I thought this book would be mostly saying things we already know ... that people perceive and experience books differently. It is about that, yes, but it is insightful and fresh at the same time. I hadn't actually given a lot of thought as to *why* we each experience books differently, or to how the particulars of who I am and how I live and have lived make my reading experiences what they are. It would be interesting, and valuable for a book club to read and discuss this work, as it could help members understand each other and their opinions of other books they read together.
I wasn't sure I would appreciate the format, as short stories don't tend to be my thing, but the connection through each one was enough for me to make the work feel cohesive, as opposed to a collection.

This was a completely different premise than anything I've ever read before. It reads like a bunch of short stories all connecting to the same novel. I really enjoyed the individual stories, some more than others. I loved the way it all came together.

We read this for my book club and I absolutely adored it. I did wish for more of an epilogue on some of the characters, but I absolutely understand why that wasn't provided, especially once we fully get the story of Theo.

There is no doubt that Bauermeister is an immensely talented writer. I adored her previous books and “No Two Persons” is yet another perfect example of eloquence and depth. Her prose flows with vivid imagery, imaginative yet spot on similes, and profound human truths. She draws you so deeply into her characters that you feel as if you aren’t just witnessing their experiences, you are right there with them. This talent of hers is what made the novel so hard for me to read. The concept is wonderful - short vignettes of how 9 people’s lives have been immeasurably impacted by the same novel, however, every story but one is so heart wrenchingly painful that the toll it takes on the reader is quite intense. Since the novel that unites the characters is heartbreaking, the melancholy tone makes sense but it doesn’t make it any easier. I felt like my heart broke over and over again as I went with these characters through the lowest and most painful parts of their lives. There was almost no levity to the book and the one story that wasn’t as painful to experience (The Coordinator), was close to the end and, while not as bleak, wasn’t exactly uplifting either. There is no doubt that this novel is fabulously written but I would suggest taking time in between each story to give your heart time to heal.

Thank you to NetGalley and St.Martin’s Press for the ARC. All opinions are my own.

I really liked the concept of how a single book touches individual lives differently. I thought that the structure of the book, moving through lives chronologically was really clever, and felt seamless. All of the stories felt complete, except, oddly enough, for Alice's. I would have liked more for her - and this might just be my own bias. But I wanted to feel that she was genuinely happy, and I'm not sure that she was.
Definitely a book that I'll recommend and use for displays. Looking forward to reading more from Bauermeister.

I loved this book about how one novel affects people in different ways. It was so moving, and I loved to see how everyone connected at the end. If you're a book lover, this is a fantastic read.

This is such an interesting read about readers, writers, and how words connect us all together.

I really loved so much of this, but I felt like all of the different perspectives made it hard for any of the characters to truly reach the depth I like.

Still a wonderful read though.

I started reading/listening to this book last year, and it wasn’t hitting the spot, so I put it on hold and started listening to a podcast. I was in the mood to pick the book back up and let me tell you I could NOT PUT IT DOWN. I finished the rest of it in a day! It was amazing! I am so glad I put it down and picked it back up when I was ready for it. I appreciated it so much more when I wasn’t trying to just finish the book. We know, and we say that not every book is for everyone, and the same book can hit differently for everybody. However, reading this book was just pure bliss for me. I loved reading how the same story affected NINE different readers in such vastly different ways. I loved that it gave one man a whole new purpose and meaning to his life, while it gave another woman peace in hers.

I really enjoyed this book, and if it is on your radar, I definitely recommend that you give it a go! It's also on KU!!!! I am so glad it is on my shelf!!

Yes, yes, yes! Oh my goodness! The perfect book for book lovers. I absolutely loved this book and how the stories all centred around one book. Inventive, original and well written. I’m not always a short story fan as I often want to live with the characters a bit longer, but when the stories and characters are this well written, then I’m all in. I didn’t miss the characters so much when I had finished a story as the main character “the book” continued through each of the stores.

If you are a lover of reading and books, you must read this one!

No Two Persons by Erica Bauermeister is an extraordinarily interesting book; its format is unlike any I’ve ever read. The writing is superb; there isn’t a superfluous word anywhere. For the most part, the characters vaguely connect and intertwine, but the common thread connecting them all is the writing and subsequent publishing of a unique story that then is read, absorbed, and inhabited by all of the m ain characters in succession. Each chapter reveals a new character’s relationship to the story at progressive points in time over nine years. The book is a paean to the transformative nature of fiction and our love of reading. It couldn’t have been more satisfying and enjoyable to read. I can’t wait to dive into more of Ms. Bauermeister’s works.

Thank you to Erica Bauermeister, St. Martin’s Press, and NetGalley for providing me an advanced readers digital copy of No Two Persons. Although it took me far too long to finally read it, I am so grateful that I did. My review is 100% VOLUNTARY.

I loved the concept of No Two Persons by Erica Bauermeister, and I imagine that many readers will as well. It's a book made for bibliophiles. It's a book about how the process of reading a book can impact a reader and how it's different depending on the reader.

Many thanks to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for sharing this book with me. All thoughts are my own.

This is my opinion and my opinion only lol. You know how you have one of those books that you don't want to put down? When it's time to eat oh I'll eat later, girl take a sip of water and you're like hold on in a minute yea this book was like that for me. This was one of those books I wished didn't end because I needed more.
I loved this book so much it was one of those books that told a story so well you wanted to sit in the moment, devour every word, and take it in. The Characters were so well-written that each of them uniquely captures your attention. I binged this book in a day I neglected everyone including myself I can't lie and when I got to the end my soul was crushed because I just needed more. This book is on my to-be-read-again list.
Thank you so much St Martin's Press, Erica Bauermeister, and NetGalley, for this early read it was truly amazing.

I received this book as an ARC from NetGalley.

What an interesting concept - the book starts out with the story of Alice and her desire to become an author from a young age. When she reaches her early 20's, a mentor tells her she is ready to try to sell her manuscript. The issue - everyone passes. Then her mentor gives her a name to try. The book gets published.

Then our novel - No Two Persons - breaks into short stories, how over time, showing how Alice's book - Theo - touches the lives of nine readers. Some of the stories overlap over time, which was brilliant. Definitely an interesting concept of a book inside a book and how we are all connected.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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!

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.