The Midnight Library by Matt Haig
The Midnight Library by Matt Haig Book Summary
The #1 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.
The Midnight Library Book Details
Book Name | The Midnight Library |
Genre | Fiction & Literature |
Author | Matt Haig |
Published | 29 September 2020, Tuesday |
Price | $11.99 |
E-Book Size | 1.84 MB |
The Midnight Library by Matt Haig Book Reviews
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Life if for the libing. Makes me appreciate every aspect of living - the successes and the failures - every bit of living.
Buy it. Lovely!! So thought provoking
Loved everything about it. Such an easy read in the best way possible. Truly a beautiful nod to the hardships of life, with wonderful lessons intertwined throughout
Surface level understanding of mental health with misogynistic messaging. At first, I was enjoying the book. But it very quickly completely lost me. What wasn’t lost on me was how many times Nora’s age, marital status, and lack of children came up every few pages. Definitely was pushing the idea that older women/women in general have no purpose if they aren’t wed and/or with children. This was proven by how suddenly Nora’s favorite life was the one where she WAS married and with children - I wish I could say I was surprised. The book itself half way through was completely grasping at straws. All of a sudden, we find out that there are other people all over the world who have their own personal versions of a Midnight Library. We find out Nora can interact with them and that they are called “sliders.” This is mentioned once and never brought up again. A really useless plot point that did nothing to further the story at all. The real icing on the cake was the end, which showed a complete lack of understanding into mental health recovery and building back familial relations. Nora wakes up, is taken to the hospital and behold! She is completely okay mentally, just picks up all her old hobbies, her and her brother are friends again just with the snap of a finger. I don’t think the author dug deep at all in the conversation surrounding mental health and particularly mental health among women (which I also am not surprised by because the author is not a woman). What I see is a missed opportunity for a larger, more meaningful conversation about these topics (mental health and mental health among women).
What a great read thank you. Inspiring, great flow to his writing, a simple story that takes you everywhere with a meaningful message
It was good (spoilers). I was a little disappointed by the ending because I wanted her to end up with Ash but I do really like how she got back to her normal life and didn’t feel like she was robbing another version of herself from her life. I enjoyed the fact that she started to appreciate herself and her actual life more with each variation of her original life and how she stopped letting her regrets consume her by the end.
Felt rushed towards the end. I was taken by most to expect great things with this book. The plot line was fantastic.. just would love it if it wasn’t so rushed at the end. I love that it tries to teach us the best of life in a story mode. I was touched, but not to point of tears.
Great writing but boring story. I felt like I read Groundhog Day with the butterfly effect. The story just seemed to replay itself but in different order. In my opinion, the writing was excellent, but the story dragged. I found myself wanting to skip to the end, so I could see how it ended.
Midnight library. The concept of this books story was both unique and interesting. I found myself reflecting upon my own life experiences which in turn brought me a sense of peace and gratitude. Well written, I would highly recommend reading this.
Worth the read. Purely amazing.
Believing in those you love. While some may say it is a story of resilience and overcoming, the theme of family dynamics and the high standards people who love one another have for each other is what this book is about. I highly recommend it!
An Interesting Read. This book was littered with philosophy, which I love. Thanks to this book, I could reflect on my regrets and understand that decisions I wish I had made could have unintended negative consequences. Nora is an admirable character who I can't help but root for. My only criticism of this book is that it was predictable toward the end. However, I did appreciate how fun this book was to read; it occasionally read like the script for a movie. I recommend this book to anyone trying to find their purpose in life.
The Midnight Library. I was completely consumed by this book, couldn’t put it down!
Beautifully written and inspiring. I got this as a beach read and it ended up being so much more. This story is one that puts living into a prospective I wasn’t expecting. Read it and read it now!
Delightful!. And meaningful. It got me thinking. Better than a self-help book!
A life journey. Wouldn’t it be cool to see what your life was like when you made different decision? I would. How about you?
Speechless. I stumbled upon a stranger on a metro recently. We exchanged couple of words and I’m grateful they recommended this book to me
Midnight Library. I read a lot, and most of the time, I can’t remember what I read the next day. I won’t ever forget this book. I will always take this book with me through the days of my life. Stick it out and you won’t regret it.
