Cover Image: No Two Persons

No Two Persons

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Member Reviews

This was a deep and thought-provoking novel about books and how a book affects people in different ways depending on the role the book has in their lives and what is going on in their lives. I enjoyed the subtle connections between each of the characters and I do think this book deserves a re-read to catch some of the pieces that I missed the first time around. This is the first book I've read by Erica Bauermeister and it definitely won't be the last. I think this book is a perfect read for any of us who have ever read and been impacted by a story.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

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When we tell someone we like or don’t like a book, we have our reasons, something stood out to us in a positive or negative way. Bauermeister eloquently captures reader sentiments in this story of how a handful of individuals are affected by a book titled, Theo. For the most part, each chapter stands alone, though a few characters make a repeat appearance at the end.

I found this book captivating as it explored the relationships readers have with their book choices, while recognizing not everyone views a story the same way. Filled with angst and other raw emotions, it resonated with me as an honest and thoughtful perspective. This book about a book is a must for people who like reading about reading. Highly recommend, one of my top five books this year.

I received a copy of this book from Net Galley and have written an objective review.

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Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! No spoilers. Beyond amazing I enjoyed this book so very much. The characters and storyline were fantastic. The ending I did not see coming Could not put down nor did I want to. Truly Amazing and appreciated the whole story. This is going to be a must read for many many readers. Maybe even a book club pick.

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Thank you to netgalley.com for this ARC.

This was an interesting book - it was short stories that were all centered on the different experiences people have with a specific book. The first story tells how the book was created and came into existence. The rest of the stories have a variety of different characters from all walks of life and their experiences are very varied from positive to negative.

This book makes you think how a book finds it's way into your life and depending on where you are at that point is how you respond to it.

I enjoyed this one.

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Oh goodness I loved this book so much! It is unique because there are 10 characters and each of them is touched in one way or another by a book but all of the characters don't necessarily meet. We are able to see how each of these characters has their own issues and how each of them received this book in different ways. This book is delightful and enjoyable to read.

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Thank you St. Martin's Press and NetGalley for the eARC of No Two Persons! All opinions in this review are my own.

No Two Persons explores the unique experience that each reader has with the same book. In the opening chapter, The Writer completes her book Theo and releases it into the world. The rest of the novel tells stories like The Assistant who pulled Theo from the slush pile and The Teenager who is reading Theo for English class. Each chapter focuses on a new person interacting with Theo.

I loved No Two Persons! Not only is it a love letter to readers, but it shows how the same book can mean such different things to different people. I like how all the characters were different and the connecting thread between them was the book. I also liked how Theo wasn't the focus for some people. While the book does appear in each character's life, sometimes it is not their joy of reading the book that is the focus of their story.

I recommend No Two Persons to any reader who likes interconnecting stories centered around the importance of reading!

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No two persons...read the same book. A term many bookworms like myself can relate to. Erica Bauermeister takes this and turns it into a wonderful novel about how one book can affect the lives of 9 different people, connecting them to one another through a book called "Theo" by an author named Alice.

Alice knew she wanted to write from a young age, but her stories really aren't making a mark, until she starts to write from tragedy, and the resulting book becomes her first novel. And that novel starts to resonate with the people who pick it up, opening their hearts and connecting them in different ways.

If you have ever discussed a book with someone or belonged to a book club, you know that the perception of a story can be different with each reader. And these 10 stories weave that idea together beautifully. Bauermeister has created a story about connection, tragedy, grief and love in a way that will impact the reader. Think about the stories you have read over the years and how they have changed you. "No Two Persons" will help the reader recall those titles and the love we have for them.

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No Two persons by Erica Bauermeister starts with the a girl and her idea for a book. Then each chapter is about another person and how the book affected their lives in different ways. It was a novel but felt more like intertwined short stories. I really enjoyed the authors writing style. Her previous book, The Scent Keeper, was wonderful and unique and I enjoyed this one just as much. Will definitely read her next one!

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The heart of No Two Persons beats with Alice Wein, an aspiring writer who weaves her pain into a striking debut, Theo, inspired by her brother's tragic overdose.

The book, told through loosely intertwined short stories, explores how one novel can affect people from all walks of life. We follow characters like Alice, a lonely bookseller, a homeless teenager, a free diver pushing limits, an outraged artist, and a grieving widower. Each person connects with something unique in Alice's creation, changing their viewpoints unexpectedly.

As a fellow author, I connected with the dream of wanting to create a story that not only gets read but passionately shared. Yet, No Two Persons left me hanging. The brief chapters and abrupt endings made it tough to really get into the characters’ heads. I hungered for more depth; some plot points felt a bit too simple and underdeveloped.

I gave the eBook a boost with the audio version, and the full cast performance was exceptional. The voices gave life to the characters, enhancing the experience. Despite my gripes about the book’s length and pacing, I settled on a solid 4-star rating.

