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Matthew's Reviews > The Midnight Library
The Midnight Library
by
by
Matthew's review
bookshelves: gr_awards_2020, 2021, fantasy, magical-realism, library, audio, favorites
Feb 09, 2021
bookshelves: gr_awards_2020, 2021, fantasy, magical-realism, library, audio, favorites
This is the ultimate “what if I had done it differently?” story. I guarantee it will make you think and might give you some new perspective on life. Also, while it starts a bit dark, I think people who are looking for a way out of a dark place might find this story uplifting overall.
I have been sitting here thinking about how to review this book and I don’t want to say too much about it because after 10 pages or so, everything little thing would be a spoiler! That, in itself, should probably pique your interest; it is so packed with interconnected and surprising content I can barely even talk about it! So, just read it because all the stuff that happens is totally worth it . . . I’ll leave it at that.
I was hooked by this book from page one. It is not a long book and because it was written so well, it flew right by. If you are looking for a well written and unique story that I believe will appeal to people with a wide variety of interests, The Midnight Library is worth giving a try.
I have been sitting here thinking about how to review this book and I don’t want to say too much about it because after 10 pages or so, everything little thing would be a spoiler! That, in itself, should probably pique your interest; it is so packed with interconnected and surprising content I can barely even talk about it! So, just read it because all the stuff that happens is totally worth it . . . I’ll leave it at that.
I was hooked by this book from page one. It is not a long book and because it was written so well, it flew right by. If you are looking for a well written and unique story that I believe will appeal to people with a wide variety of interests, The Midnight Library is worth giving a try.
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Reading Progress
January 3, 2021
– Shelved as:
to-read
January 3, 2021
– Shelved
January 3, 2021
– Shelved as:
gr_awards_2020
February 5, 2021
–
Started Reading
February 5, 2021
– Shelved as:
2021
February 5, 2021
– Shelved as:
fantasy
February 5, 2021
– Shelved as:
magical-realism
February 5, 2021
– Shelved as:
library
February 5, 2021
– Shelved as:
audio
February 8, 2021
–
Finished Reading
February 9, 2021
– Shelved as:
favorites
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Gem ~ZeroShelfControl~
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rated it 5 stars
Feb 09, 2021 01:24PM
Great review - this went straight into my favourites pile too!!
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Wonderful review, Matt! I can’t wait to read this book!
Gem ~Zero Shelf Control~ wrote: "Great review - this went straight into my favourites pile too!!"Thanks! Glad you enjoyed it, too, Gem! :D
Good review Matthew, now I'm looking forward to it even more. Thanks.
Yes, this was a good one, wasn't it?! :)
Maricarmen wrote: "Wonderful review, Matt! I can’t wait to read this book!"Thank you, Maricarmen! I think you will love it!
Ok ! I’ll add it to my wish list 🙂
Thank you for this review. I normally read reviews only after I have read at least a sample of the book because I like going to a story knowing from very little to nothing other than the genre and whether it was good or bad. I read a quite good sample of this book on my kindle and I thought it was a very easy read, but I find it quite interesting (reminded me the themes of Blake Crouch's books that I read and I really enjoyed). I was planning to get the book, but I read some very bad reviews and I was worrying that I might be wasting money I don't really have to spend. I didn't read your whole review yet because I wanted to avoid reading more summary than what I have already read, but I read enough of your review to make me decide to take the book and continue reading it. From the sample I had a feeling that I will like it.
John wrote: "Good review Matthew, now I'm looking forward to it even more. Thanks."Thank you, John! I feel like it is definitely one worth looking forward to! I hope you enjoy when you get to it!
Great review Matthew and glad you enjoyed this as well!
Terris wrote: "Yes, this was a good one, wasn't it?! :)"Yes indeed, Terris! I am glad we had a similar experience with it!
Melanie wrote: "Ok ! I’ll add it to my wish list 🙂"As you should, Melanie! 🙂
Louiza wrote: "Thank you for this review. I normally read reviews only after I have read at least a sample of the book because I like going to a story knowing from very little to nothing other than the genre and ..."No problem, Louiza! I didn't know too much about this book before I read it and now that I look back, it seems I am generally seeing positive reviews and it has a strong 4.21 star average. I cannot guarantee you will not fall on the side of those who felt it was 2 stars or below, but odds seem to fall in favor of you enjoying! I hope you do! :D
Ginger wrote: "Great review Matthew and glad you enjoyed this as well!"Thanks, Ginger! Yes - seems to be generally enjoyed by my cohorts in Goodreads crime! 😁😁😁😁
I just read finished reading this a couple of days back. This book made me cry waterfalls. It was a very emotional and moving book. Yes, I agree, go more in-depth than that and it gets spoiled! I love your review :)
Matthew wrote: "Louiza wrote: "Thank you for this review. I normally read reviews only after I have read at least a sample of the book because I like going to a story knowing from very little to nothing other than..."Thank you, Matthew. I can't wait to read the rest. I liked the sample that I had read. I really enjoyed the unique (in my view) countdown of hours. I thought that was excellent, and I had never seen it written this way. Because I am on a budget, I am normally quite selective of the books that I buy, so I won't waste the money I could have used for a book I like; however, even if I read a 2 star book, I never feel that I wasted my time. There is something to get out of every book, even if it is just the discussion and thinking that goes with why a book is good or not, or what I liked or did not like in the writing. On to more book! : ))
✧Leais✧ wrote: "I just read finished reading this a couple of days back. This book made me cry waterfalls. It was a very emotional and moving book. Yes, I agree, go more in-depth than that and it gets spoiled! I l..."Thank you, ✧Leais✧! I am so glad you found such an emotional connection to this book. I will find this one easy to recommend to anyone, but be sure to bring the tissues!
