The Midnight Library by Matt Haig --> Restarting August 4th, 2022

[Aly]

'Between life and death there is a library, and within that library, the shelves go on forever. Every book provides a chance to try another life you could have lived. To see how things would be if you had made other choices... Would you have done anything different, if you had the chance to undo your regrets?'

A dazzling novel about all the choices that go into a life well lived, from the internationally bestselling author of Reasons to Stay Alive and How To Stop Time.

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?

[Kelly]

Ch 20 - (view spoiler)[I'm loving this book. It's sad but the concept of this midnight library sounds so good. I love reading about the lives she could have had. (hide spoiler)]

[Kelly]

Ch 40 - (view spoiler)[ It's interesting that she met someone like her. 300+ different lives is a lot. (hide spoiler)]

[Kelly]

Ch 61 - (view spoiler)["the perfect life" so sweet to read but so sad too. She figured that what she was missing most was love in her life. (hide spoiler)]

[Kelly]

Finished-(view spoiler)[ wow this was amazing. How I wish this Midnight library was real. She ended up wanting to live, wanting her original life even if it's messy or not perfect but it was hers and as long as she's alive it's "potential" (hide spoiler)]

[☘Misericordia☘]

A LIBRARY!

A parallel world library, with books being the portals to parallel worlds!

Reminds me of The Space Between Worlds!) and Finna, other fun reads on the same topic.

(view spoiler)[Q:
It’s just that when times are tough I can’t pay you to put off customers with your face looking like a wet weekend.’
‘What?' (c) (hide spoiler)]Right, WHAT the hell?(view spoiler)[ Imagine an employer saying that! Craptastic! (hide spoiler)]

(view spoiler)[As if this list was not already quite outsized?
Q: Swimmer. Musician. Philosopher. Spouse. Traveller. Glaciologist. Happy. Loved. (c)

She needed to see how things would be, had she been also Q:
a rock star, an Olympian, a music teacher, a primary school teacher, a professor, a CEO, a PA, a chef, a glaciologist, a climatologist, an acrobat, a tree-planter, an audit manager, a hair-dresser, a professional dog walker, an office clerk, a software developer, a receptionist, a hotel cleaner, a politician, a lawyer, a shoplifter, the head of an ocean protection charity, a shop worker (again), a waitress, a first-line supervisor, a glass-blower and a thousand other things… (c) Imagine that!
For one thing, that's an incredible privilege that the powers-that-be allowed her! Imagine having that outlook.
For another thing, I'm wondering how many of those careers she fucked up by her entering those lives and having no knowledge about what's happening or going on or what not? (hide spoiler)]

(view spoiler)[ Q: Did you do anything wrong?’
That was an easy one. ‘Yes. Absolutely everything.’ (c) Poor Nora - that's quite difficult to live with all that baggage! (hide spoiler)]

(view spoiler)[ How does Matt Haig manage to work so brilliantly with suicidal ideation?
To go from here:
Q: Even death was something Nora couldn’t do properly, it seemed. (c)
to here
Q: You do realise there are infinite possibilities here? I mean, the multiverse isn’t about just some universes. It’s not about a handful of universes. It’s not even about a lot of universes. It’s not about a million or a billion or a trillion universes. It’s about an infinite number of universes. Even with you in them. You could be you in any version of the world, however unlikely that world would be. You are only limited by your imagination. You can be very creative with the regrets you want to undo. I once undid a regret about not doing something I’d contemplated as a teenager – doing aerospace engineering and becoming an astronaut – and so in one life I became an astronaut. I haven’t been to space. But I became someone who had been there, for a little while. The thing you have to remember is that this is an opportunity and it is rare and we can undo any mistake we made, live any life we want. Any life. Dream big . . . You can be anything you want to be. Because in one life, you are.’ (c)??
Gracefully, at that???? That takes a master!

BTW, I think the last passage might be my fav for the year. (hide spoiler)]

(view spoiler)[ The love is in the eye of the beholder, amen!
Q: ‘It’s not what you look at that matters, it’s what you see. (с) (hide spoiler)]

(view spoiler)[ Q:‘It’s an easy game to play... But a hard one to master. Every move you make opens a whole new world of possibility.’ (c)

Here Mrs Elm is talking about chess. But how! This is very much applicable to a host of other things, including heavy depression. (hide spoiler)]

(view spoiler)[ Q: ‘Librarians have knowledge. They guide you to the right books. The right worlds. They find the best places. Like soul-enhanced search engines.’ (c)
Oh, wow! (hide spoiler)]

