Every time I step into a bookstore, I lose track of time, caught up in browsing books. It’s happened so often that I sometimes miss out on things I need to do. But really, how many places are as fun as a bookstore? The calming scent, the fresh aroma of new books, and if I get bored, I can wander into the stationery section to admire fountain pens and notebooks. But today, since I woke up late, I had to stick to my bookstore mission and get out. 📚
I opened the Kyobo Bookstore app, and using the quick pick-up feature, I ordered the book ‘Accurate and Complete Memory of Love’ by Ho Won-sook (the daughter of the late Park Wan-seo). January 22 marked the 10th anniversary of Park Wan-seo’s passing, and I was eager to get my hands on it. So, off I went to the bookstore. 🚶♀️
As soon as I stepped into the bookstore, like a racehorse with blinders, I made a beeline to the quick pick-up corner to grab my book. But on my way out, a music-related book by an author with a name similar to my music journalist friend caught my eye. And just like that, my mission was forgotten, and I spent the next hour and a half wandering through books. Why am I like this? 🤔
Opposite the Kyobo in Jamsil, there’s a Starbucks that feels almost deserted, unlike the bustling ones behind the World Tower that always seem like a hub of people, trading germs like a stock exchange. I love this quieter spot. Sitting by the window, I feel like I’m gazing at Times Square through a portal, like a scene out of Doctor Strange. 🌀
After ordering my coffee, I sat down and pulled out the book I just bought. It was so thin, I felt a bit let down. Sure, a short book can deliver a whirlwind of stories and end with a bang, but there are physical limits. If I started in Seoul, I’d barely reach Gwangju in Gyeonggi Province. Dreaming of reaching Jeju would be out of the question. Not that I want to go that far… 😅
With the fine dust in the air, this Sunday afternoon feels oddly cozy. 🌫️
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