From the Bookshelf of Tyler Public Library…

When Breath Becomes Air

Paul Kalanithi,

Abraham Verghese (Foreword)

Why we're reading this: At 36 years of age, Dr. Paul Kalanithi was just months away from finishing his 7 yr. long neurosurgery re…more
[close] At 36 years of age, Dr. Paul Kalanithi was just months away from finishing his 7 yr. long neurosurgery residency, when he received the debilitating diagnosis of stage 4 incurable lung cancer.
As a cancer survivor myself, I think that Dr. Kalanithi does an admirable job of capturing the cancer patients state of mind and the knowledge that "even when the cancer is in retreat, it casts long shadows."
Kalanithi shares with the reader his desire to live a meaningful life with courage and grace in the fAt 36 years of age, Dr. Paul Kalanithi was just months away from finishing his 7 yr. residency in Neurosurgery, when he received the debilitating diagnosis of stage 4 incurable lung cancer.

As a cancer survivor myself, I think that Dr. Kalanithi does an admirable job of capturing the cancer patients state of mind and the knowledge that "even when the cancer is in retreat, it casts long shadows."
Kalanithi shares with the reader his desire to live a meaningful life with courage and grace in the face of death. This slim book is proof he succeeded

Recommended for all, especially readers who enjoyed Randy Pausch's The Last Lecture.

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Jul 23, 2016 Mary rated it it was amazing

Shelves: advance-readers-copy, non-fiction, netgalley, grief, cancer, novel-in-verse, memoir

At 36 years of age, Dr. Paul Kalanithi was just months away from finishing his 7 yr. long neurosurgery residency, when he received the debilitating diagnosis of stage 4 incurable lung cancer.
As a cancer survivor myself, I think that Dr. Kalanithi does an admirable job of capturing the cancer patients state of mind and the knowledge that "even when the cancer is in retreat, it casts long shadows."
Kalanithi shares with the reader his desire to live a meaningful life with courage and grace in the f ...more

2 likes · Like · see review

Feb 19, 2024 Andie rated it really liked it

Shelves: memmoir, cancer

At the age of 36, and about to finish his residency, Paul Kalanithi is diagnosed with stage 4 lung cancer. This book traces his evolution from a cocky English major, to his realization that he wants to be a doctor, and then his development as a neurosurgeon.

After his diagnosis, he ponders what makes life worth living and what to do when his goal-ridden path of life comes to an abrupt end. Paul and his wife make many courageous decisions, not the least being the decision to have a child and to l ...more

1 like · Like · see review