What are you reading in 2023?

Every August since 2020, The Cancer Letter has asked a diverse panel of clinicians, basic scientists, early-career faculty, patient advocates, government officials, and regulators to tell us what they are reading.

With over 30 contributors per year and now hundreds of book recommendations, some trends have emerged.

Will any trends emerge in 2023? 

With 74 books recommended—33 works of nonfiction, 30 novels, 10 memoirs, and 1 play—analysis can get tricky.

Of the nonfiction books, 14 are scientific, 13 are about equity and social justice, 9 are historical, 9 are about leadership, 8 are about personal growth, and 2 are about sports.

Karen Knudsen, chief executive officer of the American Cancer Society and the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network, recommended “The Captain Class: A New Theory of Leadership” by Sam Walker—a book about both leadership and sports.

“Although, as a die-hard Eagles fan, I find it hard to look at the picture of Tom Brady on the front cover, ‘The Captain Class’ is an interesting primer on leadership,” Knudsen said. “If you are a sports fan and find value in understanding different types of leadership strategy, this book is for you!” 

Knudsen offers one possible future revision. “In my opinion, it needed a section on Super Bowl 52, covering the leadership styles of Eagles Nick Foles and Malcolm Jenkins… Just saying…”

Knudsen is also rereading “Othello:” 

“I hadn’t read ‘Othello’ in a long while, and enjoyed diving again into this powerful tragedy, which effectively demonstrates the devastating impact of racism, manipulation, and jealousy. No matter how many times I read it, I still find myself hoping for Othello to see through the trap laid for him, but alas he ‘loved not wisely, but too well.’”

Notably, this year, three oncology-affiliated authors are featured on the reading list. 

Frederick Appelbaum, executive vice president of Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, is the first reading list contributor to have previously appeared on the reading list as an author. His book, “Living Medicine: Don Thomas, Marrow Transplantation, and the Cell Therapy Revolution,” was published this year. It was recommended last year by Thomas Lynch, president and director of Fred Hutch, while he was reading the final draft.

An excerpt of this book is available in the Cancer History Project, alongside a conversation with Appelbaum.

Appelbaum credits his book for inspiring his recommendations this year. “While working on the book, I spent a lot of time reading nonfiction science, and I haven’t been able to break the habit,” he said. 

Appelbaum’s reading recommendations this year include “An Immense World” by Ed Yong. “The book is filled with answers to questions you never thought to ask—why does a dog have slits on the side of its nose, what’s the strange shaped head of a hammerhead shark all about? As Yong makes clear, the diversity of sensory systems among living things is astounding,” Appelbaum said. “An immense amount of work must have gone into creating ‘An Immense World.’”

Charles Fuchs, senior vice president and global head of oncology and hematology drug development at Genentech and Roche, also appears as a recommender on this year’s reading list. His book, “A New Deal for Cancer: Lessons from a 50 Year War,” a collection of 19 essays co-edited with Abbe R. Gluck, was published in 2021. 

An excerpt from this book, “Essential Underreimbursed Services,” appears in the Cancer History Project, and a conversation with Gluck and Fuchs ran in The Cancer Letter.

Fuchs recommends five nonfiction books—two books about leadership, two biographies, and Malcolm Gladwell’s “The Bomber Mafia: A Dream, a Temptation, and the Longest Night of the Second World War.”

“Each of these books offers accounts of how innovative thinkers and organizations can change the world,” Fuchs said.

Paul Goldberg, editor and publisher of The Cancer Letter, also appears as an author on this year’s reading list. 

Goldberg’s latest novel, “The Dissident,” is recommended by Wafik El-Deiry, director of Legorreta Cancer Center at Brown University, and Ruben Mesa, president of Atrium Health Levine Cancer Institute and executive director of Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist Comprehensive Cancer Center. 

El-Deiry’s full list of book recommendations can be found in this issue. 

“Although I am just at the beginning, this promises to be a witty and satirical cold war mystery about Viktor, a Jewish ‘refusenik’ in 1976 Moscow and forced to solve a murder mystery in 9 days—or be blamed for the event himself! Excited to see how Viktor and his ragtag band of fellow ‘refuseniks’ solve the mystery!” Mesa said.

Mesa, who previously contributed to the reading list in 2021, is a longtime fan of a good murder mystery—particularly by Daniel Silva. “Come mid-July I eagerly await the latest installation in the fun ‘capers’ of the master art restorer/Israeli master spy Gabriel Allon! Quite the career combination! Indeed, we all thought working towards a cure for cancer was challenging as a career path.”

Silva’s books have been recommended every year since 2021, and this year, of the 30 recommended novels, 9 are mysteries or thrillers.

