Non-medical books that have changed your life?

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SandP

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I'm talking about books that have made you a better doctor/med student by giving you perspective, helping you improve yourself, and imparting wisdom. Maybe it was a book that taught you how to think. Or a book that taught you how to communicate more effectively. Or maybe it was a piece of fiction that shed light on the complexity of humanity. Which books for you were life altering?
 
I'm talking about books that have made you a better doctor/med student by giving you perspective, helping you improve yourself, and imparting wisdom. Maybe it was a book that taught you how to think. Or a book that taught you how to communicate more effectively. Or maybe it was a piece of fiction that shed light on the complexity of humanity. Which books for you were life altering?
Road Less Traveled by Dr. M. Scott Peck.

Life changing for me. Also moved up psychiatry on my list as well.

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I don't know about change my life, modified my world view is probably more accurate description.

Genghis Khan and the making of the modern world
Thinking fast and slow
The big short
Capital in the 21st century
The black swan


The idiot
The trial
The stranger
Brave New world
1984
Animal farm
Candide
 
I'm not sure how strict you are about your "non-medical" criteria, but I recommend "When Breath Becomes Air" by Dr. Paul Kalanithi. Even though it's written by a neurosurgeon, it's less about medicine and more about appreciating life and coming to grips with your mortality.
 
Tough call. either the Bluejacket’s manual or UCMJ, both are a good read
 
Atlas Shrugged - Rand
1984 - Orwell
The Prince - Machiavelli
How to Win Friends and Influence People - Carnegie
Bismarck: A Life - Steinberg
Napoleon - Cronin
Candide - Voltair
Things Fall Apart - Achebe
 
Jitterbug Perfume by Tom Robbins.

A Short History of Nearly Everything by Bill Bryson is super fun.

The Trial by Kafka. Anything Dostoevsky.
 
Candide and A Tale of Two Cities. Both taught me that just because something's done by "a master" doesn't mean it isn't absolute crap.
 
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The Cosmos - Sagan
To the Last Man & The Last Full Measure- Shaara
Art of War - Sun Tzu
 
The Unbearable Lightness of Being, Harry Potter & the Philosopher's Stone, Dune all had an impact on my life at different times and for different reasons
 
The Slight Edge.

Every little decision you make on a day to day basis is either working for you or against you. What separates the best from rest, all products of small decisions magnified over time.


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I'm talking about books that have made you a better doctor/med student by giving you perspective, helping you improve yourself, and imparting wisdom. Maybe it was a book that taught you how to think. Or a book that taught you how to communicate more effectively. Or maybe it was a piece of fiction that shed light on the complexity of humanity. Which books for you were life altering?

I'm reading 'Never Split the Difference: Negotiating as if your life depended on it" & it is fascinating! There's a lot of insight to the largely irrational decision-making processes that happen in ppl's minds every day (that we're unaware of) & how it manifests itself when we negotiate pretty much anything e.g. a raise or promotion, help from others, and almost any instance that fulfills our 'wants'.

Really good for enhancing the effectiveness of your communication with others whether or not there is something to gain! :prof:
 
Tattoos on the Heart - Greg Boyle (great for those interested in social justice)
 
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