Explore the most thought-provoking The Midnight Library book club questions (without spoilers!) here. This popular feel-good fiction book by Matt Haig, like Before the Coffee Gets Cold by Toshikazu Kawaguchi, has millions of readers talking. I am still thinking about it years later! Not only is it beautifully written with lyrical prose and elements of magical realism, but it also makes you feel deeply about the meaning of life.
You’ll foster life-affirming discussion and get free printable book club questions and a bingo card to use as book club resources at your in-person book club. Get started below.
Quick The Midnight Library Summary With Themes
The Midnight Library by Matt Haig is a #1 New York Times bestseller with 9 million copies sold, the winner of the Goodreads Choice Award for Fiction, one of Independent (London) Ten Best Books of the Year, and a Good Morning America Book Club pick, similar to its pick Oona Out of Order by Margarita Montimore.
In The Midnight Library, thirty-five-year-old Nora Seed experiences a pileup of sad life events that leave her feeling unneeded. She attempts to overdose but wakes up at midnight in a massive library. The librarian, Mrs. Elm, explains in this quote:
“between life and death there is a library… Every book provides a chance to choose another life you could have lived.”
Nora may choose from books to see the parallel lives and alternate realities she may have lived. From “The Book of Regrets,” she can pick a personal regret and match it to the alternate life to see how things may have been different in these sliding doors moments. Living various alternative lives forces Nora to grapple with the state of her real life.
Nora Seed realizes that she wants to live and truly embrace life with all its uncertainties and possibilities. She understands that no life is perfect and that regrets don’t define her. She has the power to shape her future. She chooses to return to her original life, wakes up in the real world, and takes active steps toward a more fulfilling second chance at life.
The Midnight Library is a good book club book because it explores thought-provoking themes that are ripe for discussion, including regret, hope, and the meaning of life.
Listen to a preview of the audiobook, narrated by actress Carey Mulligan, on Youtube:
The Midnight Library Book Club Questions (Without Spoilers)
These The Midnight Library book club questions help you deeply explore the major themes of life and death that have made the novel so famous and ripe for discussion with legions of readers.
Describe Nora at the beginning of The Midnight Library.
What does the library symbolize in The Midnight Library?
What emotions does The Midnight Library evoke?
How did Nora’s thoughts affect her real life?
Discuss the theme of regret in The Midnight Library.
Is possibility a good or bad thing in The Midnight Library?
Discuss the use of magical realism in The Midnight Library.
Discuss how the bittersweet nature of life is presented in The Midnight Library.
Life was described as a “beautiful messy struggle.” Do you agree with this oxymoron?
How, if at all, is your life a “beautiful messy struggle”?
How are the elements presented in The Midnight Library and why (i.e., earth, air, water, fire)?
Discuss the symbolism in the characters’ names.
What were your thoughts on Nora’s alternate realities?
What did Nora learn in The Midnight Library?
How does Nora’s perspective change throughout the story?
How does the novel present the concept of time?
What role does kindness play in The Midnight Library?
How does the possibility of death affect Nora?
What, and who, made the biggest impact in Nora’s life to date?
Discuss the “books” in your own “midnight library.”
Would you like to visit your own “midnight library” or leave it unknown?
The books in The Midnight Library are described as potential escapes, as opposed to the feeling of being trapped. Do you agree or disagree?
How would you personally answer the question posed in this quote: “Would you have done anything different, if you had the chance to undo your regrets?”
Discuss the role of libraries in your life.
Discuss whether you agree or disagree with this quote: “But you will never live if you are looking for the meaning of life.”
Discuss whether you agree or disagree with this quote: “The only way to learn is to live.”
How does The Midnight Library characterize the future?
It was said to “[n]ever underestimate the big importance of small things.” What small things had big importance in your life?
What is the point of life, according to The Midnight Library?
What lesson(s) did The Midnight Library impart upon you?
Printable PDF Reading Guide of the Discussion Questions and a Bingo Card
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Book Club Ideas for Food and Games
- Eat: Tree-inspired food, including seeds, herbs, edible flowers on leaf-shaped cookies, a broccoli and cauliflower “tree” inspired charcuterie board, etc.
- Do: Visit a library, plant seeds, or play a “choose your own adventure game.”
Book Club Books to Read Next
If you loved these The Midnight Library book club questions and want a similar book club book to read next, check out:
- Book Club Questions for The Measure
- Book Club Questions for Remarkably Bright Creatures
- Book Club Questions for The Wedding People.
remember, it’s a good day to read a book. – jules
