the overwhelming love and devotion a parent has for their child.
Although it was a tender and thought-provoking read, I did feel like there was very little plot. It feels odd to say that nothing much happens in this book, when this book is in fact about time travel. But unfortunately that's how I felt. It was a cosy read but in my opinion the writing was a bit too simple and inner monologue heavy, which may have been down to the translation. However, the language was still pretty and poetic. The concept of the book was nothing super original, with several other novels on the market following the same premise, but it was still a nice, enjoyable book in its own right.
💫 Overall 💫
This was a cosy fantasy/magical realism story, brimming with emotion. If you are a fan of books such as The Midnight Library by Matt Haig, Days At The Morisaki Bookshop by Satoshi Yagisawa, and Before the Coffee Gets Cold by Toshikazu Kawaguchi, then it's highly likely that you will enjoy this book too!
Thank you to NetGalley, Song Yu-jeong and HarperCollins UK | HarperFiction for gifting this eBook in exchange for an honest and unbiased review. All opinions are my own.
⚠️ Trigger Warnings ⚠️
➙ Bereavement (loss of mother)
➙ Cancer
➙ Grief
➙ Suicidal ideation
➙ Depression
📚 Summary 📚
Ever since her mum died, Jiwon has struggled to live. Consumed by guilt and riddled with a feeling of hopelessness, she has often debated whether life is still really worth living.
However, one day, Jiwon stumbles across a bookshop housing the entirety of her memories within its pages. The bookshop's manager, K offers visitors the chance to revisit three chapters of their past in exchange for a part of their future, in the hope that doing so will help the visitor to discover a new sense of hope and a will to carry on living.
💭 My Thoughts 💭
This was an incredibly moving story, filled with wistfulness and bittersweet realities. I enjoyed seeing Jiwon's personal growth and her newfound drive to live develop, but I did find it very melancholic for my overly emotional self. Although, amongst the sad themes I did also find it rather beautiful, especially the ending which rather charmingly demonstrated the overwhelming love and devotion a parent has for their child.
Although it was a tender and thought-provoking read, I did feel like there was very little plot. It feels odd to say that nothing much happens in this book, when this book is in fact about time travel. But unfortunately that's how I felt. It was a cosy read but in my opinion the writing was a bit too simple and inner monologue heavy, which may have been down to the translation. However, the language was still pretty and poetic. The concept of the book was nothing super original, with several other novels on the market following the same premise, but it was still a nice, enjoyable book in its own right.
💫 Overall 💫
This was a cosy fantasy/magical realism story, brimming with emotion. If you are a fan of books such as The Midnight Library by Matt Haig, Days At The Morisaki Bookshop by Satoshi Yagisawa, and Before the Coffee Gets Cold by Toshikazu Kawaguchi, then it's highly likely that you will enjoy this book too!
Thank you to NetGalley, Song Yu-jeong and HarperCollins UK | HarperFiction for gifting this eBook in exchange for an honest and unbiased review. All opinions are my own.
August 18, 2025
jakkolwiek to zabrzmi... ale nie była dla mnie całością
Były momenty, gdy mnie interesowała, były momenty, gdy nudziła, były cytaty chwytające za serce, były i takie nijakie mimo podniosłości. Czasem też nie ogarniałam logiki tej historii, pewnie przez to jej nie rozpracowałam i byłam ciekawa do czego zmierza. Zaczęłam dziś, skończyłam dziś :) Na pewno nie zostanie ze mną na długo, nie potrafiłam się utożsamić z przeżyciami bohaterki, mimo że w teorii mogłam i hm, nie ścisnęła mnie za serce, ale miała swoje chwile, nie była to zła książka. Ale mam wrażenie, że nie została dopracowana - stąd to poczucie niedopasowanych puzzli XD
Takie 3/10, o.
