Interview Question: What was the last book(s) you read?

[Orth2006]

I was browsing the interview feedback section of SDN and noticed a reoccuring interview question about reading a book. Why would that be an interview question? Why not just ask me my hobby. I havent read a book in a long time. I usually read articles here and there but books NO!!. It seems its ok to say you havent read a book in a while but when I started seeing the frequency of the question I just wondered whether saying that was good enough.

Your thoughts please.

Thanks

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[SanDiegoSOD]

My response: Delivering Health Care in America; A Systems Approach. Not very exciting, huh?

 

[AxlxA]

I'd love to do this question. I've read some pretty interesting stuff lately ie: harry potter. I could go on forever on HP. If the interviewer has read it, oh boy will we connect!

I see this question is relevant to your career as a physician. If you like to read, then you can probably comprehend those scientific papers you're required to read later on in your career. You hvae to be kept up to date with drugs and breakthroughs so i feel this question is helpful for adcom to know whether u'r a lazy person who only watches TV or if you can actually handle a 500 page book without falling asleep on page 1.

 

[anystream]

My response: Delivering Health Care in America; A Systems Approach. Not very exciting, huh?

well...think back. if you've ever read a book, there has to be one that you read most recently.

I think its meant to be a conversation starter...trying to see if you spend time learning about anything outside of the classroom

 

[SanDiegoSOD]

well...think back. if you've ever read a book, there has to be one that you read most recently.

I think its meant to be a conversation starter...trying to see if you spend time learning about anything outside of the classroom

That is the last book that I read. Along with "Critical Condition", "Complications", and "Ethics in Clinical Practice" - I can't remember the last time that I read for pleasure. Although I must admit that I do thoroughly enjoy reading these books... 😉

 

[jebus]

"The World Is Flat", Tom Friedman. It's why medicine (& everything else - ok, mostly everything else.) is going to be outsourced to China and India and why that's a good thing.
"On Bull****" is a good philosophy book (It's a hardcover that was a 10 page essay and the publishers put a nice binding on it and made it a book.) about what bull**** is and why it worse than lying. (Here's a hint: even the liar acknowledges the truth.)

Or why not just buy a book and read it? That way you'll have something to talk about.

 

[anystream]

That is the last book that I read. Along with "Critical Condition", "Complications", and "Ethics in Clinical Practice" - I can't remember the last time that I read for pleasure. Although I must admit that I do thoroughly enjoy reading these books... 😉

sorry, what I was saying was in reference to the OP, not the book you mentioned...I think you've definitely read your fair share of books lately 🙂

 

[Orth2006]

well...think back. if you've ever read a book, there has to be one that you read most recently.

I think its meant to be a conversation starter...trying to see if you spend time learning about anything outside of the classroom

Does it have to be a book though? I read a lot of articles and try to keep up with current affairs (newspapers, magazines etc) but a book like harry potter is not what I do. DOn't have the time nor the patience. Also I read more for specific knowledge - like a book on how to improve your middle game in chess or 50 strategies for improving your game of pool. WIth the internet most of these come as websites with articles that give you such info.

I guess im answering my own question - nevermind

A book is a book

 

[SanDiegoSOD]

I'm thinking about reading "DaVinci Code" just for the sake of being able to talk about a book that most people have read.

 

[juiceman311]

Moneyball by Michael Lewis 😀 Good book if you're a baseball fan.

 

[WholeLottaGame7]

Moneyball by Michael Lewis 😀 Good book if you're a baseball fan.

Sweet, Moneyball is definitely on my "To-Read" list. I just finished reading "Galapagos" by Kurt Vonnegut. Different, but good. Personally, any fiction by Michael Crichton is fantastic.

I hope all these people reading health care books aren't doing it because they think it makes them look good to adcoms. Though I must admit, "Complications" was a good read.

 

[Thundrstorm]

I haven't had much time to read lately (though I love reading), but now that I spend 2 hours on the metro every day, I'm on a roll. I've already read one book since the end of last week (The Spirit Catches You and You Fall Down -- really good), and am well into a second (Mountains beyond Mountains -- also really good). This is one interview question that I'm not worried about.


I might just answer with the most interesting book that I've read lately. I just finished reading Stiff last month, and it was such an interestign read, and would probably spark a good discussion. I probably wouldn't mention any fluffy beach reads, which I also tend to read occasionally.

 

[tigress]

I actually keep a list of books I've read (it's a bit incomplete though), and I write reviews for myself for most of them so I can look back and remember the book. I printed up the list and stuck it in my interview portfolio, and before my first interview I glanced at it to make sure I knew right away what to answer if I was asked this. But I didn't get asked. 🙂 I'm not obsessive or anything, I just like having a record of what I've read, and a way to actually remember things by keeping reviews.

 

[Darth Asclepius]

I see this question is relevant to your career as a physician. If you like to read, then you can probably comprehend those scientific papers you're required to read later on in your career. You hvae to be kept up to date with drugs and breakthroughs so i feel this question is helpful for adcom to know whether u'r a lazy person who only watches TV or if you can actually handle a 500 page book without falling asleep on page 1.

