Title: The Midnight Library
Author: Matt Haig
Series: Midnight World #1
Genre: Speculative Fiction
Format: Hard Cover
Pages: 288
Reason Read: Book Club
Rating: Also in this series: The Midnight Train
My Thoughts
I honestly didn’t know what to expect while reading THE MIDNIGHT LIBRARY. It ended up being the most profound reading experience I’ve ever had. It spoke to me like no other book has. I felt seen as someone who has struggled with severe depression, suicidal ideation, and crippling regret for most of my adult life.
I understood Nora, all the emotions she felt, especially the loneliness and despair. I understood her suicidal ideation and urges. AND, even when she didn’t, I knew her depression and loneliness were lying to her–telling her she wasn’t needed, no one wanted her around, she let everyone down, or they’d all be better off without her.
I’m convinced that Nora’s journey through the Midnight Library was the only way she could’ve learned what and come to the conclusions she did. After all, one of the lessons the librarian wanted her to learn was, “The only way to learn is to live.” Haig beautifully illustrates what DBT did in helping me want to build a life worth living. Its message that it’s not too late to start living life is one I think we all need to be reminded of once in a while.
Update: Nora has a small cameo in the sequel, THE MIDNIGHT TRAIN. She tells the main character that 7 years ago to the day, she did something that changed her life, obviously referring to the events in this book. We learn that that day is April 19th, which is my birthday. This book means so much to me and to have the connection of my birthday as the day this book is set just makes me feel like this story was meant for me that much more.
The Midnight Library
Author: Matt Haig
Series: Midnight World #1
Genre: Speculative Fiction
Format: Hard Cover
Pages: 288
Reason Read: Book Club
Rating:
Also in this series: The Midnight Train
My Thoughts
I honestly didn’t know what to expect while reading THE MIDNIGHT LIBRARY. It ended up being the most profound reading experience I’ve ever had. It spoke to me like no other book has. I felt seen as someone who has struggled with severe depression, suicidal ideation, and crippling regret for most of my adult life.
I understood Nora, all the emotions she felt, especially the loneliness and despair. I understood her suicidal ideation and urges. AND, even when she didn’t, I knew her depression and loneliness were lying to her–telling her she wasn’t needed, no one wanted her around, she let everyone down, or they’d all be better off without her.
I’m convinced that Nora’s journey through the Midnight Library was the only way she could’ve learned what and come to the conclusions she did. After all, one of the lessons the librarian wanted her to learn was, “The only way to learn is to live.” Haig beautifully illustrates what DBT did in helping me want to build a life worth living. Its message that it’s not too late to start living life is one I think we all need to be reminded of once in a while.
Update: Nora has a small cameo in the sequel, THE MIDNIGHT TRAIN. She tells the main character that 7 years ago to the day, she did something that changed her life, obviously referring to the events in this book. We learn that that day is April 19th, which is my birthday. This book means so much to me and to have the connection of my birthday as the day this book is set just makes me feel like this story was meant for me that much more.
The Love Hypothesis
Author: Ali Hazelwood
Genre: Romance
Spice: 2.5 / 5
Format: Hard Cover
Pages: 356
Reason Read: Book of the Month, Play Book Tag
Rating:
My Thoughts
I adored THE LOVE HYPOTHESIS so much! It was such a fun story. The fake-dating trope is one of my favorites and Hazelwood executed it so well. I felt so many emotions. The sexual tension was strong with this one and the banter between her characters was amazing. I was giddy during most of the book because I just loved Olive’s and Adam’s interactions.
I loved all the characters, even the ones I was meant to hate. They each had distinct personalities and were fun to get to know. I especially loved Holden, Adam’s best friend, and Olive’s best friends, Anh and Malcolm. I also adored the setting, especially the representation of women in STEM. I know there’s some controversy as to whether a relationship between a professor and a grad student would be allowed. Honestly, even if it weren’t allowed, I can suspend my belief because of how Hazelwood presented it.
Dear Emmie Blue
Author: Lia Louis
Genre: Romance
Spice: 2 / 5
Format: Hard Cover
Pages: 310
Reason Read: Recommended
Rating:
My Thoughts
OMG! This book! I absolutely adored DEAR EMMIE BLUE. It’s such a beautiful story and I can’t say enough good things about it. It reminded me of a cross between My Best Friend’s Wedding and something I’d read that’s written by Beth O’Leary (THE FLATSHARE by Beth O’Leary was my favorite book last year).
I loved Emmie. I related to her so hard. I didn’t have a flighty mom and I knew my dad, but I’ve dealt with a lot of severe family drama since my early teenage years. I’m a victim of sexual assault and bullying like her. A lot of her fears and anxieties mirrored my own. Maybe home isn’t a place. It’s a feeling. Of being cared for and understood. Of being loved. I also loved the other characters in the novel too. Her friendship with Lucas and his family was such a great way to set up the story. I loved Lucas’ brother Eliot and I loved his parents, Amanda and Jean. Her work friends, Rosie and Fox, were fun and a bit dirty, which endeared them to me because I love dirty jokes. I loved her landlady, Louise, the most. I absolutely adored every scene with Emmie and Louise together.
Stalking Jack The Ripper
Author: Kerri Maniscalco
Series: Stalking Jack the Ripper #1
Genre: Historical Fiction, Thriller, Young Adult
Format: Paperback
Pages: 416
Reason Read: Play Book Tag, Reading Challenge
Rating:
My Thoughts
I’ve been excited to read STALKING JACK THE RIPPER ever since I knew the book existed. I’ve been fascinated by the story of Jack the Ripper ever since I was a teenager. I watched a couple of TV miniseries fictionalizing his rampage of terror with my parents and I often wondered who the real Ripper was and why he did what he did.
I loved how Maniscalco wove the historical in with the fiction. I loved seeing the events of Jack’s murders through the eyes of Audrey Rose and the other characters around her. I loved reading about the science of the times. In Maniscalco’s author’s note, she said she tried to remain as true to the capabilities of the time as possible. I thought it was really interesting that even though most of society scorned the work of forensic scientists because they thought it ungodly and mad, scientists were able to do all they did without the advancements we have today.
I loved the cast of characters, including Jack. Even though I guessed who Jack was in the end, I was surprised how it all went down. It made for a fun, surprising ending that I really enjoyed. I also loved the little bit of banter between Audrey Rose and certain someone. I look forward to more of that in future books in the series.
Dread Nation
Author: Justina Ireland
Series: Dread Nation #1
Genre: Fantasy, Historical Fiction, Horror, Young Adult
Format: Kindle
Pages: 418
Reason Read: Book Club
Rating:
My Thoughts
DREAD NATION is the first zombie novel I’ve ever read and I loved it. I loved how the “Shamblers” worked and how they changed the outcome of the Civil War and society in general. The Shamblers were so much fun to read about. I especially loved reading the fight scenes with all the different weaponry used against the dead.
I liked the time period and how Ireland used the setting to discuss the oppression of black people not only during Civil War era United States, but in general the most. Even though the themes are blunt, they’re not preachy. Ireland skillfully addresses issues of racism and inequality while delivering a complex, enthralling story. Reading this book was very eye-opening. I know I’ve lived a very sheltered and safe life (and I’m not talking about a life free of Shamblers). I felt like the story wonderfully illustrates the perseverance and strength black people have while enduring horrific abuse at the hands of those who see them as lesser.