Thank you to Netgalley and Canongate for the copy of this novel.

Matt Haig is a truly inspiring author.

Every book of his that I read, I come away with a real sense of enlightenment.

The Midnight Library is no exception.

We follow Nora as she works her way through various versions of her lives, as she too becomes enlightened. Gaining a different perspective to certain events and moments in her life.

This is a story that is beyond meaningful, one that can make you open your mind a bit more and allow you to consider things in a way that you may not have been able to acknowledge before.

If I could it rate it more than 5 stars I would.

This was a beautiful, hopeful book about life’s possibilities and the negative power of regret. As ever, Matt Haig perfectly addresses the human condition in his latest novel. I loved the fact that each person’s ‘between life’ would be different depending on them: a library, a video game store...It almost reads like a manifesto for modern life - in the best way.

I was thrilled by the idea of a new release from Matt Haig, I've loved his books for the longest time. The Midnight Library is no different in his ability to carve mental health discussions into a story which we can all relate to on some level. I loved Nora Seed's character and her journey through to acceptance of her live and everything good it has to offer. It did take me quite a long time to get into but it was worth the time to really get to grips with what Haig was trying to do with this story.

This is my first time reading anything by Matt Haig, and I'm so glad I did. This was the perfect book for this moment in my life.

The Midnight Library is a new take on one of my favorite story tropes. The overall arc of the book is one of healing from depression, and it does it by having the character Nora Seed, look at all the decisions, big and little, that she has regretted in her life, that she thinks have led to her current state of depression and despair, and see what her life would be like if she changed one of those decisions.

There basically was not one thing I did not like about this book:

*I liked the process and journey that Nora goes through, and the overall structure of the book.
*I liked the short chapters, short chapters can really help with the pace of a book.
*I really liked Nora as character, and as someone who has gone through similar processes and problems, I found her really relatable.
*I really liked the themes that the book explored and how it reached the conclusion it did.

There's actually so much I would love to say about The Midnight Library, but I feel to go into more depth risks revealing spoilers. This book helped teach me to hope again, and to see a way through to my own healing.

It's a beautiful story that perfectly depicts a journey from depression through to finding a place of healing. Wonderfully told, and written with such warmth and love, I couldn't put it down and finished it in a day.

As soon as I heard about this book I knew I had to read it. I love reading books set in libraries, or to do with books, and I was excited for this one. While I did enjoy elements of this story, primarily the basic concept, it wasn't my favourite library related book

This book follows Nora in the space between life and death which, for Nora, materialises as a library of infinite different parallel lives she could have lived if she'd just changed one decision along the way. Nora gets the chance to live many of these parallel lives, in the hopes of finding something worth living for

I find a lot that I read books where I love the concepts but the execution doesn't thrill me completely. Perhaps my expectations were too high for this one, but it all just fell a bit flat for me

I considered dnfing this at about 30% but I'm glad I pushed through. I liked a lot of the lives explored in the second half and thought the lessons learnt by Nora, while a little heavy-handed, were worthwhile and thought-provoking

I don't think Matt Haig's writing style and humour work 100% for me, but if you're a fan of his work I think you'd really enjoy this one too

Nora Seed's life could have taken many different directions; She might have been an Olympic swimmer, a Rock Star, a mother. When, in her thirties, she attempts to take her own life she gets a chance to experience these lost lives.

Although this book felt like one I had read before (the concept is a little overused) it was enjoyable and I flew through it.

Thank you, #NetGalley and Cannongate for the free copy in exchange for an honest review.

Matt Haig writes great books. We all know that. What I love about Matt's books are that he picks something thats very different and makes it into a great story - sometimes I'm a little unsure of Matt's topic choice, mostly because they're not very 'me' books, but always, without fail, I love them and don't want to put them down. The Midnight library is no exception. Matt clearly cares passionately about mental health and that is apparent in the book - Im not sure I'd redo anything in the past, but it really got me thinking and has stuck with me since. Thanks for another number 1 bestseller for peak season in bookselling!

We all have regrets, and at the time of writing this (July 2020) I have had way too much time to look back on my life so far and to wonder at what I could have done differently. This was a very timely read for me. At the start of the novel the protagonist, Nora, decides to take her own life, but this is where her life, or rather lives begin. Haig imagines that in the space between life and death, there exists a library containing every possible life that she could have lived, had she made different decisions. She is able to 'try on' many different versions of herself and learns along the way that much of what she had spent her life regretting, did not necessarily make her any happier. I loved this book. Both positive and life-affirming and when I had finished it, I have to say I had a big smile on my face!

We all live with regrets and what if's in our lives but what if you could see those other lives you could have had if you made a different choice? And would you be happier?
This is the premise for Matt Haig's new novel.
When Nora hits rock bottom and decides to end her life she ends up in a library full of books full of lives she could have had if she had made different choices in her life.
This book is beautifully and thoughtfully written and is a wonderful examination of how regret can eat at you and stop you from making the most of the life you have in front of you.
I haven't read any of Matt Haig's non fiction works but I have heard about how much they have helped people and I think this new novel will do that too.

The most beautiful book I've read this year. Matt Haig easily manages to find access to topics that are still stigmatized. From the first to the very last page Haig has a special way of telling stories. This fascinating novel has filled my heart with hope and a new way to face regrets.

