I am running out of things to read, and I have a Barnes & Noble giftcard to burn.
I’m looking for a few good non-fiction medicine related books, as well as fun stuff in the genres of science fiction, steampunk or old fashioned great story. The last really good fiction book I read was The Name of the Wind. Last medicine was re-reading Atul Gawande’s Complications and Better.
Let the recommendations begin!
I’m reading a fascinating book right now actually. It’s nonfiction. A blend of medicine/science/psycholo gy/neurocience called “The General Theory of Love” by Thomas (et al). It was written by a group of physicians. It’s exactly the way it sounds: an exploration of the dynamics between neurochemistry/neuroanato my and emotion. Very well written book. It’s been lovely to read and highly informative.
Also, another book I read recently that I thought was outstanding was “Einstein’s Dreams” by Alan Lightman. That one is fiction and is based on Einstein’s theory of relativity. The author is a physicist that also happens to be quite the word smith. It’s short, but it’s a beautiful read. Loved that book! Highly recommend that one.
Other than that, I recently picked up “The Invention of Hugo Cabret” by Brian Selznick. It’s another fiction book. That one is a bit whimsical. It’ll hold your attention as an adult though. It’s filled with gorgeous illustrations and from what I’ve read so far it really sucks you in. Interesting story line (this coming from someone who very rarely reads fiction).
If I come up with any others I’ll post again. I read a quite a bit if you can’t tell! 
Both the below books are about the intern year
Link House of God by Samuel Shem
you gotta love a book that includes the “laws” such as
“LAW NUMBER THREE: AT A CARDIAC ARREST, THE FIRST PROCEDURE IS TO TAKE YOUR OWN PULSE”
“LAW NUMBER SIX: THERE IS NO BODY CAVITY THAT CANNOT BE REACHED WITH A #14G NEEDLE AND A GOOD STRONG ARM.”
Besides this book has my favorite paragraph on matzoh balls. What’s not to like
Link Intern: A Doctor’s Initiation by Sandeep Jauhar, MD
This book is by a nontraditional student who started medical school after a PhD in physics. Very close to many of our members
Link author’s article on nontraditional students in NEJM
BTW, I just came across this on the NYU med school website
Link Literature, Arts & Medicine Database
“The Literature, Arts, & Medicine Database is an annotated multimedia listing of prose, poetry, film, video and art that was developed to be a dynamic, accessible, comprehensive resource for teaching and research in MEDICAL HUMANITIES, and for use in health/pre-health, graduate and undergraduate liberal arts and social science settings.”
Some interesting but rather heavy stuff
Hey!! I’ve heard of Atul Gawande’s books. I’ve specifically heard his latest book, “Better” (at least I think its his latest) is a really good motivational and inspirational read. What do you think about his writings?
As for me I’m totally devouring Collins’ Hot Lights Cold Steel in between studying for trig and Chem II. This is the the perfect mix of funny whit and moving short stories all throughout his surgical residency. I highly recommended it 
Ender’s Game. Science fiction. As it turns out, the author is actually not a very good person, but it’s one of the best books of all time. So maybe instead of buying, check your local library!
(And how do you have spare time to read for fun? Have you cut out sleeping and/or eating?)
If we’re wading into sci-fi, I’d like to suggest Rendezvous with Rama - a masterpiece from someone who was both an author and a scientist. But this is such a well-known book, I’m sure you’ve already read it…
everyone - great recommendations, thank you!
nnylacire - If you don’t already, I’d think you’d love the NYC Radiolab podcasts.
Rich - that list is very cool. Think I’m about to lose a good hour to perusing it.
Julio - Gawande’s books are both very positive, demonstrating problems and how to fix them. I like the second better, because it’s more about how doctors and others in healthcare are changing things now.
Houston - This is a glide year for me. I’m only taking one class and applying to medical school, and volunteering twice a week and tutoring. There is plenty of time to spend too much time thinking, hence the need for more books.
Dullhead - Actually, I only have one collection of short stories by Clarke, so I’ll have to try it. But for greek cred I have read the entire Dune series. 
- In reply to:
Houston - This is a glide year for me. I'm only taking one class and applying to medical school, and volunteering twice a week and tutoring. There is plenty of time to spend too much time thinking, hence the need for more books.
Wait til you start interviewing...
Says the guy who will spend a two week period in October in:
8 Airports
6 Cities
1 Visit to the Neuro Clinic for my wife (who will hopefully get diagnosed)
1 Test
I thought before I interviewed I wasn't doing enough.....oh my pix the travel wears on you.
