Biomedical Books: Exploring Science, Medicine & the Lives of Doctors and Scientists
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These are some of the books we've read and liked.
New York Times: The 100 Best Books of the 21st Century
https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2024/books/best-books-21st-century.html
Biomedical Books: Exploring Science, Medicine & the Lives of Doctors and Scientists
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The Gene: An Intimate History by Siddhartha Mukherjee
A sweeping history of genetics that blends scientific discovery with human stories and ethical questions.
The Emperor of All Maladies: A Biography of Cancer by Siddhartha Mukherjee
A comprehensive history of cancer, tracing scientific advances alongside patient experiences.
The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks by Rebecca Skloot
The story of a woman whose cells transformed modern medicine, raising critical questions about ethics and consent.
Being Mortal: Medicine and What Matters in the End by Atul Gawande
An exploration of how medicine approaches aging, death, and the importance of dignity and choice.
The Song of the Cell by Siddhartha Mukherjee
A narrative history of cell biology and how cells shape health, disease, and identity.
The Last Lecture by Randy Pausch
A reflection on life, learning, and perseverance written by a professor facing terminal illness.
Maybe You Should Talk to Someone by Lori Gottlieb
A therapist’s memoir offering insight into mental health, vulnerability, and human connection.
The Selfish Gene by Richard Dawkins
A foundational science book explaining evolution through the gene-centered view of natural selection.
When Breath Becomes Air by Paul Kalanithi
A neurosurgeon’s memoir confronting illness, purpose, and what gives life meaning.
Bad Blood: Secrets and Lies in a Silicon Valley Startup by John Carreyrou
An investigative account of the rise and collapse of Theranos and its impact on medicine and technology.
The Bright Hour: A Memoir of Living and Dying by Nina Riggs
A lyrical memoir about facing terminal illness with honesty, love, and resilience.
Girl in Glass by Deanna Fei
A mother’s story of premature birth, medical uncertainty, and the emotional realities of neonatal care.
Lessons in Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus
A novel about a female chemist navigating science, sexism, and identity in the 1960s.
Dark Matter by Blake Crouch
A science-fiction thriller exploring quantum physics, identity, and alternate realities.
Every Version of You by Grace Chan
A speculative novel examining memory, loss, and identity through emerging medical technology.
Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow by Gabrielle Zevin
A novel about creativity, collaboration, and the human cost of ambition, centered on game design.
Chemistry by Weike Wang
A sharp, introspective novel about a graduate student navigating science, pressure, and identity.
Lab Girl by Hope Jahren
A memoir blending plant science with the personal journey of becoming a scientist.
Love's Executioner and Other Tales of Psychotherapy by Irvin D. Yalom
A collection of deeply human case stories that explore vulnerability, meaning, and the emotional complexity of healing through psychotherapy.