Reviews tagging 'Panic attacks/disorders'

A Biblioteca da Meia-Noite by Matt Haig

663 reviews

cassiacow's review against another edition

emotional inspiring reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

This book has such an interesting premise - a Library where you can read all of your alternate lives. 

I personally found the writing style a bit too 'simple' - much like Coelho's The Alchemist, it is clearly written as a self-help book under a superficial story. The philosophy that was discussed also didn't resonate with my particular brand of depression - but it was still interesting to read through the lens of someone with different struggles to me.

However, this was such an easy read and one that definitely could help someone reading it at the right time - if you are paralysed by regrets about your life, for example, this book is definitely worth a read. I read it at a time when I've been feeling very unsure about my future, at the recommendation of a friend - and I can see how it would help some people in that scenario, but I don't feel I got as much out of it as some people did.

Overall, really enjoyed this book! Definitely a quick easy one that anyone feeling a bit lost can try.

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Self harm, Alcoholism, Panic attacks/disorders, Suicide attempt, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, and Drug use

Minor: Cancer, Vomit, and Terminal illness

riverofhorton's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark emotional funny hopeful inspiring mysterious reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

This book was completely unexpected for me. Going into it, I knew nothing but what the blurb says and that it is/was quite popular on BookTok. What I definitely did not expect was to read this in one sitting. It does have a couple of slight issues that had me wondering what the editor was doing, but those instances thankfully don't impact on the story itself. Apart from those minor issues, I found this book to be a very enjoyable read and will be returning to it again in the future. It has an intriguing premise at its heart which I haven't personally encountered before, and provided a fascinating way to gain perspective on life. Indeed, at several points, I found myself wondering if the library is actually real, in the context of some of my own experiences.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Gaslighting, Mental illness, Suicide attempt, Grief, Infidelity, Injury/Injury detail, Medical content, Suicide, Animal cruelty, Animal death, Body shaming, Bullying, Cancer, Terminal illness, Death, Death of parent, Domestic abuse, Drug abuse, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Stalking, Suicidal thoughts, Vomit, Car accident, Colonisation, Gore, Toxic friendship, Toxic relationship, Abandonment, Addiction, Alcohol, Alcoholism, Fire/Fire injury, Violence, Cursing, Drug use, Police brutality, Sexual harassment, Emotional abuse, Panic attacks/disorders, Self harm, Sexism, Sexual assault, and Sexual content

coleanne's review against another edition

challenging emotional hopeful inspiring sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Toxic relationship, Suicidal thoughts, Grief, Medical content, Mental illness, Suicide, Suicide attempt, Animal death, and Stalking

Moderate: Death of parent, Fire/Fire injury, Car accident, Alcoholism, Infidelity, and Panic attacks/disorders

tessamariee's review against another edition

emotional hopeful inspiring reflective sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? N/A
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

I really enjoyed this book! I did feel like it could get repetitive, and sometimes fell flat, but I think the meaning behind it is very impactful. I finished the book in one day and left it feeling good and hopeful. There is an air of selfishness around the entire story, with Nora and her life choices. The philosophical basis was meaningful but not too overbearing. The beginning was rough, but I’m glad I stuck with it. I found myself identifying with Nora, in a sense, regarding regrets and “what if’s”. Along with the feeling of being stuck and guilty. Her self destructive behavior and “life fright.” However, reading the process it took for Nora to find herself was comforting in a way. We are nothing but endless potential. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Suicidal thoughts

Moderate: Death of parent, Animal death, Grief, Mental illness, and Panic attacks/disorders

Minor: Suicide attempt, Vomit, and Self harm

cannaebehorsed's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional funny hopeful reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Suicidal thoughts and Suicide attempt

Moderate: Death, Animal death, and Death of parent

Minor: Panic attacks/disorders, Drug abuse, and Drug use

emmajh91's review against another edition

emotional hopeful inspiring reflective fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Addiction, Chronic illness, Vomit, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Car accident, Death, Gaslighting, Homophobia, Death of parent, Fire/Fire injury, Grief, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Alcohol, Alcoholism, Animal death, Self harm, and Suicide attempt

bhictoria's review against another edition

adventurous challenging emotional hopeful inspiring reflective sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.75

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Suicide, Grief, Death, Panic attacks/disorders, Self harm, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide attempt, and Animal death

Minor: Death of parent, Death, Drug abuse, and Alcoholism

noodlesny's review against another edition

adventurous emotional hopeful inspiring reflective sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.75

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Suicidal thoughts, Mental illness, and Animal death

Moderate: Death of parent, Suicide attempt, Self harm, Grief, and Alcohol

Minor: Cursing, Chronic illness, Infidelity, Homophobia, Panic attacks/disorders, Terminal illness, Drug abuse, Vomit, Death, Fire/Fire injury, Alcoholism, Stalking, Medical content, Car accident, and Animal cruelty

olive_lol's review against another edition

emotional hopeful reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Suicide, Suicidal thoughts, and Suicide attempt

Moderate: Animal death and Mental illness

Minor: Alcoholism, Toxic relationship, Vomit, Death of parent, Self harm, Body shaming, Cursing, Alcohol, Death, Infidelity, Panic attacks/disorders, and Medical content

summerleighann7's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional hopeful reflective sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Suicide attempt and Mental illness

Moderate: Panic attacks/disorders, Cancer, and Self harm