In 2022, I listed the Top 12 Medical Books if You Love to Read About Medicine. It was a compilation of all the medically-themed books I’ve read over the years and those that my medical book club enjoyed. I’ve wanted to make a follow-up post to this list, so this month, I decided to share Part 2: Top 9 Best Medical Books if You Love to Read About Medicine.
Intentional reading
Before I get to the list, I wanted to tell you about my year of ‘intentional reading.’ I was sick of saying, ‘Hey, I read that book but can’t remember what it was about.’ What’s the point of reading so many books without appreciating the story or the writing? So, this year, I decided to be more active with my reading. I got a journal (my trusty Moleskin Cahiers XXL) and a lovely pen (Muji .5mm). I set up a comfortable reading nook. I set a time every day (5 AM). And I slowed down and took notes as I read. Sometimes, I would copy passages that resonated with me. Other times, I would jot down my thoughts, draw diagrams, or make lists to incorporate my ideas with the reading. I realized that writing stuff down forced me to slow down. It made me enjoy the book much more. I realized that the number of pages I wrote was directly proportional to how much I loved a particular book. I also made a point to go back and read what I had written. Most years, I read 20-25 books. This year, I read only 18 books. But I enjoyed them more deeply. I plan to continue this method and encourage you to try it out!
And now, the list…..
I’ve realized that I’m partial to memoirs. But any book that makes me stop and think or learn something new is also worthy of mention. This includes any genre: non-fiction, pop literature, historical fiction, etc. Here’s my Top 9 list, in no particular order:
- Crying in H Mart by Michelle Zauner–The story of a Korean-American daughter and her relationship with her mother, who was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. Easy-to-read story about culture, love, expectations, and relationships during a time of illness and death. Be prepared: this one will make you cry.
- In Shock by Rana Adwish– The story of a critical care doctor who becomes sick while 7 months pregnant. Author shares her experiences as both a physician, who is an expert in shock, and as a first-time patient. Wonderful imagery, lessons on communication, and personal transformation. This should be required reading for anyone entering the medical profession.
- The Blue Zones by Dan Buettner–This one is more of a trendy, pop-culture book that made it to my list. It was not because of its deep writing or literary prowess, but because of interesting content that made you think about life and longevity. The author visits the ‘Blue Zones’ (where people live the longest) around the world and asks for their secrets to a long, happy life.
- Do No Harm by Henry Marsh– This is a memoir written by a Neurosurgeon, who reflects on his long career in a brutally honest way. Some of my favorite books have been written by Neurosurgeons. I often wonder if constantly working on the brain makes you more of a reflective person.
- Between Two Kingdoms by Suleika Jaouad–A memoir about a young woman who discovers that she has leukemia at a young age (23), just when she graduates and is about to start her life. It’s a moving story about her journey through her medical treatment, and then her recovery and post-recovery journey, visiting all the people who reached out to her when she was sick. She kept a blog throughout her illness, documenting everything. Very inspiring—she took her sickness and turned it into something so positive.
- In Love by Amy Bloom–The real story of a couple, whose husband gets diagnosed with early-onset Alzheimer’s dementia. It’s about his decision to travel to Switzerland to the organization, Dignitas, to end his life with dignity and peace. Makes you think about what you would do if faced with a similar situation.
- Smoke Gets In Your Eyes by Caitlin Doughty–Story written by a mortician and her experiences dealing with death and dying from a unique perspective. Tons of imagery that will stick in your mind months after you first read it.
- Every Deep-Drawn Breath by Wes Ely–A friend told me, “This is a must-read for every ICU/ER worker—-it will change how you deal with critically ill and intubated patients.” It’s a beautifully written, humble memoir by a critical care doctor about the harm of delirium in ICU patients leading to post ICU syndrome. The author also talks about his career and about the struggle to change something in medicine.
- Letter to A Young Female Physician by Suzanne Koven–Interesting story written by a female primary care doctor, reflecting on her career in medicine. The author talks about her struggles with imposter syndrome, gender discrimination, and the change over her career—-initially intentionally remaining distant from her patients to becoming friends with them. Relatable read for someone who may be mid- to late- career.
These books didn’t make it to the top 10 but are still interesting……
- Charlatan: America’s Most Dangerous Huckster, the Man you pursued him and the age of flimflam by Pope Brock. True story about a fraudulent surgeon who peddled his fake cures to the unsuspecting public and how hard it was to stop him.
- God’s Hotel: A Doctor, A Hospital and a Pilgrimage to the Heart of Medicine by Victoria Sweet Story about Laguna Honda, a hospital like an old almshouse where they rely on slow healing and community instead of the latest technology.
- The Covenant of Water by Abraham Verghese A multi-generational story that weaves multiple well-developed characters, families and cultures, written by the great Dr. Verghese.
- Remember: The Science of Memory and the Art of Forgetting by Lisa Genova is An accessible explanation of the science of memory written by a Neuroscientist who also wrote Still Alice.
- What the Eyes Don’t See: A Story of Crisis, Resistance and Hope in an American City by Mona Hanna-Attisha The true story of the Flint, Michigan water crisis written by the Pediatrician who exposed it all.
- Unwell Women: Misdiagnosis and Myth in a Man-Made World by Elinor Glenhorn A historical look at the understanding of the female body and medical care. A little hard to read.
- Take My Hand by Dolen Perkins-Valdez Historical fiction about a black nurse in post-segregation Alabama and her speaking up against injustices done to her patients.
- Demon Copperhead by Barbara Kingsolver Fictional story about a family in rural Appalachia dealing with poverty, opiate abuse, and the fight for survival when all the odds are stacked against you.
- Dopamine Nation: Finding Balance in the Agie of Indulgence by Anna Lembke, MD Interesting connection about our brain’s balance between pleasure and pain, written by a Psychiatrist.
- Rough Sleepers: Dr. Jim O’Connell’s Urgent Mission to Bring Healing to Homeless People by Tracy Kidder is The story of a doctor in Boston who spent his life setting up programs to care for the homeless population.
- The Emperor of All Maladies: A Biography of Cancer by Siddhartha Mukherjee A historical look at cancer care, from the beginning to now, written by an Oncologist.
- Bottle of Lives: The Inside Story of the Generic Drug Boom by Katherin Eban Fascinating look into the generic drug world and how unregulated it is.
- The Other Dr. Gilmer: Two Men, A Murder and an Unlikely Fight for Justice by Benjamin Gilmer The true story of a beloved doctor who commits a crime, and spends time in prison and the fight to release him as his behavior was due to a medical problem.
- On Rotation by Shirlene Obubi Pop fiction book about a Ghanian-American female who goes through medical school while navigating family expectations, friends and love.
- Lady Tan’s Circle of Women by Lisa See Historical fiction set in 15th century China about a female doctor who takes care of the imperial family. Written by the author who also wrote Snow Flower and the Secret Fan (about foot binding).