Another book from an author I really enjoy reading. I loved the setting and learning about the digs and just in general like to learn about new things.

I ended up listening to this on audiobook and overall, I did like it. I especially liked the history and information about archeology and Egyptology. It did run on a little longer than I felt was necessary, however. But overall - it was an interesting look at the "what ifs" that plague us all.

Everything changes for Dawn when she is in a plane crash. Her first thoughts aren’t of her husband, but of Wyatt whom she hadn’t seen for 15 years. When she survives the crash, Dawn sees two different paths she can take. She could go back to her husband and daughter, or reach out to find Wyatt. As we move through, we see both paths play out. 

It pains me to say this was not my favorite Jodi Picoult book. However, I still really enjoyed it. It was a bit heavier on the education side, lots of information that dragged a bit for me, but the story was still excellent.I really loved all the characters and as always, they pulled me right into their worlds. I have always loved Jodi’s books, and while this wasn’t my favorite, it was still excellent. Jodi does an amazing amount of research for her books and it is easy to see when you read them.

Jodi Piccoult always manages to find a new subject and I learn a lot from reading her books.  With COVID raging, the main character, a death doula, leads terminal patients to make solid life decisions inspired me to make preparations for the end of my life.  This book brought up so many questions such as  - the regrets, and choices that we've made, the reality of death, what makes life worth living, what is loss, what is happiness, what matters most.
I liked the story about the death doula and the relationship that she had with her client.  I think that her empathy and sensitivity to the client were certainly a new perspective for me, and I thought that she dealt with death and leaving in a sensitive manner.
The parts about her experience in Egypt and her work there was not as well integrated into the story and the philosophical conversations about death and dying, love and purpose got in the way of the plot and I hadto stop and think about where the story was going.  I think that by showing how ancient Egyptian principles are related to  current life situations, the story became a bit of a stretch, and the concept wore thin for me.
The ending was too abrupt - and not entirely believable, and she avoided the main question of the whole book - How do our choices change our lives and make us the persons that we are today. .

This was an enjoyable read, meandering from Boston to Egypt and back. It follows the story of Dawn, a former Egyptology grad student who has settled down in Boston as an end-of-life doula, as she considers her past and the future she wants for herself. I’m not sure the complicated structure completely resolved itself for me which is why I’m not rating it higher, but I enjoyed the story as I read it. The main characters are well defined and relatable. It’s unusual to learn so much from a novel, so the Egyptology aspects of the story were a treat.

Complexly plotted with fascinating detail, The Book of Two ways is the best book I've read all year.  You will not be able to put this book down, so clear your days!  This book caused me to read obsessively.

This book taught me something about Egyptian history. I found it to be very easy to read and enjoyable. The story line captured me from the beginning to the end.

I went into this book having read the reviews and knowing that this book would be Egypt-heavy. Jodi Picoult's books are always heavily researched and well-informed, and she has really outdone herself this time. 

From the reviews, it is evident that the dense material has been quite polarizing for some readers, making the book not as accessible or easy to read as her previous works. I admit that I did skim over the particularly cumbersome parts, but the Egyptology references are dispersed throughout the book, rather than in one big chunk. And even though they were not necessary for the plot of the book, it certainly showed the thorough research that was done in preparation for these characters digging in the Egyptian desert. She also demonstrates her understanding of being a caregiver for the terminally ill and gives great suggestions for what to do and not do when faced with those difficult situations. 

Nevertheless, Picoult's remarkable writing talent shines throughout the book, and her plot development is as strong as ever. The skill with which she's able to weave storylines and construct parallels is unmatched. The way she intertwines the Egypt and Boston timelines, along with the Egyptian myths and stories is seamless and remarkable. I would give this book 5 stars if not for the dense sections, but I will settle for 4.5 stars.

Thank you to Net Galley and Random House Ballantine for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Jodi Picoult is one of my go to authors, I will read any book that she writes and I have loved the majority of them. This was not one of the ones that I really loved. This was a super slow read for me, I just couldn't connect fully with the story, especially the sections on Egypt and the Book of Two Ways. I found the story flow to be a little disjointed and didn't really connect to the story and characters until the end part of the book.
The description of the book sounded interesting, however for me this wasn't an engaging read. I found myself skipping through a lot of the facts about Egypt wanting to get to the meat of the story and by the time I was fully invested, the book was almost done.

***This ARC was provided by netgalley for a honest review***

This book was so different than the other Picoults I’ve read. It was EXTREMELY textbook heavy and just not my cup of tea.  I’m sure a ton of research was put in to this book and I’m sure there are others who loves it.

This book was very different from the other books that I have read from this author.    I liked the dual story line and how it intertwined all the way to the end.  I learned a lot of interesting things and the story really made me think!!!

Jodi Picoult is one of my favorite authors so I quickly requested this book when I saw it was available. However, after I started to read this book I found it was not for me. The amount of information and research was outstanding but I felt like I was on overload. I felt like I was reading a text book rather than a novel. Sadly, I did not finish. #TheBookOfTwoWays #NetGalley

Jodi Picoult is a must read author for me and I was so excited to get her newest book. I didn’t love this one as much as some previous works like Small Great Thing or my favorite, the Storyteller. I will always love her commitment to research and her lovely writing style!

