Written by Mina Khan (McGill Medicine, Class of 2023)
Take advantage of the warm spring days and soak up some of those precious rays by grabbing a book from this list of recommendations and reading it on your balcony, on the freshly thawed grass of Lower Field or in the stairwell of the hospital (there's windows there, I think?!).
Fiction
Cutting for Stone by Abraham Varghese
This is a novel set in pre-revolution Ethiopia about two twins born to an Indian nun and a British surgeon. As both twins are fascinated by medicine, it is peppered with the lessons they learn through their journeys as medical students and physicians.
The book is written by Stanford physician Abraham Varghese and contains detailed descriptions of various medical concepts and procedures. Most medically-oriented books are either nonfiction or memoirs, so it was fascinating to read about the practice of medicine as a novel, intertwined with the personal stories of the patients and physicians.
The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy by Douglas Adams
If you’re looking to read something thought-provoking that will also have you rolling on the floor laughing, pick up this science fiction classic. Even if you have read it before, it’s well worth a second or third read. It chronicles the misadventures of the last surviving human following the annihilation of the Earth as he travels across the galaxy with his alien friend, and as they run into some of the most absurd situations you can think of.
Although the series comprises five books, the first is a quick read. Most of you probably read it in grade school, but I find it more enjoyable to read as an adult as you can better appreciate the sarcasm that drips from every page, and more easily pick up on Adams’ offhand existential observations.
Non-Fiction
Outliers by Malcolm Gladwell
What is the key to success? Our society is fascinated by people who achieve wild, unimaginable levels of success. We often study their habits, their stories, and their advice. In his book, Malcolm Gladwell describes the stories of our society’s idols, but he also talks about the opportunities and strokes of luck they had along the way.
Of course, we all know the basics of how socioeconomic status and discrimination can affect an individuals’ success. However, Gladwell goes above and beyond, demonstrating how an athlete’s birthday can affect his chances to be drafted into the NHL, how the chances of your plane crashing can depend on where your pilot was born, and why Bill Gates was had access to computers as a teenager earlier than nearly anyone in America.
This fascinating book made me more reflective and grateful for the opportunities I had along the way. As a nonfiction writer, Gladwell is also incredibly talented – he has a way of weaving dry facts into a compelling narrative that made the book very difficult to put down.
From the Ashes by Jesse Thistle
Jesse Thistle is Métis-Cree and an assistant professor of Métis studies at York University in Toronto. In his memoir, he recounts his childhood with his mother and grandparents, his struggles through drug addiction and homelessness, and how he rose from these struggles to become an Indigenous scholar – hence the title From the Ashes. This heart-wrenching memoir was also one of the contenders for Canada Reads 2020, a competition to determine which book should be read by the whole country.
Intertwined are his encounters with various figures of authority, including health professionals and the hospital. As we all know, despite their frequent interactions with the healthcare system , individuals struggling with homelessness and drug addiction are highly stigmatized. I felt this book helped me better understand the mindset with which to approach a patient with these issues. Beyond that, it is a deeply inspiring and remarkable story of human resilience, and you will be moved by the author’s journey through and out of unimaginable struggle.
Content warning: some parts in this book may be upsetting to some people as there are mentions of difficult and sensitive topics.
Notes on a Nervous Planet by Matt Haig
You can always count on Matt Haig to jump-start your soul when you’re feeling down. His book Humans, which I read back in high school, remains one of my favourites.
This book is a collection of discussions on how the world we live in amplifies our anxiety. Haig also describes some of his own anxious habits (e.g., catastrophizing) and how he deals with them. As a medical student with an unabashed Type A personality, I found parallels in my own life to some of Haig’s observations. Almost reading like a poetry book, it was interesting to read about his reflections on how various aspects of modern life, like social media and digital technology, contribute as major stressors compared to our previous pre-high tech history.