This might not be a coincidence. Electra Paskett, the Marion N. Rowley Professor of Cancer Research at the Ohio State University College of Medicine, said last year that her love for a good “whodunit” comes down to a professional interest: 

“As an epidemiologist, I am trained to solve puzzles and look for connections,” said Paskett, who is also the director of the Division of Cancer Prevention and Control in the Department of Internal Medicine at OSU College of Medicine. “As a cancer researcher, this applies to my passion, which is to figure out strategies and solutions to the thorny problem of who gets cancer and why and how to prevent cancer.”

Memoir also features prominently on the list this year, with 10 recommendations overall, including 5 recommendations for memoirs about cancer survivorship.

Suleika Jaouad’s “Between Two Kingdoms: A Memoir of a Life Interrupted” is frequently recommended—twice this year and once in 2022. Mesa calls it “a story of survivorship, renewal, and what it means to become well.” 

“Between Two Kingdoms” was the inaugural book of the Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist Comprehensive Cancer Center and Levine Cancer Institute #IntegratedCancerCenter Book Club.

“Even though I am an oncologist, or perhaps even more so because of my work, I felt my heart ache for her over and over again,” said Samyukta Mullangi, a medical oncology and hematology fellow at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, who also recommended Jaouad’s memoir.

“The narrative is honest, heartfelt, and absolutely devastating. I truly think everyone in our field should read this one.”

Last year, Clifford A. Hudis, chief executive officer of the American Society of Clinical Oncology, also recommended the book, calling it “truly informative and engaging from beginning to end.”

Leonidas Platanias, director of the Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center of Northwestern University, offers another sort of recommendation—a soundtrack. 

“As another composer once said, Bach is the beginning and the end of all music,” Platanias said. “In my opinion, he is the biggest genius ever. The Well Tempered Clavier is perfection in classical music. An incredible work.” 

The Cancer Letter has created a playlist of Platanias’s recommendations—available through Spotify. 

• An Immense World: How Animal Senses Reveal the Hidden Realms Around Us, by Ed Yong
• The Genetic Lottery: Why DNA Matters for Social Equality, by Kathryn Paige Harden
• Baikonur Man: Space, Science, American Ambition, and Russian Chaos at the Cold War’s End, by Barry L. Stoddard
• The Baseball 100, by Joe Posnanski

I love to read. Up until a few years ago, just about the only genre I didn’t read was romance novels. Then I started writing my own book, which was published earlier this year, “Living Medicine: Don Thomas, Marrow Transplantation, and the Cell Therapy Revolution.” While working on the book, I spent a lot of time reading nonfiction science, and I haven’t been able to break the habit. Three of my four recent favorites fall into that category.

“An Immense World,” by Ed Yong, is a magnificent book about the unexpected and sometimes bizarre ways creatures sense the world around them. The book is filled with answers to questions you never thought to ask—why does a dog have slits on the side of its nose, what’s the strange shaped head of a hammerhead shark all about? As Yong makes clear, the diversity of sensory systems among living things is astounding. An immense amount of work must have gone into creating “An Immense World.”

I read it in two gulps, and it would have been one if my wife hadn’t made me turn out my bedside lamp. I raise a glass of Armenian cognac to the author, and you will too.

Frederick Appelbaum

Harden’s “The Genetic Lottery” is, I think, an important book that presents the evidence that genetic differences exist between different populations (populations, not races) and that these differences influence everything from athletic performance to financial success. She makes the important point that refusing to recognize the role of genetic luck limits our ability to create a fair society. 

“Baikonur Man,” by Barry Stoddard, is a much lighter read. It’s a wonderfully entertaining, amusing blend of cold-war nostalgia and attempts at protein crystallization. I read it in two gulps, and it would have been one if my wife hadn’t made me turn out my bedside lamp. I raise a glass of Armenian cognac to the author, and you will too.

“The Baseball 100” is obviously not science, but rather a series of mini-biographies of the 100 greatest baseball players in history, at least according to Posanski. Each bio-sketch is filled with arcane facts and entertaining stories. I limit myself to one a night and will mourn day 101. 

• Who by Fire: Leonard Cohen in the Sinai, by Matti Friedman
• Outlive: The Science and Art of Longevity, by Peter Attia
• From Strength to Strength: Finding Success, Happiness, and Deep Purpose in the Second Half of Life, by Arthur Brooks

“Who by Fire: Leonard Cohen in the Sinai:” Matti is one of my favorite authors, and this is a fascinating account of who the poet and singer Leonard Cohen wound up in the desert on the front lines of the Yom Kippur War. An interesting account of a country and a singer at a crossroads.

