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Why has this book captivated so many readers? That has to be down to the sheer honesty of the author Adam Kay, a Junior Doctor who writes about his experiences working for the UK’s NHS in obstetrics and gynecology.
Seven books to read if you’re a medicine student
If you’re a medical student, chances are you study long hours and have very limited spare time for reading.
However, while studying medicine can at times feel all consuming, you may be interested in hearing from people who have been through it all already and come out the other side.
Here are seven excellent books (almost entirely written by practicing medics) which will hopefully remind you why you decided to study medicine in the first place.
This is Going to Hurt: Secret Diaries of a Junior Doctor by Adam Kay
This funny yet shocking book has been a bestseller for over a year, won four National Book Awards and been the Sunday Times Number One Bestseller for over eight months.
Why has this book captivated so many readers? That has to be down to the sheer honesty of the author Adam Kay, a Junior Doctor who writes about his experiences working for the UK’s NHS in obstetrics and gynecology.
Created from pages of his own diaries after long, tiring shifts, Kay leaves out no detail of his life as a junior doctor, and the results are often shocking, hilarious and heartbreaking.
Medicine students will enjoy this book’s ability to make you laugh out loud, but also appreciate its honest portrayal of the not always glamourous life of a junior doctor.
Anyone who really enjoys this book will be pleased to know the BBC are releasing a TV adaptation. Fans may also be interested in reading Kay’s latest novel T’was the Nightshift before Christmas, which was published earlier this year.
When Breath Becomes Air by Paul Kalanithi
Paul Kalanithi was a Neurosurgeon who got diagnosed with inoperable lung cancer at the age of thirty-six, on the brink of completing his medical training. After many years being a doctor treating the dying, he became the patient.
What comes out of this is a touching exploration of life, death and the relationship between a doctor and a patient.
This is a book which you will find hard to forget and is undeniably inspiring despite its gloomy topic. Any medical student or anyone considering studying medicine should read this book.
The Man Who Mistook His Wife for a Hat by Oliver Sacks
A million-copy bestseller, The Man Who Mistook His Wife for a Hat is described as ‘a provocative exploration of the mysteries of the human mind’ and is written by Oliver Sacks, who has spent fifty years working as a neurologist.
Sacks gives case studies of individuals who have lost their memories and are no longer able to recognize common objects or people, as well as stories of people with extraordinary artistic or mathematical talents.
These case studies are part of the reason this book became so popular and medical students will enjoy this as it shows the strong, fascinating link between medicine and psychology.
The Intern Blues by Robert Marion
The Intern Blues follows three interns talking about their experiences throughout their year-long internships, where they had to deal with 100-hour weeks, being given life or death responsibility and surviving on very little sleep.
Before this puts you off medicine completely, you’ll be pleased to know that this book was written in 1985 and there have since been strict restrictions placed on the hours worked by residents.
However, many medicine students remark that the feelings, emotions and work described are still very relevant today and hence the book has been deemed a contemporary classic.
Unnatural Causes by Dr Richard Shepherd
Dr Richard Shepherd is a forensic pathologist, meaning he solves the mysteries of sudden, unexplained deaths. He’s been involved in many high-profile cases such as the Hungerford Massacre, 9/11 and the Princess Diana inquiry and has performed over 23,000 autopsies in his working life.
Unnatural Causes gives a fascinating insight into his career, which is sometimes gruesome and chilling but always interesting. It also gives readers a glimpse into Dr Shepherd’s personal life, and the strains the job takes on his relationships and his own emotions.
Those currently studying or looking to study medicine will enjoy reading this, as it sheds light on another side of medicine which isn’t talked about as frequently and offers readers a truthful window into the joys and hardships of the career.
In Stitches by Anthony Youn
Growing up in a small town where diversity was uncommon, Dr Youn, an Asian-American kid with thick glasses and a massive protruding jaw, stuck out from his classmates like a sore thumb.
However, his visit to an oral surgeon to get his jaw reconstructed let to a major breakthrough in his life’s calling. Youn went on to become an extremely successful celebrity plastic surgeon, and he explains in this book how he achieved this.
Medicine students will be able to relate to his student filled with study, and his attempts to master dating while trying to complete a medicine degree.
In Stitches lives up to its name, both leaving you in stitches with Youn’s sense of humor as well as leaving you contemplating what he had to say.
Stiff: The Curious Lives of Human Cadavers by Mary Roach
Stiff is an exploration of postmortem bodies and what happens when you donate your body to science.
Roach approaches this seemingly dreary topic in an extremely humorous (albeit occasionally stomach-churning) way, covering a wide range of topics from human decomposition, using corpses in car crashes, crucifixion experiments and head transplants.
Not a book for the squeamish, but Stiff certainly gives a good insight into human bodies and what happens to them after you die. It’s everything you never knew you wanted to know about dead bodies.
This article was originally published in August 2019 . It was last updated in July 2023
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7 Books to Read If You’re a Medical Student
If you’re a medical student, you probably study long hours and have little free time to read. While studying medicine might be exhausting, you may be interested in hearing from folks who have been through it all and coming out the other side. Here are seven top books for doctors that you should read to improve as a doctor and a person.
