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Book review: The Midnight Library by Matt Haig
Book review: The Midnight Library by Matt Haig
By: Kyrene (Kyuwon) Kim
Editor’s Note: Views expressed in this article are
solely the author's opinions and beliefs.
Have you ever gone through a time when you doubted your existence and thought? The Midnight Library by Matt Haig tells the story of a woman named Nora who questions the meaning of life and does not desire to continue living. The author explores the consequences of one’s decisions through the character of Nora.
The Midnight Library addresses the story of Nora, a 35-year-old woman. The main conflict of this book revolves around Nora’s feelings and thoughts, which are influenced by the environment around her. She believes that no one needs her and that everyone would be better off without her, which leads her to feel increasingly emotional and depressed. Later, when the clock strikes exactly 00:00:00, she decides to die. But when she closes her eyes and opens them again, she finds herself in a mysterious yet strangely familiar place, the library from her high school. There, she meets Mrs. Elm, whom she used to rely on in high school. After Mrs. Elm’s introduction, Nora gets to experience different lives she could have lived in alternate universes. As she goes through these lives, she realizes that none of them feel like hers. Eventually, she learns to appreciate what she has in her own life, like her brother.
This book challenges traditional expectations of the novel through its unique plot. The structure follows an exposition, rising action, climax, another rising action and climax, then falling action, and finally, the resolution. During the exposition and rising action, the author reveals Nora’s current feelings and thoughts. As the rising action progresses, Nora becomes more conflicted about her life. At the first climax, she decides to die. Then the story returns to a rising action as Nora experiences the alternative lives she could have had. At the second climax, she realizes that none of these lives is what she truly wants, and they do not represent who she really is. The author also sets the mood in a distinctive way. In the first part of the book, each section of the chapter begins with the phrase “______ hours before she decides to die,” establishing a gloomy and depressing tone.
I personally appreciate how this book addresses its theme. In the beginning, it shows how Nora feels like she belongs nowhere, which made me feel connected to the story. As a Korean American, I have experienced many identity crises, feeling like I do not fully belong anywhere. My Korean friends did not fully accept me as Korean, and my American friends did not fully accept me as American. In the book, Nora resolves her internal conflicts through experience and learns to value what she already has. I admire the way the author handles this heavy topic, and the tone of the story captures the reader’s attention effectively.
Are Athletes Being Paid Too Much?
Are Athletes Being Paid Too Much?
By: Adrian Tecpanecatl
Editor’s Note: Views expressed in this article are
solely the author's opinions and beliefs.
There are millions of sports fans in the United States, and billions of dollars flow into the sports industry every year. From ticket sales to jerseys to the absurd prices of hot dogs, sports teams generate massive profits throughout their seasons. But where does the bulk of that money go? The owners? The stadiums?
In fact, hundreds of millions of dollars are spent paying the athletes who are perfecting their craft. One might wonder why an athlete earns tens of millions of dollars each year to hit or throw a ball—it seems like a simple task that anyone can do. But in reality, it’s not as simple as it seems.
The actual dollar amounts being paid to these athletes are staggering compared to the average yearly salary for a U.S. citizen, which, according to the U.S. Social Security Administration, is $66,622 as of 2025. For example, Stephen Curry is set to be the highest-paid NBA player for the 2025-26 season, earning just under $60 million. While not every basketball player earns that much, an average NBA player salary is still very lucrative—just over $12.5 million per year.
Furthermore, in the NFL, Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott is set to be the highest paid NFL player for the 2025-26 season, also making $60 million per year. Other quarterbacks, such as Josh Allen, Joe Burrow, Jordan Love, and Trevor Lawrence, have signed deals worth up to $55 million annually. Salaries vary by position: the top-paid wide receiver, Ja’Marr Chase, earns just over $40 million a year, while the highest-paid running back, Saquon Barkley, earns about $21 million.
With all these extremely expensive contracts in male sports leagues, many people wonder whether female athletes should be paid the same. After all, they’re playing the same sports, aren’t they? Well, it’s not that simple. The amount of money that a team can pay its players is determined by league rules and the revenue the team generates. Women’s leagues are generally less popular than men’s leagues, and therefore generate far less revenue.
For example, the NBA generated $12.25 billion in total revenue during the 2024-25 season. In comparison, its partner league, the WNBA, earned only $180 to $200 million in the same period. As a result, female athletes are paid significantly lower than male athletes. In fact, the average WNBA salary for the 2025-26 season is only $102,000. Similarly, the average salary for the National Women’s Soccer League is $65,000, while average salary in Major League Soccer is nearly $600,000. As a result, the debate raises broader questions on gender disparities. If female athletes aren’t being paid fairly compared to their male counterparts, should athletes be paid such high salaries at all?
Supporters of high sports contracts argue that they provide financial security for players and reward athletes for the intense training and dedication required to compete at elite levels. Others argue that the money could be better spent on other important causes.
Most sports franchises are owned by billionaires, and some believe they should be giving the money back into the communities they serve. Alas, as the debate continues, one has to wonder: does your favorite athlete truly deserve that million-dollar paycheck?
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