Seeking literary help

[Ranniks]

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Hi there,

I am in the process of applying to Medical School here in Holland. The books at the university are all written in English. My English has always been a strongt point of myself, but I have found myself a little bit in doubt. Therefore I wish to strengthen my English.

I was thinking something along the lines of reading well written books. I wish to strengthen my English to such a level that reading medical English will not be a problem at all.

What books could I read to improve? My native language is not English. I speak Dutch, English, Dari and am learning the German language.

What I am doing at the moment:

- Reading online health articles at: http://www.newscientist.com/section/health
- Reading books (fantasy books)

I realise I should read other literature than fantasy, but I don't know where to start. I want to both enjoy the book as learn from it.

My interests:

- Politics
- War
- Romance (no twilight....disgusting)
- Conflict
- Drama

Help would be much appreciated.

 

[lovesfall]

I haven't actually read it myself, but I've heard good things about Guns Germs, & Steel (by Jared Diamond). If you're into more global politics/war/civilization it might be up your alley.

I know medicine wasn't on your list, but I LOVE all of Atul Gawande's books. They might fit some of the "drama" criteria in parts (he is a pretty emphatic writer and can pull you into his stories).

 

[Chip N Sawbones]

Any war or conflict in particular? I studied history in college, so I could help you with some recommendations there.

To add to the medical list, When the Air Hits Your Brain by Frank Vertosick and Hot Lights, Cold Steel and Blue Collar, Blue Scrubs are excellent books, especially if you want to be a surgeon.

 

[Ranniks]

Guys you are amazing!

YES, I LOVE READING MEDICAL ENGLISH BOOK STORIES. I am reading a Dutch book about neurosurgery at the moment. Please more recommendations. But with the aim of improving my english of course.

Basically the Dutch book tells a story about a doctor and philosopher who goes to a hospital and writes about neurosurgery; how he interacts with the patients and how the doctors do that as well. It isn't really a story since he actually went to the hospital to write about neurosurgery.

And I do love history, so could you please recommend some good titles with the aim of improving my english CNS?

 

[emicsu]

I know you want to improve your English for reading/writing, but have you considered practicing your spoken english also? I found that learning a foreign language in multiple modalities (written, spoken, online chatting, school assignments, comics, whatever!) really helped strengthen my skills. There is something about physically saying the words that solidifies the knowledge in your brain. Try finding a friend that speaks english natively. Talk about whatever interests you. Tell stories out loud in english to learn how sentences flow. You'll notice that it will improve your reading because the words and sentences will sound more natural in your head after hearing and speaking in english. Good luck!!

 

[Ranniks]

I know you want to improve your English for reading/writing, but have you considered practicing your spoken english also? I found that learning a foreign language in multiple modalities (written, spoken, online chatting, school assignments, comics, whatever!) really helped strengthen my skills. There is something about physically saying the words that solidifies the knowledge in your brain. Try finding a friend that speaks english natively. Talk about whatever interests you. Tell stories out loud in english to learn how sentences flow. You'll notice that it will improve your reading because the words and sentences will sound more natural in your head after hearing and speaking in english. Good luck!!

Thanks for the sincere advice! 🙂

But the thing is, my speech isn't the problem. My english is actually pretty darn good. But I want to improve it to such a level, that difficult English books won't be a problem at all. If I can manage that, medical English shouldn't be a problem.

 

[medicalCPA]

I am a non-native English speaker (although my country was colonized by the British, so English was technically our lingua franca) and many years ago, I too was once in your position...somewhat. I had above average English skills and ended up strengthening them a lot. Unlike you, though, I did not set out to improve my English. I simply did not want to look ignorant, so I started reading a lot. The improvement in my English naturally followed. That being said, you may or may not like my advice.

To improve at English, you must read. You must read often, and a lot. Don't consider anything off-limits, because you will be surprised to find good writing even in children's books. However, to see the greatest improvement, you simply have to read the classics. They're called classics for a reason. They should be available at any tolerable library, or for free if you have an e-reader. From firsthand experience, you will gain a lot from reading them, but at times you won't like it. However, persevere. Many of the classics are not easy. Some are boring. Some you will hate. Some you will love. But even if you start reading a book you initially dislike, stick with it because it just might surprise you. If your intent is to be able to master difficult reading material, reading the classics will help you do exactly that, because with reading of any kind, the more you read, the easier it becomes. There is absolutely nothing I credit more for the improvement in my English skills than that unwitting reading program I undertook several years ago.

This is not to say that you won't find good contemporary literature. There is always good writing to be found everywhere. And if you develop the habit of reading widely and often, pretty soon you will be able to decide for yourself the kind of material you're drawn to. I don't know if you set yourself any timeline for improvement, but you will not realize you're improving until one day when you find out you've actually improved. At least, that's how it was for me.

If you're looking for where to begin, I recommend the following mix of ancient and modern:

1. Anything by Jane Austen
2. The Scarlet Letter
3. Silas Marner
4. Vanity Fair
5. The Iliad
6. The Odyssey
7. Paradise Lost
8. Wuthering Heights
9. Jane Eyre
10. To Kill a Mockingbird
11. The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks
12. The Emperor of all Maladies: A Biography of Cancer
13. The Disappearing Spoon
14. Every Patient Tells a Story
15. The Prince and the Pauper
16. Anything by W. Somerset Maugham
17. Things Fall Apart
18. The complete Sherlock Holmes series
19. The complete Father Brown series
20. A Lesson Before Dying

Nowadays, I read a lot of teen/young adult fantasy, myself. I'm waiting until after my qualifying exam to re-read "Lord of the Rings." 😀 Good luck to you.

