Dawn MacDowell is a gifted Egyptologist with a specialty in The Book of Two Ways, the direction for ancient Egyptians to guide them in the afterlife. But while she is absorbed with the historical treatment of death, the reality hits too close to home when her mother tells her she is dying. Dawn must leave the work and the man she loves to be with her mother and care for her young brother. When her mother dies, she is trapped with the need to handle her mother’s debt and the care of her small brother. Egypt is so far away. Dawn runs away from her first loves and drawing on the experience she’s had with her mother, becomes a Death Doula, helping terminal patients deal with the myriad of things left unfinished. The struggle Dawn feels over her lost career, the man she loved first, the family and career she’s created conflict in heartbreaking ways.

When I started reading this book, I was afraid that the Egyptology portions which are so important to this book were beyond my understanding, but as Jodi Picoult is so good at doing, by the end of the book I just wanted more.

I loved this book. I enjoyed each level of the story and enjoyed the timeline hopping because it made it easy to understand why Dawn was so confused. I loved learning about the history of Egypt, Death Doula’s and even the quantum physics Dawn’s husband teaches. I cannot recommend this book highly enough.

Thank you to the publisher, Ballantine, and to NetGalley for allowing me to read this book in advance. The book will be published on September 22, 2020.

I’m afraid my love affair with Jodi Picoult might be over. :( She has progressed into much more of a sophisticated writer...but I prefer her earlier writing style.
No secret Picoult goes to great lengths to research the subjects in her books, but at times I definitely felt like I was ready a school textbook, instead of a fictional book for leisure. It seemed like I should be taking notes, like there was going to be a test at the end
I enjoyed the main storyline, but I feel like she was writing to over write and try to turn it into something much more than it needed to be.

I am a huge Jodi Picoult fan. Each of her books teaches me something new while bringing me into a whole new world of experiences through the characters. Therefore, I was thrilled to receive an advanced reader copy of The Book of Two Ways.

As a young girl I used to dream of going to Egypt as an archeologist and all I would discover, so I was excited to see that Picoult’s latest novel would take me into Egypt with an exciting premise.

Synopsis: Everything changes in a single moment for Dawn Edelstein. She’s on a plane when the flight attendant makes an announcement: Prepare for a crash landing. She braces herself as thoughts flash through her mind. The shocking thing is, the thoughts are not of her husband but of a man she last saw fifteen years ago: Wyatt Armstrong.

Dawn, miraculously, survives the crash, but so do all the doubts that have suddenly been raised. She has led a good life. Back in Boston, there is her husband, Brian, their beloved daughter, and her work as a death doula, in which she helps ease the transition between life and death for her clients.

But somewhere in Egypt is Wyatt Armstrong, who works as an archaeologist unearthing ancient burial sites, a career Dawn once studied for but was forced to abandon when life suddenly intervened. And now, when it seems that fate is offering her second chances, she is not as sure of the choice she once made.

After the crash landing, the airline ensures that the survivors are seen by a doctor, then offers transportation to wherever they want to go. The obvious destination is to fly home, but she could take another path: return to the archaeological site she left years before, reconnect with Wyatt and their unresolved history, and maybe even complete her research on The Book of Two Ways—the first known map of the afterlife.

As the story unfolds, Dawn’s two possible futures unspool side by side, as do the secrets and doubts long buried with them. Dawn must confront the questions she’s never truly asked: What does a life well lived look like? When we leave this earth, what do we leave behind? Do we make choices . . . or do our choices make us? And who would you be if you hadn’t turned out to be the person you are right now?

As always, Picoult did a fabulous job with her research. I appreciate all the hard work she put into keeping the book factually accurate, but I think she may have gotten so into her own research and excitement about all the new information on Egyptology, chemistry, death doulas, etc. that she went a little overboard on the factual details in the book, so at times the story read like a textbook.

I did love learning about the main character’s profession as a death doula. This was the first time I had heard of or encountered this profession, and found it fascinating.

Overall, this book just didn’t seem to have any real flow and by the end of the book I felt like I didn’t have a connection with the characters or feel that they were fully developed. There was still some enjoyment to be found in the reading along with some mystery, suspense and history.

