Those closest to me know that I’m not a reader. Not even close. In fact, I can’t even remember the last novel I read for school, and as far as outside reading goes, it’s literally nonexistent. I’m just not the type of person who can sit down with a book and read for pleasure without constantly wondering how many pages are left before the end of the chapter. My interests are reading short, journal-like articles… but not necessarily related to science. I love reading other people’s blog entries as they’re usually concise, original, and straightforward enough to keep me interested for the duration of the piece. But in preparation for medical school, I need to “learn how to read” all over again.
My journey began yesterday at the Barnes and Noble in First Colony. While my mom was shopping at some of the retail stores in the mall, I browsed through the “Computer Programming” and “Medicine” sections hoping I’d come across something which would inspire me to finally pick up a book and complete it. I was greeted by several “New York Times Best Seller” novels which made it even more difficult to pick; however, based on my pre-med status, I decided that I should avoid books dealing directly with the knowledge aspect of medicine and focus more on the abstract topics. Dr. Jerome Groopman’s How Doctors Think struck me as the perfect choice.
So starting today, I’ll regularly post what I’ve come across in the book. Stay tuned (and wish me luck in actually completing it!) 🙂
LOL. You don’t read?! You learn by osmosis?!
I need to learn how to do that. 🙂
Actually, I know what you mean but maybe the reason you don’t finish books (or start them) is because you are a busy individual. I did most of my reading between high school and starting college. Since starting HBU, I have only read 2 books. 🙁
Why? Studying takes up time, and in my case, work, too.
If you have not picked up Complications and Better by Atul Gawande, now is the time! They are truly excellent novels. Other non-science/medicine you will be sure to like is Marcus Aurelius’ Meditations. All these can be read in a week or less. Perfect for you, as you will not be thinking how much pages are left till the end.
Hey bud,
I’ve heard of this book before and hear it’s a pretty good read. If you havn’t already done so, I think Ben Carson’s “gifted hands” would be appealing to you as well.
I’m sitting here in a St. Luke’s hospital room, staying the night to watch over a friend. Looking out of the window, I see in large print sprawled across the sky, “BCM” and “Methodist,” as well as a tower that looks like there’s a rave on the top floor, with the blue and purple lights. In a way, it’s adding insult to injury; however, it has also made me realize what an accomplishment you have made. You’ve wanted this for so long and I am truly happy that you are going to be where you deserve to be.
Funny story about “Gifted Hands.” I actually started reading that book earlier this year, but right when I was half-way done, the movie rendition came out on TNT. Naturally, I watched it and stopped reading. 😀
Thank you for the kind words regarding BCM. It really is an accomplishment which I take with great humility and responsibility, as I know there are many out there who weren’t so lucky. May your friend have a speedy recovery!