I can’t wait for : The Book of Two Ways by Jodi Picoult (Can’t-Wait Wednesday)

Posted on January 29, 2020January 29, 2020 by deesradreadsandreviews

Can’t-Wait Wednesday is a meme hosted by Tressa at Wishful Endings to spotlight and discuss the books we are excited about that we have yet to read.

I came across this meme recently and thought it sounded like a lot of fun. There are so many books that I can’t wait to read…

My choice for this week is:

The Book of Two Ways by Jodi Picoult

The Book of Two Ways

Expected publication: September 22nd 2020 by Ballantine

Goodreads Description:

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 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, her beloved daughter, and her work as a death doula, where she helps ease the transition between life and death for patients in hospice.

But somewhere in Egypt is Wyatt Armstrong, who works as an archaeologist unearthing ancient burial sites, a job she 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 the survivors are seen by a doctor, then offers transportation wherever they want to go. The obvious option for Dawn is to continue down the path she is on and go home to her family. The other is to 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 beside 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?

My Thoughts:

I’m SO EXCITED!

To be honest I’m always excited when I hear that Jodi Picoult is going to be releasing a new book. I read her novel “The Pact” many many years ago and have since read everything she’s written. I’ve been waiting for news and when I heard about “The Book of Two Ways” today, I was thrilled!

The description has me intrigued.

“Who would you be, if you hadn’t turned out to be the person you are right now?”

It sounds like it is going to be another thought-provoking read from this author. I can’t wait to get my hands on it!

Are you a fan of Jodi Picoult’s novels? Will you be adding this to your TBR? I’d love to hear your thoughts!

Happy Reading Everyone!!

REVIEW – A Good Neighborhood by Therese Anne Fowler

Posted on January 21, 2020January 21, 2020 by deesradreadsandreviews

A Good Neighborhood

Expected publication: March 10th, 2020 by St. Martin’s Press

A compelling and timely read!

This story involves two families whose lives will intertwine in ways they would never have imagined.

“We begin our story here, in the minutes before the small event that will change everything.”

The Whitman’s have just built an upscale new house in the neighborhood of Oak Knoll.

Seventeen-year-old, Juniper Whitman seems to have it all. But appearances can be deceiving. Juniper’s mother, Julia met Brad Whitman when she was a single mother to nine-year-old, Juniper. Before Brad, life was hard and money was extremely tight. He made life much easier. At one time, Brad had been Juniper’s hero, but now everything has changed.

Juniper has secrets.

Juniper is relaxing by the pool when she first meets her new neighbor, Xavier Alston-Holt. Xavier (Zay for short) has an intense personality, but his mother taught him to use that intensity to his benefit. Xavier was set on getting into his first-choice college. His grades were excellent and his teachers and bosses loved him. His hard work paid off and he received a scholarship to the San Francisco Conservatory of Music.

Xavier’s mother, Valerie Alston-Holt was NOT in a hurry to meet her new neighbors. She already thought Brad Whitman was a man child with money. She had cried when she watched their yard being cleared of all the beautiful trees.

When Valerie discovers something very upsetting, she makes a decision that will change all of their lives.

“A Good Neighborhood” is a truly distinctive and well-written story that asks many tough questions.

Emotionally powerful this was a very quick read at only 279 pages. However, the author fit quite a lot into those pages.

A heartbreaking, compelling, and thought-provoking story with many well-developed characters. This story deals with many important issues. Many of the conversations and situations in this novel will stay with me for a long time.

I think this book would be a great choice for book clubs and/or group reads. This is a book that you’ll want to talk about.

I’d like to thank St. Martin’s Press for providing me with an advanced copy of this novel. All opinions are my own.

Music Monday – 1985 by Bowling For Soup

Posted on January 20, 2020January 20, 2020 by deesradreadsandreviews

musicmonday

Music Monday is a meme that was created by Drew from The Tattooed Book Geek. You pick a song and/or video and share it on Monday.

Today I am sharing:

I just love this song. The video and lyrics are so much fun.

There are many days that I’m still preoccupied with 1985 😉

Have a great week everyone!

Bowling For Soup – 1985

1985

Woohoo
Woohoo

Debbie just hit the wall
She never had it all
One Prozac a day
Husbands a CPA
Her dreams went out the door
When she turned twenty four
Only been with one man
What happened to her plan?

She was gonna be an actress
She was gonna be a star
She was gonna shake her ass
On the hood of White Snake’s car
Her yellow SUV, is now the enemy
Looks at her average life
And nothing has been alright

Since Bruce Springsteen, Madonna
Way before Nirvana
There was U2 and Blondie
And music still on M-T-V
Her two kids in high school
They tell her that she’s uncool
‘Cause she’s still preoccupied
With 19, 19, 1985

Woohoo
(1985)
Woohoo

She’s seen all the classics
She knows every line
Breakfast Club, Pretty In Pink
Even Saint Elmo’s Fire
She rocked out to Wham!
Not a big Limp Bizkit fan
Thought she’d get a hand
On a member of Duran Duran

Where’s the mini-skirt made of snake skin
And who’s the other guy singing in Van Halen
When did reality become T.V.
What ever happened to sitcoms, game shows
(On the radio was)

Bruce Springsteen, Madonna
Way before Nirvana
There was U2 and Blondie
And music still on M-T-V
Her two kids in high school
They tell her that she’s uncool
‘Cause she’s still preoccupied
With 19, 19, 1985

Woohoo

She hates time make it stop
When did Motley Crue become classic rock?
And when did Ozzy become an actor?
Please make this
Stop! Stop! Stop!
And bring back

Springsteen, Madonna
Way before Nirvana
There was U2 and Blondie
And music still on M-T-V
Her two kids in high school
They tell her that she’s uncool
‘Cause she’s still preoccupied
1985

Bruce Springsteen, Madonna
Way before Nirvana
There was U2 and Blondie
And music still on M-T-V
Her two kids in high school
They tell her that she’s uncool
But she’s still preoccupied
With 19, 19, 1985

Songwriters: John Allen / Mitchell Scherr / Mitchell Allan Scherr

1985 lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC