I tried so hard with this book. So hard. It's Jodi Picoult so I figured I would love every minute of it. Instead I got a massive Egyptian history that took over 75% of book. 25% was the backstory and romances (yes 2 romances). So if you love everything Egypt, you will love this novel. But if you are like me and aren't a fan of reading history books, I would skip this one. As a movie I can see this would be a great movie. But the history aspect was too extensive. The backstory and romances was amazing though. It told just enough of the romance and had a great romance. Overall I wish I would have skipped this one.

This was a very unique book with a lot of interesting information about Egypt. The story is complex and I loved the double timeline approach!

I enjoyed this book although all the backstory and jumping back and forth between Egypt and Boston can make it confusing. Although the Egyptology with it's hard to pronounce names and the hieroglyphics distract from the story. The theory of there being two ways from physics in the book is interesting.

Maybe it's me but things like a foreign language, difficult to pronounce names and in this book physics and egyptology I give little time or notice and just enjoy the story. I did like the physics as it fascinates me that their may be two ways or two universes or more.

Something I'm guessing I share with Ms. Picoult as I don't like cilantro either because it tastes like soap.

I've read all of Picoult's books for adults, though I must admit that her most recent releases haven't been favorites of mine. Still, I was thrilled to dive into her latest. And it really does, in many ways, stand apart from many of her other novels. Dawn, the main character, stands at the crux of her life - torn between past and present. The book follows two timelines that aren't separated much by time, but more by distance.

Though she was once a doctoral candidate working in Egypt, Dawn left that life behind fifteen years prior to the rather electric start of this story. As an adult, wife and mother, she works as a death doula = a job that encompasses pretty much anything her dying client requires. This idea alone is an interesting one - though the bulk of the book's research revolves around Egypt. If a reader doesn't find Egypt, tombs, pharaohs, mummies and their pantheon of gods interesting, then I definitely wouldn't recommend this one. There are some pretty substantial chunks of info-dumping that has become more prevalent in her recent novels here that may cause the uninterested to completely disengage from the story as it flits between Dawn's past, present and the choices that have defined her life.

I, however, genuinely and completely enjoyed this one - though I must admit to some dissatisfaction with the ending itself (I felt cheated!). I think that book clubs and discussion groups will find plenty to talk about with this one as a starting point. And I appreciated that this one didn't seem to be written to stir controversy the way that some of her other titles feel. This one is well-written, with characters that come to life. Dawn and Meret's relationship is well described and I personally enjoyed the Egypt research presented here. The nature of Dawn's career adds a lot of grief, though, so I would recommend having the tissues on hand (and don't read this one on a plane if you are a nervous flier). Still, there's a lot of beauty amongst the sadness and my sole complaint is that I expected a more satisfying ending. This one felt to abrupt for me. I am curious to see what direction Picoult heads into next!

I will say that the first 20% of this book is VERY information heavy regarding Egyptology, quantum mechanics, and the inner workings of being a death doula. I can understand why Picoult was fascinated by these subjects, and I personally want to learn more about them. However, in context of the plot, some of these subjects were written about too in-depth to not serve as a larger plot point. Without any spoilers, there’s definitely a sort of spiritual connection between some the lesson elements (hieroglyphs and Schrödinger's Cat) and the rest of the novel, but it was more metaphorical than plot-serving. This felt like reading a science textbook at times, and it doesn’t necessarily pay off in the story.

That being said, Jodi Picoult is one of my favorite authors, and I have a soft spot for everything she writes. The Book of Two Ways was certainly no exception, marking off another truly compelling novel by the time it finished. This book will not be everyone’s cup of tea, but no one can say Picoult doesn’t do her research.

Thank you to Net Galley and Ballantine Books for a digital ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Overall, I would give this book 3.5 stars. The book provides some rather in-depth information about Egyptology and I sometimes find that portion of the text difficult. That being said, I really liked the characters and Picoult's ability to once again leave me pondering some very deep questions about life, death, and love. I also am partial to books that transport me to another place and I felt transported to Egypt so I appreciated that attention to detail when it come to conveying the setting.

