When Breath Becomes Air by Paul Kalanithi
In this month’s Book of the Month, the story details Paul Kalanithi’s journey. As he was on the cusp of finishing his training as a neurosurgeon, he was diagnosed with stage IV lung cancer.
This book recounts the transformative moments in his life from becoming a curious, intellectual medical student questioning the meaning of life to a neurosurgeon exploring the aspects in the brain that make up human identity and finally into a patient and new father fighting for his life. When Breath Becomes Air is memorable, life-affirming reflection on facing death, the relationship between doctors and patients from the perspective of a writer who has experienced both.