“Outlive: The Science and Art of Longevity,” by Peter Attia: Dr. Attia, a veteran of Dr. Rosenberg’s lab in the Surgical Branch at NCI, is so diligent and comprehensive as he tries to tackle the four horsemen of the health apocalypse—cancer, cardiovascular disease, neurodegenerative disease, and metabolic disease. Dr. Attia has practical tips on how to live a better and longer life—which my take home is no shortcuts and lots of extensive cardiovascular exercise (mainly in Zone 2) as well as strength training.

“From Strength to Strength: Finding Success, Happiness, and Deep Purpose in the Second Half of Life,” by Arthur Brooks: I am a huge fan of Arthur Brooks—he has an engaging/upbeat writing and speaking style and dives into the social science, theology, philosophy as we need to transition from fluid intelligence to crystallized intelligence as we age.

• More Than a Glitch: Confronting Race, Gender, and Ability Bias in Tech, by Meredith Broussard

This is a great book written in an accessible style that explains how AI and algorithms can be discriminatory.

• Financial Feminist: Overcome the Patriarchy’s Bullsh*t to Master Your Money and Build a Life You Love, by Tori Dunlap
• Emotional Intelligence, Harvard Review

“Financial Feminist” shows how financial independence is essential for women—and tricks about investing. “Emotional Intelligence” allows you to find purpose and learn how to keep your team motivated.

• Good to Great: Why Some Companies Make the Leap…and Others Don’t, by Jim Collins
• Built to Last: Successful Habits of Visionary Companies, by Jim Collins
• The Bomber Mafia: A Dream, a Temptation, and the Longest Night of the Second World War, by Malcolm Gladwell
• Einstein: His Life and Universe, by Walter Isaacson
• Steve Jobs, by Walter Isaacson

We have the great privilege and responsibility of changing the lives of patients with cancer—a challenge that constantly requires us to consider innovative new approaches. Each of these books offers accounts of how innovative thinkers and organizations can change the world.

• Nights of Plague, by Orhan Pamuk
• A Gentleman in Moscow, by Amor Towles

“Nights of Plague,” by Orhan Pamuk, written by him in Turkish and published just before the start of the COVID pandemic, translated into English and published in 2022. It recounts a story set in the last days of the Ottoman empire (early 1900s) with an outbreak of bubonic plague on a fictional island (Mingheria) in the Mediterranean, which is inhabited by both Turks and Greek orthodox residents. 

A doctor and his wife (a princess, daughter of a deposed sultan) are sent there to investigate the rumors of plague, along with an eminent chemist. The 700+ page book is full of intrigue, murder and death from plague, as well as the political challenges faced by the failing empire and the need to obtain help from the west to provide a blockade of the island. 

How the plague was handled—quarantine, topical treatment of buboes, rumor and romance—keeps one’s interest going, but you do need to devote the time to get to the end of the book. I have read several other books from this Nobel laureate and enjoyed his writing with respect to exotic settings (neighborhoods in Istanbul), rich character development, and cultural context. This book mixes history and fiction, as well as the interpersonal aspects of human relationships, but was a longer read.

“A Gentleman in Moscow,” by Amor Towles, was an engaging and quicker read, tracing the fate of Count Alexander Rostov who loses his privileged status as a result of the Bolshevik revolution. After being placed under house arrest at the Hotel Metropol, across from the Kremlin, he carves out a new life for himself in this new community. 

Reading this novel in the current context of the Russian invasion of Ukraine and Putin’s fanatical drive for a historic greater Russia makes one understand that there is nothing new in this world.

Patricia A. Ganz

Over time we see the transformation of Russia into the Soviet Union mostly through the Count’s trials and tribulations at the hotel, including becoming the guardian of a young girl whose parents are sent off to the countryside. Life at the Metropol reveals what life was like for the privileged and communist party members, as well as those who worked to serve them at the hotel, including the Count. 

Reading this novel in the current context of the Russian invasion of Ukraine and Putin’s fanatical drive for a historic greater Russia makes one understand that there is nothing new in this world. Although the novel may not be historically completely accurate, the human stories are very moving and capture what some people certainly must have experienced during those turbulent times.

• American Sirens: The Incredible Story of the Black Men Who Became America’s First Paramedics, by Kevin Hazzard
• The Devil in the White City: Murder, Magic, and Madness at the Fair That Changed America, by Erik Larson

I recently read “American Sirens” as a recommendation from our pediatrician, friend, and patient of mine. 

This is a top-20 book in my recent list and memory. The book is about the Freedom House EMS history and the setup of the first “real” paramedics in the US. They faced many challenges, including racism from the community, the police, and the government. However, the paramedics persevered and saved countless lives, and they helped to set the standard for paramedic care in the United States. Very powerful, must-read.

Since I have a daughter headed to college at University of Chicago in the fall this year, a urologist friend gave me the recommendation for “The Devil in the White City,” which I just finished. This 2003 book is excellent, and full of incredible historical details about the city of Chicago and its history around the 1893 world’s fair. The author also runs a parallel thriller story which is interesting, dark, and complex.

