The Midnight Library by Matt Haig

I've applied for more furlough in August so fingers crossed! It was tough going back to work and getting straight back into the many, many issues to do with the pandemic for people trying to get away on holiday. Also, as predicted, fibro got me good for all of that physical work in the garden. It's really brought my mood down.

Trying to offset my low mood, I've just finished Matt Haig's "The Midnight Library". This is my first novel from Haig. A lot of people I've been in hospital with always talk about his reasons to stay alive book and, although I love recommendations, I thought the title was a bit insulting. I couldn't see how one man could fix me and my mental health issues with his words. I couldn't see how he could possibly impact me and my life for the better. And because of this rebuff within me that I can't really explain, I avoided Matt Haig until now.

The excerpt "Expectation" in the photo above touched me deeply. The main character Nora is completely lost and alone and suicidal so she takes an overdose. During that state of unconsciousness and coming back to life again which I know about all too well, she gets a second chance. She gets this wonderful opportunity to visit the midnight library and try out hundreds of versions of how her life could have turned out. It's a brilliant concept, that suspension of time. I'll never get bored of it.

I found the story both beautiful and humbling. Haig writes about the darkest of subjects with such light. I didn't even know that was possible. I only know how to blacken and comedise my bleak experiences and depressed state of mind when I'm telling my own lived stories. It's refreshing and calming to know I am not alone and it's interesting to read about mental health from a male perspective.

Maybe I will try "Reasons To Stay Alive"...