Yeonnam-Dong's Smiley Laundromat by Kim Jiyun

The Yeonnam-Dong Smiley Laundromat is in an area of Seoul that has undergone gentrification. Gone are most of the single-family homes, which have been replaced with apartments for the many young people attending university or who want to live in the city--yet widower Old Jang still lives in the house in which he and his wife raised his son Daeju. Now retired, Old Jang spends his days with his dog Jindol, and at times he gets lonely. While at the laundromat, he sees a book in which people have written their thoughts and sometimes even their problems. The notebook becomes a way for Old Jang to connect with others in the neighborhood, and soon people are coming together and helping each other in unexpected ways. Throughout the novel, the reader hears their stories firsthand. A cozy novel for readers of Welcome to the Hyunam-Dong Bookshop.