Matt Haig Books in Order: Every Novel, Memoir and Children’s Story, From The Last Family in England to The Midnight Train
Matt Haig writes books that sit between the strange and the deeply human. His novels ask big questions, such as what makes a life worth living and what it means to be human, through vampires in the suburbs, a visiting alien, a man who barely ages and a library between life and death. His non-fiction is just as honest, and many readers come to it for its warm, practical approach to anxiety and depression.
This guide lists every Matt Haig book in order, grouped by type so you can see the full shape of his work. You will find his adult novels, the Midnight World books, his non-fiction, his children’s and young adult books, and a clear answer on where to start.
Matt Haig Adult Novels in Order
His adult fiction is made up of standalone novels, apart from the two Midnight World books, which share a setting. Read them in publication order to watch his imagination grow.
The Last Family in England (2004)
Published as The Labrador Pact in North America, this debut is narrated by a Labrador retriever who is sworn to protect his family. When the family begins to drift apart, the dog must decide how far to bend the rules to save them. It is funny, tender and surprisingly moving.
The Dead Fathers Club (2006)
An eleven-year-old boy is visited by the ghost of his father, who tells him he was murdered. Loosely inspired by Hamlet, it is a dark, original coming-of-age story told in a distinctive child’s voice.
The Possession of Mr Cave (2008)
A grieving, overprotective father becomes obsessed with keeping his remaining child safe, and his devotion starts to turn into something frightening. This is a tense psychological novel about love, fear and control.
The Radleys (2010)
A seemingly ordinary suburban family is hiding a big secret: they are vampires who have been trying to live without blood. When their teenage daughter learns the truth, everything unravels. It won a public vote on Channel 4’s TV Book Club and was shortlisted for a Galaxy National Book Award.
The Humans (2013)
An alien takes the place of a Cambridge mathematician in order to stop humanity from learning a dangerous discovery. As he lives among the humans he was sent to destroy, he finds he is starting to love them. It is Haig’s most beloved novel of this era and a great blend of humour and heart.
How to Stop Time (2017)
Tom Hazard looks like an ordinary history teacher, but he has been alive for centuries because of a rare condition that slows his ageing. He has to follow strict rules to survive, and the biggest one is never to fall in love. It is a thoughtful story about memory, loss and living in the present.
The Midnight Library (2020)
Nora Seed, crushed by regret, finds a library between life and death where each book lets her try a different version of the life she might have lived. It is his best-known novel and a good introduction to his style.
The Life Impossible (2024)
A retired maths teacher inherits a house and a mystery on the island of Ibiza, and finds that the truth about the world may be stranger than she ever imagined. It is warm, curious and full of wonder.
The Midnight Train (2026)
Set in the world of The Midnight Library, this novel follows Wilbur, a lonely man whose best memories are of his lost love Maggie and their honeymoon in Venice. A magical train offers him the chance to revisit the past, at a dangerous cost.
The Midnight World Reading Order
The Midnight World is a two-book series, and you can read it in publication order: The Midnight Library (2020), then The Midnight Train (2026). The books share a setting but tell separate stories, so you can read either one first. A graphic novel adaptation of The Midnight Library, created with illustrator Fred Fordham, was published in 2026.
Matt Haig Non-Fiction in Order
His non-fiction mixes memoir, observation and gentle advice. These books are a good fit if you enjoy self-reflection and honest writing about mental health.
Humans: An A-Z (2014)
A witty companion to The Humans that looks at human life, one entry at a time.
Reasons to Stay Alive (2015)
A memoir about his experience of depression and anxiety and how he found his way through. It is the book that made him widely known for writing about mental health.
Notes on a Nervous Planet (2018)
A look at how modern life, social media and constant news affect our minds, with practical ideas for feeling calmer.
The Comfort Book (2021)
A gentle collection of quotes, lists and short reflections for tough days, meant to be dipped into rather than read cover to cover.
Matt Haig Children’s and Young Adult Books in Order
Haig also writes for younger readers, and his children’s stories carry the same imagination and warmth as his adult books.
Shadow Forest (2007)
Published in the US as Samuel Blink and the Forbidden Forest, this fantasy adventure opens with the violent deaths of the young heroes’ parents. It won the Nestlé Children’s Book Prize and began Haig’s writing for children.
Runaway Troll (2008)
Published in the US as Samuel Blink and the Runaway Troll, this is the sequel to Shadow Forest. It carries the adventure on with more magic, danger and mystery.
To Be a Cat (2012)
Barney Willow, a boy who wishes he could be a cat to escape being bullied, finds that magic grants wishes in strange ways. It is a funny, imaginative children’s novel with illustrations by Pete Williamson.
Echo Boy (2014)
In a future filled with lifelike robots known as echoes, teenager Audrey’s life is changed forever by an echo named Daniel. This science fiction novel for teens asks what it means to feel human.