Go Beyond Regrets: Finding Fulfillment in 'The Midnight Library'. TLDR crowd; a profound look at how we have an infinite number of choices in life that can lead to a variety of possible life outcomes that we could live if we only think of the larger story we are telling by the small and large actions of everyday decisions. This is a wonderful book and reminder if you are feeling stuck in life, depressed, or even unsure of your current life. Longer review below: "The Midnight Library" by Matt Haig is an extraordinary exploration of life's infinite possibilities and the profound impact of our choices. Haig's writing captivates readers, weaving a compelling narrative that challenges our understanding of existence and fulfillment. This book is not just a story; it's a profound philosophical journey that leaves an indelible mark on your soul. I will say that perhaps an actual paperback version might be easier to read. I usually read this with Apple Books as an eBook that I love (about that digital life). However, the chapters are broken apart within themselves to add more context to what is happening within that chapter which made it harder to follow along at times. The only reason to rate it 4 stars instead of 5 stars. For any one debating on reading this book here are some reasons you should below. Reasons to Read "The Midnight Library": -Profound Exploration of Choices ❤️: The book delves deep into the consequences of the choices we make, painting a vivid picture of the lives we could have lived. Explores the good, the bad, and the ugly side of those choices. It prompts readers to reflect on their own decisions and the paths left unexplored. -Emotional Resonance 💜: Haig masterfully captures the essence of human emotions, particularly the struggles of depression and the quest for purpose. This book might resonate with you in different seasons of your life and where you are at. Definitely, a book to read at different periods in life. Readers will find themselves profoundly moved by the protagonist Nora Seed's journey, making this a deeply emotional and relatable read. You even might know some Nora Seeds that could use this book too. -Philosophical Depth 💛: Through Nora's experiences in the Midnight Library, Haig raises thought-provoking questions about the nature of happiness, fulfillment, and the pursuit of the ideal life. Little choices have sometimes larger outcomes than we could have pictured which this book captures beautifully. The philosophical depth of the narrative invites readers to contemplate the complexities of their own lives. -Beautifully Crafted Characters 🧡: Nora Seed is a brilliantly crafted character, flawed and genuine, making her journey all the more poignant. The supporting characters add richness to the narrative, creating a tapestry of diverse lives and experiences. I love the fact that I think everyone who reads this will get pulled on different points and traits that they relate to which is hard to write in this way, so credit to Haig. -Life-Affirming Message 💙: At its core, "The Midnight Library" offers a life-affirming message about acceptance, self-discovery, and embracing the present moment. It reminds us that every life, regardless of its challenges, is worth living and that our existence is a tapestry of experiences, both good and bad. Maybe the point of this book is going to be more obvious to others and I think that is okay - there is still a beautiful message to create in your head that is worth reading about. -Accessible and Engaging 🖤: Haig's writing is accessible and engaging, making complex philosophical concepts accessible to a wide range of readers. The book's fluid prose and compelling storytelling ensure that readers are gripped from the first page to the last. Aside from the chapter breakdowns this was engaging to read even when the flow of the book dwindled at times.
Just do it. Take chances, try everything you can, travel, talk to people you don’t know and love someone, love yourself, just love.
Solid. Most excellent! Worth th read!
Midnight Library. I thought this book was boring. Sorry... The character of Nora should have been more developed. I thought the ending wasn't very realistic. Mental health is typically very complex and not just neatly "fixed" like it was portrayed at the end of the book. The repetition (Olympian, glaciologist, rock star, etc.) was annoying. It seemed like the author was working hard to get a certain word count.
Highly recommend. Great book. Stirred some emotions at times. Hard to put down.
Compelling. It’s a very intimate & powerful book. I couldn’t be happier someone recommended it to me. I love the meaning and the philosophical undertones behind it, thank you Mr. Haig.
more than i’d ever imagined. this book is a light, precious, and thoughtful thing.
4.5 stars. TW: this book has themes of suicide and self harm. Other than that, really cool concept and really liked the twists and theme of choices. Would highly recommend!
