Tiny Bookshop is finally here and this game feels like it was literally made for book lovers. If you’ve ever dreamed of running your own cozy little bookstore, this indie gem might just be your new obsession.
This is a cozy simulation game where you manage your own bookshop, but it goes way beyond just selling books. My absolute favorite feature has to be the customer recommendation system. Throughout the day, customers will come in asking for specific book suggestions, and you need to really pay attention to what they’re looking for. If you’re familiar with actual book titles and genres, you’ll have an advantage in nailing these recommendations perfectly. It’s like being a real bookseller; you get that satisfying feeling when you match the perfect book to the right reader.
Restocking your shop happens through a fun classifieds feature where you buy mystery boxes of books. There’s something genuinely exciting about opening each box to see what books you’ve acquired. Once you’ve got your inventory, you can choose how much of each genre to stock, which becomes important when you’re selling at different locations with varying customer preferences.
And of course, you can decorate your tiny bookshop. You can purchase specific items and decor from different characters around town, and here’s the clever part: some of these decorations actually influence which genres will sell better on any given day.
If you’re someone who likes having objectives to work toward, there are also side objectives and a system where you can work towards “completing” a specific area. There are also 56 in-game achievements for those who love checking boxes and completing collections (like me).
This is definitely a go-at-your-own-pace kind of game. There can be some downtime in the regular gameplay loop while you wait for customers to browse and make purchases. Depending on what type of gamer you are, you might find yourself wishing for a fast-forward feature during these quieter moments.
That said, this slower pace is also exactly what makes it perfect for multitasking. I found it ideal for playing while watching Netflix or listening to podcasts, it’s engaging enough to be fun but relaxed enough that you don’t need your full attention at all times.
Tiny Bookshop delivers exactly what it promises: a cozy, book-centered game that feels made with love for readers. While some of the downtime in-game won’t suit everyone, it’s perfect for those seeking a relaxing escape into the world of bookselling.