(view spoiler)[ Isn't that empowering?
Q:She learned that undoing regrets was really a way of making wishes come true. There was almost any life she was living in one universe, after all. (c)
Actually, I was thinking something along the same lines after reading (hide spoiler)]

(view spoiler)[
LOL: just imagine this encounter.
Q:
‘I’m sorry,’ his other self said, as he sipped his wine and the sun set behind him, ‘I’ve forgotten who you are.’
‘Don’t worry,’ she said. ‘So have I.’ (c)
Well, Nora had it coming, after all she disappeared on this guy in the middle of sex. I'm pretty sure, that night went downhill for him right after that... (hide spoiler)]

[Kelly]

I might have to check out Finna! I'm so glad you liked it :)

[Kelly]

(view spoiler)[ "For another thing, I'm wondering how many of those careers she fucked up by her entering those lives and having no knowledge about what's happening or going on or what not? "

Ahaha yes! (hide spoiler)]

[☘Misericordia☘]

Kelly wrote: "I might have to check out Finna! I'm so glad you liked it :)" Finna is more sci-fi-ish but goes along the same multiverse lineup and the parallel lives concept. Of course, it doesn't compare in full with this one, since this one is basically therapy on paper.

[Alaina]

Starting this now!

[Alaina]

The Successful Life: (view spoiler)[It's interesting on how she's questioning her dad about all of this.. (hide spoiler)]

[Alaina]

Why Want Another Universe If This One Has Dogs?: (view spoiler)[Uhh.. is this guy my twin because SAME! (hide spoiler)]

[Alaina]

Tricycle: (view spoiler)[Oh man, she definitely had a mini heart attack with that little accident.. or I'm just assuming she did. I just think every parent probably has one once they see their kid get hurt in an accident - ya know? I'm not a parent.. unless you count dog parent. Then yes, I've had many mini heart attacks with my two asshole dogs. (hide spoiler)]

[Alaina]

Finished: (view spoiler)[WOW WOW WOW WOW WOW WOW WOW WOW... wow. This book was so freaking good. Beyond good. I loved everything this book dove into and how in the end, she realized she loved her life just the way it was. It really was something to live for. (hide spoiler)]

[Kelly]

Ahh I'm so glad you loved it :D

[Alaina]

I even told Andy about it! I also told Aly that I have the audiobook on audible. So she might listen to this as well.

[Deanie]

10% (view spoiler)[ As someone who has struggled with depression at various points in her life, this seems very real. Almost too real. I'm not sure I like it. I want to get to the library. (hide spoiler)]

31% (view spoiler)[ Wow. That is a lot of regrets. I wonder if we all have the same? Maybe her choices weren't as bad as she thought if her potential alternate lives are turning out this way. (hide spoiler)]

66% (view spoiler)[ Do her closest friends and family die in all of her alternative lives? I can't imagine losing people over and over again like Nora is. (hide spoiler)]

100% (view spoiler)[ This book was a roller coaster ride, but I really liked it in the end. I'm glad that Nora was able to see that the life she should be living is the life she started out with. (hide spoiler)]

[☘Misericordia☘]

Kelly wrote: "Ahh I'm so glad you loved it :D"

Alaina wrote: "Finished: [spoilers removed]"

Deanie wrote: ""

I'm so glad we all are loving it. Matt Haig IS incredible!

[Kelly]

Yeah :) I'll probably anything he'll publish after this

[Aly]

I'm listening to this!!

[Aly]

The Successful Life (view spoiler)[ It's sad that in each life there are some positives, but still plenty of negatives. Her dad is alive but he cheated on her mom and her mom died early. (hide spoiler)]

[Aly]

Alaina wrote: "The Successful Life: [spoilers removed]"

I feel bad because (view spoiler)[ she craved her dad's approval and love so much but it seems like it doesn't matter what she does, he's still kind of stern and unhappy (hide spoiler)]

[Aly]

God and Other Librarians (view spoiler)[ How crazy that she found another person skipping through lives. It would be weird to join a life in progress, but if it was what you always wanted then I guess you'd work it out. (hide spoiler)]

[Alaina]

Aly wrote: "Alaina wrote: "The Successful Life: [spoilers removed]"

I feel bad because [spoilers removed]"

Yeah, that was sad :(

[Aly]

The Many Lives of Nora Seed (view spoiler)[I would think that a lot of your lives would be very similar with small differences instead of vastly different. A politician, professional swimmer, rockstar, lawyer. That's insane that your life could lead you in such different directions. (hide spoiler)]

[Aly]

Alaina wrote: "Why Want Another Universe If This One Has Dogs?: [spoilers removed]"

Haha no kidding! I feel the same

[Aly]

Kelly wrote: "Ch 20 - [spoilers removed]"

I don't know if I'd want to see my possible lives. It would be interesting but kind of sad too.

