When Breath Becomes Air/Paul Kalanithi/228 pgs

This book is not a feel good story - it is the story of a young neurosurgeon, who at the age of 36, is facing a terminal cancer diagnosis.  The first half of the book is about his search for what live is all about and his decision to be a neurosurgeon.  The second half is about his fight to find how what is important when you have been told that you may not be here for much longer.  His wife writes the epilogue to the book and it is very moving.  Some of the medical language may be hard to get thru but it is worth it

God's Hotel/Victoria Sweet/416 pgs./April Challenge

Laguna Honda Hospital in San Francisco was one of the last (if not the last) almshouses in the country. Dr. Victoria Sweet portrays her years as a doctor at Laguna Honda, and the impact health care changes has had on the hospital that was the "last resort" for many people. She explores her own changing role in the health care profession, gives the reader an insight into the special care the patients at Laguna were given, and gives an overall history of the medical profession. It's a fascinating read, and should be required reading for anyone currently in the medical field, or contemplating going into the medical field! Highly recommended.