The Midnight Library

A GMA Book Club Pick (A Novel)

By: Matt Haig

Narrated by: Carey Mulligan

The number one New York Times best-selling worldwide phenomenon

Winner of the Goodreads Choice Award for Fiction

A Good Morning America Book Club Pick

Independent (London) 10 Best Books of the Year

"A feel-good book guaranteed to lift your spirits." (The Washington Post)

The dazzling favorite about the choices that go into a life well lived, from the acclaimed author of How to Stop Time and The Comfort Book.

Somewhere out beyond the edge of the universe there is a library that contains an infinite number of books, each one the story of another reality. One tells the story of your life as it is, along with another book for the other life you could have lived if you had made a different choice at any point in your life. While we all wonder how our lives might have been, what if you had the chance to go to the library and see for yourself? Would any of these other lives truly be better?

In The Midnight Library, Matt Haig's enchanting blockbuster novel, Nora Seed finds herself faced with this decision. Faced with the possibility of changing her life for a new one, following a different career, undoing old breakups, realizing her dreams of becoming a glaciologist; she must search within herself as she travels through the Midnight Library to decide what is truly fulfilling in life, and what makes it worth living in the first place.

©2020 Matt Haig (P)2020 Penguin Audio

Critic reviews

“A beautiful fable, an It’s a Wonderful Life for the modern age – impossibly timely when we are all stuck in a world we wish could be different.” (Jodi Picoult, author of My Sister's Keeper)

“Haig’s latest (after the nonfiction collection Notes on a Nervous Planet, 2019) is a stunning contemporary story that explores the choices that make up a life, and the regrets that can stifle it. A compelling novel that will resonate with readers.” (Booklist starred review)

“Charming...[Matt Haig] will reward readers who take this book off the shelf.” (Publisher's Weekly)

interesting to contemplate

really enjoyed this book, it just could have been about 30% shorter and would not have compromised anything.

predictable, boring. great performance though!

This story was so predictable, the main character so boring. I had high expectations for the book because the idea could be elaborated on in so many ways. It was endlessly predictable and there were utterly no surprises

Life changing! Brilliant!

I’m overwhelmed with this one! It was brilliant. I think my perspective on life has been forever changed. That may be a bit dramatic, but for someone who has dealt with depression and anxiety, to read/listen to these truths manifested in a story, is just life altering! Bravo!

Stick with it and you will be pleasantly surprised

The Midnight Library is a bit slow in the beginning, but then it picks up and gets very adventurous. It was truly enjoyable to listen to and follow Norah Seed through her quest to find the true meaning of living. Happy reading!💕📚

One that makes you think.

This must be what it would be like if our lives were measured in centuries instead of decades.

Deep Love

what an amazing journey we go on with Nora Seed as she struggle to find herself. A definite must read- both for the story itself and the amazing reading of it.

Amazing Story

What would I do if I could go back and changes things? To be honest I am living my best life now and would not change a thing. But what if you could, would you? This is a story about having that ability to correct the wrongs in your life.

I wanted to love it more

I wanted to love it more. I had heard such great things. Narration was okay.

Great story and performance

I just finished this book and don’t want it to be over. Carrie Mulligan is an excellent performer and brought the story to life beautifully. The story has me thinking about my own Midnight Library and all the infinite universes where other lives I have lived are playing out. Highly recommend.

a lovely dive into an amazing idea

If you're into deep philosophical concepts, this is awesome. If you just want a fascinating story about possibilities is also perfect. A well written story with a beautiful and deep underpinning, and one of the better narrative performances bt Carrie Mulligan.