So, somethings to know about the introductory biochem course and textbooks at Einstein for the first year. Even though the two week program it's called Intro Biochem, it's actually some biochem, some histology, some genetics, some immunology, and even a little cardiovascular. The lectures are really the same as during teh year, except they're slowed down to help you adjust. That's why you really don't miss anything academically by not going (but socially it's great). The Biochem book though isLieberman et al "Marks' Basic Medical Biochemistry" 3rd Edition. Having said that, we're way into the class already and I don't even know what that book looks like.
At Einstein, very few, if any, of the first year professors expect you to know things mentioned in the books, but not mentioned in their lectures (usually it's the other way). They're really into the idea that some people learn better from lectures, some from reading texts, etc and you shouldn't be hurt just because you'd rather listen to them than read a book. So for a bunch of the basic sciences, like biochem, a lot of people don't even buy the textbook and we just study from the slides and notes from lecture. For teh most part, Histology, Anatomy, an immunology case studies text, and a clinical skills book are the ones that everyone gets. Then the rest is up to each person. I'll try to PM you the book list if you're really interested (and anyone else who wants it), but seriously, it's not usually worth buying every book on the list. And in the first few weeks of school you have tons of second, third, and fourth years selling all their old first year books for like $5-$35. So it's really not worth worrying about the books now.