If I had to pick just one of Gawande's books to read, it would be Complications. But this is still a great collection of stories on fascinating fields of and issues related to medicine.

What I admire so much about Gawande is his ability to wrap his analytical mind so effortlessly around storytelling. His writing is conversational, straightforward and thoughtful. Medicine isn't a topic that would necessarily appeal to me, but with Gawande at the helm, it's fascinating.

In this book, his stories include a closer look at issues physicians and others in the medical field could tackle better (hence the title). The subject material ranges from hand washing in hospitals to eradicating polio in India to chapters covering what doctors earn to what doctors owe (a look at a U.S. malpractice system riddled with holes).

Again, if you're a first-timer to Gawande, start with Complications but know this one will keep you turning the page from start to finish with equal ease.