Były momenty, gdy mnie interesowała, były momenty, gdy nudziła, były cytaty chwytające za serce, były i takie nijakie mimo podniosłości. Czasem też nie ogarniałam logiki tej historii, pewnie przez to jej nie rozpracowałam i byłam ciekawa do czego zmierza. Zaczęłam dziś, skończyłam dziś :) Na pewno nie zostanie ze mną na długo, nie potrafiłam się utożsamić z przeżyciami bohaterki, mimo że w teorii mogłam i hm, nie ścisnęła mnie za serce, ale miała swoje chwile, nie była to zła książka. Ale mam wrażenie, że nie została dopracowana - stąd to poczucie niedopasowanych puzzli XD
Takie 3/10, o.
April 14, 2026
Although the beautiful cover, this book deals with Lost and Death. Also has in it a suicidal thoughts. It was difficult for me to read, despite its only 180 pages.
June 17, 2025
"Alcuni di quei pensieri potrebbero renderti felice, ma se continui a rimuginarci sopra, potrebbero snaturarsi, diventare un grumo, come accade a una gomma da masticare. Non permettere che quei pensieri diventati rimpianti ti si appiccichino in gola e ti soffochino. Vivi semplicemente per te stessa. Vivi una vita che sia soltanto tua."
La libreria del tempo ritrovato è un romanzo che riprende un po' la scia di quelle che sono state le ultime uscite di letteratura sudcoreana degli ultimi mesi. Il filone dei romanzi "healing" è particolarmente corposo e spesso, almeno per quanto mi riguarda, diventa un po' ripetitivo.
Per questo mi sono approcciata a questo romanzo con un pizzico di scetticismo, ma devo dire che rispetto agli altri romanzi del genere, in questo ho trovato molto più realismo. La protagonista del racconto, Jiwon, è imprigionata in un vortice di sofferenza da cui non riesce ad uscire. La morte della madre avvenuta sette anni prima l'ha lasciata piena di rimorsi e di sensi di colpa, incapace di riprendere in mano la sua vita e andare avanti.
Una sera, durante un brutto temporale, Jiwon si rifugia in una strana libreria che non aveva mai visto prima. La Libreria del tempo ritrovato la accoglie con scaffali pieni di libri, diari e piccole note che rappresentano i ricordi di tutta la sua vita. Incredula e scettica, Jiwon riceve l'opportunità di tornare indietro nel tempo servendosi dei ricordi custoditi nei volumi della libreria. Tre viaggi indietro nel tempo in cambio di parte del suo futuro, viaggi che potrebbero permetterle di cambiare il corso della sua vita.
Scorrevole, dallo stile lineare, questo romanzo racconta una storia piuttosto cupa e dolorosa. La vita di Jiwon è una vita vuota, infelice, in cui i rimorsi per la morte della madre e per il suo comportamento le pesano addosso come macigni impedendole di vivere appieno. Mi è piaciuto molto l'elemento magico del racconto, questa libreria che contiene tutti i ricordi della protagonista.
L'espediente dei viaggi nel tempo viene usato in modo molto intelligente, perchè diventano il rito di passaggio che permette a Jiwon di capire che non sempre cambiare il passato ci aiuta a guarire. Molto spesso quello che dobbiamo cercare di cambiare siamo noi stessi, solo allora si riesce a trovare il coraggio di vivere il presente e di guardare al futuro con fiducia. Sicuramente non originalissimo in alcune parti, ma un bel racconto realistico che parla di sentimenti che tutti capiamo.
La libreria del tempo ritrovato è un romanzo che riprende un po' la scia di quelle che sono state le ultime uscite di letteratura sudcoreana degli ultimi mesi. Il filone dei romanzi "healing" è particolarmente corposo e spesso, almeno per quanto mi riguarda, diventa un po' ripetitivo.
Per questo mi sono approcciata a questo romanzo con un pizzico di scetticismo, ma devo dire che rispetto agli altri romanzi del genere, in questo ho trovato molto più realismo. La protagonista del racconto, Jiwon, è imprigionata in un vortice di sofferenza da cui non riesce ad uscire. La morte della madre avvenuta sette anni prima l'ha lasciata piena di rimorsi e di sensi di colpa, incapace di riprendere in mano la sua vita e andare avanti.