I absolutely adored this book. 😍 I read it so quickly, but I suppose the short chapters helped 😂 It’s a beautiful, enchanting and thought-provoking story. I loved the idea of the midnight library; a place between life and death. A place that gives Nora the opportunity to travel into parallel universes based on her different life choices.
It explores the endless possibilities that life holds for Nora and really makes for a reflective and inspiring story. Actually, it’s a profoundly philosophical view on life and death. Its an incredible feeling when you deeply connect with a book.💕I found Nora engaging and her journey was painful yet inspiring. The ending was so poignant - no spoilers here.🤭

What I love about Haig is his eloquent insight into the human condition and always with a sprinkle of magic. It got me thinking about my own life choices and the classic “what ifs”. BUT the grass isn’t always greener and I wouldn’t be who I am today. It’s a reminder to appreciate every moment, even the tough ones.
“You don’t have to understand life. You just have to live it.” 🙌

(btw - my book is full of tabs. Talk about a quotable book 😉)

Highly recommend THE MIDNIGHT LIBRARY folks.🙋🏼‍♀️ It’s a relatable, perceptive and life affirming book that will stay with me, like many of Haigs books.

I LOVED this book, so very, very much and couldn’t put it down!
The characters are brilliantly balanced-you feel everything for them, good and bad. Even with Nora being the central character, ever other character is equally important, interesting and engaging.
The pacing is spot on and it is a page turner.
It is incredibly life affirming and heartwarming and I’ll be recommending to all my friends.
Having had a few of Matt Haig’s books bought for me previously this is the first one I have read and I’m now going to go read the rest.

I love that Matt Haig takes quite complex ideas and makes them incredibly readable. And The Midnight Library is exactly the same.
Nora decides that life isn’t worth living and takes an overdose. She arrives in The Midnight Library where all the books are versions of her life and she has to decide which once, if any, she wants to remain in.
A lovely story!

The Midnight Library - 5⭐️
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Have you ever sat and wondered where you might be if you had chosen a different path in life? A different job? A different relationship? Would life have turned out better or is life never really greener on the other side?
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Nora Seed is desperately lonely and full of regrets, she’s lost her job and her beloved cat. After Nora reaches breaking point, she finds herself in The Midnight Library, a place where she has infinite opportunities to live any of her potential lives. In doing so, Nora has to tackle her past regrets and choose the most fulfilled life, before time runs out.
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The Midnight Library is an incredibly raw book, touching on how fragile human life is. Nora’s character is definitely one that will stay with you for a long time, highlighting her bravery and courage throughout. Whilst The Midnight Library does not hesitate to cover the dark gloomy moments in Nora’s life, it also highlights that light and hope can be found within.

Matt Haig writes interesting and engaging characters who you end up caring about!

This book starts with the main character in a dark place, but takes her on a fantasy journey that is just the right side of unhinged / unbelievability - within the world the author has taken you into.

Recommended!

This book is brilliant. That is not to say that is is always a cheery story as it deals with mental illness and the survival (or not) of Nora, the key character,. However, Matt Haig has written something remarkable. A thoughtful, clever, measured, thought-provoking and completely meaningful novel which could not fail to touch and uplift everyone who reads it.

I seem to be late to the party again with Matt Haig’s latest book The Midnight library. This is the first book I have read by the author and it certainly won’t be my last.
Nora Seed is depressed, unemployed and grieving over the loss of her cat. She has also lost contact with her brother who she had differences with. Nora has regrets and wished she had done things differently. She hasn’t got anything else to live for. So, she commits suicide. But instead of being alive or dead, she arrives at the Midnight Library where she meets Mrs Elm the librarian. Each book is about her life, the choices she did made her regrets and the choices she could have made. With Mrs Elm giving her guidance. Nora re-lives some of them lives to find out what really makes her happy and what she must live for. On her journey she meets eclectic group of characters. That gives the reasons to live.
Wow The Midnight Library by Matt Haig is a very thought provoking book that will stay with me for a long time. Not only is a literary fiction book but it is a self-help book. It is very cleverly written. For me personally after reading this book made me think of things differently than before. You get one life you need to live it. 5 stars from me.

I have read a few of Matt Haig's books before and enjoyed them so I had high hopes for this book - all of which were met and exceeded! Such a fun yet illuminating and inspirational read.

Wouldn't we all love to do something differently? Haig explores the impact of regrets and the unrealistic expectations that we often place on ourselves and the impact this can have on our mental health. As someone who is guilty of this (aren't we all) this book really opened my eyes and helped me to be kind to myself. Loved it!

5 stars!

Oh wow! I cannot begin to tell you just how special this book is! Nora Seed & her story has the power to both save and change lives, as well as giving hope & a new perspective to many.

I am already a fan of Mat't's work, but for me The Midnight Library has taken it to a whole new level. I fell in love with Nora and her story. We meet Nora, who it is fair to say, is not in a good place. She is completely at the end of her tether. Shortly into her story we are introduced to the midnight library. A place that will allow her to take stock of her life and the choices she has made.

Argh, this is so hard to write, as I am itching to talk about so many aspects of the story, but to do so would be completely unfair to anyone who hasn't read it.

Let's just say that as Nora, via the library, looks back at what has been or could have been, I found a character who I began to care for very much. Perhaps this is partially as her exploration opened my mind to explore more of my 'what if's'. In places it felt more like I was reading non fiction, and I became completely absorbed, I actually found that I didn't want the book to end. I wanted to know more, and perhaps have more time to think about me and my life too.

Powerful, emotional, and beautifully written I want to shout about it from rooftops! Matt, thank you for writing it. Nora is a character I will carry with me for a long time to come.

Nora Seed feels she has nothing to live for - relationships have failed, she's lost her job, and her cat has died. In the Midnight Library she finds the school librarian (shout-out for great school librarians everywhere!) who was kind to her when she needed kindness most, and she learns that it's possible to visit every possible version of her life. What follows is touching and gently funny, as Nora improvises her way through some of the many different versions of her. Needless to say, she learns plenty about herself along the way, enabling her to re-evaluate who she is, and why, and who she wants to be.

This was the perfect Covid read - a pleasant central character, just taxing enough to take your mind off the madness we're living through, and with the prospect of a happy ending..