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10 Interesting Book Club Questions for The Midnight Library
Published on 13th January 2026 | Updated on 28th August 2026
The Midnight Library by Matt Haig is a moving and compassionate story following Nora Seed, a lonely woman suffering with depression and suicidal ideation.
She soon discovers a magical library suspended between life and death, allowing her to be transported into different versions of her life. While some of these lives are mundane, and others are glamorous and exciting, they all provide Nora with the opportunity to explore life’s true meaning.
Due to the novels deep philosophical nature, The Midnight Library makes an excellent choice for a book club! Keep reading for some thought-provoking questions to inspire your book club discussions.
The Midnight Library Book Club Questions
Question 1: In what ways does Nora’s unresolved grief shape her life as an adult?
In the first chapter of the book, a 15-year-old Nora receives the tragic news during a chess game that her father has passed away. The two were very close and shared a warm and mutually supportive relationship. She carries this unresolved grief into her adult life.
Question 2: Which of Nora’s struggles felt the most realistic or familiar to you, and why?
Nora deals with a range of difficult thoughts and emotions throughout the book, predominantly self-blame and regrets about her life choices. Her overwhelming sense of hopelessness at the start of the novel contributes to her struggles with depression, anxiety and suicidal thoughts.
Question 3: What specific life events seem to affect Nora the most before her suicide attempt?
From chapter 3, Nora experiences a series of distressing events before she reaches breaking point. These events include the death of her beloved cat, losing her job, difficult social interactions, and a cancellation of her final piano lesson.
Question 4: How do you think the topic of suicide was handled in the book? Is it handled differently in other books or media you’ve consumed?
At the start of the book, Nora is experiencing severe depression and suicidal thoughts due to loneliness, regrets, and a lack of direction and purpose. Nora acts on these suicidal thoughts by attempting to take her own life. The author does not describe the act in graphic detail, and the narrative quickly shifts its focus onto The Midnight Library itself.
Question 5: How did the The Midnight Library’s main theme of regret affect the way you think about your own past choices?
Nora is overwhelmed by a number of regrets throughout the story. Some of these regrets include:
- Giving up competitive swimming
- Not pursuing her interest in environmental science
- Ending her engagement
- Not building or maintaining meaningful relationships with others
- Not taking better care of her cat
Question 6: If you had access to the Midnight Library, what kind of life would you most want to explore?
The Midnight Library is vast and full of endless possibilities, but it appears only to those in a state of crisis. It is a place to explore past relationships, alternative careers, and unrealised dreams. Some of the lives held within the library are ordinary, while others are filled with adventure, fame and wealth. All lives within the library are imperfect, highlighting that every path comes with compromises.
Question 7: What other life in The Midnight Library do you think Nora could have learnt something valuable from?
Nora experiences a number of different lives during her time in The Midnight Library. Some of these lives include:
- Owning a pub with her husband
- Living with Izzy in Australia
- Swimming in the Olympics
- Working as an Arctic glaciologist
- Becoming a famous rockstar
- Owning a successful vineyard
- Becoming an English teacher in Paris
- Lecturing in Philosophy at Oxford University
- Becoming an acclaimed novelist
- Working as a yoga instructor
Question 8: Which life in The Midnight Library did Nora seem happiest in? What was it about that particular lifestyle that made it the most fulfilling?
The Midnight Library allows Nora to explore multiple lifestyles, relationships, and versions of herself. Throughout the book, she experiences success, fame, and wealth, but she also discovers the value of living a simple and peaceful life. She is able to travel, pursue different careers, and become part of her community.
Question 9: What emotion stayed with you most throughout the book, and what moments triggered it?
There are key moments throughout the story that have the potential to trigger strong emotional reactions in the reader. These events include Nora’s initial mental health crisis, entering the library for the first time, reuniting with Mrs Elm, experiencing her first alternate life, and finally, the novel’s conclusion.
Question 10: What future do you imagine for Nora after the novel ends? What life changes can you see her making as a result of her experience in The Midnight Library?
In chapter 67, Nora returns to where she started at the beginning of the book. Her time in The Midnight Library has come to an end and it has shifted her mindset. She has a newfound appreciation for the human experience, and is finally open to the idea of new possibilities.
The Midnight Library is available on: Amazon
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