I liked the story premise a lot. But found myself drifting amid all the narrative of Egyptology. Almost too much information. It was almost like reading a novel and a history textbook at the same time. 
I like the characters a great deal. My favorite scenes were when Dawn interacted with her patients especially Win. 
Dawn’s relationships were interesting in their dynamic and differences. I could have used a little less history and a little more depth into her experience as a death doula. 3.5 stars

The Book of Two Ways-Review 1 of 2-@lucywrazor4

I have long been a die-hard fan of  @jodipicoult . I’ve read every book of hers and have loved the way she makes us think about deep issues even when they’re too heartbreaking to consider. I feel like her books in the last few years have marked a change in her writing voice, and “The Book of Two Ways” is no different. 
I had to sit with this one a bit, but the best part of reading it was having a conversation with my mom and sister about our differing interpretations on what we read. It hit us all differently...and I think that’s what Picoult aimed for, to be honest. 
Without giving away much, this was a story that runs the gambit on topics-ancient Egypt, physics, life and death, love, motherhood...it goes on and on. Our main character, Dawn, experiences a near-death emergency on an airplane, and after she survives, she’s faced with two paths-continue the life she has established...her husband, her daughter, her career, or take the other path, with the “one that got away,” her lost love Wyatt, still studying archaeology in Egypt, still fulfilling professional goals Dawn had wished for her own life. Picoult always makes me think, always makes me question...and this book was no different. 
I encourage you to read it. I encourage you to talk about it with the other women in your life. And if you’ve read it....what did you think? 

#bookstagram #bookstagramfriends #bookreview #book lover #readersofinstagram 
#jodipicoult #thebookoftwoways

I received a complimentary digital copy of this arc book from the publisher and NetGalley in exchange for an unbiased review. 

“My calendar is full of dead people.”

I’m not sure why I have delayed writing this review. It was not because I didn’t enjoy it but rather the overwhelming thoughts of how to explain such a detailed story. Essentially, it explores how the choices we make in life lead is to where we are now. It explores the question we all have which is, “what if….” and how that might look. I also found some of the history on Egyptology intriguing, a subject of which I had zero knowledge! Much to my surprise it was the author’s own introduction to the subject that prompted the book. 

The Book of Two Ways is literally a Map of the Afterlife, as understood my ancient Egyptians. For many people the detailed description and explanations of the Egyptian life and history might cause the story to drag on somewhat. Otherwise, the study of Egyptology in general might be of interest. 

Dawn Edelstein, who published under her maiden name Dawn McDowell, works as a death doula. She is married to Brian Edelstein whose profession and expertise is in physics. Dawn finds herself on a plane preparing an emergency landing in Raleigh-Durham due to a clogged fuel filter on plane which ultimately crashes. She is dazed and confused when she realizes that she is 1 of 36 people who survived the crash. 

Contemplating this near death experience leaves Dawn questioning her life and all her past decisions leading her to this point. She loves her husband Brian, daughter Meret and sister Kieran but she feels compelled to go to Egypt rather than head home to her family. 

Her thoughts wander back 15 years to her unfinished dissertation. She wonders where her life would be if she didn’t feel obliged to abandon her life’s work to leave Egypt to return home. Her fascination with the Book of Two Ways which is thought to be the first known map of the afterlife was shared with fellow Yale graduate student Wyatt Armstrong. The Egyptian history is convoluted with theories and beliefs meticulously documented by the Egyptians. The Book of the Dead (Book of Going Forth by Day) contained part of Coffin Texts which was to include the Book of Two Ways. 

This map of the afterlife was thought to be found in certain coffins in the Middle East during the Middle Kingdom. It showed two roads snaking through Osiris realm which is the corpse of Re the god of sun. The paths are separated by a lake of fire with both ending at the Field of Offerings where the deceased can feast with Osiris for eternity. Unfortunately some paths lead nowhere, and still others lead towards the demons or circles of fire. It is believed that embedded in the text was magic needed to get past guardians at gate when death called. 

While she initially found Wyatt annoying and arrogant she did admire his dedication and commitment to the study of Egyptology. The crash draws her back to Egypt abandoning her family to seek unanswered questions from her past. Her story fluctuates between the present and past; the life lived and the lost opportunities. She eventually needs to confront the consequences of her past and present decisions.

Let me start off this review by saying.. I love Jodi Picoult, like I will read anything this author writes. I have read a lot of books and Picoult is one of my all time favorites. That being said, this book was simply not for me. It felt like I was reading a textbook about mummies and Egypt. Picoult is definitely educated on all things Egyptology, so I give her credit for that. Just simply not my jam.

Jodi Picoult's The Book of Two Ways taught me so much! I learned about Egyptology and the death doula profession in the wonderful prose for which Picoult is know. When the protagonist, Dawn Edelstein has to leave Egypt, including the man and the work that she loves to step up to family responsibilities you are already deeply engaged. After a near death experience, Dawn feels there is unfinished business in Egypt so she returns. The story is a wonderful weave of Egyptology and understanding who we want to be with when we die. Thank you to the author, publisher Ballantine, and Netgalley for a great read!

SO FREAKING GOOD! Picoult slays again! I've heard mixed reviews, but I'm here to say I thought it rocked. The twist in the timeline is the best part and masterfully done. I really loved this book!

Jodi Picoult has written another beautiful book. I actually enjoyed reading all of the details about ancient Egyptian culture. This information was new to me and I found it really interesting. This book was emotional, heartbreaking, and hopeful. I always look forward to reading her books. I received a free copy of this book from netgalley and the publisher in exchange for my honest review.