Engaging story and Picoult showcases her extensive research. At the end of reading this, you'll have a certification in Egyptology and quantum mechanics. Powerful explorations of death and dying from Egyptian tombs to death doulas. Picoult fans won't be disappointed.

I am such a fan of Jodi Picoult's books. I have read and loved so much of her earlier works like Plain Truth, Keeping Faith, My Sister's Keeper, Vanishing Acts, and Nineteen Minutes. I was so excited to get an Advanced Readers Copy from #netgalley to review for my honest opinion. One thing I love about Jodi Picoult's style is that she creates such intriguing characters that stay with you after the final chapter. She tackles controversial themes that really make you think about life - what you think you know and what you take for granted. All of her books are so well written and researched that it never ceases to amaze me and how fast she is able to publish. Her fans are grateful because we want more! This book was a little harder to read than some of her other books, but I attribute that to knowing so very little about Egyptology (and quantum physics for that matter). I had to reread sections at times to verify if we were talking about the past or present. At times it was very sad thinking about the profession she choose and what she left behind. I loved her relationship with Winn (she deserves her own novella!). I loved the tangled love story and the theme of a mother's struggle to make the best life choices for both her and her daughter. The ending was well done (but would love to read alternate endings the writer prepared!).

The Book of Two Ways by Jodi Picoult is a compelling and unique novel.

When I read the synopsis for The Book of Two Ways—I was instantly fascinated as I know there’s more than meets the eye with her stories. And it’s very apparent in this one. There’s a ton going on in the story, but at the same time, it’s still very human.

After Dawn survives the crash she has a choice to either return back home to her husband and daughter or go to Egypt to her research and a long ago love, Wyatt. The story is then told in two different timelines—one where Dawn is home and the other where she goes to Egypt.

I thought this was a clever concept. I’m sure everyone at some point as recognized when they made a pivotal choice in their life. But what if you had an opportunity to see what could have been? Would you be intrigued or continue on your same path? Very interesting story and I highly enjoyed it.

This is a great book that is definitely worth reading. Jodi Picoult has a way with writing books that speak to the soul of the reader and the human condition. I felt so attached to these characters and couldn’t get enough. It’s very well written and is one of those books that seem to be very much needed in this current state we are all living in right now.

Jodi Picoult
Ballantine

This book came out at the end of September, on the 22nd, and I fully intended to have this review released on that day - but man oh man this book was INTENSE! It took me so long to read it because of how much information it contained!

The story is about a woman named Dawn who is on a flight home when the flight attendant announces that the plane is going to make an emergency landing and plan for bracing. Aka - the plane is crashing. Dawn finds herself thinking of how usually at this point people find their lives flashing before their eyes, however for her she isn’t thinking of her husband, but of an old love of her life from 15 years ago, Wyatt.

The story splits between two timelines - Dawn in Boston and Dawn in Egypt. They are both the same story and one happens right before the other, but they are intertwined as if you are reading two stories that are separate until they intertwine again at the ending.

Dawn was once a grad student studying Egyptology until she got word that her mother was dying and on hospice and she was forced to go back home to take care of her mother and her younger brother Kieran. It was during this time that she met Brian, her current husband, and found out she was expecting a baby, Meret. Dawn created a life in Boston and became a death doula, helping people and their families prepare for their death for patients in hospice.

But lately one of her patients has sparked a fire in her and she can’t stop thinking about Wyatt and what her life would have been like if she would have stayed in her past life, in Egypt.

This book is PHENOMENAL! I give it easily 5 out of 5 stars. I learned SO MUCH about Egyptology, quantum physics, and neurology. That’s why it took me so long to read because sometimes I had to re-read parts just to make sure I fully understood. As Dawn is faced with two possible futures it truly lines up with The Book of Two Ways as described in the book and all comes together so well.