I’m still a fan of Jodi Picoult and I’m looking forward to her next book.

i used to love jodi picoult books but i really really really really disliked A Spark of Light and it made me not want to read another book of hers, even an older one. then i got an email about this being on netgalley and my curiousity got the better of me... man, that synopsis! goodness this sounds like my jam (except for the whole plane crash and death doula, that sounds a little not my jam lol), but the whole 'two possible futures unspool side by side' - sign me the eff up. unfortunately, it really didn't work for me - super dense and heavy. very unsatisfied with the ending and honestly, the whole thing. can't recommend this one.

Prepare yourself for a HEAVY book...and I don't mean that as a description of its weight. I mean, it's dealing with life and the choices we make, and how life would have turned out if we'd made different choices. Sounds interesting, right? The main character, Dawn, is married to her husband of 15 years, with a teenage daughter and a career she enjoys. Right at the start, she realizes the plane she is on is about to crash, and like most people, her life flashes before her. She doesn't immediately think of her husband and child; she thinks of Wyatt, the man she loved and the career they shared as archaeologists studying ancient Egyptian tombs. After a long-winded trip down memory lane (which sets up the "other path not taken" side of the story) she suddenly switches to her current life and how wonderful it is. The parallel stories confused me at first, because I went in to it with no knowledge of what it was about. After reading almost 20% of the book, I had to go online and read the synopsis and plot so I could grasp what was going on. In a way, this felt like literary fiction. As an escapist reader, I don't like to read literary fiction because I have to work too hard to grasp the meaning of it all. This writer is not the Jodi Picoult I am familiar with. I think of her as the queen of "everywoman"'s fiction. Her writing appeals to many women because she writes about our lives and all the heartache and joy we experience in a way that is relatable.

The stuff about Egyptology and archaeology is so far above my head that I had to skim through it quite often. It didn't interest me, but even if it did, I don't think it is necessary to make the point. Personally I think this book is just overwritten. You can tell Picoult is challenging herself with "meatier" subjects in her recent work, but it's just too much for me. I wish it had less of the textbook information and more on the relationship side of things. That brings me to another detail that I didn't like: the ending. After all that, I get to the end and feel like nothing is resolved. I will not recommend this one.

I honestly didn’t care for this book. It felt hurried. In no way did I feel a connection to the character or her situation. I will, of course, make sure Jodi Picoult's fans take a look at it.

Oh, I am a big fan of Jodi Picoult, so it’s truly distressing to give this one a DNF because I just simply did not have an interest or connection to Egyptian culture or history. All of her previous books that I have read of hers have been a 5 star review from me. This is a one off for me, but it certainly won’t deter me from reading a past or future book from this author.

Thank you Netgalley for an ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.

Interesting subject that comes from the heart and captivates the reader. I love when offers offer a unique perspective.

I have been a lifetime fan of Jodi Picoulg and was so excited to get an advanced copy of her latest book! The Book of Two Ways explores the idea that there are multiple parallel universes, and what happens when you go down different paths: one a return to a life in Boston, two returning to an unfulfilled life from 15 years ago. I really enjoyed all of the characters and the way the book played out. That big twist near the end really got me, and pulled the whole book together in a way that was slightly lacking in the first part of the book. Overall it was a good read, and I feel like I learned a lot about Egyptology that I didn’t know before!

Another great Jodi Picoult. I love how she tackles different topics in every novel. You can never count on her books being similar, but know they’ll be great. You can feel how much time, effort and research she put into this book. Her love of story telling shines through in every book she writes.

I have eagerly read each of Jodi Picoult's books throughout the years.
My favorite continue to be My Sisters Keeper. ALthough I enjoy all of her books, this one left me wanting.
I understand it was a slight departure from her usual stories and style, and every author is entitled to
experiment. However, as a loyal reader, I hope she returns to the tried and true for her next book.

I've read a few of Jodi PIcoult's books and really enjoyed them. With that said, this book just wasn't what I was expecting. I found myself wanting to skim A LOT! There was too much information, especially philosophical, quantum physics, Egyptian hieroglyphs, symbolism. My eyes wanted to glaze over!! It just was too much to take in and did not read as a pleasure book. I felt like I was back in college and completing required reading for a course. I feel all that took away from the premise of the story about learning from our pasts and mistakes, and working to figure out the best path ahead.

This is the second book I’ve read by Jodi Picoult that I had trouble finishing. I have enjoyed so many of her books in the past, but this one just did me in. There was too much information, especially philosophical, quantum physics, Egyptian hieroglyphs, symbolism, etc. It just was too much to take in and did not read as a pleasure book. I felt like I was back in college and completing required reading for a course.

