The New York Times bestselling WORLDWIDE phenomenon
Winner of the Goodreads Choice Award for Fiction | A Good Morning America Book Club Pick | Independent (London) Ten Best Books of the Year
"A feel-good book guaranteed to lift your spirits."—The Washington Post
The dazzling reader-favorite about the choices that go into a life well lived, from the acclaimed author of How To Stop Time and The Comfort Book. Somewhere out beyond the edge of the universe there is a library that contains an infinite number of books, each one the story of another reality. One tells the story of your life as it is, along with another book for the other life you could have lived if you had made a different choice at any point in your life. While we all wonder how our lives might have been, what if you had the chance to go to the library and see for yourself? Would any of these other lives truly be better?
In The Midnight Library, Matt Haig's enchanting blockbuster novel, Nora Seed finds herself faced with this decision. Faced with the possibility of changing her life for a new one, following a different career, undoing old breakups, realizing her dreams of becoming a glaciologist; she must search within herself as she travels through the Midnight Library to decide what is truly fulfilling in life, and what makes it worth living in the first place.
My Review:
The Midnight Library by Matt Haig is a book that has stayed with me weeks after I finished reading it. It was highly recommended to me and it exceeded my very high expectations. My advice? Just go get this book and read it!
Nora Seed is disappointed in the way her life has turned out. She hasn’t achieved any of her dreams or even come close. She believes that nobody would miss her if she disappears. She has many regrets on how her life turned out. When she decides that she is tired of life, she falls asleep and finds herself in a Library. In the library is the librarian from her school days, Mrs. Elm.
In the library is an unlimited amount of books, each book represents a different outcome for her life, if she had made a different decision in her life. Mrs. Elm helps Nora choose books where she finds out how her life would have changed if she had made a different decision.
I thought the premise of this book was so unique. I found myself rooting for Nora to find an outcome (or several outcomes) that will make her happy. I loved Mrs. Elm, I could imagine several of my school librarians who could have been her, she’s exactly what Nora needs at this time in her life.
I had to keep reading this book, and stayed up late to finish it. I had to find out how this ends. I thought the author took the topic of mental illness and wrote a very hopeful book.
I highly recommend this book to everyone.
UK Cover:
About Matt Haig
Matt Haig is an author for children and adults. His memoir Reasons to Stay Alive was a number one bestseller, staying in the British top ten for 46 weeks. His children’s book A Boy Called Christmas was a runaway hit and is translated in over 40 languages. It is being made into a film starring Maggie Smith, Sally Hawkins and Jim Broadbent and The Guardian called it an ‘instant classic’. His novels for adults include the award-winning How To Stop Time, The Radleys, The Humans and the number one bestseller The Midnight Library.
This one is on my TBR but I’ve been hesitating because it’s a bit different from my usual genres. I’m so glad to see how much you enjoyed it! Sounds like I need to move it up my list.
[…] Alicia Hunter PaceWednesday: Can’t Wait Wednesday #35: The Key to My Heart by Lia LouisThursday: AudioBook Review: The Midnight Library by Matt HaigFriday: Book Review: By Any Other Name by Lauren KateSaturday: Stacking the ShelvesSunday: The […]
I’ve heard so many great things about this book, and everyone just raves about it. I’ve also heard it is a bit triggery though, so I’m a little hesitant to read it. I might get around to it someday. Who knows? It could be life changing.
I keep seeing this book! As it’s available on audio, I might have to use my credit to get it next month after reading your compelling review. Thanks, Wendy.
I’ve seen this one around but didn’t ever know what it was about. Sounds like an original concept. I hope Nora got a happy ending. I’ll request the audio at my library. Wonderful review, Wendy!
I have a copy of this one sitting on my shelf just waiting for me to read it. I’ve read several other books by Matt Haig and enjoyed them all, and am really looking forward to reading this one.
I read a blurb about this early on and decided it was not for me. Your review, however, is making me rethink that decision. It sounds really good. I wonder if the inspiration might have come from the Choose Your Own Adventure books that were popular when my adult children were young.
