The Midnight Library: Exploring Parallel Universes and the Power of Choice

Premise: a library that contains an infinite number of books, each one the story of another of your quantum realities. You can choose any book. You could see what would have happened if you hadn’t ended your relationship with so-and-so, stayed with music as a career, become a scientist or a criminal, whatever.

If, while test-driving a new life you find yourself disappointed, off you go back to the library for the next attempt.

The short version of my review is simple: great concept, thought-provoking, but written in the driest manner possible.

It does, thank God, have a reasonable ending – think of it as the moral of a fable.

All of the above also holds true for a similar book, Replay by Ken Grimwood, which also explores the
possibilities of making different life choices, albeit not via a magical library. It too is thought-provoking and written in what I found to be a boring fashion.

So, do I recommend either book or not? I leave that decision to whoever is reading this review!

The kind of story that tugs at your soul. Loved it

Reading this book has made me appreciate life more. I am inspired by this book and how to live every day with hope and gratitude

How many times have you thought “what if I only” ? The longer you live the more you wonder about the opportunities that were missed because of the path we chose to walk. This book answers that question for Nora, and in doing so should allow for the reader to realize that perhaps the path you are on is the one that is correct for you. As much as most of us may wonder how different our reality would be but for that one decision to accept or decline an invitation for tea/coffee and a chat. Nora is gifted with that opportunity, and chance to experience what could have happened simply by changing her choices. Nora first finds that regrets are and always will be a part of who she is. From there Nora begins a journey of different choices and is allowed to see the life that could have been, along with all the good and bad that comes with it. Nora learns (and hopefully you, the reader will as well) that even when that life that you are living seems ineffective and uneventful it is not. None of us notices that we truly do impact the lives of others, ask yourself have I ever just sat with a stranger and chatted with them and then walked away feeling better? I know that I have. This book is about those moments when you are either the receiver or the giver of hope. It is about that singular moment in life when Nora and you, the reader, realize that yes “I am alive”.

Thought-provoking, The Midnight Library is a fabulous fictional read for anyone who wants to explore the idea of parallel universes. I couldn’t put it down! Will be reading more of Matt Haig’s books in the future.

I thought this would be a great sci-fi story, but alas it was just ok. She would have chosen a specific life, but could not. She had to appreciate the life she lived.

This book was so relatable; i wish my son would read it as he sees no joy in life; only bleak outlook; he is not living,,always comparing; not recognizing his potential; I see as Nora

Where would you be if you had made a different decision in a single moment of your life? What about a different decision the next day? Or the next? MIDNIGHT LIBRARY takes you to multiple worlds of possibilities. But is that the gift? Or is the gift realizing you are right where you need to be?

Definitely give this book a read. Was recommended by a friend and I couldn’t put it down. Pulls on your heart strings!

Sometimes fantasy is the best mode for creating and understanding reality. Matt Haig proves it with The Midnight Library. Psychologists know – better now than ten or twenty years ago – that memories are not accurate reports, or photographic records, or even photoshopped digitals but creative renderings probably introducing some perceived events from the “real” world. But perception itself is molded according to one’s own private recipe even as it strikes our senses. And it is those fallible memories that determine our emotional state, even health, at any given time. In the process of selectively perceiving we overlook important information that may affect something so critical as the fork in the road that we choose to take. So it was for Nora Seed, traveling between life and death, more specifically choosing between life and death, that she examined where she might have been if she had followed through on choices she now regrets. And how important it is that we have at least that one person in life who shows us genuine love. I’m not saying some things I’d like to for fear of depriving the reader of surprises and revelations, but I do want to mention the metaphor of the chess game. How perfectly it conveys with its thousands of options the importance of that one move that leads choice by choice to the ultimate conclusion of the game.

Obviously I enjoyed and recommend this book. And, to tell the truth, I like its length. Long enough to tell the story and short enough to be read before the next book club reading.

Interesting observations on life and the myriad possibilities of each person’s life. And, above all, the importance of just living one’s life. Every. Single. Day.

I wanted to quit reading, and several times I stopped. This book needs to be finished and it will all make sense and strengthen your life. Trust me.

I love the premise of this book. We are all products of every choice we make in our lives. Making the decisions is the important part and not letting them be made for us.

Honestly I love this song for everything that she writes. This is an amazing book that you can just easily read in one sitting.

This book means so much if you struggle with depression and how different yous would turn out. It makes you think while being a sweet journey.

Pretty quick read, but awesome story.

Life isn’t perfect. It’s hard work and the trick is to enjoy the life along the way. We don’t know just how much more difficult and unhappy we could be in another life- what if?

What a powerful idea that we can reinvent ourselves at any moment, on any given day. This novel reminds the readers that it’s only when we lose hope and stop believing, that we stop evolving into new possibilities. What will you become?

Matt Haig helps us think about the way we live and how to view our regrets. I highly recommend this book.

Don’t let the premise put you off. It is not depressing. This book has helped me more than any nonfiction ‘it’s all going to be okay’ book ever has. I didn’t even know what it was about, but I have done so much personal healing. For someone who has reached similar dark places, this was amazing.

What a wonderful book. Very deep thoughts flowed through my head. Really a super book.

Characters were excellent. I'd read a little and then took time to do some thinking.

I think everyone should read this book. Plan on reading more of his books.

Very enjoyable. Full of life lessons. It wasn't "couldn't put it down amazing" but I would recommend.

10/10. If a book could be balm for a weary soul.

"Do you ever think 'how did I end up here?'" The Midnight Library by Matt Haig captures the essence of that age old question. He provides a clever, creative, and thought provoking narrative around Nora Seed's perception that life is a series of regrets that are punctuated with despair, depression, and unhappiness. He takes us on a journey with Nora as she explores the "shoulda, woulda, coulda" weight of regret and discovering the infinite possibilities that life offers. Nora is tired if being "Caught in the middle. Struggling, flailing, just trying to survive while not knowing which way to go. Which path to commit to without regret." Nora does eventually figure out that one doesn't "have to enjoy every aspect of life to keep having the option of experiencing them." This book provides opportunitie to reflect... and it can be a humbling experience that fills the reader with contentment, compassion, and gratitude for their life and loved ones. It reminds us to live in the present and not forget to live along the way.

I bought this book after seeing an article that this is a must read book in 20s. I am not sure how much I will like this book since I recently just started it, but I like it so far. The chapters are pretty short so easy to read!