The Midnight Library : A Book Review
I first tried reading The Midnight Library by Matt Haig in 2022 on Kindle, but I ended up DNFing it after a few pages because of the gloomy tone. As a BTS Army, this book kept appearing in recommendations, so I decided to give it another chance and picked up a print copy this time. Surprisingly, the countdown leading to Nora’s decision to die immediately caught my attention. It made me curious about what had led her to such a difficult point in her life.
What is the book about?
The Midnight Library tells the story of a place that exists between life and death. There, a person can open their Book of Regrets and live different versions of their life, exploring paths they did not take and choices they did not make. In many ways, it feels like stepping through a multiverse of possibilities.
At its core, The Midnight Library is a powerful story about overcoming hardships and the possibility of second chances. As someone who usually sees the glass half full, it was difficult at times to read about Nora focusing on the negatives in each version of her life. But that is also part of the richness of the human experience. We all come from different backgrounds, and we all see the world in our own way.
What part of the book had the most impact?
The moment that stayed with me the most was when Nora realized that she did not need the vineyard or the California sunset. She did not need a big house or even a big family. What she needed was potential. Without potential, she felt like nothing.
In some ways, I saw a bit of myself in Nora. Like her, I have many interests and often feel that I have potential in many different things. The difference between Nora and I is that I do not regret the paths I did not fully pursue. Instead, I kept going and allowed those experiences to shape who I am today. The person I am now is a combination of many different experiences. In my career, I tend to weave together the skills I have learned from different fields and apply them to my businesses. Each interest and experiment becomes part of a larger picture.
On Matt Haig’s writing style…
The Midnight Library touches on very sensitive topics, particularly mental health. Matt Haig approaches these themes with gentleness and compassion, without judgment. For those who are struggling, the book offers a powerful illustration of how our perception shapes our lives and how the idea of second chances can bring hope.
The lesson I’ve learned…
As I mentioned earlier, I am someone who generally sees the glass half full. That does not mean I do not have regrets. This book reminded me that it is okay to acknowledge those regrets, but we should not allow them to control our lives. It also reminded me that how we perceive our circumstances can be more important than the circumstances themselves. Just as Nora realized she did not need a big house or a perfect life, she needed potential. And to me, potential means hope.
My chocolate bar rating…
I give The Midnight Library 5 out of 5 chocolate bars. It is a short and meaningful read that invites you to pause and reflect on your own life. A must read.