I wish there were more hours in the day so that I could read. Well, non-medical texts, that is. Although it'd be nice for some extra time to crank through those as well.
I miss the mountains, I miss my nieces and nephews, and I miss reading.
My reading time is now after Tobie falls asleep, headlamp on, buried under the covers. It's a bit like summer-camp or secret reading after your parents told you to go to sleep. But it's the only time that I don't feel guilty doing it.
I just started "Anatomy of an Illness" by Norman Cousins, and I am so excited about it. Almost as excited as I am about getting to "William Osler, A Life in Medicine" by Bliss, which is also burning a hole on my nightstand.
The intro to the Cousins book contained the famous quote by Francis Peabody, "The secret of the care of the patient is in caring for the patient".
A simple, and very true fact.
I sense many late(r) nights ahead.
10 comments:
I commend your continued pursuit of reading during med school. I can't say I did the same thing. I always felt -- and still feel given my grant due date is looming -- that I should be reading journal articles rather than anything for fun. I'm also really picky with what I read and have of late been finding the barriers to reading (i.e. what if I can't even find a book I like) pretty insurmountable. So I don't read for fun anymore, pretty much at all.
I kind of miss it.
Any suggestions to those of us who still do have a smidgeon of free time on some good books to read? I have some on hold but nothing is sparking interest at the moment.
OMDG--I think if I was trying to do what you are doing I wouldn't be reading for pleasure either!
I know when I was doing the pre-req year from HELL I had to resort to books on tape that I listened to while driving or on my walks to and fro school. It's a nice way to multi-task.
EMT--tough question since I am not sure what you are into but I can give you some good medically related ones that I've read in the past year (I am assuming that is an area of interest)... :)
-"Better" or "Complications" by Atwul Gawande.
-"My Stroke of Insight" by Jill Taylor.
-"Bloodletting and Other Miraculous Cures" by Vincent Lam.
"How Doctors Think" by Jerome Groopman.
"Consumption" by Kevin Patterson.*
"The Pianoman's Daughter" by Timothy Findlay.**
"I Know This Much is True" by Wally Lamb.
"My Sisters Keeper" by Jodi Piccoult.
"Burning Down the House: Fighting Fires and Losing Myself" by Russell Wangersky.
Those are some that immediately come to mind...I read "Shantaram" by Gregory Roberts. A true story based on an escaped Aussie convict who moves to India and starts a free clinic in the slums there, get involved with the Indian mafia, etc. Best book I've read in a loooonnng time.
*One of my all time favorite books. It also will give you one of the best literary insights into working/living in the Canadian Arctic. Written by a Canadian MD who spent a lot of time in Rankin Inlet, one of my favorite places that I've worked up North.
**Anything by Timothy Findlay is great IMHO. Other good ones by him include "Pilgrim" and "Not Wanted on the Voyage".
I LOVE that quote! It succinctly and eloquently states what I have found to be true for a long time. Thank you for sharing it! Thanks for the book recommendations too :)
Ninja--I actually thought of you the moment I read it (based on your post: "I heart LOL's".) I knew you'd love it.
:)
Books are a few of my favorite things so I am more than happy to share gems!
I live by "Kill as few patients as possible" bu Oscar London.
Grump--Oh good another one to add to my reading list. :)
EMT--I forgot "House of God" By Samuel Shem. Haven't read it but I've heard it's hilarious.
Death be not proud, by John Gunther is a med-historical tragedy that i found quite powerful. I think it was written in like the 40's, and medicine was just growing its first cancer treatment legs... I found it a bit depressing but quite beautiful as well.
Just throwin' in my own two cents. I also recently was recommended the book "the wisdom of whores" which is an epidemiological look at HIV & other BBV/STI's through the clever words of Elizabeth Pisani... Highly recommend.
Keet-- 2 cents always welcome here! Especially since I don't have even that much to rub together. :P
Two more books added to my amazon wish list...
Oooooh! Very nice list! I have only read the first two and My Sisters Keeper so I will defiantly do some book shopping soon!
Thank you so much!
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