Novels/nonfictions that are medically related?

antonkland88 · 06-01-2007, 10:27 PM

This Summer I would like to read some novels and nonfictions with themes that are related to medicine. I just bought two books at the bookstore; one is called Better by Atul Gawande and the other is called My Sister's Keeper by Jodi Picoult. What books did you like?

ASMAJ · 06-01-2007, 10:37 PM

1. Complications also by Gawande
2. Hot Lights, Cold Steel: Life, Death and Sleepless Nights in a Surgeon's First Years
3.The Spirit Catches You and You Fall Down by Anne Fadiman
4. Gifted Hands: The Ben Carson Story by Ben Carson
5. On Call: A Doctor's Days and Nights in Residency by Emily R. Transue
6. The House of God: The Classic Novel of Life and Death in an American Hospital by Samuel Shem (outdated but classic)
7. The Hot Zone: A Terrifying True Story

All are pretty good reads.

bluedevilmike · 06-01-2007, 10:47 PM

Oh, Gawande was just out here a little while ago. Seems like a nice enough guy.

2o_o7 · 06-01-2007, 11:01 PM

Mountains Beyond Mountains is a non fiction book I'm reading right now. Inspiring and true, it's the story of Paul Farmer and his work in improving global health. I'd suggest you check it out.

The Hot Zone was also very entertaining.

confused_junior · 06-02-2007, 02:52 AM

are there any pharmacy related books?

Pharmagal · 06-03-2007, 08:23 AM

The Soul of a Doctor - by Susan Pories, Sachin Jain an Gordon Harper. These are essays compiled by Harvard Med students facing life and death.

Happy Accidents - Seredipity in modern medical breakthroughs - Morton Meyers.

Both were recommended by JAMA.

SHS_Spartan · 06-03-2007, 12:45 PM

I second Complications by Gawande..it's a good book.

huskem55 · 06-03-2007, 01:25 PM

recently read His Brothers Keeper- really good account about a man trying to save his brother, diagnosed with ALS. a lot about stem cell research.

billybobbyk · 06-03-2007, 06:16 PM

Here's a list on Amazon called "Stories about Becoming a Doctor/Surgeon." These books (all but a couple) are non-fiction books that Borders calls "Medical Narratives." Hope this helps:

http://www.amazon.com/Stories-nbsp-a...810709-1594439

There's also a sequel to the above list, entitled "Stories about Becoming a Doctor II: More Medical Narratives," written by the same author:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/richpub/lis...=UTF8&lm%5Fbb=

Together, the two lists contain about 50 books.

Oscar · 06-04-2007, 04:15 AM

"Hot lights, cold steel" is very well written and, in my opinion, quite hilarious. It is also rather eye opening to both the benefits and drawbacks of joining the medical profession. I wasn't as big of a fan of "On Call," simply because I didn't think it was as well written, but there is definitely some highly relevant information tucked within the pages of the book.

ASMAJ · 06-04-2007, 11:58 AM

Quote:

"Hot lights, cold steel" is very well written and, in my opinion, quite hilarious. It is also rather eye opening to both the benefits and drawbacks of joining the medical profession.

I am still shocked that he had 12 kids.

billybobbyk · 06-04-2007, 03:03 PM

House of God is hilarious. It's fiction, but based on a real doctor's experiences. I remember reading it in the hospital after having a knee surgery, and it freaked out some of the doctors/nurses.

dudedad · 06-04-2007, 03:30 PM

Robin Cook wrote Coma, among others. Recommend you don't read his stuff prior to a hospital stay...

julkendall · 06-06-2007, 02:56 PM

I reccomend Residents: the promises and perils of educating young doctors, and The making of a surgeon (william nolen). Both are good, although can be a bit cynical/pessimistic about reforms

naturefreak525 · 11-29-2007, 11:00 PM

I second The Spirit Catches You and You Fall Down by Fadiman. It's a really good read. And Complications and The Soul of A Doctor both sound really good.