- PixieSanders Said:
everyone - great recommendations, thank you! :)
nnylacire - If you don't already, I'd think you'd love the NYC Radiolab podcasts.
nnylacire - If you don't already, I'd think you'd love the NYC Radiolab podcasts.
As a long time member of the Public Radio Station WNYC (which is playing in the background as I type this), I wanted to let you know that the creator and longtime host of RadioLab, Jad Abumrad is a 2011 recipient of the MacArthur Fellows Program, commonly know as the Genius Award
Link to RadioLabs Archives
I am in love with this book: “Body of Work” by Christine Montross. She’s a non-trad writer who went back to med school at 28ish, and this book chronicles her experience in gross anatomy as an MS1. REALLY interesting perspective on how to both respect and care for the person on your table, yet detatch enough to be able to do what you need to do. Also a really interesting look at the history of gross anatomy… she really takes you on a journey, and it’s beautifully written! It will get you excited for MS1…
http://www.amazon.com/Body-Work-Meditations -Mortal…
Pixie: check out “Ambulance Ship” and many others by James White…good MEDICAL science fiction !
It’s addictive.
Kate
I really enjoyed reading Cutting for Stone. It’s fiction, but written by a doctor and I thought it was fantastic.
- oldnavygirl Said:
I really enjoyed reading Cutting for Stone. It's fiction, but written by a doctor and I thought it was fantastic.
That book is next in my stack to read after a strong recommendation from my non-physician sister-in-law.
I am just starting to read "Hard Sell:The Evolution of a Viagra Salesman" which is a the true story of a Pfizer Drug Rep. I purchased this after seeing the a movie loosely based on the book entitled
"Love and Other Drugs" is perhaps the most poignant comedy I have seen in years. It stars Anne Hathaway and Jake Gyllenhaal and ends with a nontrad deciding to go to medical school. It may seem to start as a typical silly comedy but I promise you it is well worth seeing. It is gut-busting funny at times and heart-wrenching at others. It strongly appeal to most nontrads
- PixieSanders Said:
everyone - great recommendations, thank you! :)
nnylacire - If you don't already, I'd think you'd love the NYC Radiolab podcasts.
nnylacire - If you don't already, I'd think you'd love the NYC Radiolab podcasts.
Thanks for the tip, Pixie! I'll definitely check that out!
Richard - Thanks to you too for posting the link!
A new series my older two kids (12 & 14), my parents, one of my best friends, and I all loved: The Hunger Games. Technically a young adults series, it describes humanity pretty darn well. Engaging enough that I couldn’t wait for the wait list at the library to thin out before reading the sequels…I had to go buy them (and I don’t buy that many books). Other favorite sci-fi/fantasy books include Robin McKinley’s “Beauty” and “The Blue Sword.” And most of Anne McCaffrey’s books, starting with the Harper Hall trilogy.
Then there’s the classic Ray Bradbury, “Fahrenheit 451”.
I just finished rereading the Hunger Games series. Someone described it to me and I thought it sounded just horrible (a bit of a dystopia But it was riveting. The second time thru as well. Had to run to the library for the third book 2 days ago as my friend only lent me the first 2, and I finished it this morning.
On the medical side, if you haven’t yet read “Mountains beyond mountains” by Paul Farmer that’s required reading, in my opinion.
Kate
I’ve never been a hardcore reader but I’ve found these books to be quick-and very entertaining reads:
-the red tent
-the shack (forgive me, if you may feel this to be too religious… although it gives such a broader perspective).
-tuesdays with morrie
-jewel
-the feast of love
-the glass castle
-lovely bones
hahaha like i said, i read for entertainment… to relax my brain a little. spend about 8-10 hours/day in a research lab reading and troubleshooting and trying to get experiments to actually work. when i read, i read to give my brain some sort of vacation. it’ll be all too soon before my brain starts hittin’ the hardcore stuff again.
-ella
- Julio Cesar Said:
I'm totally devouring Collins' Hot Lights Cold Steel in between studying for trig and Chem II. This is the the perfect mix of funny whit and moving short stories all throughout his surgical residency. I highly recommended it
Collin's has another book, "Blue Collar, Blue Scrubs" that gives the story of being is a real hard-core nontradtional student working his way up from a real low-level construction/demolition job in Chicago to medical school, where he eventually goes to an Orthopedics residency,
If we ever have a chicago conference again, I want to get him to speak
I picked up Intern and Hot Lights, Cold Steel from the bookstore, and borrowed Hunger Games from a friend.
This is my favorite forum right now.