Una sera, durante un brutto temporale, Jiwon si rifugia in una strana libreria che non aveva mai visto prima. La Libreria del tempo ritrovato la accoglie con scaffali pieni di libri, diari e piccole note che rappresentano i ricordi di tutta la sua vita. Incredula e scettica, Jiwon riceve l'opportunità di tornare indietro nel tempo servendosi dei ricordi custoditi nei volumi della libreria. Tre viaggi indietro nel tempo in cambio di parte del suo futuro, viaggi che potrebbero permetterle di cambiare il corso della sua vita.
Scorrevole, dallo stile lineare, questo romanzo racconta una storia piuttosto cupa e dolorosa. La vita di Jiwon è una vita vuota, infelice, in cui i rimorsi per la morte della madre e per il suo comportamento le pesano addosso come macigni impedendole di vivere appieno. Mi è piaciuto molto l'elemento magico del racconto, questa libreria che contiene tutti i ricordi della protagonista.
L'espediente dei viaggi nel tempo viene usato in modo molto intelligente, perchè diventano il rito di passaggio che permette a Jiwon di capire che non sempre cambiare il passato ci aiuta a guarire. Molto spesso quello che dobbiamo cercare di cambiare siamo noi stessi, solo allora si riesce a trovare il coraggio di vivere il presente e di guardare al futuro con fiducia. Sicuramente non originalissimo in alcune parti, ma un bel racconto realistico che parla di sentimenti che tutti capiamo.
March 15, 2026
"Memories are such a mysterious construct. When the mind is unwell, even the freshest of memories can be elusive, yet the ones from the distant past remain etched there permanently."
By now, I have read several books with similar theme: grief. Even when I feel there are no stark differences separating one from another, I was able to enjoy it wholeheartedly and even shed tears, despite knowing how the story would go.
This one, though? I can't be even more dissatisfied with the ending.
Jiwon stumbled upon a magic bookshop when she could no longer find the will to live. There, she met manager K, who offered her three chances to return to the past. The possibility to change what had happened and get rid of her regret.
Three chances; the first one was like a trial, it was bound to fail somewhat and I don't mind with it. The second one was successful, it was wholesome. I am glad she had that conversation with her mom. The last one, however.. I'm just. Utterly loss at words. From all the guilts and regrets she had, she chose the moment that I feel doesn't bring any impact at all. It feels like an unfinished book. Sad to say I'm disappointed in this one.
Thank you Netgalley for the ARC!
By now, I have read several books with similar theme: grief. Even when I feel there are no stark differences separating one from another, I was able to enjoy it wholeheartedly and even shed tears, despite knowing how the story would go.
This one, though? I can't be even more dissatisfied with the ending.
Jiwon stumbled upon a magic bookshop when she could no longer find the will to live. There, she met manager K, who offered her three chances to return to the past. The possibility to change what had happened and get rid of her regret.
Three chances; the first one was like a trial, it was bound to fail somewhat and I don't mind with it. The second one was successful, it was wholesome. I am glad she had that conversation with her mom. The last one, however.. I'm just. Utterly loss at words. From all the guilts and regrets she had, she chose the moment that I feel doesn't bring any impact at all. It feels like an unfinished book. Sad to say I'm disappointed in this one.
Thank you Netgalley for the ARC!
April 21, 2026
Uma história curta e poderosa sobre como as nossas memórias nos moldam.
Foi uma leitura rápida, mas que vai deixar me a pensar sobre o valor do tempo e a importância de nos perdoar.
Foi uma leitura rápida, mas que vai deixar me a pensar sobre o valor do tempo e a importância de nos perdoar.
