A modern, bookish version of "It's a Wonderful Life" (the main setting is even a town called Bedford), The Midnight Library is a surprisingly grounded philosophical tale.

Nora Seed decides that she wants to die and tries to make that happen. It's a little more complicated than she thought, however, because she's presented, in the in-between, with an infinite library of books that represent the infinite lives she is living in parallel universes. One book, one life, for every course change that every decision, big or small, has made. Choosing a book from the shelves puts her into that life. It's a chance to undo huge regrets (could she have been an Olympian?), travel roads not taken (to Norway's must northern town and beyond?), try on careers (lead singer?) or husbands (art-loving pub owner?) previously rejected. Is there a perfect life for her out there in the multiverse? Is there one that will make her want to live again?

As you might guess, this is a book about choices and outcomes. But it's also about the seeds of human potential, the ways of seeing and experiencing life, the things that make a life worth living, and more. It's nearly perfectly balanced between light and dark, sweet and bitter, offering a fulfilling story for readers who like their books driven by resonate characters as well as for those who prefer their worlds to be a little weirded and speculative. I found it somewhat predictable but compelling and enjoyable.

Content notes: *Suicide* (and unfortunately no content note or resources given in the book), mental health issues, death from drug overdose, death of a parent from cancer and from heart attack, death of a pet, anxiety/panic attacks (mentioned, not described), estranged family