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What we're reading

Find your new favourite book or recommend one on our Book forum.

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Original poster

The Midnight Library

44 replies

Newnamefor2021 · 15/03/2021 20:17

Anyone read?

Interesting book, I guessed the ending as soon as she got into the library but even with that I enjoyed, read in less than 24 hours.

OP posts:

Plump82 · 15/03/2021 20:40

I had to give up on it as i found it so boring. Wasted weeks trying to get into it

Flupibass · 15/03/2021 20:46

I really liked it, was a bit predictable, but I liked the way it showed how her tiny day to day activities had consequences. A little like ‘sliding doors’ , I like the idea that your life can go in many different directions.

Original poster

Newnamefor2021 · 15/03/2021 21:52

@Plump82

I had to give up on it as i found it so boring. Wasted weeks trying to get into it

Awww shame, hate it when you just can't get into a book.

OP posts:

Original poster

Newnamefor2021 · 15/03/2021 21:55

@Flupibass

Me too. It was obvious where it was leading to, but even with that, I really enjoyed it.

I really liked how the small stuff was so important and affected so much in her and others lives.

OP posts:

Doyoumind · 15/03/2021 21:57

It was obvious where it was going. I mostly enjoyed it but I was disappointed it was quite so predictable.

Original poster

Newnamefor2021 · 15/03/2021 22:17

@Doyoumind

It was obvious where it was going. I mostly enjoyed it but I was disappointed it was quite so predictable.

Yes, I really hoped it would surprise me but I suppose it was trying to make a point, albeit a predictable one.

OP posts:

Orangesarenottheonlyfruit · 15/03/2021 22:20

@Doyoumind

It was obvious where it was going. I mostly enjoyed it but I was disappointed it was quite so predictable.

I'm so relieved that someone else thought this. I thought I was becoming even more of a grumpy old cynic. Sweet story but utterly predictable and a wee bit patronising.

KitchenFairy · 15/03/2021 22:22

I found it a really predictable which was pleasant enough and ideal for bedtime - I wasn’t staying awake till silly o’clock desperate to read the next chapter and the next...

Eekay · 15/03/2021 22:30

Glad I'm not the only grumpy one. I just couldn't get into this at all.

ElMacchiato · 16/03/2021 13:27

I thought it was brilliant, yes the ending was predictable, but the point was always how the book led to the ending. And I thought that was very cleverly done.
I think it will make a brilliant film.

Rassy · 16/03/2021 15:15

I enjoyed it. The concept reminded me slightly of The Five People You Meet in Heaven by Mitch Albom

One2Three4Five6 · 19/03/2021 13:09

I enjoyed it, though I do agree the ending was predictable.
It's not the usual sort of book I read, I usually like crime/psychological thrillers/horror, so I was pleasantly surprised to find I liked this book

joeysapple · 19/03/2021 13:46

I loved it. It was like having a big cosy hug. Predictable but exactly what my soul needed!

Mooserp · 19/03/2021 17:33

It borrowed (stole?) quite a lot from other stories/films etc.

I found it very predictable and over-sentimental, which probably means I'm not the right audience for it.

SinisterBumFacedCat · 04/04/2021 19:30

I really enjoyed it, I’m not usually one for reading in one sitting but I read it in 2 days and kept sneaking off to read it which was a good sign. Also wondered what my library would be? I know I have a large book of regrets!

GizmoBasil · 05/04/2021 15:13

I also enjoyed it. I love Matt Haig anyway and read his How To Stay Alive during a horrific bout of depression, his writing is harrowing but beautiful.

The only critiscm I had with it is it became quite preachy in parts.

But it made me look at my own life regrets in a different way, which is a win.

GizmoBasil · 05/04/2021 15:14

@One2Three4Five6 If that's the kind you like, I highly recommend Last House on Needless Street, I've just started a thread about it. Incredible book.

Santatizer · 06/04/2021 20:08

I thought it was absolutely awful. Badly written, didn't tie together well, great concept very poorly executed, trite messages about mental health - a complete sell out imo - not plot driven, not character driven but purely message-driven and the message was totally superficial. Realise that others have very different opinions though!

Timper · 06/04/2021 20:12

I found it very hard to get into. First book I’ve read in a long time that I really didn’t like. Nice message and all but bland.

GizmoBasil · 07/04/2021 10:37

@Santatizer I agree about it being very mental health driven

GizmoBasil · 07/04/2021 10:38

Posted too soon! Which isn't a bad thing, I loved Rwaoms to stay alive, but that was non fiction.

One2Three4Five6 · 17/04/2021 19:45

@GizmoBasil - Thank you, I will check it out :D

CreatedANewName · 21/04/2021 19:59

I am reading this and don't like it.
For me, it's M Haig talking through Mrs Elm. It's his voice.
I find it patronising and too obvious.

In terms of a plot it's weak; put your character in a library where each book is part of their life/ regrets and get them to reflect on it and adopt a different mindset.

I feel the characters have no depth they are simply conduits for KH's message .

A self-help book thinly disguised as a novel.

Why do these books sell so well and people think they are wonderful?
It's not even well written.

Sentence structure is poor, written like a first (unpolished) draft, full of telling rather than showing.

Bookworm19 · 08/05/2021 14:22

I loved it. It was predicable, yes, but I enjoyed it nonetheless.

But I'm a big fan of his in general and I like the way his own personal mental health struggles comea through in his writing as I find it relatable.

fiveminutebreak · 13/05/2021 22:27

@createdanewname

I was going to say the same thing! It feels like a self-help book dressed up as a novel and the characters lack depth.

I'm reading it right now and wanted to like it more than I actually do as I've seen people rave about it.

I felt fairly indifferent to Nora and wished he'd added a bit more depth to her character. And I agree that the characters were tools he used to get his message across, rather than people you actually care about.

I can understand, though, why it's a comforting read for many (and it sounds like I've guessed the ending correctly from reading the comments above!)

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