Yeonnam-Dong's Smiley Laundromat tells five interconnected stories of the people that frequent the laundromat who find connection through anonymous entries within a mysterious diary left behind by another patron. This was a really heartwarming read that reinforces how important finding community is in the world. 

This was the first time that I'd read a Korean novel in translation, so many of the tropes within the book were new to me and I really enjoyed it. We have a greedy plastic surgeon who doesn't understand his aging father; a nasty boyfriend who gaslights his girlfriend; a family struggling to afford their life in a gentrifying city; and a brother reeling from the loss of his brother who died by suicide. While some of these sounds like heavy themes - the novel somehow is able to provide a happily ever after for everyone that I found really satisfying. 

I listened to this as an audiobook and really enjoyed the narrator, Winson Ting. Since the characters recur throughout the book, we are treated to his lovely impersonations. His voice for Old Jong, the grampa and father, was so fun, as was his voice for the young daughter in the first story. However, his kitten voice in the third story was absolutely adorable.

I definitely recommend this book and absolutely recommend the narrator - this is a great way to get a nice heartwarming story in during some of the coldest months of the year (or truly any time). Thank you to NetGalley and to Tantor Audio for the advanced copy.