Author Spotlight: Matt Haig

You might not know him by name, but you might have heard of his best-selling books. Matt Haig, the author of the novels “The Midnight Library” and “How to Stop Time” has taken the world, and bestseller lists, by storm.

From Sheffield, England, Haig built his own internet marketing company and worked for a nightclub prior to becoming a full-time writer. He has written for newspapers like The Guardian and The Independent, as well his own novels and children’s books.

"The Midnight Library,” published in 2020, quickly became a bestseller in the UK and reached a celebratory 100 weeks on the New York Times Bestseller List earlier this year. The story begins with Nora Seed, a despairing shop worker who, as she watches her life continue to unravel, is consumed with hopelessness. Filled with regret, she attempts to end her life, but instead is transported into the Midnight Library.

This massive library serves as a purgatory of sorts, the in-between of life and death. Here, she is instructed to visit all the lives she has never lived, while her old life waits in the balance. The catch? Nora must decide on a life path that brings her happiness before time at the Midnight Library permanently runs out.

The novel is an inevitable page-turner due to the balance of scientific theories (alternate universes, parallel lives, and the butterfly effect) with common, familiar plights like loss, grief, and mental health difficulties.

Haig has openly shared his own personal history with depression and anxiety and is now a mental health advocate. His passion about such topics is evident in how he addresses tender subjects with understanding, acceptance, and sensitivity.

“The Midnight Library” is a tale of unlikely hope, immense gratitude, infectious joy, and realizing that our mistakes, shortcomings, and (dare I say) failures have made us who we are. And we are better for it.

"The Midnight Library” and other Matt Haig novels like “How to Stop Time” and “A Boy Called Christmas” are available at your preferred Abilene Public Library location. You can also find a selection of Matt Haig books on audiobooks through our free Hoopla service. Titles for older readers include “The Dead Fathers Club”, “The Labrador Pact” and “The Radleys.” For younger readers try “Evie in the Jungle”, “Father Christmas and me” or “The Truth Pixie.”

Whatever type of read you are seeking, the Abilene Public Library is here to help you find it.

This article originally appeared on Abilene Reporter-News: Author Spotlight: Matt Haig