 

[Ranniks]

I am a non-native English speaker (although my country was colonized by the British, so English was technically our lingua franca) and many years ago, I too was once in your position...somewhat. I had above average English skills and ended up strengthening them a lot. Unlike you, though, I did not set out to improve my English. I simply did not want to look ignorant, so I started reading a lot. The improvement in my English naturally followed. That being said, you may or may not like my advice.

To improve at English, you must read. You must read often, and a lot. Don't consider anything off-limits, because you will be surprised to find good writing even in children's books. However, to see the greatest improvement, you simply have to read the classics. They're called classics for a reason. They should be available at any tolerable library, or for free if you have an e-reader. From firsthand experience, you will gain a lot from reading them, but at times you won't like it. However, persevere. Many of the classics are not easy. Some are boring. Some you will hate. Some you will love. But even if you start reading a book you initially dislike, stick with it because it just might surprise you. If your intent is to be able to master difficult reading material, reading the classics will help you do exactly that, because with reading of any kind, the more you read, the easier it becomes. There is absolutely nothing I credit more for the improvement in my English skills than that unwitting reading program I undertook several years ago.

This is not to say that you won't find good contemporary literature. There is always good writing to be found everywhere. And if you develop the habit of reading widely and often, pretty soon you will be able to decide for yourself the kind of material you're drawn to. I don't know if you set yourself any timeline for improvement, but you will not realize you're improving until one day when you find out you've actually improved. At least, that's how it was for me.

If you're looking for where to begin, I recommend the following mix of ancient and modern:

1. Anything by Jane Austen
2. The Scarlet Letter
3. Silas Marner
4. Vanity Fair
5. The Iliad
6. The Odyssey
7. Paradise Lost
8. Wuthering Heights
9. Jane Eyre
10. To Kill a Mockingbird
11. The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks
12. The Emperor of all Maladies: A Biography of Cancer
13. The Disappearing Spoon
14. Every Patient Tells a Story
15. The Prince and the Pauper
16. Anything by W. Somerset Maugham
17. Things Fall Apart
18. The complete Sherlock Holmes series
19. The complete Father Brown series
20. A Lesson Before Dying

Nowadays, I read a lot of teen/young adult fantasy, myself. I'm waiting until after my qualifying exam to re-read "Lord of the Rings." 😀 Good luck to you.

Your post was what I subconsciously exactly was looking for!

I've read Jane Austen's Emma and boy, 70% boring and 30% good, or the other way around, not sure, it was some time ago. It was a REAL drag to read because it was difficult to read and because a lot of it was just boring. But I'll persevere.

Isn't readin Jane Austen considered 'feminine'? I mean, do males read Jane Austen fervently? Same goes for Jan Eyre.

Recently I've purchased (they're on their way to my home):

- Julius Caesar - Shakespear
- Oliver Twist - Dickens
- The Time Machine - HG Wells

But I must say I only ordered them because they were necessary for my upcoming english exam next year.

I'll definitely go over those books you recommended and most likely will read everything Shakespear and Dickens as well.

Thank you again once again!🙂

 

[LingoLaine]

I highly recommend "Cutting for Stone" by Abraham Verghese. Excellent book, includes quite a bit of medical terminology.

 

[medicalCPA]

Your post was what I subconsciously exactly was looking for!

I've read Jane Austen's Emma and boy, 70% boring and 30% good, or the other way around, not sure, it was some time ago. It was a REAL drag to read because it was difficult to read and because a lot of it was just boring. But I'll persevere.

Isn't readin Jane Austen considered 'feminine'? I mean, do males read Jane Austen fervently? Same goes for Jan Eyre.

Recently I've purchased (they're on their way to my home):

- Julius Caesar - Shakespear
- Oliver Twist - Dickens
- The Time Machine - HG Wells

But I must say I only ordered them because they were necessary for my upcoming english exam next year.

I'll definitely go over those books you recommended and most likely will read everything Shakespear and Dickens as well.

Thank you again once again!🙂

I don't log on to SDN as often as I used to, which is why it took so long to respond to your reply. I don't consider reading Jane Austen "feminine" any more than I consider books like "The Lord of the Rings" or "Sherlock Holmes" series "masculine." I think they are all good books that can be read and enjoyed by many, irrespective of gender. Yes, almost all of Austen's novels involve a female heroine who winds up with a beau at the end, but the consensus seems to be that her books are some of the best novels in the English language. There are many males who agree on this (me, I don't know. I'm still not widely read enough to make that sort of distinction, lol). Shunning her books or those by the Bronte sisters out of a desire not to be considered "feminine," before you've even considered their merit for yourself, is a bit premature.

You said you want your verbal skills to improve. Then you should expose yourself to as much good writing as you can find, irrespective of other people's perceptions. As you keep reading, you will be able to make the decision, for yourself, about what you want to read.

 

[Abider]

I can't imagine reading anything but exactly what I want to. I've taken some courses in literature that have introduced me to things I wouldn't have stumbled upon otherwise. But that involves tuition and grades.

Read for pleasure. About things that interest you. And the books will come and go quickly. This educational process is actually what takes place in the Montessori system--something I wish I had experienced. I think it would have made me a scholar. Instead of someone who has a profound distate for formal academics.

Read for you. And the facility of language will develop naturally.

My 9 in verbal proves it.

Still read for you. Your categories are limitless. You could summarize your interests as stuff that happens to people. So find something you like, or an author, and go for it.

I read Wild Sheep Chase after a Korean dude sat up to refill his coffee at a coffee shop in San Francisco, and i peeped the cover. He seemed inexplicably interesting.I've read every single one of Haruki Murakami's books translated into English. The adventure is yours.