• American Ramble: A Walk of Memory and Renewal, by Neil King

I first learned about “American Ramble” while following the author, Neil King, on Twitter as he set out on—and tweeted about—his 330 mile walking journey from Washington, DC, to NYC. Rarely have I had such extended anticipation for a book. I was counting down the time until it became available.

The story is wonderful as it weaves together a trip of self discovery for Mr. King, with off-the-beaten-path stories of our nation’s past, all while giving some insight, and maybe also some hope, into the internal strife that has been tearing us apart these last several years. 

In many ways, it’s also a story about cancer. We learn of his brother who has a glioma. And we learn of the author’s own experience with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma. First, the lymphoma delayed his trip, then, successful treatment allowed him to proceed and we learn he is in remission—or what he beautifully refers to as a “clearing” from cancer. 

• A House for Mr. Biswas, by V.S. Naipaul
• Victory City, by Salman Rushdie
• The Cairo Trilogy, by the Egyptian novelist Naguib Mahfouz
• ‘Tis: A Memoir, by Frank McCourt
• American Rust, by Philipp Meyer
• The Son, by Philipp Meyer
• A Strangeness in My Mind, by Orhan Pamuk
• The Locust and the Bird: My Mother’s Story, by Hanan al-Shaykh
• A Tale of Love and Darkness, by Amos Oz
• Sabbath’s Theater, by Philip Roth
• Birds Without Wings, by Louis De Bernieres
• Empire Falls, by Richard Russo
• Leo Africanus, by Amin Maalouf

Here is a list of the best novels (or novelists) I have read recently (or ever), which may or may not be to others’ tastes:

“A House for Mr. Biswas,” by V.S. Naipaul, is a semi-autobiography of the author’s youth in Trinidad. Others are “A Bend in the River,” “Miguel Street,” and “A Flag on the Island,” wonderful collections of short stories. His brother, Shiva Naipaul was also a novelist, and wrote several humorous novels (“Fireflies,” “Love and Death in a Hot Country”) but died young.

“Victory City,” the most recent novel by Salman Rushdie, is a wonderful saga of the magical birth of a city and its course over the next 250 years. Rushdie is my all-time favorite author. Other outstanding novels are “Shame” (his best??), a historical novel set in a Pakistan-like country, “The Moor’s Last Sigh,” and “Midnight’s Children.” I hope he wins the Nobel Prize in Literature this year (or soon).

“The Cairo Trilogy,” by the Egyptian novelist Naguib Mahfouz, is a family saga in Cairo during the reign of King Farouk and later president Gamal Abdel Nasser. It’s very funny but some of Mahfooz’s cachet humor may be lost in translation. I was addicted to his novels as an adolescent.

“‘Tis: A Memoir,” by Frank McCourt. McCourt started writing quite late in his life and published an exceptionally entertaining trilogy of his life, starting in Ireland then moving as a teacher in the US. “‘Tis,” the second memoir of the trilogy, is, in my view, the most entertaining. “Angela’s Ashes” and “Teacher Man” were also wonderful.

Two great novels, “American Rust” and “The Son,” by Philipp Meyer. The latter is the story of a multi-generational family in the newly born Texas and later during the oil boom.

“A Strangeness in My Mind,” by Orhan Pamuk, describes the expansion of life in Istanbul as told by different characters. Of all his novels, I found this one the most entertaining. He recently published “Nights of Plague” (very good but too long). Some other good novels are “My Name is Red” and “The Museum of Innocence,” while some others I found more difficult to absorb.

“The Locust and the Bird: My Mother’s Story,” by Hanan al-Shaykh, is a moving telling of the author’s mother’s life. I consider her the best living Arab novelist today, and this is her best book in my opinion. If you like it, then try “Only in London” and “Beirut Blues”. The translated work is good, but they read best in the original language.

“A Tale of Love and Darkness,” by Amos Oz, depicts the author’s youth and life in the newly born state of Israel—the best novel/biography by Oz (in my opinion). I also loved reading “Judas”, a novel set in 1959 that depicts a student of religion and his views on Judas Iscariot.

“Sabbath’s Theater,” by Philip Roth—and if it resonates with you then try “American Pastoral” and “Goodbye Columbus.”

“Birds Without Wings,” by Louis De Bernieres, a novel set in the background of the collapsing Ottoman empire and subsequent struggles between different religious/ethnic communities.

“Empire Falls,” by Richard Russo. The novel is set in a small town in Maine with many entertaining and memorable characters, in particular the owner of the “Empire Grill.” If you like it, then read “Nobody’s Fool” and others of Russo’s many entertaining novels.

