Whatcom READS picks acclaimed book by a Washington author for its 2025 countywide program

It’s a book about a book, and pretty soon it will be on shelves all over Whatcom County. “No Two Persons,” by Erica Bauermeister, was chosen by Whatcom READS, a local program that tries to get as much of the county as it can to read and discuss the same book, as its 2025 selection.

The book tells the story of a fictitious novel, “Theo,” and the different ways it affects its readers. Each chapter is told from a different perspective. The stories are only loosely connected, if at all, by how “Theo” resonated with each character. Newsweek named it one of its staff’s favorite books of 2023.

Whatcom READS will host a series of discussions based on the book, leading up to March, when it plans to host Bauermeister. “No Two Persons” will be available at local libraries and Village Books in Fairhaven.

“No Two Persons” is the 17th book chosen by Whatcom READS, which debuted in 2009 with Sherman Alexie’s “The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian.” The program is primarily sponsored by the Friends of the Bellingham Public Library and the Whatcom County Library, but also partners with Village Books and several local colleges.

Bauermeister, who’s based in Port Townsend, made the New York Times bestsellers list with her 2019 novel “The Scent Keeper” in 2019. “No Two Persons” is her fifth novel.