Book of Two Ways

I received this book in exchange for an honest review. You can get your copy in September here: https://www.amazon.com/Book-Two-Ways-Novel/dp/198481835X

Jodi Picoult writes heavy stuff! I can really only read her books once a year, if that. Her topics are heavy, but she is an AMAZING writer. I tend to steer more towards what I like to call Light and Fluffy, but I do tend to veer off this path occasionally. Jodi’s books are so far from Fluffy! For example, the opening line of this book is, “My Calendar is full of dead people.” This can be interpreted in soooo many ways, but then we discover the main character, Dawn is on a plane and about to experience a PLANNED EMERGENCY. The plane is crashing, and they are told to BRACE! WHAT? That is quite the ease into the book, right? We just crash right into this book. Dawn is one of thirty-six people that were on the flight that survived. Dawn knows where she needs to go after escaping death-Egypt. If you knew you were about to die what would you do? Who would you need to speak to? Apology tour, perhaps? Dawn helps people make the transition from life to death. One thing that she asks her clients is, “What is left unfinished” I think we should all live our lives with this in mind. You do not know that tomorrow will or will not come. What will you leave unfinished? Have you danced with your child, so they have a video for their wedding day? Have you told the people that you love that you love them? There are the occasion funny thing in this book, but you have to be aware to catch it- like, “THINGS YOU SHOULDN’T FLUSH: ANYTHING YELLOW, TOILET PAPER, YOUR HOPES & DREAMS. I think 2020 has that one covered!  

We toggle between the past and present. Dawn is struggling with her current future and what she wants it to be. There is a shock in here that I suspected, but wasn’t quite sure about until the confrontation and confirmation. This book is heavy on technicalities which is fun in a little way, as you are actually learning something. As Dawn assists others between life and death as her Death Doula job calls for, she realizes how many regrets she could have, unless she changes. Only you stand in your way of your happiness. You have control of your situation, you just need to take it. It was slow to start, but around halfway through, it picked up. Overall, it was a good book!