“Leo Africanus,” by Amin Maalouf, a historical novel about a real-life character who lives in the 16th century and chronicles his travels and the rise in different cultures and empires. Maalouf published many entertaining novels like “The Rock of Tanios” and “Balthasar’s Odyssey.” Best read in the original French, but the translated works are excellent.

Here I will list several single novels or authors I find very entertaining, and you may wish to try some of the novels/authors: Many of John LeCarre’s recent novels (“The Tailor of Panama,” “Our Kind of Traitor,” “The Russia House”). “Shrine of Gaiety,” by Kate Atkinson, and the Brodie’s police series. “The Mambo Kings Play Songs of Love,” by Oscar Hijuelos. “The Bastard of Istanbul,” by Elif Shafak. “The Feast of the Ghost,” by Mario Vargas Llosa. “This is Where I Leave You,” by Jonathan Tropper. “One Hundred Years of Solitude,” and “Love in the Time of Cholera,” by Garbriel García Márquez. “Middlesex,” by Jeffrey Eugenides. “A Case of Exploding Mangoes,” by Mohammed Hani.

And finally, I do not think I read any non-medical books from 1972 to 1989. This is when I was first introduced to Elmore Leonard’s books and the crime/police genre. The first English novel I read was “Killshot” in 1989, which I enjoyed so much that I then read many of Leonard’s novels before and since (best are “City Primeval,” “Swag,” “Get Shorty,” etc). I diverted then to other noir fiction/police genre writers like James Cain, Ross MacDonald, Raymond Chandler, and Joseph Wambaugh.

I hope you enjoy at least some of these recommendations.

• The Captain Class: A New Theory of Leadership, by Sam Walker 
• Less is Lost, by Andrew Sean Greer
• Othello, by William Shakespeare

Although, as a die-hard Eagles fan, I find it hard to look at the picture of Tom Brady on the front cover, “The Captain Class” is an interesting primer on leadership. If you are a sports fan and find value in understanding different types of leadership strategy, this book is for you! In my opinion, it needed a section on Super Bowl 52, covering the leadership styles of Eagles Nick Foles and Malcolm Jenkins… Just saying…

“Less is Lost” is the follow up to the Pulitzer winner “Less,” which I found hilarious. Laughter is medicine, and this book does not disappoint. Our main character is as absurd as he is lovable, and I’m chuckling just thinking about it. 

I hadn’t read “Othello” in a long while, and enjoyed diving again into this powerful tragedy, which effectively demonstrates the devastating impact of racism, manipulation, and jealousy. No matter how many times I read it, I still find myself hoping for Othello to see through the trap laid for him, but alas he “loved not wisely, but too well.”

• Long Bright River, by Liz Knight
• A School for Good Mothers, by Jessamine Chan
• Warmth of Other Suns: The Epic Story of America’s Great Migration, by Isabel Wilkerson
• Evicted: Poverty and Profit in the American City, by Matthew Desmond
• American Dirt, by Janine Cummins

Our Office of Community Outreach and Engagement launched a book club to learn more about our catchment area. Known as “COE Reads,” we select a book that’s set in our catchment area and then have a book chat with the author and a community partner that ties into the story. “Long Bright River” is a murder mystery that takes place in Kensington, a troubled yet resilient community in Philadelphia, and “A School for Good Mothers” is a story of conflict and what we hope isn’t the future of motherhood. 

As a population scientist, I love to learn about communities and people through well-told stories. Some of my most recent favorites are “Warmth of Other Suns,” “Evicted,” and “American Dirt.”

• Between Two Kingdoms: A Memoir of a Life Interrupted, by Suleika Jaouad
• The Collector, by Daniel Silva
• The Dissident, by Paul Goldberg

Sitting on my Yeti lawn chair, reading a book, looking out over the cool waters of Lake Michigan in Door County, WI—this is my favorite way to unwind on summer vacation. A chance to unwind, rest, and recharge. 

In my family, there is great discussion and controversy as to which platform is best to enjoy your summer reading! My daughter, an avid reader, loves nothing better than a traditional physical book (and keeps a pristine copy of all her favorites in her private library) while bringing the reliable Kindle to the beach for ease of use. For myself, although nothing beats a physical book, nothing beats the utility of the iOS “Books” app. I can read whenever the moment arises on my phone or iPad (whether waiting to board a plane, standing in a long Starbucks queue, or chilling on the beach). 

Now, what am I reading this summer? I always like to have 2-3 books in the mix, so depending on my mood I can enjoy something truly for fun, for enrichment, or for inspiration.

On the inspiration front, I am excited to be reading the inaugural offering of the new #IntegratedCancerCenter Book Club between our newly-integrated Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist Comprehensive Cancer Center & Levine Cancer Institute, organized by TCL contributor and our amazing faculty member in Radiation Oncology & director of Survivorship—Stacy Wentworth, MD. 

