This was a good book. Her writing is excellent and well researched and the topic was interesting. There’s a lot of back and forth with characters which can be confusing, but I would recommend this book.

Thank you for the opportunity to review this book . I found it difficult to get into which is unusual. I know there will be some that will enjoy this but I was not one of them.

2.5 stars, right in the middle which seems to be apt for The Book of Two Ways.

I usually appreciate Jodi Picoult's unique writing and the way she takes chances with her books. I've read every novel of hers and while there's been some misses, overall they are enjoyable reads.

The Book of Two Ways has wonderfully written characters which are the shining stars of this book and what saves it from itself in my opinion. I loved the story of the people so, so, so much. Not only the main characters of Dawn, Brian and Wyatt but everyone else from Win to Felix and everyone in between.

The downfall of this novel is the details. If you LOVE Egyptology AND Quantum Physics this will be your jam. If you don't want the nitty gritty of those genres with a huge dose of death culture you may be really put off. The Egypt stuff I ended up broadly skipping because it's something I just don't care about. Same with the quantum physics. A deep dive into one or the other would have been maybe enough but the massive doses of both was just too much of a downfall for me.

I did enjoy reading about Dawn's work as a death doula, especially since I've had that role for quite a few people in my life without realizing it was a thing. You can tell that Jodi did her research there as everything she describes is accurate - so much it brought tears to my eyes.

Overall the bare bones story about Dawn's story was beautifully woven (save for the ending, not a fan). It's the saving grace of the book.

Thank you to Net Galley and Random House/Ballantine for an eARC copy of this novel in exchange for my honest review.

I wish to thank Net Galley and Random House Publishing Group – Ballantine Books for allowing me to read an advanced copy of this book. I have voluntarily read and am reviewing this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

I have always been a fan of Jody Picoult’s books and really looked forward to reading this one. That said, I had a really difficult time with this one. It is a story told in basically several parts. It is a love story; it is an historical archeological excavation story about the Egyptian ruins then it moves on to Boston where Dawn’s husband is a quantum physicists which was way over my head. I found the Egyptian history interesting but, for me, it was way too lengthy and lost me over and over again. I found myself skipping parts that went on too long. Then the love story kicked back in and returned me to the story. Less of the Egyptian parts would have increased this to a 10 star story.

The characters in the story were marvelous and you had to love all of them. Dawn is a woman with a past to which she longs to return. Her husband and daughter know nothing about this past and as she watches her marriage hit the rocks she feels the need to return to Egypt and reconnect with Wyatt. All our lives are full of what ifs and the readers can relate to questions and wonder at her decisions. I wanted more of this segment and less of the Egyptian history.

I sincerely hope that Jodi will continue this story and tell us more in a sequel.I appreciate all the research that went into the writing of this book. I did learn a lot but it was complicated by far too many twists and turns which took away from this reader’s enjoyment. The part of the story about Dawn becoming a Death Doula is another story all by itself. I found that part fascinating and would love to see her explore this topic in future books.

You don’t read Jodi Picoult if you are looking for a beach read. I have read almost, if not all, of her books. They are filled with emotion and controversy. They make you think. The Book Of Two Ways was no different. Two stories in one. One set in Egypt amongst the glorious setting of Ancient Egypt and one set near Boston. While I have a mild interest in Ancient Egypt, at times I found myself glossing over this section, more curious about the parts in Boston. However, lovers of Ancient Egypt will love how magnificiently Jodi was able to weave it into the story line.