July 14, 2025
Ce livre n'était pas du tout dans ma PAL mais sa couverture vue au détour d'une visite en librairie a attisé ma curiosité, le résumé m'a donné envie de le lire, je n'en attendais pas grand chose mais je suis ressortie de cette lecture à la fois bouleversée et pleine d'espoir.
Il est très court et se lit assez facilement, on va droit au but.
Jiwon m'a émue, tout au long du livre on suit sa résilience vis-à-vis de sa mère et c'était très beau à suivre.
Je pense que ce roman m'a surtout beaucoup touchée car il fait écho à ma vie sur beaucoup d'aspects donc je pense que mon avis est légèrement biaisé. Néanmoins nul doute qu'il puisse aussi parler aux personnes non concernées par les thématiques abordées.
Pour un premier roman c'est un 5/5.
Il est très court et se lit assez facilement, on va droit au but.
Jiwon m'a émue, tout au long du livre on suit sa résilience vis-à-vis de sa mère et c'était très beau à suivre.
Je pense que ce roman m'a surtout beaucoup touchée car il fait écho à ma vie sur beaucoup d'aspects donc je pense que mon avis est légèrement biaisé. Néanmoins nul doute qu'il puisse aussi parler aux personnes non concernées par les thématiques abordées.
Pour un premier roman c'est un 5/5.
July 12, 2026
Jiwon has been grieving for seven years. When she stumbles into a mysterious bookstore, she is offered three chances to travel back to the past, in exchange for part of her remaining lifespan.
Different from what the cover conveys, THE MEMORY BOOKSHOP (tr. Shanna Tan) is far from a cozy read. In fact, it's poignant, a melancholic journey in which one is able to revisit life's regrets. It's about our choices, about the possibility to change the past that might (or not) affect memories.
I, too, like Jiwon, lost my mother to cancer so all the emotions feel close to home. While reading it, I was both the grieving daughter and the mother whose choices do not mean sacrifices, rather, they are choices driven by love. In this short read (less than 200 pages), I did wish to linger in the magical moments, in the tenderness that can bring certain meditation.
When does grieving feel too long?
Introspective, this emotionally-laden story evokes the power of memories. And you will have to experience the emotions for yourself.
[ I received a complimentary copy from the publisher - William Morrow . All opinions are my own ]
Different from what the cover conveys, THE MEMORY BOOKSHOP (tr. Shanna Tan) is far from a cozy read. In fact, it's poignant, a melancholic journey in which one is able to revisit life's regrets. It's about our choices, about the possibility to change the past that might (or not) affect memories.
I, too, like Jiwon, lost my mother to cancer so all the emotions feel close to home. While reading it, I was both the grieving daughter and the mother whose choices do not mean sacrifices, rather, they are choices driven by love. In this short read (less than 200 pages), I did wish to linger in the magical moments, in the tenderness that can bring certain meditation.
When does grieving feel too long?
Introspective, this emotionally-laden story evokes the power of memories. And you will have to experience the emotions for yourself.
[ I received a complimentary copy from the publisher - William Morrow . All opinions are my own ]
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Thank you to HarperCollins and NetGalley for providing me with an advanced copy of this text in exchange for a review!
'The Memory Bookshop' tells the story of Jiwon, struggling to cope with the death of her mother, is given the chance to relive the past at the mysterious Memory Bookshop. However, this second chance is not without sacrifice...
I love the style of this book! The writing is beautiful and the story is extremely heartwarming - and heartbreaking!
For me a good story needs to have characters that are complex and sometimes have to make tough, moral decisions that aren't always the easiest - or even correct. 'The Memory Bookshop' tackles the topic of death in a way that will hit any reader - the grief, nostalgia and desperation we all feel to try and hold onto the past for as long as we can. Ultimately we know that somehow, someway we must move on.
This is a beautiful book and I would absolutely recommend it to other readers!
⭐⭐⭐⭐/5
'The Memory Bookshop' tells the story of Jiwon, struggling to cope with the death of her mother, is given the chance to relive the past at the mysterious Memory Bookshop. However, this second chance is not without sacrifice...
