Have you ever wondered how your life might have turned out if you had made different choices? This question lies at the heart of three fascinating books: The Impossible Lives of Greta Wells by Andrew Sean Greer, Life After Life by Kate Atkinson, and The Midnight Library by Matt Haig. Each novel takes a unique approach to exploring the idea of parallel lives, alternative choices, and the ripple effects of our decisions.
I recently read two of these books through the library and had read The Midnight Library when it first came out a few years back. Reading The Impossible Lives of Greta Wells and Life After Life with my book club kicked off some awesome chats about how history plays into our lives. Honestly, they all got me thinking about the decisions we make in life and how they can change our course.
Diving Into Parallel Lives: Insights from Authors and Trailers
The Impossible Lives of Greta Wells
If you’re curious about the inspiration behind The Impossible Lives of Greta Wells, check out this YouTube video where Andrew Sean Greer discusses the novel. His insights into the themes and historical elements add depth to the reading experience.
It’s difficult at times to discuss a book without giving away too much. In my reviews, I try to entice the reader with just enough information about the novel so they can make their own decision about whether to read it.
Life After Life
Kate Atkinson’s Life After Life is an intricately crafted narrative about living multiple lives and the consequences of our choices. The official book trailer perfectly captures the book’s tone and premise, offering a glimpse into the world of Ursula Todd.
The Midnight Library
Matt Haig’s The Midnight Library explores a magical realm where Nora Seed discovers the infinite possibilities of her choices. The book trailer brings the novel’s uplifting and thought-provoking themes to life.
Three Stories, Three Perspectives
The Impossible Lives of Greta Wells: Greta’s story is deeply personal, focusing on relationships and emotional growth as she navigates three distinct historical timelines. The novel invites readers to reflect on how the era we live in shapes our choices and relationships.
“When you were a little girl, Madam…..was this the woman you dreamed of becoming?”
Life After Life: Ursula Todd’s journey spans multiple lives, each subtly altering her path through key historical events like the World Wars. Atkinson’s intricate narrative highlights how small decisions can ripple out to create dramatically different outcomes.
“What if we had a chance to do it again and again, until we finally did get it right? Wouldn’t that be wonderful?”
The Midnight Library: Nora Seed’s exploration of alternate lives is uplifting and accessible, with a clear message about appreciating the life we have. Haig’s approach blends philosophical musings with a hopeful tone, making it a relatable and inspiring read.
“Between life and death there is a library, and within that library, the shelves go on forever. Every book provides a chance to try another life you could have lived. To see how things would be if you had made other choices… Would you have done anything different, if you had the chance to undo your regrets?”
Questions to Spark Discussion for Your Book Group
If you could live an alternate version of your life, what would you hope to discover?
How does each book approach the idea of parallel lives differently? Which perspective did you find most compelling?
Do you think exploring alternate lives changes how the protagonists see their “real” life? How did this resonate with you?
In The Midnight Library, the message is about appreciating the life you have. Do Life After Life or The Impossible Lives of Greta Wells offer a similar conclusion?
Your Turn!
Have you read The Impossible Lives of Greta Wells, Life After Life, or The Midnight Library? Which story resonated most with you, or is there another book about parallel lives that you’d recommend? Let’s keep the conversation going—share your thoughts in the comments below!
If you enjoyed this post, don’t forget to subscribe for more book discussions, or share it with a fellow book lover who’s intrigued by the idea of “what if” stories. Let’s explore these fascinating narratives together!
As I have been listening to more and more books, I have wanted to read more and more books. Initially, I was having trouble staying awake when I read since I always was trying to read before bed when I was already tired. I eventually figured out a little lunchtime reading was a good time for me. I wasn’t as tired in the middle of the day. One morning I was so interested to get back to my book I decided to read my book instead of my phone. Progress.
“Darlin’,” he drawled, “go when you are invited. Bring good boots, drive slow, take blankets, carry your own salt, but by all means… go where the light is.
That’s not bad advice, wherever you live. Darlin’.”
When I wasn’t reading Mud Season, I was listening to Where’d You Go, Bernadette? by Maria Semple. This title had been one of the first books that I added to my Audible library, then forgot about. Although I am uncertain as to where the original recommendation came from I noticed that James Patterson recommended it in his Masterclass course.
The Audible version I listened to was narrated by Kathleen Wilhoite and ran for 9 hours and 35 minutes. I’m not sure whether the narrator’s interpretation for certain characters’ voices may have ultimately affected how much I liked this book. I found certain voices to be annoying, although it could also have been the character.
This book was just okay for me. Parts were more interesting than others. But as a whole it was just 3 stars okay.
“It was easier to manipulate someone if they didn’t perceive you as a threat.”
I decided to switch things up with my next selection with Darling Rose Gold by Stephanie Wrobel. Woah. Twisted is a good adjective to describe this book. Neither main characters (Patty or Rose Gold) are likeable which says a lot without saying too much. If you are into psychological thrillers – you will enjoy this selection. The Audible Audiobook is narrated by Megan Dodds and Jill Winternitz and runs 10 hours and 18 minutes in which the author holds your attention throughout. 3 Stars.