Best read of the season. This is one of those books you will not regret reading and will telling all your friends about.
Seemed so promising….but fizzled out. By the end of the book, I grew a slight disdain for Nora. She had endless possibilities at her fingertips. She got to go through many of those possibilities, none of which she really liked or wanted to stay in. Then by the end of the book she ends up right back where she started. The ending was lackluster to me for what was otherwise a really well thought out book.
Amazing !. Did not disappoint! Exactly what I needed while at a crossroad in my own life !
Absolutely Intriguing and Wonderful!!. As a survivor, this book was touching and eye-opening in so many ways. I was so intrested and so captivated by the story itself and the meaning behind it all was just fabulous. I loved this book so much.!!!!!
Wonderfully life-affirming. A wonderful and important treatise on how each person's life is valuable right now, as it is, and how, even in our darkest hours, we can find a way out (or one will open up) that we never even considered before, as long as we focus on ourself and not on what we think others expect of us. A remarkable novel that vividly brought that point to life in a clever, insightful story. I recommended it to my sister, who then passed it on to my mom, who is now passing it on to my dad! It's so helpful for everyone, make sure you get a copy for yourself!!
Life is Worth Living. Great read. Puts a great perspective on life and what you make of it. ♥️
Loved this book!. Couldn’t put it down!!
Great Book. Makes you think about your potential. Great read!
Heavy but meaningful. This is a beautiful story that reminds us all to pause in the moment and adjust our perspective. It can be heavy but power through the tough parts to see the whole picture.
You Are Alive. By reading this review, you possess the ultimate power: breath in your lungs, which signifies potential. Potential begets hope, and hope leads to taking small steps. As those steps accumulate, you embark on an adventure. This book encapsulates that spirit with the word "hope" and captivates you from beginning to end with its creativity and entertainment value. You may even shed a tear along the way, as we all have a bit of Nora within us. Thank you, Matt, for writing this book and reminding me of the gift of being alive.
Entertaining and I like the writing. However it seemed a little like a rehash kinda like Ebenezer Scrooge and some parts seemed to drone on…but a decent book overall
Team A and M. Loved this book and the concept. Was rooting for the A and M timeline though!! :)
A great read!. Just awesome!
“Oh yes. Course.”. I really enjoyed the concept of this book. It got a little repetitive toward the middle but it all came together nicely.
Spellbinding and thought provoking. Loved the story and the chance to think about life differently
Ok but not great. Easy simple read but not much depth. It didn’t really feel like there was enough character development throughout. The secondary characters all felt kind of pointless and superfluous to the overall storyline; particularly the main character’s brother’s best friend. His role in the story just seems so unclear and his presence throughout the story seems pointless. For a book that covers such deep issues (death, depression, low self-esteem, etc.), the tone and progression of the story just felt too overly simplified. Also-even though the ending isn’t tragic, the whole book itself is kind of depressing…It just didn’t quite hit the mark for me. I’m a bit surprised by all the hype behind this book.
Philosophical and powerful. Loved reading every page. Couldn’t put it down. It’s so strange I get to read this book when I am going through something similar…
Great Book. This guy can really tell a story.
Fantastic!. Loved the ride and made me appreciate all the twists and turns of my life!
Thank you. This book has given me new perspective. I found it at a very synchronic time, and it has now contributed to my regaining my yearning for life. Experience is beautiful; there are so many things to do, so many things to be. One of the most important parts of life is to be loved, and to be someone who loves. I am that, and I have been lucky to have been that, and I will continue to do that. I recommend this book to anyone who is unsure. May you be sure within your unsureness. Xo
Amazing read!. This book had me question a lot of my what if’s and I loved it! Highly recommend
Not what’s described. I thought this was a time-traveling fantasy novel that makes people feel good. But it is a story of regrets that turns into life-coaching book.
Awesome. It's truly a great book and you can learn a lot of things which the most important one is to try to forget about our regrets. If you need to change something, you have to do it now. You can be sure that this version of you is the best one. So stop being so worried, and start to CHANGE.
