No Two Persons

by Erica Bauermeister

Erica Bauermeister was one of my favorite local authors even before I began working with her daughter-in-law at Phinney Books. The author of The Scent Keeper (one of my favorite novels ever) and House Lessons: Renovating a Life (a memoir that will strike a chord with anyone who's ever remodeled a home) now writes about how a book can deeply affect a disparate group of people in No Two Persons. A young woman spends years writing a novel that she HAD to write, because her soul demanded it. When she sends it out into the world, we see how it changes people in both subtle and profound ways. A literary assistant coping as a new mom, an actor trying to be more than a pretty face, a teenager, an artist, a bookseller, and a host of others interact with the book in different—and meaningful—ways, proving that no two people ever read the exact same book. This beautiful, heartbreaking, inspiring book will definitely be in my Top 10 this year.

The Little Village of Book Lovers

by Nina George

Exiles

by Jane Harper

On Earth as It Is on Television

by Emily Jane

Whalefall

by Daniel Kraus

Yellowface

by R.F. Kuang

Wrong Place, Wrong Time

by Gillian McAllister

The Last Devil to Die

by Richard Osman

The Mystery Guest

by Nita Prose

Fans of Nita Prose’s delightful debut novel The Maid have had to wait almost two years for a sequel, but I’m happy to report it was worth the wait. Molly Gray is now Head Maid at the high-end Regency Grand Hotel, where her exacting attention to detail is put to good use as yet another murder mystery unfolds. But this time, Molly has a connection to the victim that she’s not sure she should reveal. As she uncovers clues to the killer, she once again has to remember her past to understand her present. Just like in the first book, alternating chapters describe more about Molly’s upbringing by her patient, loving Gran. This book is more direct about Molly being on the spectrum, and just how poor she and Gran were. Containing even more emotional heartbreak and healing than The Maid, The Mystery Guest will definitely be on my Top 10 list this year. I just loved it—and I can’t wait for the next sequel.

The Moon Represents My Heart

by Pim Wangtechawat