I love the style of this book! The writing is beautiful and the story is extremely heartwarming - and heartbreaking!
For me a good story needs to have characters that are complex and sometimes have to make tough, moral decisions that aren't always the easiest - or even correct. 'The Memory Bookshop' tackles the topic of death in a way that will hit any reader - the grief, nostalgia and desperation we all feel to try and hold onto the past for as long as we can. Ultimately we know that somehow, someway we must move on.
This is a beautiful book and I would absolutely recommend it to other readers!
⭐⭐⭐⭐/5
March 19, 2026
Thank you, Harper Fiction and the author for the eARC. The review is truly my own thoughts.
Rating: 4.5 ⭐️
A deeply emotional story filled with memories, grief, guilt, and regret. While the concept isn’t entirely new, the magical bookshop setting and the way it explores loss and second chances felt truly special.
Jiwon, still grieving in memory of her mother 7 years later, discovers a mysterious bookshop that lets her revisit her past. What follows is a touching journey of reflection, where she learns that while the future can’t always be changed, memories can be rewritten with love and understanding.
A heartfelt read for anyone who enjoys Japanese fiction with a touch of magical realism and emotional depth.
Rating: 4.5 ⭐️
A deeply emotional story filled with memories, grief, guilt, and regret. While the concept isn’t entirely new, the magical bookshop setting and the way it explores loss and second chances felt truly special.
Jiwon, still grieving in memory of her mother 7 years later, discovers a mysterious bookshop that lets her revisit her past. What follows is a touching journey of reflection, where she learns that while the future can’t always be changed, memories can be rewritten with love and understanding.
A heartfelt read for anyone who enjoys Japanese fiction with a touch of magical realism and emotional depth.
May 14, 2026
مكتبة تحوي ذاكرة المرء في كتب وقصاصات، ليختار ثلاث لحظات يرغب في أن يعيشها مرة أخرى. تحتار "كيم جي-وون" في اختيار اللحظات التي تعتقد أنها ستؤثر في حياة أمها التي توفيت بسبب السرطان، فتحاول جاهدة التفكير في اللحظة التي ستُحدث فارقاً لو أنها غيّرت شيئاً بسيطاً فيها.
هذه مغامرة حسيّة عذبة، تتطور -مع زيارات الشخصية للماضي- فكرة هي: كيف يجب أن يكون شكل العلاقة بين الأم والإبنة؟
أحب أن أفكر بأننا كلما كبرنا اقتربنا من والدينا أكثر، وبدت مشاعرهم نحونا ذات عمق حقيقي متبادل، وخوفهم ذا مسوّغ، وأخطاؤهم طبيعة إنسانية.
عندما أصبحت أماً فهمت إجابة كل التساؤلات التي تُركت للزمن، وأحببتهما مرات عدة.
هذا الكتاب الخيالي كان دافئاً وحميماً حقاً.
هذه مغامرة حسيّة عذبة، تتطور -مع زيارات الشخصية للماضي- فكرة هي: كيف يجب أن يكون شكل العلاقة بين الأم والإبنة؟
أحب أن أفكر بأننا كلما كبرنا اقتربنا من والدينا أكثر، وبدت مشاعرهم نحونا ذات عمق حقيقي متبادل، وخوفهم ذا مسوّغ، وأخطاؤهم طبيعة إنسانية.
عندما أصبحت أماً فهمت إجابة كل التساؤلات التي تُركت للزمن، وأحببتهما مرات عدة.
هذا الكتاب الخيالي كان دافئاً وحميماً حقاً.
February 26, 2026
Świetna, wzruszająca historia 🥹 Z chęcią przeczytałabym kolejną taką książkę 🤭
December 5, 2025
bardzo przewidywalna książka, ale jak najbardziej wartościowa
April 17, 2026
cozy warm feeling✨
March 12, 2026
Hello, Mum.
