The Midnight Train by Matt Haig: Book Beginnings on Fridays, First Line Friday, The Friday 56, and Book Blogger Hop

Today's Featured Book: 

The Midnight Train

by Matt Haig

Genre: Cozy Fantasy

Published: May 26, 2026

Page Count: 255 pages

Summary: 

No one can change the past, but the Midnight Train can take you there. The chance to re-live the moments that meant most.To see what kind of person you really were.

For Wilbur his best days were with Maggie, the love of his life. On his honeymoon in Venice.

Before he gave it all away.

He wishes he could go back and live differently. But to do so risks everything... . .

 

BOOK BEGINNINGS ON FRIDAY is hosted by Rose City Reader. What book are you happy about reading this week? Please share the opening sentence (or so) on BOOK BEGINNINGS ON FRIDAY! Add the link to your blog or social media post and visit other blogs to see what others are reading. 

NOTE: Gillion of Rose City Reader is retiring soon from hosting Book Beginnings on Friday. Please contact her if you are interested in hosting.

Happy Friday and welcome to the FIRST LINE FRIDAY, hosted by Reading is My Superpower! It’s time to grab the book nearest to you and leave a comment with the first line.

As the water taxi sped across the lagoon, the two young honeymooners gazed ahead in awe.

Wilbur squeezed Maggie's hand and leaned into her as they sat at the back of the small boat, the sun glittering on the water in front of them.

"I love you, Mr. Budd," she told him, her words as natural as breath.

"I love you too, Mrs. Budd."

Maggie laughed, softly, at how funny and official that sounded...

"We'll always be like this, won't we?" Maggie asked him.

He smiled reassuringly. "Of course. Why wouldn't we?"

THE FRIDAY 56 is hosted by Anne of Head Full of Books. To play, open a book and turn to page 56 (or 56% on your e-reader). Find a sentence or two and post them, along with the book title and author. Then link up on Head Full of Books and visit others in the linky. 

Mr. Bagdale reached for the hip flask in his pocket. Took a swig. "Well, this boy is not a customer. He is a browser. That is why I got rid of the chairs, Mother. We don't want people just sitting there, reading..."

"Oh yes, wouldn't that be terrible," she said with a wheeze. "A bookshop with readers."

The Midnight Library was my favorite book of the year. Probably not the most literary. Probably not the most perfect. But the wisest book I read that year, a book can't help itself from helping everyone who reads it. 

So I felt compelled to read The Midnight Train. I am certain that, like most sequels, it won't come close to being the book The Midnight Library was for me. Nevertheless, I can't resist reading it, a new book from an author who dares to write about mental health in genuine and healing ways. 

The purpose of THE BOOK BLOGGER HOP is to give bloggers a chance to follow other blogs, learn about new books, and befriend other bloggers. THE BOOK BLOGGER HOP is hosted by Ramblings of a Coffee Addicted Writer.    

What grabs you and keeps you hooked in a book? (submitted by Billy @ Coffee-Addicted Writer)

Fascinating characters!