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By Lee Nan-hee
There are various sorts of shops and stores near my house. They are restaurants, convenience stores, beauty parlors, a sports center, a pharmacy and hospitals. There is even a comparatively large traditional market. Thus, I have never experienced any kind of discomfort or inconvenience living in this area, except for only one thing: a bookstore.
As many kinds of shops have disappeared and turned into online malls, bookstores are not an exception. There used to be quite a small, cozy bookstore on the street near my house around 30 years ago. I still remember that I went there often to look around newly published books such as novels written by Toni Morrison and Henry Miller. Strangely, I still haven't forgotten the owner's face, a short man in his early 50s. At that time, being in the bookstore felt like a real village where I was comfortable and cozy. Stopping by there and reading through some books was one of my favorite things to do.
Time went by and, one day, the bookstore was gone. Across the street opened a big new bookstore. As was usual, the small bookstore could not compete with the new bookstore which was also selling not only books but also some fancy goods which were very popular at that time. I missed the small bookstore very much. I had no other choice but to go to the new bookstore. And I got familiar with the new one. It had its good points. I could read a greater variety of books on topics such as theology, social science, human science, history as well as literature.
Those books gave me new knowledge and insights into people's lives and society. Reading those books, I could learn a lot about how the world was rapidly shifting, how I should deal with challenges posed by political, economic and social changes. In addition, I could listen to some peaceful and beautiful classical music there like Mozart's Piano Sonatas with which I was familiar.
I cannot forget such moments when I was sitting on a small white wooden chair in the bookstore, when I was in trouble or wracking my brain about my work or my brain was in overdrive with so many things and worries. I was able to calm myself down, pull myself together and cheer myself up surrounded by those silent books and the pleasant music. Telling myself not to worry beforehand, trying to encourage and empower myself, I would regain my self-esteem there in the quiet corner of the bookstore.
As time passed by, things have changed so fast. One day, I saw a notice in that bookstore that they were closing. I couldn't believe it. I was so sorry. They had been in the red for several years due to internet bookstores and the expensive rent. This bookstore was the only one left after the former small one had closed. If this were gone too, where could I read, buy new books and find so much pleasure? I hope that there will be some bookstores again in my neighborhood where I can feel at home again, taking life easy. I hope that the rent is not too expensive, that residents and owners of various stores help, support one another to make ends meet so that all of us can live happily together.
Lee Nan-hee studied English in college and theology at Hanshin University.
