This is a book that hurts, but it's also beautiful while it does so. It took a while for me to fully connect to it on an emotional level (maybe either because I feel, fragile right now and was extra walled off or I was trying too hard to be connected to it based on my friend's reviews) but some of the things Nora said at the end really hit me hard.

Even when I wasn't being emotionally dragged by this, I was appreciating the writing, the character, the world, etc. There's just something about the idea of your many lived lives, and the ability to try them out for a while and see if they fit. There's so much in this world to do and see, and the idea of having only one life to do everything you want is terrifying. The focus on regrets and learning to let go of them, or learn that you never really regretted them at all, was well-done, and I loved seeing Nora work through her biggest and smallest ones. I also loved the blend of science and philosophy come together, as different theories and ideas came in to try and explain the Midnight Library. It was also just overall well-thought-out I felt, for such a short book.

But what moved this book from 4 to 5 stars to me was the connection made in the final few chapters.

Spoiler

Nora's piece of writing, written in the final few pages and after having experienced a lot of her other lives, just hit me hard. Even the title, 'A Thing I Have Learned (Written By A Nobody Who Has Been Everybody)' hit, and then Nora's words only backed it up. I felt it when she said 'We don't have to doeverything to be everything,' as trying to do too much, to do everything and not miss out on a single dream, is something I struggle with.

This chapter made me realize that I was connected to the book, and that it hurt.

I loved this, I loved Nora, and I definitely know a few friends I want to share this story with already.