Good Books

[YankeeBeckham]

I recently have started devouring all medical books that I can get my hands on, especially those that I would classify as medical narratives. I really enjoyed When the Air Hits Your Brain by Dr. Frank Vertosick and Complications by Dr. Atul Gawande. Does anyone have reccommendations for other similar books that they've enjoyed? I can easily finish one of these books in one sitting, and it seems like the more I read and learn about medicine, the more I'm convinced that I want to pursue a medical career.

[Dr. Joshua]

I read Vertosick's book when I was just starting my neurosurgical residency. He is a good writer - a thoroughly enjoyable book. For those interested in the history of surgery, Ferdinand Sauerbruch's A Surgeon's Life is an interesting read. I just got my hands on Axel Munthe's The Story of San Michele - another classic, planning to read it next.

[YankeeBeckham]

I just finished A Not Entirely Benign Procedure by Perri Klass, which was pretty good, but a bit heavy handed with the attempts at wit in some spots. Next up, I'm planning on reading Becoming a Doctor by Melvin Konner. I'll be sure to check out those books you suggested next time I'm at the book store.

[YankeeBeckham]

I recently ran across a list on Minnesota's public radio website that listed the following books that premed students should read:

"Tuesdays with Morrie," by Mitch Albom
"The Plague," by Albert Camus
"Guns, Germs, and Steel: The Fates of Human Societies," by Jared Diamond
"The Spirit Catches You and You Fall Down," by Annie Fadiman
"Complications: A Surgeon's Notes on an Imperfect Science," by Atul Gawandee
"The Kite Runner," by Khaled Hosseini
"Mountains Beyond Mountains: The Quest of Dr. Paul Farmer, A Man Who Would Cure the World," by Tracy Kidder
"Arrowsmith," by Sinclair Lewis
"The House of God," by Samuel Shem
"The Lives of a Cell," and other books by essayist Lewis Thomas
"The Tennis Partner," and other books by Abraham Verghese

Have you read any of them? I've only read "Complications", though Fadiman did come to my school and gave a fantasic talk about her book. Right now I'm knocking out "The House of God" which is very, very good, but very, very weird. Any more suggestions?

[stephenmendes]

What is your favorite novel of any genre? I have a large love for Little Women, David Copperfield, A Tale Of Two Cities, and, most importantly, The Five People You Meet In Heaven.