Thank you so much for allowing me to read this book as an early review! I am a Jodi Picoult fan and never disappointed with her wildly entertaining and heart warming stories. The characters are enjoyable and likable, the plot is interesting and the relationships that ensue are highly entertaining. This story is about love and loss, life and death, and answering the nagging question of "what if." Dawn Edelstein is our main character and is working on a project in Egypt when she is notified that her mother is dying and she needs to come home. Dawn then assumes the role of raising her younger brother and leads a typical life. However, upon leaving Egypt in a bit of a hurry, she left behind a man who could have been (the "what if") her future path. IF her life had assumed a different path, it would have been quite different. The choices she makes throughout are unique and entertaining to ponder. Through this story, which goes back and forth in time, and between choices of Dawn's life, we see the struggle that she makes with her decisions and life path. This story made me think. It made me reflect on things I have never thought of. It may seem to be a bit confusing based on the setup of the plot, but I assure you it is written in a manner that is superb and comes together in a beautiful sense. Picoult is the master of storytelling and conveys her material in a way that brings even the most difficult content to life. I highly recommend this entertaining read as it will not disappoint!

Thank you so much for the opportunity to have read this Netgalley!

Another fascinating book by Jodi Picoult. I loved this book just like I have loved all of her other ones. The story of Dawn, a death doula who questions the path her life has taken after she survives a terrible plane crash. When Dawn walks away virtually unscathed she feels a pull to pick up where her life was 15 years ago, instead of where it currently is with her husband and family. Beautiful writing and fascinating details of Egypt make this book a must read. Highly recommend.

I requested to read and review this book from Random House. This is the first book I have read by Jodi Picoult. This book wow you will go through some many emotions, happy, sad, shock angry and then some more emotions. It has a lot of info on Egyptian pyramids and different Egyptians kings and other royalty. And just when you think that you have it figured out bam you get thrown through a loop. You will want to keep eye on Wyatt, Dawn, Meret and Brian. Can't wait to see if there is a next one!!

I'm a big fan of Jodi Picoult's work, and there were parts of her new book that I liked and parts that really fell flat for me. I enjoyed the parts about Dawn's work as a death doula. That fascinated me deeply, and there was much of Jodi's trademark wisdom and meaningful insight woven through the novel.

What fell flat for me was the jolting back and forth across time, as well as the strange behavior of the main character, Dawn. I just couldn't understand her indecision, her leaving her daughter...etc. I also couldn't understand her anger at her husband towards the beginning. Maybe it's just me... ?

I skimmed over most of the very tediously long passages about the Egyptians, hieroglypics, and death practices...etc. I found it interesting, but way overdone.

Thanks to NetGalley, the author and publisher, for an advanced reading copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

Who amongst us, hasn’t wondered what their life would look like if they had chosen a different path when they hit that proverbial fork in the road? Who hasn’t pondered the paths traveled and mused about those that were not? And who hasn’t struggled with their share of choices, losses, and regrets? In her latest novel, “The Book of Two Ways,” author Jodi Picoult puts these concepts under the microscope, as we follow one woman’s journey of discovery along two distinctly different roads.

While I loved the characters and overall premise, the extreme emphasis on the factual details was a bit off putting. I found myself skimming those heavily comprehensive portions in favor of the one-on-one human interactions. And while not totally unexpected, I found the ambiguous ending an anticlimactic conclusion to an otherwise riveting story. Yet, despite the disappointing execution, I still found that “The book of Two Ways” an interesting and thought-provoking read.

I would like to thank Netgalley and Ballantine for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Jodi Picoult is a queen and I am never disappointed when I pick up one of her books. Saying that I did have a hard time getting through this one. My problem with this book is that there was just so much information and so much going on at once. Egyptology to Quantum Physics. Going from her past to her future could be a little confusing and I would have to go back a few pages to see if she was in the past or real time. Hieroglyphs, while interesting, was a little much for a book that you just want to sit and get lost in. Oh, and that ending!!

Ok, on to what I liked. The relationships were spot on. The characters were likable and also relatable. I love Dawns job and am interested to learn if there are people out there who are death coaches. The love triangle killed me because I couldn't decide between Brian or Wyatt myself.

Overall, I did love the characters. I loved the mother- daughter relationship. I loved the plot twist(it was big). I loved the idea of choice and how our actions can change our future. I love that are people out there who can help you through death and I love second chances. I love Jodi Picoult and how she can make you think. You may have a stance on a subject and she can take that and make you see the other side.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this ARC and provide honest feedback. I've read other books by this author and have enjoyed them, so I had my hopes up for this one but it fell short for me. I rarely don't finish a book but this one went way too far into Egyptian details and just dragged on. The author clearly put a lot of research and effort to make the story as accurate as possible, but I felt it took away from the overall story.