Being given the opportunity for a second chance is a wonderful notion. And I would have loved to enjoy that part of the book. However, the information shared overwhelmed the emotional part that appealed to me.

Thank you to NetGalley and Ballantine Books for my advanced review copy. All opinions and thoughts are my own.

"Life asked death, 'Why do people love me but hate you? ‘Death responded 'Because you are a beautiful lie and I am a painful truth." -Unknown

Prepare for a Crash Landing. Everything changes for Dawn Edelstein when she is on a plane preparing to crash. As the plane goes down her thoughts are on Wyatt Armstrong, a man she loved and last saw 15 years ago, she does not think of her husband Brian or the life they had in Boston with their daughter, Merit.

Dawn is an interesting woman. She gave up her dream of being an Egyptologist, when she received word that her mother was dying, and she needed to leave Egypt and return home. There she had to prepare for her Mother's death and raise her much younger brother. She had to leave Egypt and Wyatt behind. She meets Brian soon thereafter and the rest as they say, is history. Now a death Douala with a teenage daughter, her universe is about to change.

"My heart is no longer in my body."

It is obvious from reading this book that a tremendous amount of research went into the writing of this book. There is A LOT of Egyptian history, which I enjoyed at times and other times muddled through it, but all the while I reminded myself that this was her two characters passion. It is what they did. This is what they talked about, it was for one, his life's work. There is also talk of Quantum physics - parallel universes, etc. Then I was introduced to the career of the Death Douala which blew me away and I found to be very compelling and interesting.

Overall, this was an interesting and entirely different book. Very original with some beautiful passages. Dawn's story is told through the past and present. We are introduced to those in her life and her relationships with them. This book touches on many themes such as: life, death, choices, the what-ifs, the afterlife, loss and happiness.

This was a hard one to rate because; although interesting, sometimes getting through all the Egyptian history felt like work. She did her research and it showed. When you walk two paths in life, which one do you ultimately choose? Which will Dawn?

"Look, if you had One shot... Or one opportunity... To seize everything, you ever wanted ...In one moment... Would you capture it... Or just let it slip?" -Eminem

The Book of Two Ways is both a rewarding and frustrating book. In the end, I am glad I read it and enjoyed it. It did take some work, but I found it to be well worth it. I learned a lot and appreciated the messages about life and death. Some of her passages were quite beautiful. I think this would make an interesting book club book as there is a lot to discuss.

Thank you to Random House Ballantine and NetGalley who provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All the thoughts and opinions are my own.

I am huge Jodi Picoult fan and she is often one of my go to authors to recommend to others. With that said, this was not my usual reaction to her novels. She went a little to deep with the Egyptian history and quantum physics, which took away from the wonderful premise of learning from our mistakes and multitude of paths set before us. I found myself wanted to skim past parts of the story and had to put the book down often. Unfortunately, this will not be one of her novels that I will be advising others to read unless they are huge history buffs. I hope her next novel goes back to the things I love about her books - turning tough human topics into engrossing dramatic stories.

Jodi Picoult has delivered another good read. In a nutshell, this is the story of a woman torn between two loves, two lives. The one she left behind and the one she is currently living. The storyline bounces between the two in alternating chapters. While in Boston we learn of her life as a death doula, a wife, and a mother. While in Egypt we learn of her life unearthing coffins and transcribing their hieroglyphics along side the man stole her heart years ago. Personally, I prefer the Boston storyline – to me it is more personal, emotional, and reflective whereas the Egypt storyline has more facts and history mixed in that at times I felt was just too much. Overall, I think the two storylines come together nicely but the ending does leave you wanting a little more. But truly, it was probably the best way to end it.

Thank you to NetGalley for the advanced copy.

How many ways can one book break your heart?

Here's a tale about a detoured Egyptologist with a fascination for an ancient text showing the course of two routes to the afterlife. Here's a tale about a woman who eases the transition of the living toward their death. Here's a story of a soul torn between two worlds, two lives, two loves, two purposes which can never meet. -But what if they do? Will both worlds implode?

This well researched, well written, and well devised novel had me searching my own past, passions, motives, and losses. - And when the end came, it nearly killed me, but it was, ultimately, the only possible conclusion.

What is the answer? Which is the path?

Too much like a textbok. I wanted to hear more about the main character and her family. I enjoyed the book, I just wished it wasn't so bogged down with information. I ended up skimming some parts.

