The Midnight Library

An interesting concept marred by a bored and lifeless execution.

Putting aside the grotesque use of depression and suicide as superficial plot devices, fixed by simply, I don't know, not being bummed (???), the book just fails at ever being interesting.

Imagine the most dense main character who makes virtually no choices of her own, who does almost nothing to move the plot forward, and who seems as bland and incurious as possible. Then imagine that person telling you a story. That's this book. Nora is a dreadfully boring character who doesn't choose anything. All of the characters around her are 2D cardboard cutouts for her to talk to whenever she needs this one or that one. They lack any complexity.

Everything that happens to Nora (and EVERYTHING only happens TO her, never because of her), is riddled with cliche. The book never surprises you. As soon as a situation is presented, you will know the outcome because it is a series of cliche vignettes.

Lastly, the writing TELLS you everything every step of the way. Nothing is shown. It is perfectly fitting given who Nora is, but it is exceptionally boring to read.

I am totally okay with junk food books, with guilty pleasures, with popcorn. But this was none of that. It is only junk, no pleasure, and instead of popcorn tastes more like a slice of week old bread.