Well hello to you my reader chums! The new year is here and that means, I'm going to try to make more time for reading as it truly is my favourite thing. I started off the year by reading The Midnight Library and it was the best way I could kick start 2022 if I'm honest.

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If you're looking for a positive reminder or struggling with your mental health, here is my full review of The Midnight Library.

Plotline

The plot follows Nora whose life has been going from bad to worse lately. On her last night on earth, when the clock strikes midnight, she is transported to the Midnight Library. Once she arrives, she realises that she has the opportunity to undo any regrets and try out all the other lives that she might have lived. As she experiences all the different lives, it raises the ultimate question, what is the best way to live?

Characters and relationships

The protagonist Nora is a character I related to and I think all of us can relate to in some ways when we've been in a dark place and we can't see the light. She represents a human, a human that's experienced highs and lows and thinks the only way out is leaving the earth, a human that is also dealing with depression and suicidal thoughts. Because of all this, it was so relatable, she was so relatable, especially when she was living all her lives. And the more she lived, the more she realised what's important in life and how she actually wants to live.

Mrs. Elm was a character that was technically a part of Nora's imagination but the person in charge of the Midnight Library and one I loved to read with all her wisdom and advice. Each life of Nora's had different characters but the main people that meant the most to her including her parents, brother, and best friends were all there somehow, and it showed how their connections are the most important things, and it's how nurturing and valuing them is what life is all about.

Overall thoughts

Overall, I'm putting this up there with one of the best books I've ever read. It's eye-opening and has that change in perspective that we all need to read to offer us that reminder that everything will be okay. Also, life isn't about what you do or where you are, it's how you feel in that moment and the love for yourself and those around you that'll make it all worthwhile. Seeing Nora's journey of learning this and falling in love with life again really warmed my soul and gave me hope for the harder days in my life or the times I'm lost. We're all living this rollercoaster that is life and it's about how you express gratitude, kindness, and love which will help get you through. 

I would highly recommend this book to everyone. I can see why it's a bestseller because it's a book I wish I read earlier in life, or in the times where I was struggling. It's a book everyone needs to read for a change in perspective, a better outlook on life, and really a novel that could change the world. It opened my eyes and it's a book I'll never forget. We all need a glimmer of hope, kindness, and gratitude to get us through. Life really can be a wonderful thing.

Ending

The ending wrapped the book up nicely, in a way that I closed it feeling motivated, content, and happy not with only the storyline but with my own perspective on life. I think as I've gotten older, I'm getting wiser about what life is all about, but this book really highlights that, offers hope and love, even on the darkest of days.

Love the sound of this book? You can pick up your copy here.

I hope you enjoyed this review. Have you read this book?

Thank you for reading <3