Books about the "in-between" always fascinate me. In many ways this one reminded me of Zevin's Elsewhere (which I recommend) and Poore's Reincarnation Blues (which I highly recommend). This was an interesting take on how our choices affect our parallel lives. Nora Seed was an interesting character and that's what propelled me forward, however, more than the story. While I enjoyed the alternate lives, I will admit that I skimmed the last 20 pages pretty heavily; I didn't need a bow on top. ( )

What an amazing book to start the year with. A inspiring take on life and learning that every day is a new beginning. No one’s story is already written, we all chose our own path🫶 ( )

I loved the book. Mind you it was clunky and heavy handed in places, and I needed to suspend more than the usual amount of disbelief. Too, it was really only the first half that sang while the second half was somewhat predictable and almost tedious. But the premise was so compelling, and the initial lessons so important, that I would not allow any of the stars I gave it then to dissipate. So my real rating is more like five stars with an asterisk.... ( )

Genau das richtige Buch zur richtigen Zeit.

Matt Haig versteht es einfach, Bücher zu schreiben, die interessant zu lesen sind und einem gleichzeitig Denkanstöße für das eigene Leben zu geben. ( )

The story is it very much about alternate realities and was certainly a wonderful surprise. I was about half-way through the book when I realized that I had read this book before...but I was having so much fun I just kept reading, I do that sometimes I guess thinking the ending is going to somehow be different this time??? It’s clear from the start that the author, Matt Haig, must have spent some considerable time thinking about "The Big Questions" in life, and this story is the end result of that adventure. He obviously had a specific message he wanted to get across, and he accomplishes that through his main character and protagonist, Nora Seed. Nora is a thirty-something woman who is really dissatisfied with her life. She's an unhappy woman who tries to commit suicide and then instead of Heven or Hell, finds herself in a mysterious library that allows her to explore new lives, The Midnight Library. The library allows her to explore the different possible paths her life could or should have taken. The story is very much about all the “what ifs” in our lives, spending a lot of time considering things like what success actually is, how our actions affect others, and how our lives are shaped by the people around us and the choices we make. I'm glad I gave the story a second read...I may even make it a third at some point, Overall, it is a beautiful story. The reader learns a thing or two about appreciating the life we were given and are living. ( )