One of the best books of 2026.

And Matt Haig is one of the most original and interesting authors working today.

The Midnight Train is a 2026 fantasy novel published on May 26, 2026, as a companion sequel to his 10-million-copy bestseller, The Midnight Library.

Like Library, Midnight Train is life philosophy in the guise of an entertaining story.

The Protagonist: Wilbur Budd, an 81-year-old bookshop owner on the brink of death.

The Setting: A magical, time-traveling steam engine that functions as a purgatory between life and death.

The Journey: The train stops at pivotal moments from Wilbur’s past, allowing him to relive his choices, regrets, and his honeymoon in Venice with his great love, Maggie.

The Catch: Wilbur is strictly forbidden from changing anything, forcing him to confront how his life unfolded and what truly mattered.

If you like books with upbeat endings, this is the novel for YOU.