And goodbye, Mum.
this is a story you've seen done before, but with magical books and time travel that can actually change things in the past (with rules and risks ofc) song yu-jeong puts her own spin on it. the premise is simple but really emotional, focusing on grief, regret, and that desperate wish to fix something that’s been lost.
the plot and characters were about as predictable as i expected them to be, but i still really enjoyed the book.
thank you netgalley for the arc! ✨
—3.75
June 17, 2026
Now this one was a journey.
I wasn’t sure at first, how I’ll feel about it when I read the blurb but wow this was amazing. The time traveling part was amazing because it gave me things to think about and reminded me that I should appreciate the moments with my close ones more.
Also Jiwon, my little warrior, her character development was so good! She was so full of guilt and sorrow when she stepped in the bookshop but she slowly got to feel better, each time she went back, I could see how it worked over her, from anger and desperation, to slow acceptance and affection, to full belief that this was the right choice her closed ones did and it was full of love too!
And for a less of 200 pages book that was a full roller coaster of emotions! And it’s a reminder that grief and guilt are such strong emotions that can make you feel so helpless.
I wasn’t sure at first, how I’ll feel about it when I read the blurb but wow this was amazing. The time traveling part was amazing because it gave me things to think about and reminded me that I should appreciate the moments with my close ones more.
Also Jiwon, my little warrior, her character development was so good! She was so full of guilt and sorrow when she stepped in the bookshop but she slowly got to feel better, each time she went back, I could see how it worked over her, from anger and desperation, to slow acceptance and affection, to full belief that this was the right choice her closed ones did and it was full of love too!
And for a less of 200 pages book that was a full roller coaster of emotions! And it’s a reminder that grief and guilt are such strong emotions that can make you feel so helpless.
March 22, 2026
Thank you to Netgalley for an advance copy of this book. I did enjoy reading it but felt it was a bit slow to get into at the start but in my opinion when the trips began the story improved. Very thought provoking and moving.
This was a very poignant story for me on my own grief journey and I really resonated with the memories and would love an experience like that myself.
This was a very poignant story for me on my own grief journey and I really resonated with the memories and would love an experience like that myself.
June 29, 2026
Thank you HarperCollins for providing me with the aARC via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
While on the surface this may sound like it follows the common special service store formula, I found this one stands out in that it focuses on a single person rather than multiple. The Memory Bookshop appears to those who are losing interest in their lives. The store contains books filled with the visitor's memories and offers them a deal: in exchange for the remaining years of their life, they can travel back in time to three different memories to try to change their present life.
This formula would lend itself perfectly to following multiple customers. Instead, we follow Jiwon, who stumbles across the Memory Bookshop whilst struggling to deal with the grief of losing her mother. While it is still a special service store setting, this book is much more about dealing with grief and loss. We follow Jiwon as she digs through her memories, both painful and happy, and attempts to alter what is causing her present pain.
There is a fantastical element to how the store is described, and we also get, in part, a time travel story. Yet most of the topics are almost mundane, day-to-day interactions that we may consider insignificant at the time but that may end up becoming important memories later down the line. This book is both hopeful and profoundly sad. This was also my first dip into Korean translated fiction, and I can happily say it was a wonderful first experience.
August 25, 2025
oui, j'ai été interpellée par la couverture trop magnifique. 🥹
très belle histoire d'une jeune femme endeuillée de sa maman, emportée par le cancer. elle tente, dans la librairie des souvenirs, de changer son destin tragique et sa perte de la personne la plus précieuse dans sa vie.
très belle histoire d'une jeune femme endeuillée de sa maman, emportée par le cancer. elle tente, dans la librairie des souvenirs, de changer son destin tragique et sa perte de la personne la plus précieuse dans sa vie.
May 1, 2025
Jak dużo pamiętacie ze swojego życia? Ja mam wrażenie, że bardzo niewiele i najbardziej pamiętam momenty, które wzbudzają we mnie wyrzuty sumienia. Ale z drugiej strony jak ktoś zadaje pytanie po niemiecku to jakaś szuflada w mózgu się otwiera i znam automatyczną odpowiedź z podręcznika.
