I love books and movies about do-overs. Remember Life After Life by Kate Atkinson!? One of my favs. And the movie About Time? Fabulous!! I also loved Sliding Doors, an oldie but goodie, about parallel lives. So when I heard about The Midnight Library, I knew I needed to get my hands on it.
The Midnight Library is where I want to go when I die. That's what happened to Nora. The Midnight Library is loaded with books, each one is an alternate life that she could have led. She's given a list of all of her regrets, and she's given the chance to make different choices throughout her life. These different choices will change the direction of her life. Nora chooses several books with the help of the kindly Mrs. Elm, the librarian, and she is suddenly living the life she would have had if she had gone a different direction.
These are the things I think about sometimes. What if I'd gone to a different college? Poof. I wouldn't have met you, dear TB, and I would not have met my husband. Where would I be living? Would I be happy? Would I have children? What if I'd chosen a different profession? What if I'd taken up skydiving at a young age? What if I had five children instead of just one? What would my life be like?
While this is a creative, well-written book with a solid ending right out of "It's a Wonderful Life" where she sees how her life impacted others, I think this book would be best read in a group where it could lead to some interesting discussion. So read it and call me. -June
1 comment:
As I've stated before, whenever June tells me to read a book, I read the book! I agree that this is a book better suited for discussion as the author struggles through the life-long, ancient question of what happens when we die. I especially liked thinking about the Book of Regrets because I've always thought people who sang "My Way" with gusto never paid much attention to the words "Regrets, I've had a few. But then again, too few to mention." or else they are lying. Both, likely. Anyway, the book is provocative enough to merit a recommendation.
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