Come mid-July I eagerly await the latest installation in the fun ‘capers’ of the master art restorer/Israeli master spy Gabriel Allon! Quite the career combination! Indeed, we all thought working towards a cure for cancer was challenging as a career path. 

Ruben Mesa

The first book is “Between Two Kingdoms: A Memoir of a Life Interrupted” by Suleika Jaouad. This is an amazing and really well written account of the author’s process of recovery after acute leukemia completely disrupted her life as a young adult. 

The book tells the story of her recovery “journey,” literally and figuratively, in which she recounts a 15,000 mile journey (accompanied by her new dog Oscar) as she drives across the country and meets individuals who wrote to her while she was fighting her leukemia. A story of survivorship, renewal, and what it means to become well.

On the fun front, come mid-July I eagerly await the latest installation in the fun “capers” of the master art restorer/Israeli master spy Gabriel Allon! Quite the career combination! Indeed, we all thought working towards a cure for cancer was challenging as a career path. 

This year’s installment from Daniel Silva is called “The Collector,” and, as usual, finds our protagonist restoring a “masterwork” when he is put in motion to find a stolen priceless painting. Invariably, this leads to a complex mix of intrigue, where timely global politics, complex “operations,” and an entertaining resolution occur. Always a fun read, especially in the summer sunshine.

Finally, as a fan of great escapist spy thrillers, I am excited to also read the new offering from our own TCL editor and novelist, Paul Goldberg—“The Dissident.” Although I am just at the beginning, this promises to be a witty and satirical cold war mystery about Viktor, a Jewish “refusenik” in 1976 Moscow and forced to solve a murder mystery in 9 days—or be blamed for the event himself! Excited to see how Viktor and his ragtag band of fellow “refuseniks” solve the mystery!

• The Netanyahus, by Joshua Cohen
• Between Two Kingdoms: A Memoir of a Life Interrupted, by Suleika Jaouad
• Doing Justice: A Prosecutor’s Thoughts on Crime, Punishment, and the Rule of Law, by Preet Bharara

“The Netanyahus” is a fictionalized account of Bibi Netanyahu’s father, who arrives at a small college campus in upstate NY seeking an academic position—and it is one of the most memorable, entertaining, maddening novels I’ve ever read. I confess that I listened to it on Audible, and I think that doing so actually led to me missing out on some of its brilliance (the novel invites you to read and re-read sections in order to fully grasp how it works on so many different levels of verbiage, context, history, and edifice), so my plan is to read it the old-fashioned way this summer.

“Between Two Kingdoms”—I am a few years late to this deeply moving memoir of a young woman’s experience with leukemia from journey to remission. I’d read all of Suleika’s NYT columns back in the day, when she was actively undergoing treatment, and this had been on my list forever. Even though I am an oncologist, or perhaps even more so because of my work, I felt my heart ache for her over and over again. The narrative is honest, heartfelt, and absolutely devastating. I truly think everyone in our field should read this one.

Even though I am an oncologist, or perhaps even more so because of my work, I felt my heart ache for her over and over again. The narrative is honest, heartfelt, and absolutely devastating. I truly think everyone in our field should read this one.

Samyukta Mullangi

“Doing Justice”—For those who may not be familiar, Preet Bharara was a former US Attorney for the Southern District of New York. He came to my class once when I was a student at Harvard Business School to talk about a case of business ethics, and I remember thinking that this man was so thoughtful and eloquent.

When I heard that he’d written a book, it immediately was added to my reading list. The book does not disappoint. It works both as a memoir of his tenure at SDNY as well as a meditation on the nature and dispensation of justice. I highly recommend this one as an audiobook, not only because he narrates it himself, but also because the stories are gripping, and listening to this book is an excellent way to get through the motions of one’s week.

• Thunderstruck, by Eric Larson
• The End of the Pacific Ocean (El fin del Océano Pacífico), by Tomas Gonzalez
• Love in the Time of Cholera, by Gabriel García Márquez

During my summer I read two books and am re-reading a third.

“Thunderstruck,”by Eric Larson, is an interesting novel that slowly brings together two apparently unrelated situations happening in London in the late 1800’s. One was the disappearance and apparent murder of the wife of a physician/pharmacist and the second was the arrival of Guglielmo Marconi, to develop the wireless telegraph. Fascinating piece of history that I was not very familiar with. The narrative slowly weaves both stories together into a very interesting finale.

“The End of the Pacific Ocean (El fin del Océano Pacífico)” is by a new Colombian writer, Tomas Gonzalez. He has a rich narrative about a Colombian family visiting a jungle area of the Pacific Coast of Colombia (Bahia Solano), which was one of my favorite summer vacation spots when I was growing up. The narrative is very reminiscent of my experiences with the place and the people who live there.