I received a digital copy of the book for review via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

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Connected short stories—this is fast becoming one of my favorite micro-genres. No Two Persons by Erica Bauermeister is a great example. In this book, author Alice Wein writes a book, Theo, that impacts many people in many ways. As you read each story, you get more of that story while also understanding where each character is in their lives, and how Theo impacts them.

This book is masterfully crafted. It is a book for book lovers, and for anyone who enjoys a beautifully woven story.

Thank you to my bestie @sparkingjoyinreading for buddy reading this one with me—I enjoyed discussing it with you!

And thank you to @netgalley and @stmartinspress for the advanced e-copy of #notwopersons .

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No Two Persons is a very creative look at a book's impact that goes far beyond what an author could imagine or predict. Each chapter shows a different person who comes into contact with the book -- starting with of course the author and the editor, but then going on to the various people who acquire and read the book. It's amazing how different the impact can be based on each person's circumstances and expectations. It's why it's so great to discuss books with others to see what parts strike you as there will be lots of differences that can enlighten you.

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No Two Persons is a tremendous book about what novels offer to readers. Most interesting are unusual characters author Erica Bauemeister created in the fictional work and their reaction to reading a novel called Theo. There is a new widower who gets snowed in at an abandoned city named Forture. There is Juliet, a woman who choreographs romantic scenes for plays and movies. Alice, the young writer. Lara, the new mother and five other distinct personalities who are moved by one novel. Highly recommended for discussion groups--and a delightful gift for gift giving.

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Erica Bauermeister may just be my new favorite author. I didn't realize this title was a collection of intertwined stories for a while because I didn't pay that close attention to the description. I saw her name and was IN! What a beautiful representation of what happens when people read. Any book club knows everyone has a vastly different experience with the same title. Seeing these experiences in print was beautiful. If you have a reader or librarian in your life, gift them this title. They will get it....and never forget it.

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Unfortunately this book didn’t work for me and was a DNF but I am sure other readers will feel differently! Thank you for the ARC!

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All. The. Stars.

No Two Persons by @ericabauermeisterauthor is easily one of my top books of 2023. It’s the perfect book for book lovers and readers and would make a great gift.

No Two Persons is a beautiful collection of short stories that tie together beautifully. I don’t often read short stories but I loved this, particularly because the stories connected with each other. It’s heartwarming and heartbreaking and everything in between. Definitely a must read.

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I've often thought how each reader takes their experiences with them into every book they read, and when we re-read a book, we are a new version of ourselves on those subsequent reads; Erica Bauermeister pursues these ideas in No Two Persons.

Instead of being a typical novel, this book is a collection of "Inter-connected short stories," as Bauermeister puts it. Each of these stories revolves around a fictional novel, and every character goes into reading this fictional book with their own backstory; in turn, this alters how the same story is perceived by each. There are subtle word connections between these short stories, reminding you they are all part of a bigger picture; each short story adding another layer to that of the larger story as a whole. This fictional novel took on so many different forms, often in various mixed media adaptations, again showing different sides of the same book.

Yes, I have my favourite stories, my favourite characters. Of course, I connected most to William (The Caretaker) and Juliet (The Coordinator), but I still loved each and every one of them for what they showcased.

Although at times it deals with heavier topics, overall, this is such a positive book! Each story provided hope, while being open ended, just as life is. This whole book was just really well done!

I truly love books about books, and this is yet another amazing one, which also happens to be ridiculously quotable!

Thank you NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for the complimentary copy to read and review.

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This book is surely one of my favorite for the year. I could not bear to stop reading and when I had to, I thought about the characters. Bauermeister has created unforgettable, relatable characters and a premise that is amazing. I LOVED THIS BOOK!

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Lovely soft story that goes nowhere and everywhere. For a story where nothing really happened I never really wanted to stop reading. A character study of a book.

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This novel explores how one book can mean so many different things to many different people. Alice’s book is read by nine different people and we as readers learn the stories of the nine people who read the book and how it affected them. From the homeless teenager to the widower, each person’s life is changed as a result of reading the book.

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for allowing me to read an ARC of this novel. #NetGalley #NoTwoPersons

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Erica Bauermeister’s “No Two Persons” weaves a narrative around the book “Theo,” penned by Alice Wein. Simultaneously, it unravels the tale of Alice, a twenty-five-year-old author who has poured her passion and spirit into her debut novel. Moreover, it delves into the lives of nine individuals who have encountered “Theo,” sharing their stories, each highlighting the profound impact the book has had on them.

This exquisitely written book is an intimate and contemplative exploration. Its characters feel genuine and easy to connect with, adding depth and authenticity to the narrative.

I loved this book and want to read more books by the author.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for sending a digital ARC in exchange for an honest review.

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