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samanders13's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
reflective
fast-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
4.5
This book is going to stay with me for a long time. It was difficult to begin, with strong content warnings that I wish I’d been given before I started. But once it got going, I couldn’t stop reading it, and the book is full of beautiful lines and wisdom and empathy. I’m very glad I’ve read it.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicide and Suicide attempt
Moderate: Animal death
Minor: Addiction, Mental illness, and Self harm
thelibraryskeeper's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
hopeful
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
I don't read self-help books. They really aren't for me. This was recommended to me and I wanted to give it a fair go as the premise really sounded very interesting. The midnight library is a place between life and death filled with books. The books are all the regrets we have from our life. The wish I could haves and the I shouldn't haves.
It was a very interesting concept. But then the self-help book creeped in with quotes and references. Overall the book left me kinda feeling not the best. Like it would be great to be able to see how different choices could play out. I definitely would recommend reading this when in a good headspace.
It was a very interesting concept. But then the self-help book creeped in with quotes and references. Overall the book left me kinda feeling not the best. Like it would be great to be able to see how different choices could play out. I definitely would recommend reading this when in a good headspace.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Animal death, Death, Mental illness, and Death of parent
catieanason's review against another edition
emotional
inspiring
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
This was a lovely book to read. I loved the premise of playing out your regrets to find out life is meant to be exactly as it is. Such a sweet book.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicidal thoughts and Suicide attempt
Moderate: Animal death
nhammy's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
fast-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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death, Death, Mental illness, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Suicide attempt, and Death of parent
lambclown's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
sad
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
honestly this was pretty comforting to listen to, as someone who struggles with constant regret over what "could have been", and s*icidal ideation. some parts were a bit cliche and corny, but i deserve to indulge in a mainstream feel-good book from time to time!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, and Suicide attempt
Moderate: Animal death, Panic attacks/disorders, and Death of parent
Minor: Alcoholism and Cancer
katethepodtherapyartist's review against another edition
2.0
The Midnight Library follows Nora, a woman struggling with depression when she decides that life isn’t worth living anymore. She finds herself at the aforementioned library, a place where time stands still exactly at midnight, where each of the infinite books shows the different lives she could have lead had she made different choices large or small. Ultimately she must choose: life or the trajectory that got her to the library in the first place.
I was not a fan of this book. Spoilers ahead. While it did have some good quotes and interesting moments, it felt a bit heavy handed with the Thoreau quotes and optimism at the end. It very much glosses over and overly simplifies how difficult life is after a suicide attempt. I also was a bit annoyed that the best life she experienced in the libraryalso happened to be the most heteronormative: married, rich, has a kid, a dog, etc. If this is what you want in life there isn’t anything wrong with that, but we didn’t get many indicators in the book that this is what she wanted. It also doesn’t escape me that many of the lives were what others wanted for her or from her swimming for her dad, the rockstar life for her brother , but even in the life that gets her to decide she actually wants to live she’s still living for others. When she sees her student in trouble with the cops she realizes that if she hadn’t taught him piano he would have gone down a different path. While this is meant to be inspiring, and this along with the example of her neighbor can be, it also means that she’s still putting others and their lives and happiness above her own. All of this together read to me as single woman with cat=bad, married mother with kid and dog=good.
Again, there’s nothing wrong with wanting this, but you’re telling me if all the lives she lived, everything she learned, this is what finally convinced her to live? I very much felt like this was a “men writing women” situation where this must be the only true way for a woman to find fulfillment and happiness.
I was not a fan of this book. Spoilers ahead. While it did have some good quotes and interesting moments, it felt a bit heavy handed with the Thoreau quotes and optimism at the end. It very much glosses over and overly simplifies how difficult life is after a suicide attempt. I also was a bit annoyed that the best life she experienced in the library
Again, there’s nothing wrong with wanting this, but you’re telling me if all the lives she lived, everything she learned, this is what finally convinced her to live? I very much felt like this was a “men writing women” situation where this must be the only true way for a woman to find fulfillment and happiness.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death, Death, Homophobia, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Suicide attempt, and Death of parent
wordsinember's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death, Drug abuse, and Suicide attempt
Minor: Vomit
beansreads's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Suicide attempt, and Death of parent
Minor: Addiction and Animal death
josbookcorner's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Usually I don't read these types of books, but Matt wrote this book so well. He had me rooting for Nora the entire time.
The concept of the book is so cool. It made me really think about my life and the decisions I've made. The message of overcoming regrets shines throughout the entire story. It was beautiful reading about Nora discovering herself and her will to live.
Something I didn't like about this book was the language. I know it is an adult novel, but I found the swearing to be excessive and usually unnecessary. There were also various parts of the book that made me uncomfortable. So if you're a sensitive reader, this book isn't for you.
Overall, I give this book a 4.5/5 stars.
The concept of the book is so cool. It made me really think about my life and the decisions I've made. The message of overcoming regrets shines throughout the entire story. It was beautiful reading about Nora discovering herself and her will to live.
Something I didn't like about this book was the language. I know it is an adult novel, but I found the swearing to be excessive and usually unnecessary. There were also various parts of the book that made me uncomfortable. So if you're a sensitive reader, this book isn't for you.
Overall, I give this book a 4.5/5 stars.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Cursing, Death, Mental illness, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Grief, and Suicide attempt
Minor: Alcoholism, Animal death, Cancer, Drug use, Self harm, Stalking, and Death of parent
ajtee5's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
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
5.0
Content Warnings
Minor: Animal death, Suicide attempt, and Death of parent