The Museum of Ordinary People

Gayle’s (All the Lonely People) latest follows Jess Baxter, who is at loose ends after her mother’s death. Eschewing the help of friends and neighbors, Jess empties her mother’s house, only to become undone when she comes across a set of old encyclopedias her mother gave her when she was young. Narrator Witney White ably transports listeners from the past, just after Jess’s mother dies, to the present, as Jess disposes of her mother’s estate. Jess’s desperate attempts to find a home for the encyclopedias bring her to the Museum of Ordinary People, an unexpectedly magical place that takes in other people’s treasures. There she meets Alex, the museum’s new owner, and together they decide to transform the museum from a jumbled storeroom into a museum of note. White’s characterizations shine, including Jess’s uncompromising boyfriend, Guy; her warmly supportive best friend, Luce; and wounded but hopeful Alex. Her portrayal of Jess’s aching grief, growing confidence, and tenderness for the lost and hurting people around her may have listeners wiping away a tear or two.