Dzisiaj będzie o książce, która mam wrażenie powstała na fali popularości "Zanim wystygnie kawa", bo ma wiele elementów wspólnych z tym tytułem. Czy to źle? Dla mnie nie, bo i tak mam wrażenie, że żyjemy w świecie, w którym opowiadamy wciąż te same historie, tylko trochę inaczej. A poza tym w "Księgarni Wspomnień" mamy trochę inne podejście do tematu powrotu do przeszłości. [Współpraca reklamowa z @wydawnictwoluna
Główna bohaterka, która od 7 lat nie umie przerobić żałoby po matce i jest gotowa umrzeć trafia do księgarni pokazującej się jedynie osobom, które chcą pożegnać się ze swoim życiem. I tu już mamy różnicę między wymienioną wyżej serią, a naszą powieścią- koncentruje się ona tylko na jednej historii jednej bohaterki, co dla mnie jest zaletą, bo wchodzimy w zagadnienie trochę głębiej niż krótkie opowiadanie.
W księgarni tej trafia na książki związane z jej przeszłością, a niektóre po prostu będące o jej przeszłości. Niektóre z nich są puste, niektóre niewyraźne, inne ciężko znaleźć - tak jak wspomnienia w naszej pamięci. Menedżerka księgarni po rozmowie z naszą bohaterką podaje jej możliwość powrotu do przeszłości i zmiany nie tylko wspomnień, ale też i przeszłości. Warunki są takie:
- tyle lat ile się cofniesz są odbierane z twojego przyszłego życia,
- można się cofnąć tylko 3 razy i tylko coraz bardziej wstecz,
- jeśli uda Ci się coś zmienić w teraźniejszodci to zabrany czas przyszłego życia zostanie Ci oddany.
I tu jest kolejna rożnica. W "Zanim wystygnie kawa" przeszłości nie dalo sie zmienić. Tu jednak się da. Czy głównej bohaterce uda się zmienić przeszłość i uratować matkę? Jak daleko w czasie będzie gotowa się przenieść, które wspomnienia wybierze i co z tego wyniknie? O tym możecie przekonać się sami.
Dodam jeszcze, że jest już dostępny audiobook, który wszedł w kilka godzin! A książkę polecam, bo jest krótka, choć nie obeszło się bez poczucia, że czasem jes świetna, a czasem nudna. Troszkę nierówna, ale warta uwagi.
Dzisiaj będzie o książce, która mam wrażenie powstała na fali popularości "Zanim wystygnie kawa", bo ma wiele elementów wspólnych z tym tytułem. Czy to źle? Dla mnie nie, bo i tak mam wrażenie, że żyjemy w świecie, w którym opowiadamy wciąż te same historie, tylko trochę inaczej. A poza tym w "Księgarni Wspomnień" mamy trochę inne podejście do tematu powrotu do przeszłości. [Współpraca reklamowa z @wydawnictwoluna
Główna bohaterka, która od 7 lat nie umie przerobić żałoby po matce i jest gotowa umrzeć trafia do księgarni pokazującej się jedynie osobom, które chcą pożegnać się ze swoim życiem. I tu już mamy różnicę między wymienioną wyżej serią, a naszą powieścią- koncentruje się ona tylko na jednej historii jednej bohaterki, co dla mnie jest zaletą, bo wchodzimy w zagadnienie trochę głębiej niż krótkie opowiadanie.
W księgarni tej trafia na książki związane z jej przeszłością, a niektóre po prostu będące o jej przeszłości. Niektóre z nich są puste, niektóre niewyraźne, inne ciężko znaleźć - tak jak wspomnienia w naszej pamięci. Menedżerka księgarni po rozmowie z naszą bohaterką podaje jej możliwość powrotu do przeszłości i zmiany nie tylko wspomnień, ale też i przeszłości. Warunki są takie:
- tyle lat ile się cofniesz są odbierane z twojego przyszłego życia,
- można się cofnąć tylko 3 razy i tylko coraz bardziej wstecz,
- jeśli uda Ci się coś zmienić w teraźniejszodci to zabrany czas przyszłego życia zostanie Ci oddany.