[Aly]

Kelly wrote: "Ch 40 - [spoilers removed]"

Yeah, an insane number

[Aly]

Deanie wrote: "10% [spoilers removed]

31% [spoilers removed]

66% [spoilers removed]

100% [spoilers removed]"

Reply to 31% (view spoiler)[ I agree, her main life might look better and better (hide spoiler)]

[Aly]

Alaina wrote: "Tricycle: [spoilers removed]"

Haha yes I've been there with my dog too

[Aly]

Kelly wrote: "Ch 61 - [spoilers removed]"

Yeah for sure! Definitely bittersweet

[Aly]

Deanie wrote: "10% [spoilers removed]

31% [spoilers removed]

66% [spoilers removed]

100% [spoilers removed]"
@66% (view spoiler)[ Yeah, constantly finding out your loved ones are dead would be terrible (hide spoiler)]

[Aly]

finished (view spoiler)[ I'm glad she went back to her first life and made up with her brother and is happy. I hoped she would get with the doctor and maybe she will. (hide spoiler)] Is this promoted as a spin on it's a wonderful life? Because I felt like it was pretty similar

[Kelly]

Aly wrote: "Kelly wrote: "Ch 20 - [spoilers removed]"

I don't know if I'd want to see my possible lives. It would be interesting but kind of sad too."

True

[Kelly]

I'm glad you read it and liked it :) I have no idea about it's a wonderful life though

[Dr. Andy]

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RESTARTING MARCH 20TH, 2021

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[Dr. Andy]

30% (view spoiler)[ This book is quite sad. I like the whole idea of the midnight library tho. I hope Nora will eventually get another cat, I loved Voltz. I wonder if she'll actually find a life that's not disappointing. (hide spoiler)]

[Dr. Andy]

52% (view spoiler)[ That speech was so awkward. Also I can't believe there's another person who has their own midnight library! (hide spoiler)]

[Dr. Andy]

72% (view spoiler)[ I really like seeing all these different lives. I wonder if Nora is going to get back to her original one and try to make changes to it based off what she's learned here. (hide spoiler)]

[Isabel]

Andy wrote: "30% [spoilers removed]"

I agree! The introduction into Nora's root life was quite depressing and what happened with her cat was definitely the icing on top in a bad way!

[Isabel]

Andy wrote: "52% [spoilers removed]"

In general, I kind of likw how Nora is finding out that even if you change your life decisions, you can't impact the people around you in their personalities. Nevermind how pleasing she tries to be, if her brother and father are destined and wired to be cruel and distant, they will be.

[Isabel]

55% (view spoiler)[ I'm asking myself if Nora would be able to return to her root life but before killing herself and if she would be able to change some of her decisions there, now that she has learned that you cannot influence people at their core. (hide spoiler)]

[Isabel]

finished (view spoiler)[ Although i did like the ending and the fact that Nora got to find herself again, I would have wished for a little bit more closure of her private life... a heart-to-heart with her brother and maybe a little start with Ash.
But it was definitely a cute read. (hide spoiler)]

[Dr. Andy]

Isabel wrote: "Andy wrote: "52% [spoilers removed]"

In general, I kind of likw how Nora is finding out that even if you change your life decisions, you can't impact the people around you in their personalities. ..."

Right this was such a good lesson!!

[Dr. Andy]

Isabel wrote: "finished [spoilers removed]..."

(view spoiler)[ Omg yes! There was definitely the start of reconciling between Nora and her brother, but I wanted more. Also I'd like to know what Nora does next (hide spoiler)]

[Aly]

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RESTARTING AUGUST 4TH, 2022

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[Hina]

I'll start reading this now!

[Hina]

How to Be a Blackhole (view spoiler)[ I'm really liking this so far! I liked how the chapters are so short, makes the book 100× easier to read! Looks like I'll be reading this in one sitting! :D (hide spoiler)]

[Hina]

The Moving Shelves (view spoiler)[ OMG the concept of this book is just AMAZING, I can't stop reading it! I really wish this library was real :') (hide spoiler)]

[Hina]

The Three Horseshoes (view spoiler)[ Page 50: Idk why but I feel like Dan her husband in this life is a big red flag?

Page 58: Well I wasn't wrong, he really IS a red flag, I didn't feel right about him since the first time she mentioned him and now she started remembering how big of a red flag he was. (hide spoiler)]