I wish I could remember how I found out about this next book I read so that I can thank them for the recommendation. This was a great story! The narration was by Bahni Turpin who was incredible and handled the various voices both male and female masterfully. The story runs 8 hours and 21 minutes long.
Laila Ibrahim has written a beautiful book about relationships. Ibrahim captures the strong bond formed between two women from completely different worlds in the decades leading up to the Civil War. She skillfully weaves into the story the historical views of the South about slavery and the behavior exhibited by some men towards women regardless of color in that time. This was a great book which I highly recommend to any fan of historical fiction. 4 stars!!
But I know a good man make life more sweet. Someone to hold you and love you, someone to share your dreams with, someone kind and thoughtful. A good man’s a treasure.
Laila Ibrahim – Yellow Crocus spoken by Mattie
The Midnight Library by Matt Haig is a book that I believe I learned about through some of the people I follow on the website Goodreads.com. I enjoyed this book immensely and appreciate a story about life, its realities but ultimately the possibilities which lay before all of us. The Audible audiobook is narrated by Carey Mulligan and runs 8 hours 50 minutes. I have since recommended it also to my daughter, who adored it and my brother, who is in the process of reading it.
The only way to learn is to live.
Matt Haig – The Midnight Library
[A quick note about Goodreads.] Last year I joined the Goodreads reading challenge and found that because of the challenge, it’s a personal one – you set the goal- I was more driven to read and listen to books. My biggest obstacle was that I always equated listening to my audiobooks on my long drives to visit my family down in Connecticut and with the quarantine I wasn’t driving anywhere. Instead, I would listen to a book while I was drawing or painting or even while working on a few puzzles. If it was a nice day and I had outdoor chores like weeding the garden or stacking wood, I would listen to my book as I did my work. Now I even find myself listening to my books while cleaning the house – except while vacuuming. Although I suppose the headphones would work well enough since I use them while I am riding the lawn tractor and listening. I made my goal of 50 book and then some last year.
For me, Goodreads has been a great source of ideas and a great way to share book ideas with friends and family. It helps so much to know what types of books people like to read in case you would like to gift them a book. FYI – I don’t get anything for recommending them in any way, shape or form. I just like the site and think other readers would too. Enough about that.
“Change isn’t always comfortable, but it is a fact of life.”
Switching to one of my favorite genres – mythology, I listened to The Gospel of Loki by Joanne M. Harris. The Gospel of Loki is part of a series Loki, Book 1 and I found this to be a fun and entertaining book to listen to. Loki’s story is told by the merry prankster, himself, such a different angle to spin the old familiar stories. Loki is such a wonderful character and Allan Corduner does a fantastic job bringing Loki to life! If you enjoy mythology, you will enjoy this. The Audible audiobook runs 10 hours and 6 minutes.
For a few months now I have been intimidated to listen to one of my books. I have discovered the equivalent of the way I would react to books of many pages. The big thick books that would usually make me not read the book just because I thought it would take me forever finish. For audiobooks, it’s length in hours and minutes, specifically when the books get into the 18+ hours. Keith Richard’s memoir Life is 23 hours and 5 minutes and it sat in my library for over 6 months. But I finally decided to dive in.
Wow, I knew when I dove into listening to Keith Richard’s Life that I would be in for a wild ride and that it was and more. I’ve listened to a few memoirs but non as long as this one, but after all we are talking about Keith Richards, the man, the myth and the legend which Keith addresses all three.
“When you are growing up there are two institutional places that affect you most powerfully: the church, which belongs to God, and the public library, which belongs to you. The public library is a great equalizer.”
― Keith Richards
There is a lot to unpack in Keith’s life and it is so interesting. Musicians who understand how to play music will really be interested in his describing certain riffs and other technical aspects which Keith discusses – I am not musically inclined but it certainly did not diminish from the experience of listening to Keith’s story. I loved learning about how certain songs came to be and what was going on behind the scenes while they were working on different albums and tours. Keith published this in 2010, eleven (11) years ago now and the Rolling Stones are still together and still touring. God Bless You Keith!
I joined the Book of the Month Club so that I would be exposed to some new books and authors. Many people are very familiar with Kristin Hannah from her bestseller, The Nightingale but when my BOMC have me a chance to select on of her books I had not read any of her books and thought The Great Alone looked like as good as place as any to start. I am so glad I did too, I loved this book! I could relate to some of the rough living – feeding the animals in the middle of a snowy winter; feeding our wood furnace twice a day and making sure we have enough wood to burn throughout the season.
“… home was not just a cabin in a deep woods that overlooked a placid cove. Home was a state of mind, the peace that came from being who you were and living an honest life.”
I found myself at times eager to sit down and escape into the Alaskan wilderness which Kristin Hannah describes so well. Every character in the book brings something to the table which adds to the depth of the story. You come to care about each and every one of them. I highly recommend this book , it’s a great read!
Note: There are many themes that run throughout the story – some can be more triggering than others depending on your own personal experiences (abuse, first love, loss).
