(The opinion of someone who struggled through 3/4 of first year and would do a few things differently)
Netter: Good, especially for cranial nerves. But, in looking at it afterwards, Clemente is excellent in that it is not over-labeled like Netter is (I think Dr. Cross [UNECOM anatomy prof.] likes it better, as did a few of my classmates) and info is very well organized.
BRS Anatomy: didn't think it was too hot, poorly reviewed on Amazon, too much for a review. High-yield anatomy is probably better (or the new "Roadmaps" book) for quick review.
Though it is a bit of heresy, "Essential Clinical Anatomy" by Moore (the baby version) is probably more manageable if you choose to read a text (which you very well may find yourself not doing as dissection and notes usually prove more valuable)
Savarese OMT review: Probably the gold standard OMT review book. And the new volume does have more info in addition to practice tests.
To echo Dr. Mom: STARS "Physiology" by Costanzo is an outstanding book. While Guyton is eminently readable, Costanzo cuts to the chase and is the closest thing to physiology-made- easy. If you want a more in depth book that has almost all the diagrams that the physiology prof's use, Ganong is great (but a longer, denser read) and may be overkill.
Lippincott's Biochem: From what I've heard, I wish I had used it. Unfortunately, much of the homework in biochem (an abominable class [question: has anyone had a good biochem class in med school?]) comes directly from Marks and many test questions from BRS Biochem also by Marks (both of which are overrated in my opinion, but, unfortunately, necessary)
Everybody get's First Aid, but I question the necessity of starting to study for boards in the first year, it's intensive enough. I might add Princeton Review's "Cracking the Boards" if you must.
Some other books:
High-yield Embryology may be useful, but the note service notes for this class will be key (about the only class I found them useful for).
In 2001 Lippincott's came out with an "Illustrated Review of Microbiology". I really like it especially for an easily read and well illustrated review of immunology and a clinically oriented review in the back. Much less dense than Levison & Janowitz Micro review-though that is an excellent review text as well (probably considered the gold standard by most). "Micro Made Ridiculously Simple" is great, but no immuno. Either of the first two may be a better investment than "High yield Immuno".
For Path (another bit of heresy): STARS "Pathology" by Goljan may be helpful (I did not use it then) I was one of the many that gave up on trying to wade through all of Robbins, and went mostly with notes. Goljan, being a distilled text, may have been helpful.
Pharm: Brenner or Katzung (one of the two) are the required books. Most get Brenner. If you do too, know there is a review version which is very good for, well, review (go figure).
Hope this helps. Feel free to email.
