The chapters are not really connected to one another in the normal way. At first, I was like, what in the world is going on? The book is divided unconventionally into one- to a-few-page chapters. Began reading it on a mini-getaway with my husband to the hills of the Smokies and the town that inspired Mayberry and The Andy Griffith Show. And we’re back to Notes on a Nervous Planet, which came my way when I was researching books that might help ground a book club mid-Pandemic. And even when they don’t sound that interesting, like this one… so good. Goodness sakes, he writes the most interesting-sounding books. And other children’s books and nonfiction.

Shadow Forest/Samuel Blink and the Forbidden Forest (children’s novel) *.

Dead Fathers Club (novel based on Hamlet).

The Last Family in England (novel based on Henry IV).

Father Christmas and Me (children’s novel, Christmas) *.

Had no idea that Midnight Library has an element of Tuesdays with Morrie or (sorry for the comparison, Haig) The Shack to it, nor that Haig had written a few nonfiction books about his own struggles with mental health and his deep and wise thoughts about the modern world and life as a human. I will read The Midnight Library and queue up with all the other millions who have something to say about it-probably praise in some form. I don’t plan on that, though, I just have so many other titles currently vying for my time. If it didn’t have such a great title I might rebel for rebellion’s sake (which I also did with Harry Potter and that only delayed my fanaticism).

I have not actually read The Midnight Library yet, but I have been told in ten different ways over the last couple months that I must do it. Let me just say that I didn’t realize until the last few pages that I was reading a book by the Matt Haig: the author in the LIMELIGHT, on every bookshelf, in every book club, on every top-seller list right now. This is by far my favorite of the year and I doubt that it will be unseated. Notes on a Nervous Planet by Matt Haig is the seventh book I have read for my Pandemic Survival Book Club, which concentrates on mental health with a dash of spiritual health.

Samuel blink and the forbidden forest