You may already be thinking, “Pre-Med Reading List? Aren’t reading lists for high school?!” As a premedical student, the last thing you would typically consider during the academic year is reading more; between studying for classes, clinical work, research, and an array of extracurricular activities there isn’t much time or desire for extra reading. During the summer and winter breaks though, there are several opportunities to kick back, open a book, and lose yourself for a bit while still working towards your future in medicine.
The 5 books listed here are fun reads that can provide great tips, stories, and humor related to medical school and beyond; whether you are applying to medical school this summer or basking in the glow of your fall acceptance, any of these books could be the perfect answer to a nice afternoon read.
Mountains Beyond Mountains: The Quest of Dr. Paul Farmer, a Man Who Would Cure the World, by Tracy Kidder
This is a thought provoking book that might inspire humanitarian thoughts for your future medical career. The story is of Dr. Paul Farmer, who started Partners in Health, and of his quest to provide medical care to the underserved of Haiti and beyond. Tracy Kidder does an excellent job of storytelling while providing a catalyst for personal self-reflection.
Everything I Learned in Medical School: Besides All the Book Stuff, by Dr. Sujay M. Kansagra M.D.
For those looking for a view inside medical school life beyond all of the academic rigors this is the book for you. Dr. Kansagra recounts his personal journey through Duke Medical School focusing more on experiences that taught him not only about medicine but about everyday life. A must for those looking for things to learn that are “beyond the books”.
Stiff: The Curious Lives of Human Cadavers, by Mary Roach
Anatomy is a required course for first year medical students. Like it or not you will have to work with human cadavers in medical school. Stiff is a book chronicling the history and development of the uses of the human cadaver. Deemed “uproariously funny,” Stiff will put a whole new perspective to your M1 year in the anatomy lab.
Hot Lights, Cold Steel: Life, Death and Sleepless Nights in a Surgeon’s First Years, by Dr. Michael J. Collins M.D.
The next step after medical school is residency; Dr. Collins recounts tales of success and failure during his orthopedic residency at the Mayo Clinic. His natural story telling ability comes through in every chapter making this book impossible to put down from his intern to his chief resident years.
Better: A Surgeon’s Notes on Performance, by Dr. Atul Gawande M.D.
Dr. Gawande is a surgeon at Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston. This book reads beautifully by putting a human face on medicine. It explains that doctors are only human and mistakes are made. He goes on to explain that as physicians we must be diligent and disciplined to fulfill our duties to our patients and become Better.
Do you have any books that we should add to this list? Please type them in the comments section.
If you haven’t already, subscribe to Kaplan’s Med School Pulse blog by filling out the form to the right so we can keep you informed on the latest medical school-related news and information.
The post Pre-Med Reading List appeared first on Med School Pulse.