A Boy Called Christmas (2015)
The first Christmas book tells the origin story of Father Christmas, following a young boy named Nikolas who sets out for the far north in search of his father. It was adapted into a film in 2021.
The Girl Who Saved Christmas (2016)
The second Christmas book follows Amelia, a girl who writes to Father Christmas and finds that her wish becomes part of a bigger story. Illustrated by Chris Mould, it is warm and funny.
Father Christmas and Me (2017)
The third and final Christmas book returns to Amelia and Father Christmas for another adventure. It brings the trilogy to a heartfelt close.
The Truth Pixie (2018)
A short illustrated story about a pixie who cannot help telling the truth, whether or not anyone wants to hear it. It is a gentle book about honesty and feelings.
The Truth Pixie Goes to School (2019)
The sequel follows the Truth Pixie into a new setting, where her honesty causes funny trouble. It is aimed at younger readers.
Evie and the Animals (2019)
An illustrated adventure for younger readers about Evie, a girl who can talk to animals. It was illustrated by Emily Gravett.
Evie in the Jungle (2020)
The second Evie adventure takes the girl who talks to animals into the jungle. It continues the warm, funny tone of the first book.
A Mouse Called Miika (2021)
A picture book about a small mouse who lives in the world of Father Christmas. It was illustrated by Chris Mould.
Where to Start With Matt Haig
- If you want his most popular book: The Midnight Library.
- If you like comic science fiction: The Humans.
- If you like gothic and dark humour: The Radleys.
- If you like time-bending romance and history: How to Stop Time.
- If you want honest mental health writing: Reasons to Stay Alive, then Notes on a Nervous Planet.
- If you want something short and comforting: The Comfort Book.
- If you are reading with children: A Boy Called Christmas.
Common Themes in Matt Haig’s Books
- Second chances and the lives we did not live
- What it means to be human, seen through outsiders
- Mental health, hope and the value of ordinary moments
- Love, loss and grief
- Wonder, even in a messy world
Frequently Asked Questions About Matt Haig’s Books
What is Matt Haig’s first book?
His debut novel is The Last Family in England, published in 2004. In North America it is titled The Labrador Pact.
Which Matt Haig book should I read first?
Most readers begin with The Midnight Library, his most popular novel. If you prefer something lighter, try The Humans.
Do I need to read Matt Haig’s books in order?
No. His adult novels are standalones, and even the two Midnight World books can be read in either order. Reading in publication order is a nice way to see his style develop.
Is The Midnight Train a sequel to The Midnight Library?
Not exactly. It is set in the same world and is part of the Midnight World series, but it follows a new character, Wilbur, with its own story.
How many novels has Matt Haig written for adults?
Nine adult novels are listed here, from The Last Family in England (2004) to The Midnight Train (2026).
What is Matt Haig’s newest book?
His latest novel is The Midnight Train, published in 2026.
Which Matt Haig book is best for anxiety or depression?
Reasons to Stay Alive and Notes on a Nervous Planet are the two that readers turn to most. They are personal reflections and not medical advice, so if you are struggling, please speak to a doctor or a qualified mental health professional or contact a local support service.
Are Matt Haig’s books for adults or children?
Both. He writes adult fiction, non-fiction, children’s books and young adult novels.
Are any Matt Haig books being adapted for film or TV?
A Boy Called Christmas was made into a film in 2021, and his adult novels have attracted film interest, including The Last Family in England, which was optioned by Brad Pitt’s production company. A graphic novel adaptation of The Midnight Library was published in 2026.
What should I read if I like Matt Haig?
Readers often enjoy Sarah Winman, Gabrielle Zevin, Audrey Niffenegger, Neil Gaiman and Fredrik Backman, all of whom blend imagination with emotional depth.
About Matt Haig
Matt Haig was born in Sheffield, England, and is a bestselling novelist, children’s author and non-fiction writer whose books have been translated into 28 languages. The Guardian has called his writing “delightfully weird.” His adult novels include The Radleys, The Humans, How to Stop Time and The Midnight Library, and his children’s books include Shadow Forest and To Be a Cat, both multi-award winners.
He is also known for writing openly about his own experience of depression and anxiety, beginning in his twenties, which shaped Reasons to Stay Alive and the books that followed. That openness is a big part of why readers trust his work.
My Take as a Reader
I think the best way into Matt Haig is through a book that matches your mood. The Humans if you want to laugh, The Midnight Library if you want to think and The Comfort Book if you just need a kind voice. Whichever you choose, you will see why so many people keep his books by the bed.
Final Note
From a talking Labrador to a magical train, Matt Haig’s books are about finding meaning in an uncertain world. Start with The Midnight Library, follow the publication order above, and take the books that speak to you. Bookmark this page for the full reading list, because we update it when a new title is announced.
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