Books about books: The Midnight Library, and four other novels that offer a meta take on books
- Polly Angelova
- Mar 4, 2021
- 3 min read
Updated: Oct 18, 2021
Nothing screams book lover quite like a good book-ception
Photo by Darwin Vegher on Unsplash
Stories within stories have been around since the dawn of literature. But in recent years, the specific category of ‘Books About Books’ is experiencing a boom. The popularity of this genre among avid readers is no mystery - after all, it puts their passion centre stage.
There are countless ways to tell this type of tale. Some authors make the role of books in their novels very clear, others weave them in as plot points (or even sentient characters). And while the contents of some books are never revealed, the narrative of others runs along the main story for us to read.
The morals of these stories are different too. While some authors seem to extol the value of books, others warn against forgetting to live in the real world. Others yet pose a question: What separates reality from fiction?
Whatever your preference, check out these popular titles about the power of books:
Matt Haig has only gone and done it again. For those unfamiliar with his work, Haig is a master of thought-provoking storytelling that ultimately delivers comfort without shying away from discussing the hardship of existence. His latest release, The Midnight Library, is no exception.
Located between life and death, the library holds books with all your possible lives. We follow along as the protagonist Nora sorts through the shelves, diving in and out of lives which have branched out from different decisions (Sliding Doors style).
The books here are simply vessels for all the alternative timelines Nora could have lived, but they all pose the same question - what makes the perfect life? The answer is open to interpretation.
Set in an alternate version of 19th-century England, this novel by Bridget Collins offers a different take on books. The titular ‘binding’, offered as this world’s version of therapy, rids people of painful memories by storing them in a book. But of course, nothing is ever that simple.
Metaphor lovers will enjoy the nod towards authors leaving something of themselves in their books, baring their souls to readers. However, the key message is about escaping real life suffering with the help of books (in this story, quite literally), and whether some types of pain are worth keeping.
There are no layered narratives as such, but the way in which the story is structured reveals the contents of some books featured in it.
Erin Morgenstern’s latest ambitious project is a wild ride through a world where stories exist both on and off the page, metaphors come to life and everything could be real. But we never know for sure.
The story, broadly speaking, is about a vast supernatural library where stories take all shapes and forms. There is beautiful imagery aplenty, along with bountiful suspense, romance and adventure.
But perhaps most impressively, there are not one, not two, but six books contained within the main narrative, each carrying even more stories. They are all woven in-between the main narrative, so we get to read alongside the protagonist (although not at the same pace).
The recurring motifs and subtle connections might escape the notice of casual readers, but for those sufficiently invested, the 500-page deciphering adventure could prove rewarding.
If you’re overwhelmed or lost at any point (I certainly was), The Bibliofile does an admirable job untangling the threads.
On the surface, this novel by Alix E. Harrow is an adventurous YA romp through hidden worlds reminiscent of His Dark Materials, complete with a feisty protagonist, her brave best friend (turned crush) and her protector figure.
But when you dig deeper, the narrative is about the power of written word, stories and legends. And, as the synopsis suggests, the plot contains a story within the story, filling us and January in on the past as she makes her way through the present.
At first glance, this YA novel is a high fantasy swashbuckling adventure featuring a headstrong heroine. However, as the narrative progresses, the story becomes an exploration of the power books can hold.
In this world, the books are magical texts called grimoires, so alas there are no stories within the story. But the moral is just as impactful. Elisabeth, the ultimate book lover, knows books are more than inanimate objects and the wisdom inside them is on par with any sorcery.
For as much as The Starless Sea was dubbed an ode to books, Margaret Rogerson has captured their magic plainly and beautifully in her second novel, delivering the message along with an easy read.
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