I have started re-reading (for the third time), slowly, my favorite book, “Love in the Time of Cholera,” by Gabriel García Márquez. 

• When Breath Becomes Air, by Paul Kalanithi
• The Ajax Dilemma: Justice, Fairness, and Rewards, by Paul Woodruff

The book I read recently which had an impact on me was Paul Kalanithi’s “When Breath Becomes Air.” 

As an oncologist dealing with mortality on a daily basis, we can sometimes become immune. This book, I think, is a must for every oncologist as it is a very human and personal story of the challenges, triumphs, ups and downs of a brilliant physician dealing with cancer. It helped me understand my patient’s perspective better and helped me be a better physician in turn. 

“The Ajax Dilemma” uses an example from Greek mythology to highlight how flawed leadership can lead to disastrous consequences.

• Beethoven: Symphony No. 3 “Eroica”
• Berlioz: Symphonie fantastique
• Bach: “Well Tempered Clavier” – Preludes and Fugues
• Rachmaninov: Piano Concerto No. 2
• Shostakovich: Waltz No. 2 
• Mendelssohn: “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” – Overture

Beethoven’s Symphony No. 3, “Eroica:” One of the best symphonies ever written. It was a highly innovative symphony when Beethoven wrote it, and for me it is inspiring every time I hear it.

Bach’s “Well Tempered Clavier” – Preludes and Fugues: As another composer once said, Bach is the beginning and the end of all music. In my opinion, he is the biggest genius ever. The Well Tempered Clavier is perfection in classical music. An incredible work.

Rachmaninov’s Piano Concerto No. 2: A remarkably emotional piano concerto by a remarkable composer. Truly stunning. One of the best pieces in the history of classical music.

Shostakovich’s Waltz No. 2: My favorite classical waltz. A brilliant composition by an incredible composer.

Mendelssohn’s “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” – Overture: A great “summer” overture, by one of the greatest composers.

[Editor’s note: These selections are available as a Spotify playlist.]

• The Cost of Discipleship, by Dietrich Bonhoeffer
• A Savage War of Peace: Algeria 1954-1962, by Alastair Horne 

• Think Again: The Power of Knowing What You Don’t Know, by Adam Grant

This book is an interesting review from an organizational psychologist on how we get stuck on beliefs. Despite being a scientist, I found the insights into re-thinking very timely. 

• The Passenger, by Cormac McCarthy
• Stella Maris, by Cormac McCarthy
• El Amante Polaco, by Elena Poniatowska

I just read Cormac McCarthy’s last two novels, “The Passenger,” and “Stella Maris.” What can I say about Cormac McCarthy that has not been said already? His style, the depth of his thoughts, the complexity of his characters. I had been waiting (im)patiently for many years, and I must admit I was afraid that there would be no more coming from him after “The Road.”

Like a reviewer put it, these two books, which immerse the reader in a complex intertwined story of love, loss, and despair, are “deliberately frustrating.” Hard to read and at times difficult to understand—but as I finished them, I was ready to start reading them again, my Kindle full of highlighted passages that shine like pearls that never lose their splendor. A good farewell gift from this amazing writer.

Now I am reading ‘El Amante Polaco’ (The Polish Lover), by the French-Mexican author Elena Poniatowska. This is a fascinating novel about the last king of Poland, Stanislaw Poniatowski, ancestor of the author and a lover of Catherine the Great, and a travel in time between the Poland and Russia of the 18th Century, the Europe of the Wars, and the Mexico of today. 

Somehow, it made me realize that while we all are the product of our times and our history, we also have the power to write them. Or, I should say, the gift? It is an extensive piece of work, comes in two volumes, but every page is worth it.

• No Cure for Being Human, by Kate Bowler 

I find this book an inspirational memoir, which helps us realize how fragile we are, and at times, how to outperform our humanness.

• Unmask Alice: LSD, Satanic Panic, and the Imposter Behind the World’s Most Notorious Diaries, by Rick Emerson

The way we think, talk about, and treat substance use and people who use drugs is fraught and burdened by so much stigma. The cultural conception of drug use as a moral failing runs deep, and we often don’t consider what it’s based on. Though many of us haven’t read it, many of us have been influenced by “Go Ask Alice,” by Beatrice Sparks, which tells a cautionary tale about a teenage runway’s experience with drugs. 

“Unmask Alice” is a fascinating investigation into how that influential book that has impacted our cultural conception of drug use is entirely fictional—and the history and motivation behind why this book had such a cultural impact. It’s a great step toward unpacking drug stigma to look at its rickety foundations.