3.5 Stars

I finished this book the other night and I've been sitting on it ever since.....not literally, weirdo. :) I really liked some aspects of this book but felt that others were drawn out and took away from the story.

Dawn, a former grad student, used to dream of being an Egyptologist and working with ancient artifacts. Her rival, Wyatt, is pursuing the same goal as a grad student. Their immense distaste for each other quickly heats up just like the desert sun. When she gets bad news from home back in Boston she leaves suddenly and doesn't return. Flash forward to today and she is happily married to Brian, has a career as death doula and is always battling their teenage daughter. Dawn survives a plane crash and is left questioning every choice since she left Egypt that day. Did she choose the right man? Is she living the life she's supposed to?

I won't deny that Picoult puts a lot of thought and research into her books. However, the reoccurring history lessons as well as the lectures on physics and alternate realities had my eyes blurring. I enjoy a history lesson as much as the next person, but this was a bit too much. Dawn started to be compared to a lot of historical Egyptian characters unnecessarily and made the book drag. If the fat on this book had been trimmed it would have been much more enjoyable.

I received an ARC of this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

I'm usually a big fan of Picoult but this one was a little too much. And yet, I couldn't stop reading. It's a weird feeling.

After we learn Dawn was one of the few survivors in a plane accident, we find out more about her two lives. The one where she used to be an Egyptologist and on her way to make a big discovery, but had to give up and now she goes back to Egypt despite her family to find out whether she regrets the choice. And another she's facing problems in her marriage, but still goes back to her family after escaping them.

3.5, but not that good to become a 4, with an alert for text dump and open ending.

Picoult's book usually include a trial, or maybe it is I who haven't read enough. Still, I was waiting for one and was about to feel disappointed when I noticed the main point—The Book of Two Ways depicts the path a soul takes to the Afterlife, it's like a small cheat to reach and pass the final Judgment and then move on to heaven (or what they used to call, you'll learn it all). So I believe Picoult made a trial for Dawn's choices and how it affected people surrounding her, which is actually beautiful.

But this book is long and dense, too. Still, the mystery of what's happening to the main character allied with wanting a lot to know what she'll do made me turn pages very quickly. So I have to say it's not a bad read. It's just that it had too many flaws to call it very good. Also, this was the first Picoult I didn't love.

The first problem is what everyone is saying, a lot of it feels like Introduction to Egyptology 101, another lot could as well be called Quantum Physics for Dummies (and will people just get over Schrodinger's Cat, please??? Since they found out it exists, they just conclude no one has heard of it and explains it like a big novelty. If you don't know it, you'll become very knowledgeable but millennials on should probably be familiar and also probably as tired of it as I feel). In any case, this book is theory heavy leading to very little in the plot really. I think Picoult really wanted to write some Egyptology article; she did enough research for one. I don't know anything to judge the quality but it was overwhelming. The Physics part was cute, on the other hand, but I wasn't awestruck like with the Egypt parts, it was just a lot of talk and very little result, should be wonderful in a movie where they'll shorten the parts for impact.

Once you just deal with the academic reads, there's the actual story. Dawn revisits her past and we learn about her days as a grad student in Egypt and we learn about later, when she meets her husband and chooses not to go back. In present time, we see her work as a death doula, helping people organize their lives before dying unable to organize her own family; and her identity crisis, when she decides to go back to Egypt and find again the love she'd left behind. Because we have no idea what made her life part in those two timelines, we can only pick hints here and there of how they will meet, which was what was most gripping about the book. To be honest, most of my hypotheses on that explanation were very unsatisfactory so I can say I'm glad with how it all panned out, although it could have been more.

I also have problems with a lot of specific points I can't single out without spoiling things, but that made me rethink my opinion on Picoult. One I can certainly name is the treatment of Dawn's daughter, who is overweight. She tries a redemption in the end that really didn't work for me. Along with that some key decisions Dawn made felt far-fetched too. Near the end, her husband I believe accuses her of being selfish and she argues she'd given up on things for others her whole life etc, but I really didn't buy it. For me, Dawn is one main character really hard to like or relate.

This review got too long and I still think there's a lot I wanted to discuss. For a book so well researched and structured, the main story wound up vain. If you can get past the info dump, I think you can enjoy the book but not many should really love it. I can't speak for all, of course.

Honest review based on an ARC provided by Netgalley. Many thanks to the publisher for this opportunity.