8 Medical Memoirs That Will Change Your Life

One of the most extraordinary medical memoirs written. One of the most extraordinary books written. Ever. Rapp poses a profound question—How do you raise a child who you know is going to die?—and explores its nuanced answer with grace, exquisite poetry, tactile pain and unending love. A book that will change your perspective about motherhood and the body.

O’Rourke’s poetic and emotional love letter to her mother, who passed away of cancer, is an essential companion for anyone questioning how to grieve. It is an exquisite combination of philosophy and poetry, showing a daughter who misses her mother, who needs her mother, and who learned how to live as a result of their relationship.

Paul Kalanithi was a neurosurgical resident when he was diagnosed with lung cancer in his mid-thirties. As one of the most skilled surgeons in one of the most demanding and prestigious medical fields, Kalanithi was set to become a powerful force in the operating room, until his cancer diagnosis. He wrote this book while undergoing treatments, ultimately passing away before its completion. A gorgeous and haunting investigation of what it means to be human.