It's true that you'll have to read a lot of journal articles in the future, but very untrue that reading a regular book relates to that at all. It is a much different task to read scientific literature. I know a lot of scientists who frequently read their professional journals but can't remember when they last read a book, and I know a lot of students who are constantly reading books for pleasure but couldn't understand a journal article in less than 3 reads if their lives depended on it. Just don't want you to bring this up in your interview and potentially sound silly to an interviewer. They are just asking to make conversation and to see about your outside interests.

I havent read a book in a long time. I usually read articles here and there but books NO!!.

It's best if you can come up with a book you have read, but if you can't you can just say something like "I read so much for my classes/research position that I don't really enjoy reading for pleasure. I prefer to do _____ instead when I want to relax." It's better to be honest and say you don't enjoy it. I don't think they will hold that against you. The key is to show you know how to balance school/work with other things. Students that study 24/7 and don't know how to take a break and do something they enjoy tend to burn out and not do as well as those that have figured out how to balance their studies with their hobbies.

 

[sunny123]

I read threads on SDN. Lots of text, some useless paranoia, but enjoyable overall.

 

[RayhanS1282]

I read captionings on TV.

 

[PreMedMommy]

What is so wrong with saying, "I don't really like to read many books, but I have read some interesting articles/essays lately about...?" I think it's just a general question, it doesn't mean you have to have read a "book" within the last few months. They just want to know about you and what captures your interest.

 

[bubbleyum]

the MSAR. 😛

 

[Faust]

the history of death

 

[Billy Rubin]

Where is the cut-off between 'book' and, let's say, 'gentleman's magazine'? With some of the summer blockbuster issues, these publications are pushing 200 pages. True, they are heavy on the pictures, but so are a lot of the painstakingly handwritten Latin tomes of Olden Tymes.

I was browsing the interview feedback section of SDN and noticed a reoccuring interview question about reading a book. Why would that be an interview question? Why not just ask me my hobby. I havent read a book in a long time. I usually read articles here and there but books NO!!. It seems its ok to say you havent read a book in a while but when I started seeing the frequency of the question I just wondered whether saying that was good enough.

Your thoughts please.

Thanks

 

[obgyny]

Does it have to be a book though? I read a lot of articles and try to keep up with current affairs (newspapers, magazines etc) but a book like harry potter is not what I do. DOn't have the time nor the patience. Also I read more for specific knowledge - like a book on how to improve your middle game in chess or 50 strategies for improving your game of pool. WIth the internet most of these come as websites with articles that give you such info.

I guess im answering my own question - nevermind

A book is a book

you can say that. it's an honest answer and you can talk about interesting articles you've read or current affairs. some people don't have time to read books for pleasure. i love reading books--mostly medical books or medically related (I'm reading Stiff: The Curious Lives of Cadavers right now), and of course, i love those harry potter books 🙂

 

[humuhumu]

I'm thinking about reading "DaVinci Code" just for the sake of being able to talk about a book that most people have read.

That's hysterical -- I've had exactly the same thought, even though I never, ever read novels....

 

[humuhumu]

I actually keep a list of books I've read (it's a bit incomplete though), and I write reviews for myself for most of them so I can look back and remember the book. I printed up the list and stuck it in my interview portfolio, and before my first interview I glanced at it to make sure I knew right away what to answer if I was asked this. But I didn't get asked. 🙂 I'm not obsessive or anything, I just like having a record of what I've read, and a way to actually remember things by keeping reviews.

That's a great idea. I have a list of books that I've read, too, but I haven't included reviews yet. I actually typed up a pretty extensive pre-interview file for myself, complete with talking points related to my volunteer experiences, shadowing experiences, health care issues (especially universal access, AIDS, stem cells, euthanasia), and even stupid things like my strengths and weaknesses....

 

[funshine]

I actually keep a list of books I've read (it's a bit incomplete though), and I write reviews for myself for most of them so I can look back and remember the book. I printed up the list and stuck it in my interview portfolio, and before my first interview I glanced at it to make sure I knew right away what to answer if I was asked this. But I didn't get asked. 🙂 I'm not obsessive or anything, I just like having a record of what I've read, and a way to actually remember things by keeping reviews.

haha, my friend does that too. Chances are, if I'm buying a book she's read, I'll see her review on Amazon.com. I've only written 5 public reviews in my life, and they were for books I truly hated. For some reason, I'm inspired to rant about books rather than praise them.

 

[AxlxA]

I bought the Historian and finding it quite boring. The book drags too long in the non-interesting part of the story.

I've put that aside and gonna reread Ender's Game again.

 

[Anastasis]

I read threads on SDN. Lots of text, some useless paranoia, but enjoyable overall.

Anyone who says that in an interview would instantly get my respect!

 

[Hoberto]

I hope all these people reading health care books aren't doing it because they think it makes them look good to adcoms. Though I must admit, "Complications" was a good read.

Complications WAS a good book!

I'd probably go with Harry Potter/or point out that I spend so much time reading textbooks and journal articles that I feel guilty reading for pleasure so instead I hike in the park to relax when I have time.

 

[Saluki]

My last book was The Nazi War on Cancer- ah, the history of public health...