Unable to open Books on split screen of iPad after update iPadOS 26

Before we moved to version 26, I could open Books and split the screen. I would then fill the other side with a different application. What I was looking at in Books was a religious devotional material. On the other side, I had a version of the Bible open. I could go back-and-forth with ease. Before I could close the two applications at one time and they would be saved together. The next time I opened up Books, both applications would appear side-by-side. This does not happen now have to go through several steps to get them both open a real pain.

Is there anyway where I can accomplish this in this latest update? I wish I had not fallen for this new operating system.

Any suggestions would be helpful. Thank you.

[Edited by Moderator]

Original Title: Books on on iPadOS26 is not user friendly!