I loved the What if factor. I actually enjoyed the message I got out of the book. We as people always think about that What if…honestly there will always be a what if. It reminds us to think more and make better decision. We will always be flawed if you nurture yourself right then you will receive the same in life.
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Loved. Existential and smart. Makes you think about your life and it’s potential.
Deep, Thoughtful, Addicting. If you appreciate and love books that delve deeper than the shallow world we reside in, this book is for you. A thought provoking and existential read that will have you hooked from beginning to end.
Ham-fisted at best. The premise of this book has the potential to be interesting and allow for interesting ways to reexamine ones life, but the ultimate conclusion is completely unsatisfying because the terms of the game the author sets up are ridiculous for actually trying to examine what it means to live a happy life. Haig’s non-fiction self-help is more useful than its thinly veiled edition in fiction.
Missed the mark. It was a fine book. I don’t know why but it rubbed me the wrong way and I felt bored reading it. I had higher expectations but can’t put my finger on why I didn’t enjoy it.
A Wonderful Read. Captivating and inspiring.
A favorite. This book will change the way you see life! Read it!
It was good. I enjoyed this a lot; the writing is good, not great. I enjoyed the style and philosophy. It was a bit on the nose at times.
Good enough to push through. It was good enough to make myself finish but unfortunately predictable and repetitive. Nice themes.
Nothing special. I read this book nearly a year ago, and forgot about it until seeing it just now. The book is good but not very memorable
Loved it. Great book, definite page turner.
Magical. A masterpiece on life and the will the live.
Definitely left a mark on me. This book taught me and left me with something I didn’t even know I needed.
Perspective. This book came into my life at precisely the right moment. In a time when I felt lost, directionless, and on the verge of giving up, this book provided the perfect remedy: perspective. I encourage anyone, at any point in their lives, to read this book. The story is more relatable and moving than any other I’ve seen before. It saved my life. And I hope it can also save yours.
Perspective. It does help you see life from a different perspective, enjoy it, and be grateful for it
Fascinating. Fast read because you want to know what happens. Could the end be like this?? Either way, great lesson!!
Something different. The start is dark. Push through. Many twists and, in the end, worth the ride.
Nice read.. Enjoyed reading this book. 9/10 would recommend.
Great read. Simply written but complex and rich story that will give you the feels.
Great story. Very good book. I enjoyed the ending very much
Simply beautiful. A wonderful take told well. It’s a simple yet deep premise that carries you forward with ease and grace.
Memorable from start to finish. A parable that you won’t forget about how much of life is our perspective and the stories we tell ourselves. Loved it.
Uplifting and real life story. A great read for those of us who might think that things in our life should be better or different. Nora has this one life, with all of its troubles and also all of its possibilities. She learns by experiencing other lives that she might have lived, none of which were perfect! And in so doing, she learns how to really live, finally.
First book I have loved in a while.. This book demonstrates how important perspective is in all aspects of life and could not have appeared in my life at a better time. Thank you.
What a great read!. Couldn’t put this down.
To where would you return in your past?. It definitely makes you wonder where you would go?
Just wow.. I read this in 2 days and it made me appreciate life to a different level. I highly recommend it.
not for me. i would give it a zero but i cant so ill give it a one
Wow!. I haven’t read a book this interesting in awhile. I would give it 100 stars if I could!
Great. Really really liked this book. It was so well written. I did feel like the ending was expected from early on. But I am glad about how it ended.
A lovely read. A few tugging moments of emotion, some rushed parts that could have been elaborated, but ultimately a book worth enjoying. A reminder that life isn’t all that serious, that you can be whoever you desire, and with some hardships and triumphs, come to believe in yourself.
Thank you. This book has given me new perspective. I found it at a very synchronic time, and it has now contributed to my regaining my yearning for life. Experience is beautiful; there are so many things to do, so many things to be. One of the most important parts of life is to be loved, and to be someone who loves. I am that, and I have been lucky to have been that, and I will continue to do that. I recommend this book to anyone who is unsure. May you be sure within your unsureness. Xo
I loved this book. I absolutely loved this book. Gave me hope for my own future. I could relate on so many levels. If you have ever had regrets in your life this is a great book to read.
Great writing but boring story. I felt like I read Groundhog Day with the butterfly effect. The story just seemed to replay itself but in different order. In my opinion, the writing was excellent, but the story dragged. I found myself wanting to skip to the end, so I could see how it ended.
If you know, you know. Some people have complained that this book has a predictable ending and I do agree with that. However, I didn’t really see it coming until the last few chapters. That said, books aren’t meant to appease everyone and this is one of those books that you’ll either relate to massively because you’ve had the same thoughts or just not get. If you’ve ever wished you could change any of your regrets, this book will be relatable to you.
absolutely perfect. So I wanted to read this book because I might’ve seen it somewhere, and I’m so glad that I did. This book was just beautiful to read. Everytime when I think of the one week holiday that I read this book on, the book comes to mind along with highlight’s of the trip. Adding on, the entire story ends up telling a very valuable life lesson which has changed the way I think in some situations, which is amazing. The Midnight Library is definitely in the favorite book list and it won’t leave. See, when you read this, and you finish it, you’ll feel dissatisfied in a way where you miss the book, and you wish you never read it in a week (hopefully it’s clear that that’s meant to be positive). Read the book, its phenomenal and dazzling, and worth every word, you’ll also fall in love with the storytelling/writing style, characters, and anything in between <3
Loved the concept. Definitely a great read for those feeling stuck.
Beautiful Novel. The Midnight Library causes you to appreciate and value your life, show sympathy to those that have desired to take theirs, and to be mindful on how we treat one another. This is a beautiful book. One that encourages us to take the limits off of ourselves and simply live/enjoy our life.
Inspiring. Inspiring. Gives me a new outlook on life. Thank you.
Great read!. I feel like this could be a movie. I really enjoyed the multiple lives Nora went through. Her journey from wanting to die, from realizing she wanted to live was an exceptional read. I hope that Nora, as a character finds true peace, and finds the life that she really wants to live. I would recommend this book to a friend.
Sweet. A retelling of a familiar story
Midnight Library. Wonderful book to read on a yoga retreat! Self discovery!
Best Book. At first I wasn’t sure I was going to like this book however, as I read the author melding this book into “life” it gave me an appreciation for “life” we just never know the outcome of our choices but whatever they may be we have to appreciate being alive.. this book was a great reading
Captivating and Addicting!. This is an excellent read to me, it was very captivating and thus prompted me to read it in 2 days time!
Loved this gem.. A great read which gives the reader a lot to think about. Life really does need to be lived, love does make the world go around.
You won’t regret buying this one.. Wonderful book- thought provoking and beautifully written. Best I’ve read in a while
The Midnight Library. This is one of the most beautiful books I’ve read in a very long time!
The Midnight Library. Excellent read. Couldn’t put it down. It’s one of those books that it stays with you even days after you’ve finished it.
Beautiful and poignant. A must read for anyone who feels stuck or just needs to fall back in love with life. Take a visit to the library!
Imaginative and thoughtful. Loved it
Makes You Think. This book was a beautiful symphony of love, loss, dread, and acceptance. It forces the reader to self-examine oneself in a way that makes the world feel limitless. What an incredible tribute to what it means to be life experiencing itself.
5 Books like The Midnight Library (Matt Haig)
Matt Haig (born 3 July 1975) is an English author and journalist. He has written both fiction and non-fiction books for children and adults, often in the speculative fiction genre. Early life Haig was born on 3 July 1975 in Sheffield. He grew up in the Nottinghamshire town of Newark and later went on to study English and History at the University of Hull. Career Haig is the author of both fiction and non-fiction for children and adults. His work of non-fiction, Reasons to Stay Alive, was a number one Sunday Times bestseller and was in the UK top 10 for 46 weeks. His bestselling children's novel, Father Christmas and Me, is currently being adapted for film, produced by StudioCanal and Blueprint Pictures.His novels are often dark and quirky takes on family life. The Last Family in England retells Shakespeare's Henry IV, Part 1 with the protagonists as dogs. His second novel Dead Fathers Club is based on Hamlet, telling the story of an introspective 11-year-old dealing with the rece....
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