I completely recommend this book if you are a fan of Romance!

*I got this book from NetGalley to read and provide an honest review*

I have read all of Jodi Piccoult's books and they truly linger in your thoughts long after the final page is read This story does the same. Life choices, what if's, make for a very interesting read. What I had trouble with in reading this book was the long descriptions and explanations of Egyptology and Egyptian history. I simply have no interest and it was a big turn off in getting through this book. Thank you to Net Galley and the publisher for the opportunity to read an advance copy.

Thank you NetGalley for an ARc for an honest review. I love Jodi Picoult and have read everyone of her books. However this one did not grab my attention like her other books did. I could not find anything relatable in this book and found it hard to keep up. Hoping Jodi comes out with a new book soon!
Thank you!

Being a huge Jodi Picoult fan, as in I own all the books she's written, I was so excited to learn about her newest novel The Book of Two Ways. When I found out it had connections with Egyptology, it heightened my anticipation to read it, because I find Egyptian history and archaeology interesting as well. Unfortunately, I didn't connect with The Book of Two Ways and was left very disappointed.

The book opens very dramatically. Dawn Edelstein is one of only a few survivors of a plane crash. In those moments right before the crash, the first person who enters her mind is Wyatt, the man she had a romantic relationship with over 15 years ago while working together in Egypt. Surprisingly, it is not her husband and teenage daughter at home in Boston that enter her mind first. Told in two story lines, the book explores Dawn's travels to Egypt to track down Wyatt and her life in Boston where she serves as a death doula and is married to Brian, her physicist husband.

Even though I have an interest in Egyptology, the book felt almost too academic and bogged down at points. That combined with trying to understand all the quantum physics topics covered made for heavy reading. Then also trying to cope with the topics of life and death for the terminally ill clients Dawn serves, and the body issues her teenage daughter is dealing with, made for a very difficult read. I always appreciate how Jodi Picoult handles controversial subjects and makes you see different sides to issues, but this just felt like too many topics for one book. Dawn was not a character that I could relate to or even really wanted to read about. Her moral compass seems to skate both sides of issues, depending on which side serves her best at that moment, and those qualities didn't seem to match up with someone who has a career of helping people through the death process. As the final stinger for me, the ending completely frustrated me. It was like reading a Choose Your Own Adventure novel and then you pick your ending, but when you turn to page 99 to see what happens, that page is missing.

Of course, I will always read Jodi Picoult's books and while this novel was not to my taste, I appreciate her work as a writer and will continue to buy her books.

I received this novel courtesy of Ballantine Books through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

I will admit that it took me a little bit of time to really get into this book. I actually almost stopped reading it about 25% of the way in because I just wasn't feeling it. But I'm glad I kept going because it started picking up and I ended up really enjoying it.

First of all, this book made me realize that Jodi Picoult really doesn't get enough credit. I feel like oftentimes when authors seem to churn out a lot of books, we start t suspect they're following some sort of formula and that the books don't come with any great depth. It's so clear from The Book of Two Ways that Picoult had to conduct a ton of research to write this book and that she did not follow any simple formula to do so, nor did she take any shortcuts.

In The Book of Two Ways, Dawn is struggling with the way her life has played out. 15 years earlier, she was an Ancient Egyptian scholar, falling in love with her colleague when on a dig in Egypt when she was called home due to the fact her mom was dying. Sadly, her mom passes away and she is left to take care of her younger brother as she grieves and simultaneously meets a man who is also grieving. Coming to terms with the fact that her life must now take a different path, she lets herself fall in love with the new man and gets pregnant. She becomes a "death doula" while raising her daughter with her husband and trying to forget her "past life." But as the book kicks off, certain events happen which have her wondering what could have been.

