Daily TribuneIf you’re a book lover (which, we would like to think you are — you’re here, after all), then you might find a fictional book set in a bookstore to be irresistible.
‘Welcome to the Hyunam-dong Bookshop’ by Hwang Bo-reum.
PHOTOGRAPHS COURTESY OF FULLYBOOKED
We might be a little biased, but is there anything more romantic, adventurous, or healing than a story set in our favorite place in the world — a bookstore? A bookstore doesn’t only come stacked with our favorite books, the mere place brims with wonder and possibilities, of adventures, of people and places waiting to be unlocked between the pages.
If you’re a book lover (which, we would like to think you are — you’re here, after all), then you might find a fictional book set in a bookstore to be irresistible. We’ve put together a delightful list of books that take place in bookshops. From middle-grade and YA adventures to romance, cozy fantasy, historical fiction, and even sci-fi, this collection offers something for every reader — all set in a place we find comfort, warmth and joy.
Welcome to the Hyunam-dong Bookshop by Hwang Bo-reum. The novel tells the story of Yeongju, a woman who finds herself burnt out after religiously following society’s expectations of success. When her life falls apart, she quits everything and pursues her dream of opening a bookshop. In a small neighborhood in Seoul, Yeongju and her regular customers, including a lonely barista and a writer, seek refuge in the little shop where they each find healing. Welcome to the Hyunam-Dong Bookshop is a touching tale that serves as a reminder that it’s never too late to rewrite our own stories.
Days at the Morisaki Bookshop by Satos Yagisawa. When Takako’s world crumbles after a sudden heartbreak, she reluctantly accepts her uncle Satoru’s invitation to stay in his secondhand bookshop in Tokyo’s Jimbocho district. At first, the quiet life among dusty shelves and forgotten stories feels foreign — but soon, the rhythm of the bookshop, the warmth of its visitors, and the unexpected solace of literature begin to mend her heart.
The Last Bookstore on Earth by Lily Braun-Arnold. Set against a ravaged world following a post-apocalyptic Storm, this debut book follows Liz, a 17-year-old girl holed up as a survivor in an abandoned bookstore. Surrounded by tattered shelves and books, Liz’s quiet existence is shattered when a scraggly outsider named Maeve stumbles into the shop. Sparks fly, and Liz is forced to confront a dilemma: can she allow herself to fall in love when the world’s about to end again?
The Door-to-Door Bookstore by Carsten Henn. This charming international bestseller is about the unlikely friendship between an elderly bookseller who suddenly loses his job, and a chatty, inquisitive nine-year-old girl who’s about to change his life. This is a love letter for anyone who loves books, the kind you’d snuggle up with on days you need to see life in a better light.
The Great When by Alan Moore. Meet Dennis Knuckleyard, a hapless employee at a second-hand bookshop, who stumbles upon A London Walk by Rev. Thomas Hampole — a book that doesn’t exist. It hails from Great When, a magical, timeless version of London where reality and fiction blur. Now, Dennis must return the book before it unravels the fabric of both worlds. But as he tries to set things right, he finds himself at the center of an explosive series of events that may endanger both Londons. Worse, characters from the Other London are hunting him down, ready to kill for it.
The Bookshop of Dust and Dreams by Mindy Thompson. Rhyme and Reason is a bookstore owned and managed by Poppy’s family, but it’s not just any bookshop. It’s a magical bookshop that appears to anyone who needs it, regardless of the year or where they are located. Some of its loyal patrons are people from the past and present, both living and dead. What could be cooler than that? This middle-grade novel is a charming and whimsical read about a young girl’s quest to save Rhyme and Reason and the magic it holds.
Bookshops and Bonedust by Travis Baldree. Snuggle up with this enchanting tale, a prequel to Travis Baldree’s Legends & Lattes. In Bookshops & Bonedust, we meet a younger Viv, who, after being injured while hunting a powerful necromancer, is forced to recuperate in the quiet town of Murk. There, she slowly discovers the magic of books in a charming secondhand bookshop where she meets a cast of enigmatic characters. Heartwarming, cozy, and entertaining, this book offers a place of respite for any weary reader who needs comfort and warmth.
The Boy with the Bookstore by Sarah Echaverre Smith. Books and baked goods in one romantic and spicy read? Yes, please! Quirky yet shy Filipino baker Joelle has nursed a crush on Max, the charmingly eccentric owner of the bookshop next door, for years. But when a massive building renovation forces them to share a space temporarily, Joelle quickly learns that the prince charming is more of a grumpy toad — snapping at everyone and stealing bibingka without asking. She’s had enough… or has she? As they uncover the true reason behind the renovation, Joelle and Max must work together to save their businesses — and maybe even their hearts.
Pages & Co.: The Bookwanderers by Anna James and Paola Escobar. If you can wander in and out of stories physically, will you do it? Life for eleven-year-old Tilly Pages has been challenging since her mother’s disappearance. Good thing she has Pages & Co., a bookshop that her grandparents own, to find refuge and happiness in. But when her favorite characters, Anne of Green Gables and Alice from Wonderland, start appearing in the shop, Tilly discovers she can “bookwander” in any book she likes! Pages & Co: The Bookwanderers is a sweet tale about a young girl’s powerful imagination and her quest to uncover the mystery of her mom’s disappearance. Perfect for both young and old readers.
Storybook Ending by Moira McDonald. Storybook Ending is about the unlikeliest love triangle set in our favorite location (where else?). April, a lonely remote worker, slips an anonymous note inside a book for Westley, the handsome bookstore clerk. But fate intervenes when Laura, a busy single mom, buys the book, finds the note, and assumes Westley left it for her. As April and Laura exchange heartfelt letters, Westley — who dreams of becoming an actor — remains completely oblivious. As the truth unravels, is a happy ending in the cards for this hopeful trio?
Mr. Penumbra’s 24-Hour Bookstore by Robin Sloan. If you’re in the mood for a mystery, Mr. Penumbra’s 24-Hour Bookstore might be just the place to visit. Clay Jannon, a former marketing professional in need of a job, stumbles into a peculiar gig as the night clerk at a bookstore that barely seems to sell books. Instead, its few but devoted customers “check out” massive, obscure volumes from the shop’s shadowy corners. Curiosity gets the best of Clay, and with the help of his tech-savvy friends, he embarks on a quest to uncover the truth behind Mr. Penumbra’s bookstore — leading him into an intricate, mind-bending puzzle where books, technology and secret societies collide.
