The Midnight Train

If you enjoyed The Midnight Library, you should definitely check this out-it's set in the same universe and has that same emotional twist that makes Matt Haig's writing special. The story follows Wilbur, an 81-year-old man who recently passed away. He boards a mysterious train that takes him back to the key moments of his life. Wilbur is a complex character; he seems successful, but he also wrestles with regrets about his choices. A big focus is his relationship with Maggie, the love of his life. Their honeymoon in Venice keeps coming back to him, and Haig beautifully captures the essence of their relationship and what Wilbur has lost. It's touching and a bit heartbreaking.

What pulls you in emotionally is that Wilbur feels like your dad or grandfather - flawed in a very human way. He's not a villain; he's just someone who got his priorities wrong and only figured that out when it was too late. There's a lot of emotional weight to this story. It's short, it's moving, and it will absolutely make you think about the choices you're making right now.

Both The Midnight Train and The Midnight Library exist in a shared universe where the human mind pauses between life and death to reflect on life's regrets. However, where the library was a whimsical playground of alternative futures, the train is a grounded look at a single life well lived, but with regrets. I really loved both of these books, but I think The Midnight Library is just a smidge better with a little more emotional pull.