26 Book Club Questions for The Midnight Library (with Printable List)

Looks Like Books contains affiliate links and is a member of the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program. If you make a purchase using one of these affiliate links I may receive compensation at no extra cost to you. See my Disclaimer to learn more.

If your book club is reading The Midnight Library by Matt Haig, you’re not alone – this philosophical and thought-provoking novel has become a modern favorite. Below you’ll find book club questions for The Midnight Library (plus a printable PDF!) to help spark meaningful conversation about life, regrets, and what it means to choose differently.

These book club questions for The Midnight Library will give you plenty of food for thought and discussion when your book club meets to discuss it.

What It’s About

The Midnight Library follows Nora Seed, a woman who finds herself in a mysterious in-between place after attempting to take her own life. In the Midnight Library, every book represents a different version of her life, each shaped by choices she didn’t make. As Nora explores these lives, she’s forced to examine what makes life meaningful – and whether she’d do it all differently if given the chance.

Themes & Topics To Discuss

• Regret and second chances
• Mental health and depression
• Philosophical questions about free will and determinism
• The ripple effect of our choices
• The “sliding doors” effect—how different could your life be?
• The meaning of fulfillment and happiness

Book Club Questions for The Midnight Library

• Exploring Choices: How does “The Midnight Library” make you reflect on the choices you’ve made in your life? Do you think small decisions can significantly alter one’s life course?
• Understanding Nora: What aspects of Nora Seed’s character did you relate to the most? Were there moments in her journey that particularly resonated with you?
• The Concept of Regret: The book delves deeply into the theme of regret. Discuss how the portrayal of regrets impacts the narrative and your perception of your regrets.
• Alternate Lives: If you had access to the Midnight Library, which book would you pick first? What life would you want to try on?
• The Library’s Role: How do you interpret the role of the library and the librarian in the novel? What do they symbolize in Nora’s journey and in the broader context of life choices?
• Mental Health Representation: Matt Haig often explores mental health in his books. How effectively do you think “The Midnight Library” addresses issues of depression and anxiety?
• Life’s Lessons: What are some key lessons you took away from the book? How do they relate to the broader themes of happiness and fulfillment?
• The Book’s Pacing: How did you feel about the pacing of Nora’s experiences in her alternate lives? Did any particular story stand out to you?
• Philosophical Undertones: Discuss the philosophical aspects of the book. How does it challenge or support your views on life, death, and the choices in between?
• The Ending: Without giving away spoilers, what are your thoughts on the book’s ending? Did it meet your expectations, or were you hoping for a different conclusion?
• Comparative Literature: Can you think of any other books or stories that “The Midnight Library” reminds you of? How do they compare in their treatment of similar themes?
• Adaptation Prospects: Imagine “The Midnight Library” is being adapted into a film or TV series. Who would you cast as Nora, and what scenes would you be most excited to see brought to life?
• Character Connections: Aside from Nora, which other character in the book did you find most compelling, and why?
• The Power of Books: How does the book portray the power and significance of books and reading in shaping our lives and choices?
• Life Satisfaction: Discuss how the book explores the concept of what it means to be truly satisfied or happy with one’s life. How does Nora’s journey influence your thoughts on this?
• The Influence of the Past: How does Nora’s past influence her choices in the Midnight Library? Discuss how our pasts can shape our present and future, as seen in the book.
• The Multiverse Theory: The novel plays with the idea of a multiverse. How does this concept affect your understanding of fate and free will?
• Philosophical and Ethical Dilemmas: Were there any moments in the book that presented a moral or philosophical dilemma? How would you have navigated these situations?
• Symbolism and Metaphors: What symbols or metaphors in the book stood out to you, and how do they contribute to the overall narrative?
• Impact of the Setting: How does the setting of the library, as a place between life and death, contribute to the story’s mood and themes?
• Personal Growth and Realization: In what ways does Nora grow as a character throughout her journey in the Midnight Library? What realizations does she come to?
• The Role of Regret and Hope: How do themes of regret and hope interplay in the narrative? How does this duality affect the story’s direction and Nora’s decisions?
• Life’s Turning Points: Discuss a turning point in your life that might have a corresponding book in the Midnight Library. How would you feel about exploring that ‘life that could have been’?
• Author’s Intentions: What do you think Matt Haig was trying to convey about life and the human condition through this novel?
• Recommendations: Did you enjoy this book enough to recommend it to someone else?
• Recommendations of Similar Books: If someone enjoyed “The Midnight Library,” what other books would you recommend that explore similar themes or have a similar style?

Printable List of Book Club Questions for The Midnight Library

Book Pairing Suggestions

If your book club enjoyed The Midnight Library, here are a few other books that explore life’s big questions, alternate timelines, or the emotional side of second chances.

• Maybe in Another Life by Taylor Jenkins Reid
• The Two Lives of Lydia Bird by Josie Silver
• Oona Out of Order by Margarita Montimore
• The Measure by Nikki Erlick

Frequently Asked Questions

Conclusion: Book Club Discussion for The Midnight Library

Whether your group reads for fun, insight, or soul-searching questions, The Midnight Library is a great catalyst for deep conversation. We hope these discussion questions spark new perspectives – and maybe even help you reflect on your own “what-ifs.”

You Might Also Like

If your book club loved The Midnight Library, here are a few more posts you won’t want to miss:

• The Ultimate Guide to Book Clubs
  Whether you’re running a club or starting one, this guide covers formats, tips, themes, and more.
• Remarkably Bright Creatures by Shelby Van Pelt: Review
  A moving story of grief, connection, and yes, an octopus that steals the show.
• Remarkably Bright Creatures Book Club Questions
  Grab the printable PDF and explore all the quirky, heartwarming layers of this fan favorite.
• Read With Jenna Book Club List + Printable PDF
  See what other page-turners Jenna Bush Hager has selected for her popular book club.

 

Please Share This Post!