The Midnight Library, by Matt Haig

This book has one of the most interesting concepts in a book I've come across in a long time. That there is something between life and death, an in-between state where you can re-do your life, to an extent. You get a series of what-ifs to live through to see if they fit better. An infinite number of second chances.

The book transitions slightly into a question of quantum mechanics and a discussion with another slider (the term given to people who can hop from life to life in that in-between period) around the many-worlds theory doesn't really go anywhere. 

I would have liked to seen this area explored more, the experience and the universe of the characters that exist here. For example, who are the people that exist on the cusp of life and death, why are they there, does everyone who dies spend time there, or are only some chosen, and why? This would have been a great way to learn more about the peripheral players.

But this element of the plot seemed to be shoehorned in to give some sort of scientific basis for the way the book was shaped. Like many of the characters, not fully developed, and more set dressing than real life people with their own agency. Even Nora, the main character was poorly drawn. Maybe because we spent so much time with her when she wasn't actually her, all we learned about her for most of the book was what she didn't want to be, not who she actually was.

It felt like the author was trying to write a small story about big ideas, about depression and how it informs us, but fell short of making something truly important, and never quite manages to pull it off.

The ending was as predicable as I'd feared, but strangely enough was the best part of the book. It was delicately written with real warmth and a feeling of hope just pored through the final pages. Just about redeemed the whole book.

The Thursday Murder Club, by Richard Osman

 A really wonderful book. Brimmed full of life and vitality, with characters who jumped off the page and into your living room. Osman makes living in a retirement village sound like something everyone should look forward to.
The Thursday Murder Club, Elizabeth, Joyce, Ron and Ibrahim, meet, not coincidentally on Thursdays in the jigsaw room to discuss cold cases forgotten by the police. It passes an hour for them, and gives them an excuse (not that they need it) to enjoy a glass or two of wine!
Everything is going as it usually does, slowly but contentedly, until a real life murder on their patch thrusts them into the middle of a live investigation.
What follows is a glorious romp across the Kent countryside, with a detour to Cyprus thrown in for good measure. With a little help from the real police, and a Polish builder, the intrepid septuagenerian foursome follow the clues in their own, unique way.
Gangsters, drug dealers, and former professional boxers complete the cast of miscreants who come under the miscroscope of the former spy(?), nurse, union leader and physiatrist.
Definitely not a Pointless read!

I was provided a free copy by netgalley.co.uk in exchange for a fair review.

The Shadow of the Wind, by Carlos Ruiz Zafón

I'm not sure what else needs to be said about this book. But I will add my two cents, for what its worth.
This is a book about books, and the sense of love the author has for the written word pours out of every page. The elegance of prose, the ease with which descriptions are drawn, and characters are created is beyond wonderful. The city of Barcelona is so alive, and my heart yearns to visit it again, to retrace Daniel and Julián's journey through the Calles and Avenidas of Catalonia's capital.
At once a mystery novel in the classic gothic sense, and a comedy, and a tragedy, and a story simply about people, and their relationships.
The way the story reflects itself in the stories of Daniel and Bea, and Julián and Penelope is so clever and heartbreaking, and ultimately fulfilling. The contrasting personalities of Fermín and Fumero are reflections of each other, bound to Daniel and Julián respectively, like angels and demons on their shoulders, advising and stalking throughout with a real purpose. Not a single character is unnecessary, nor a single event or incident included without purpose.
Quite simply, my favourite book, and the best I have ever read. Onto the rest of the series.