I tried to read a few pages of this book and it did not grab my attention enough to want to finish it. I very rarely DNF a book but this one made the list.

A deeply passionate store of love and loss, life and death, and the question of "what it"!

25 year old Dawn Edelstein is working on a project in Egypt, a project central to her career plans, when she gets the call: her mother is dying and Dawn needs to come home. Rather than spending her day at ancient burial sites, Dawn takes on the role of mother to her younger brother, and eventually marries and has a child. But when Dawn left Egypt in a rush she left behind a man who could have been in her future, if things had been different. Instead of becoming an Egyptologist, Dawn becomes a death doula, someone who helps the critically ill have a meaningful end of life.

Fifteen years later, Dawn survives a plane crash. Given the option of a ticket to wherever she wants, Dawn opts to go back to Egypt rather than home to Boston, to see if the choices she has made are the right ones. Because when Dawn left Egypt, she not only left behind a promising career, but also a man who might have been her soul mate...

The story goes back and forth in time, and between possibilities, as Dawn struggles not only with her own choices, but with helping her patients through their choices. And Dawn's work at burial sites in Egypt has brought her into contact with The Book of Two Ways. Unlike modern uncertainty about what happens after Death, The Book of Two Ways describes in detail what ancient Egyptians should do and expect in death.

Jodi Picoult always does an amazing amount of research, but The Book of Two Ways transcends everything that she has before. You will find yourself reviewing your life and your decisions, and asking yourself "what if?". Sometimes a bit confusing, but always thought provoking, The Book of Two Way is a book that should not be missed.

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/3398718307

I always seem to find Jodi Picoult’s books at the perfect time, and this was no exception. Her main character, Dawn, is a death doula - and this read was deeper for me because I recently lost my grandfather.

Her wonderful research is again apparent, touching on Egyptology and physics, the basis of the story connecting mirror universes and the Book of Two Ways as if they have always been self reflective... masterful.

I was very worried I’d be upset with Dawn’s choice at the end, but - no spoilers - even that worked out like a beautifully written poem.

Jodie Picoult is an author that I follow and I have read all of her books. There are some books that I have liked more than others. Each of her books have been well written and are usually quite interesting. The Book of Two ways did not hit the five star review status for me. That being said, I did find the chapters dealing with the main character Dawn, being a death doula, to be most enlightening. The chapters that dealt with her earlier student days when she studied to become an Egyptologist, were too detailed and sometimes tedious to read. If you are interested in Egyptian history you may enjoy this section more than I did.
There are two dueling alternative chapter choices that Dawn makes after her own near death experience. This is a new twist. It reminded me of the “choose your own adventure books” my kids used to read.
Dawn made some impulsive life altering choices as an adult married women and mother. At times this seemed a bit unbelievable.
The Book of Two Ways is about love and loss and I am happy that I had the opportunity to read it. It was just not one of my favorites from Jodie Picoult. I thank Netgalley and the publisher for this ARC copy of the book.

It took me a while to get into this book, but once I got past all of the Egyptology details, I could really concentrate on the dual story lines happening here. I found myself very drawn in to the drama AND I even learned a few things about archaeology along the way.

This book had me hopeful. The premise, the concept of death doulas..these were all things that drew me in. However, I was admittedly not in love with the way it was so research heavy. Now, I love a nonfiction book, and I can also appreciate when an author clearly does his or her research on historical subjects. However, I didn't quite expect this going into this book and for it to be so heavily involved in the research, so I ultimately was not a fan. I think other people would love this book, it's just unfortunately not my interest.

I really enjoyed this book. Character development was good. The plot was very interesting. Not a lot of typos.

I love Jodi’s book but this was one I could not finish. I might go back at a later date but more than half way through I had to stop.