Medicine is always evolving, and what you learned ten years ago may be entirely outdated today. It’s reasonable that many physicians spend most of their reading time catching up on medical literature, given the need to be updated on the latest advancements in an ever-changing industry. Yet being a doctor entails far more than simply understanding the most recent treatment protocols.
To save you time, we’ve collected a selection of non-medical readings to help you improve as a physician and person.
Best Books to Read if You’re a Doctor
This is Going to Hurt by Adam Kay
This is Going to Hurt by Adam Kay
This hilarious yet startling book has been a best-seller for over a year, has received four National Book Awards, and has been the Sunday Times Number One Bestseller for over eight months.
Why have so many people been drawn to this book? That has to do with the author, Adam Kay, a Junior Doctor who writes about his experiences working in obstetrics and gynaecology for the UK’s NHS. Kay’s life as a junior doctor is created from pages of his diaries after long, gruelling shifts, and the results are often unexpected, humorous, and devastating.
Medical students will appreciate this book’s capacity to make them laugh out loud, as well as its honest depiction of the not-always-glamorous life of a junior doctor.
Get your copy of this book here.
When Breath Becomes Air by Paul Kalanithi
When Breath Becomes Air by Paul Kalanithi
Paul Kalanithi was a neurosurgeon on the verge of finishing his medical training when he was stricken with inoperable lung cancer at 36. After many years of treating patients as a doctor, he became a patient. This results in a moving examination of life, death, and the bond between a doctor and a patient. Despite its bleak subject, this novel will stay with you and is definitely motivating. This book should be read by each medical student or anyone seeking a career in medicine.
Get your copy of this book here.
The Man Who Mistook His Wife for a Hat by Oliver Sacks
The Man Who Mistook His Wife for a Hat by Oliver Sacks
The Man Who Mistook His Wife for a Hat, a million-copy bestseller, is defined as a “provocative investigation of the secrets of the human mind” and is written by Oliver Sacks, a neurologist who has spent fifty years in practice.
The author presents case studies of persons who have lost their memory and cannot recognise familiar things or people and accounts of people with exceptional artistic or mathematical abilities.
These case studies contributed to the book’s popularity, and medical students will love it since it demonstrates the strong, fascinating link between medicine and psychology.
Get a copy of this book here.
The Intern Blues by Robert Marion
The Intern Blues by Robert Marion
The Intern Blues follows three interns discussing their year-long internships, where they had to deal with 100-hour weeks, being given life-or-death responsibilities, and surviving on very little sleep.
Before you dismiss medicine entirely, you should realise that this book was written in 1985 and that there have since been strong restrictions on the hours residents spend.
However, several medical students comment that the feelings, emotions, and tasks detailed in the book are still extremely relevant today, so the book has been labelled a contemporary classic.
Get a copy of this book here.
Unnatural Causes by Richard Shephard
Unnatural Causes by Richard Shephard
Dr. Richard Shepherd is a forensic pathologist, which means he investigates sudden, unexplained deaths. He’s worked on several high-profile cases, including the Hungerford Massacre, 9/11, and the Princess Diana investigation, and has performed over 23,000 autopsies in his career.
Unnatural Causes provides an intriguing glimpse into his job, which is often gruesome and terrifying but always fascinating. It also gives readers insight into Dr. Shepherd’s personal life, including the strain the profession places on his relationships and emotions.
Individuals studying or planning to study medicine will benefit from reading this since it throws light on the side of medicine that isn’t often discussed and provides readers with an honest look at the joys and tribulations of the profession.
Get a copy of this book here.
In Stitches by Anthony Youn
In Stitches by Anthony Youn
Dr Youn, an Asian-American boy with thick glasses and a big protruding jaw, stood out like a sore thumb in a small community where diversity was uncommon.
However, his appointment with an oral surgeon to repair his jaw resulted in a significant breakthrough in his life’s calling. Youn became an extraordinarily successful celebrity plastic surgeon, revealing how in this book.
Medical students will be able to relate to their student life and their attempts to conquer dating while pursuing a medical degree.
In Stitches stands up to its name, leaving you with Youn’s sense of humour and wondering what he was thinking.
Get a copy of this book here.
Stiff by Mary Roach
Stiff by Mary Roach
Stiff delves into postmortem bodies and what happens when you donate your body to science. Roach addresses this seemingly dull subject in a hilarious (though occasionally stomach-churning) manner, covering many themes such as human decomposition, employing corpses in automobile collisions, crucifixion experiments, and head transplants. Stiff is not a book for the faint of heart, but it provides an interesting look into human bodies and what happens after death. It’s everything you’ve ever wanted to know about dead bodies.
Get a copy of this book here.
FAQs: Best Books for Doctors
Q1. How can a doctor stay motivated?
Ans. Make people happy, and you will be happy. That is the timeless happiness formula. By becoming a doctor, you alleviate the pain and suffering of others by providing medical care and treatment. As a doctor, you are a constant source of delight for many people and their families.
Q2. What type of personality is needed as a doctor?
Ans. A doctor’s personality includes empathy, compassion, politeness, and civility. Patients respond better to doctors who are sympathetic to their problems. As a result, a doctor should prioritise civility and compassion with their patients.
Q3. Which is the best book for doctors to stay motivated?
Ans. Several good books are available online that can offer you motivation and self-help. As a doctor if you are searching for non-medical books, a book like When Breath Becomes Air is one of the best books for doctors.
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