Louiza wrote: "Thank you, Matthew. I can't wait to read the rest. I liked the sample that I had read."Glad it started off strong for you - I expect you will find it keeps getting better! Enjoy!
Great review! I'm glad you ended up enjoying it too. It was my first book by the author and I ended up reading his Boy/Girl Christmas stories as well because of it.
Eileen wrote: "Great review! I'm glad you ended up enjoying it too. It was my first book by the author and I ended up reading his Boy/Girl Christmas stories as well because of it."Thanks, Eileen! It was my first Haig, but I will definitely be trying more.
Whoa, reading the description on this book's page makes it sound very similar to Dark Matter, at least thematically. I might have to try it.
Eric wrote: "Whoa, reading the description on this book's page makes it sound very similar to Dark Matter, at least thematically. I might have to try it."Eric, yes, although now that I am half way through, I have to say that Blake Crouch's Dark Matter (and Recursion) has way more advanced, complex, and better worlds and writing. Taking away the occasional F-word and some clearly adult themes, I would say that this reads more like a middle grade book. I do enjoy the book a lot, however, and I would recommend it as an easy, fast, and enjoyable fantasy that the reader can also reflect on some heavier themes. So far, I really like its approach to life, and I love some of the ways it deals with the concept of regrets, success, and happiness. Once I finish it, I think it will be between 3 and 4 stars for me. Certainly, nothing less than 3 stars. This is a good book. I just think Dark Matter was much better, more advanced writing.
Eric wrote: "Whoa, reading the description on this book's page makes it sound very similar to Dark Matter, at least thematically. I might have to try it."Yes, some similar concepts. But, I would call Dark Matter speculative sci-fi and this magical reality - but, that doesn't mean that in the end they don't end up feeling like each other!
If you try, I hope you enjoy! 😁😁😁
Matthew, you were right. The second half of the book was even better. The end lovely!!! This book was getting better and better with each page. This is a nice, feel-good fantasy.
Louiza wrote: "Matthew, you were right. The second half of the book was even better. The end lovely!!! This book was getting better and better with each page. This is a nice, feel-good fantasy."Awesome, Louiza! Always nice that has a book that builds up to the point you enjoy it so much that you are sad when it is over and you are left thinking about it for a long time afterward.
If you liked it, I will! Thanks Matt!
Jonathan wrote: "If you liked it, I will! Thanks Matt!"I do hope so, Jonathan! :D
i have read the book, loved it and left my review. Your review Dear Matthew is just right that it is the one i share with friends
Amit wrote: "i have read the book, loved it and left my review. Your review Dear Matthew is just right that it is the one i share with friends"Wow, that's awesome to hear, Amit! I appreciate it and I am glad you enjoyed this book, too! I will check out your review, too.
Thank you Matthew for the great review, inspiring but without giving anything away!
Shawnie wrote: "Thank you Matthew for the great review, inspiring but without giving anything away!"You're welcome, Shawnie! And thank you! :D
Glad you loved it as well!:) Great review of a great book!
☘Misericordia☘ wrote: "Glad you loved it as well!:) Great review of a great book!"Thank you, Misericordia! You, too! 🙂☘️
Great review Matt. I hesitated to borrow this book from the library, particularly when there was such a long hold to reserve it. Although I'm just beginning the chapter 'Antimatter', I wanted to take a brief hiatus to look at some of the reviews on GR and Amazon. From my perspective, those who rated this novel with * or ** stars, probably have/had a perfect life, never made mistakes, bad decisions, etc. Novels allow you to either escape dark places or explore a world that excites and compels you to take note and action. Oftentimes, a line or two will serve as a replay or mirror of time in one's life. Although I've read some spoilers, I won't allow them to tarnish my experience as I navigate through the collection. I chose this book out of curiosity. But as it's been stated, those who going through a "midnight" experience might find it uplifting. If that signifies "self-help", then so be it. Hey, it's a novel!
MaxiMillion wrote: "Great review Matt. I hesitated to borrow this book from the library, particularly when there was such a long hold to reserve it. Although I'm just beginning the chapter 'Antimatter', I wanted to ta..."Great thoughts, MaxiMillion! Very well said - and I think you are going to enjoy the experience with this one. I hope you do!
This was a lovely book and like you say, so easy to read and a super quick finish.
Jak wrote: "This was a lovely book and like you say, so easy to read and a super quick finish."Glad you liked it, too, Jak! I need another book like this to cleanse my reading palate!
Absolutely agree. Such a unique and wonderful book. I too struggled with how to construct my review. You said it well.
Gloria ~ wrote: "Absolutely agree. Such a unique and wonderful book. I too struggled with how to construct my review. You said it well."Thank you, Gloria! I am glad you enjoyed it, too!
I came a little bit late Matthew, but just wanted you to know that somehow you turned out a reference for me on what I should be reading next, and I’ve been following some of your suggestions! Never disappointing.I loved this book, mainly for the small curiosities it shares with us, such as the suicidal grasshoppers thing, or the explanations of the quantic mechanisms. I learned so much from this book, totally recommend!
