Really Good Books for the Obsessed

[jaywolves]

I have found, on returning to school, that my pursuits have become an obsession. During break from Summer Quarter, I found an amazing book called, "Body of Work" by Christine Montross. The book chronicles a young medical student's relationship with her cadaver during her first year of med school. It was amazing. Now, it should be noted that those of you who love fiction may not like this book. Everything I've chosen to read has been non-fiction. If I wanted to waste time with imaginary or created works, I'd just waste my brain on TV. However, this book struck a chord with me because I noticed classmates having a lot of emotional issues with working with the cadavers. It was a great read, a quick read, and definitely worth the time.

Over fall break this last week, I read another book, "The Anatomist" by Bill Hayes. Another exceptional book. The subject is a biography of Henry Gray, the original author of "Grays Anatomy: Descriptive and Surgical," which has served as the most relied upon Anatomy text for 150 years. I wanted to share with the rest of you. I know that some are probably so burned out from reading assignments to make it through the pre-requisites that they may not want to take on additional reading. However, if you have become obsessed, as I have, with the tremendously interesting subject matter that we are learning, these books are amazing and definitely worth your time.

If you know of others, please share. I find breaks between quarters almost more grueling than the quarter themselves. Maybe I'm too "type A" for my own good. I am totally obsessed with the science involved in this pursuit.

[sweet_lime]

Thank you! I was just looking for some good reading to fill up the last couple of weeks of break. :)

[jaywolves]

The Anatomist is a really short book, you won't be able to put it down. Body of Work has caused the same problem for everyone I know who has read it. Very enthralling. Enjoy!

[Nepenthe Sea]

Hey,

I have seen "Body of Work", and "The Anatomist", and plan on buying and reading both. However, I ventured over to the microbiology side of books for my break. I read a book called "Survival of the Sickest" that was recommended by my micro professor. It is about how certain medical conditions evolve as protection against other diseases (Diabetes protecting people from severe cold snaps, and sickle-cell anemia protecting people from malaria, for example). It was a great book! I also re-read another book of mine, "The Family that Couldn't Sleep", because I knew I would get so much more out of it now that I have had microbiology. It is about an inherited version of Cruetzfeld - Jakob Disease. I have a book written by an infectious disease specialist that I can't find right now, but again, want to read now that I understand the diease process so much better. It is called "The Woman with a Worm in Her Brain". I wish I knew where it was!

I just love this stuff, too .

[LuckyKelleyK, RN]

I recommend "Bitten: True Medical Stories of Bites and Stings." It is a very interesting book.

[Nepenthe Sea]

I recommend "Bitten: True Medical Stories of Bites and Stings." It is a very interesting book.

That book is written by the same author of "The Woman with the Worm in Her Brain". I tried to find it a few weeks ago, and somebody already bought it! Can't wait to read it, too!

[Mariposa88]

wow these books sound fascinating! Too bad there's not a good bookstore where i live, maybe the library will have them, I'll have to check!

[LuckyKelleyK, RN]

I would check amazon too. The retail price for body of work is 25.00, but you can get it new on amazon for 5.99! You can also get used books for even cheaper.