I tu jest kolejna rożnica. W "Zanim wystygnie kawa" przeszłości nie dalo sie zmienić. Tu jednak się da. Czy głównej bohaterce uda się zmienić przeszłość i uratować matkę? Jak daleko w czasie będzie gotowa się przenieść, które wspomnienia wybierze i co z tego wyniknie? O tym możecie przekonać się sami.
Dodam jeszcze, że jest już dostępny audiobook, który wszedł w kilka godzin! A książkę polecam, bo jest krótka, choć nie obeszło się bez poczucia, że czasem jes świetna, a czasem nudna. Troszkę nierówna, ale warta uwagi.
March 14, 2026
would like to thank netgalley and the publisher for letting me read this book
ohhh the possibilities if this was to truly happen..... what would you pick
the chance to go back and possibly change things that happened in the past in exchange for your future time... that was what was offered to jiwon when she found the memory bookshop....
jiwon was still in deep depression about her mothers passing no matter how long it had occured and she was nearly at the end of her tether
she has 3 chances to make changes and if nothing changes then she would forfeit her life she would no longer exist there had to be a payment but jiwon was so low this was her chance to make amends
3 chances.... what would you chose.....
have to say her journey was illuminating and thought provoking...
ohhh the possibilities if this was to truly happen..... what would you pick
the chance to go back and possibly change things that happened in the past in exchange for your future time... that was what was offered to jiwon when she found the memory bookshop....
jiwon was still in deep depression about her mothers passing no matter how long it had occured and she was nearly at the end of her tether
she has 3 chances to make changes and if nothing changes then she would forfeit her life she would no longer exist there had to be a payment but jiwon was so low this was her chance to make amends
3 chances.... what would you chose.....
have to say her journey was illuminating and thought provoking...
July 4, 2026
„The Memory Bookshop" - прекрасно четиво за уикенда. Книжарница извън времето и пространството, която се появява само пред хора, загубили ориентация в живота си. Влизаш и намираш по рафтовете собствените си спомени наредени като книги. Управителят ти предлага сделка - можеш да се върнеш три пъти в миналото си, но в замяна даваш част от бъдещето си.
Главният герой не е преодолял загубата на майка си от години и книгата не го кара да се възстанови, а го води назад, за да разбере защо изобщо е заседнал там.
Ако харесвате "Преди кафето да изстине" със сигурност ще ви хареса и тази книга.
Оценка - 4/5 ⭐
Главният герой не е преодолял загубата на майка си от години и книгата не го кара да се възстанови, а го води назад, за да разбере защо изобщо е заседнал там.
Ако харесвате "Преди кафето да изстине" със сигурност ще ви хареса и тази книга.
Оценка - 4/5 ⭐
May 7, 2025
Kocham podróże w czasie! Serio to jeden z moich ulubionych motywów, ale tutaj to chyba nie było to. Książka jest dosyć smutna i skłania do refleksji. Jednak jakoś nie mogłam się wbić tutaj i ciężko mi się ją czytało. Piękna, ale czegoś tu zabrakło. Na pewno przez całą książka myślałam w jakieś trzy momenty swojego życia bym się przeniosła
May 11, 2025
Smutna, ale ładna historia. Taka dość typowa dla literatury azjatyckiej i raczej jej nie zapamiętam, ale słuchało się przyjemnie. Szkoda, że nikt nie powiedział lektorce, jak wymawiać koreańskie imiona i nazwy własne
August 24, 2025
Bardzo miła i otulająca beletrystyka koreańska, przypomina serię „Zanim wystygnie kawa”.
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