The narrative jumps back and forth in time quite a bit and I admit it took me a little while to totally understand what was happening when. There are also a lot of details in the book about Egyptian history and culture, metaphysics, and more. Also, if you're not comfortable with the topic of death, this book may be too much for you. I ended up really liking the bits about death and was very intrigued by Dawn's career as a death doula. I also ended up really liking how the narrative flowed and did find myself getting sucked into the story.

I do think that the ending felt a tad bit unrealistic to me (just in thinking about how similar events would probably play out in my home lol), but I also kind of liked how it ended, so I can't complain. All in all, I do recommend this book; just know that it's a little dry/packed with information in some spots and it may take you a bit to really get into the story.

This was not my favorite Jodi Picoult novel. The idea of two different paths in life.. and them somehow crossing, was very interesting to me. However, I didn't really sympathize with the main characters choices.. and I was very very board with all the ancient Egypt information. It was too much.

Not the worst and not the best but somewhere in between Is how I feel about Jodi Picoult’s latest novel, The Book of Two Ways. I always look forward to a new book by Picoult, I usually love the subject matter because it makes you dig deep, asking yourself what you would do in the predicaments her characters are put in.

There were many different aspects to this novel, the study of Egyptology which was too intense, gave too many details and made me feel like I was in school reading a detailed history book about Egyptian tombs and culture. I was expecting a test when I was done reading and an honorary degree, but secret be told, I would have flunked since I skimmed most of those sections. I was also waiting for my test and degree in quantum physics, but again, would have failed that too. I love to read to learn, but honestly I felt the information in this book was way too detailed way to heavy, pushing me away, making me enjoy the love story part of the book better.

Another aspect of the book which I did enjoy was learning about what death doulas do. The main character Dawn/Olive trained to be a death doula when she came home from Egypt to take care of her dying mother. I found this field to be fascinating and it gave me a lot of insight on how to help a loved one who is ready for hospice and needs encouragement and help before they are ready to die. Death doulas are also a huge support to friends and family members who have someone terminally ill in their lives. I had never heard of death doulas and this intrigued me, what a brilliant idea, much needed and something I could consider training for.

The next aspect was a love story, I am a sucker for a good love story, and enjoyed the triangle between Dawn, Brian and Wyatt. Wyatt an old love that Dawn had to leave suddenly and Brian the man she created her family with. Choices needed to be made and I could never figure out who Dawn would pick, not even at the end. As I put myself in her shoes I am not sure who I would have chosen to spend the rest of my life with either, there aren’t always good answers. Can you love two men at the same time differently? How do you choose who to spend the rest of your life with when they are both good men and you love them both?

While I loved the characters I did not love the detailed parts of this book dealing with Egyptian history and quantum physics. All in all too many subjects ruin the main story line. 3 stars for me but Jodi Picoult I have read everyone of your books and will continue to drop everything when your next book comes out and begin yours!

Thank you NetGalley, and Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine for an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

This was a good book right up until the end. It was a little slow at the beginning and I felt like the chapters were long. But it worked to keep me reading later than I planned. I missed many a bed time. It was a solid 3 moving towards a 4. The ending or I should say lack of ending for ruined it for me. They both abruptly end with no resolution and I hated it, I almost threw my iPad against the wall I was so upset! But luckily I was fiscally minded enough not to.

I generally love Jodi Picolt books. Too much Egyptology and death in this one. DNF. But thanks for the opportunity.

I've been a fan of Jodi Piccoult's for several years. I've read most of her books, and enjoyed each one. The Book of Two Ways was different from her other books. I enjoyed learning about Egypt and it's tombs, something I knew little about. This book had the same urgency and drama as her other books, but it felt as if more was at stake here. The title was clever, in that it described both life and death, Dawn's choices, and was also the title of a book in Ancient Egypt.

While there was a great deal of Egyptian history in The Book of Two Ways, it factored into the story line concerning Dawn and Wyatt. It was appropriate and made sense. Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for providing an e-galley in exchange for an honest review.