Glad to see you enjoyed this Wendy. I’ve heard so many good things about it but am yet to pick it up. Though having read your review, I feel like bumping it up on my list🙂
This one is on my TBR but I’ve been hesitating because it’s a bit different from my usual genres. I’m so glad to see how much you enjoyed it! Sounds like I need to move it up my list.
Thank you, Katherine. I was also reluctant to read it, but I’m so glad I did.
I am so glad you loved this one, Wendy. I thought it was a wonderful story, but it received a lot of mixed reviews.
Thank you Carla, it was so lovely.
[…] Alicia Hunter PaceWednesday: Can’t Wait Wednesday #35: The Key to My Heart by Lia LouisThursday: AudioBook Review: The Midnight Library by Matt HaigFriday: Book Review: By Any Other Name by Lauren KateSaturday: Stacking the ShelvesSunday: The […]
This sounds right up my street. My school librarians were similar as well. 🙂 Lovely review, Wendy.
Thank you, Hannah! It such a feel-good book.
I’m very excited to read this book. I think my IRL book club may read it soon. If not, I’ll pick it up soon.
Oh, this would be a perfect book club book. So much to discuss.
I’ve heard so many great things about this book, and everyone just raves about it. I’ve also heard it is a bit triggery though, so I’m a little hesitant to read it. I might get around to it someday. Who knows? It could be life changing.
It does cover mental illness, so it could be triggering. I thought it was very well done, but everyone is different.
Ooh, this sounds good!
Thank you, Lydia!
I keep seeing this book! As it’s available on audio, I might have to use my credit to get it next month after reading your compelling review. Thanks, Wendy.
Thank you, Kim. I really enjoyed the audio performance. I hope you enjoy it.
I have heard such good reviews about this book
Thank you, Sue, it’s a good one for sure.
A good review. This book sounds hopeful and uplifting. Thank you.
Thank you!
Fantastic review Wendy! I have been so curious about this book!🤩💞📚
Oh, it’s so good, Kaceey!
I’ve seen this one around but didn’t ever know what it was about. Sounds like an original concept. I hope Nora got a happy ending. I’ll request the audio at my library. Wonderful review, Wendy!
Thank you Rachel, I was skeptical about reading this one, but I’m so glad I did.
Intriguing premise. Your review is tempting me to get a copy.
Thank you, Nadene, it’s a very unique book.
I have a copy of this one sitting on my shelf just waiting for me to read it. I’ve read several other books by Matt Haig and enjoyed them all, and am really looking forward to reading this one.
I hope you enjoy it as much as I did!
I read a blurb about this early on and decided it was not for me. Your review, however, is making me rethink that decision. It sounds really good. I wonder if the inspiration might have come from the Choose Your Own Adventure books that were popular when my adult children were young.
I didn’t think I would like it either after reading the blurb. But, I sure did.
I keep hearing great things about this one! I’m glad you found this one worth reading as well.
Thanks, Joanna!
Wonderful review! I’m glad you enjoyed this story too; it’s a favorite of mine.
Thank you, Yvonne. I just wish I had read it sooner.
It’s just so good! Thanks Yvonne!
I still have this to read, looking forward to reading it even more now 😊
I hope you’re able to get to it soon, Jenny
Glad to see you enjoyed this Wendy. I’ve heard so many good things about it but am yet to pick it up. Though having read your review, I feel like bumping it up on my list🙂
I resisted reading it for a long time as I didn’t think it would be something for me. But, it was so much better than I expected.
Not read this yet, but I know it has been popular.
It’s pretty good. Very unique and different.
This is on my TBR list. I have heard many wonderful things about it but haven’t found the time to read it yet. Hopefully in the next few months.
Thank you, Cindy. It took me a while to get to it, and I only wish I got to it sooner.
This book is so beautiful, it’s one of my absolute favs and I’m so happy you love it too. Wonderful review!
Thank you, Rae! It was beautiful.