• LGBT Populations and Cancer in the Global Context, edited by Ulrike Boehmer and Gabriele Dennert

After formerly editing a book examining LGBTQI+ cancer in the U.S., Dr. Boehmer has now turned her attention to considering the same topic globally. I was impressed with how the editors found local authors to examine the issues in a wide variety of countries. I was also impressed with how much information the authors found about a subject I was worried would be quite narrow. 

Ultimately, I found the book not only a great read for the topic itself, but also an amazing insight into health policy in different countries and the realities of living as a queer person in different contexts as well. 

• Option B: Facing Adversity, Building Resilience, and Finding Joy, by Sheryl Sandberg and Adam Grant

As physicians, we are rarely taught how to address anticipatory grief or bereavement. This book was a glimpse into what follows the death of a loved one. It left an indelible mark, and I hope makes me more compassionate to my patients. 

• Bittersweet: How Sorrow and Longing Make Us Whole, by Susan Cain

Susan Cain’s book, “Bittersweet,” extends the insightful introspection and profound wisdom that marked her earlier work, “Quiet,” a pioneering study of introversion. In “Bittersweet,” Cain adopts this perspective to explore the human encounter with grief and desire, spinning an engaging tale highly pertinent to oncology.

For cancer healthcare providers, “Bittersweet” facilitates a more profound comprehension of the emotional components of cancer patients’ experiences. This includes those grappling with grief, loss, and the weighty emotions often accompanying a cancer diagnosis. 

As “Quiet” illuminated the strengths and needs of introverted individuals, “Bittersweet” might guide healthcare professionals to enhance their empathy skills, a critical competency when dealing with patients confronting life-altering diseases such as cancer.

From a research vantage point, Cain’s investigation of transmuting anguish into creativity and transcendence could spark fresh psychosocial research trajectories in oncology. Analogous to how “Quiet” broadened our comprehension of introversion, “Bittersweet” could contribute to a more thorough understanding of emotional resilience, personal evolution, and coping strategies among cancer patients and their loved ones.

While “Bittersweet” can offer further solace and comprehension, it is not a substitute for professional psychological assistance. Nevertheless, gaining insights from a layperson’s viewpoint can be beneficial.

• Tom Clancy Target Acquired, by Don Bentley
• Gemstones: A Jewelry Maker’s Guide to Identifying and Using Beautiful Rocks, by Judith Crowe

Generally, when I read outside of work, I like action stories and something to expand my knowledge of other areas. I’ve read a lot of Clive Cussler novels and Tom Clancy books—the most recent being “Target Acquired,” by Don Bentley. 

In addition, my wife has gotten me interested in making jewelry, so another recent book was “Gemstones: A Jewelry Maker’s Guide to Identifying and Using Beautiful Rocks,” by Judith Crowe.

• High Growth Handbook: Scaling Startups from 10 to 10,000 People, by Elad Gil 
• Pieces of the Action, by Vannevar Bush
• Project Hail Mary, by Andy Weir
• American Moonshot: John F. Kennedy and the Great Space Race, by Douglas Brinkley

My go-to reading selections these days are usually a mix of science fiction (I read enough hard science all day at work) and building things like organization and culture.

“High Growth Handbook” is less of a read and more of a handy reference book. I use this text often to reflect on best practices when I’m hiring new executives and building a team. The personal user manual is such a handy tool to share with new team members, especially in a hybrid work environment when it can be harder to get to know someone.

“Pieces of the Action,” by Vannevar Bush, was just recently reissued. The reflections on building a new organization in government even decades ago are still insightful and relevant today (though thankfully with a bit less patriarchy…). 

“Project Hail Mary,” by Andy Weir, is easily my favorite book. The story of taking on the seemingly impossible, having an unexpected partnership be the key to the solution, and the “science” of the fiction was so creative and detailed. I laughed, I cried, I recommend this book to everyone! 

My go-to reading selections these days are usually a mix of science fiction (I read enough hard science all day at work) and building things like organization and culture.

Renee Wegrzyn

The president officially announced my role as ARPA-H director last year on the anniversary of JFK’s Moonshot speech. I picked up “American Moonshot: John F. Kennedy and the Great Space Race” to get smart on the original Moonshot, and like many, I was struck by his famous quote: 

We choose to go to the moon in this decade and do the other things, not because they are easy, but because they are hard, because that goal will serve to organize and measure the best of our energies and skills, because that challenge is one that we are willing to accept, one we are unwilling to postpone, and one which we intend to win.

This really captures the Zeitgeist for the team at ARPA-H working hard to bring better health outcomes to all Americans. We’ve got this!

• The Source, by James A. Michener

I have gone retro and am re-reading “The Source,” by James Michener, which was written in 1965. My takeaway is quite different than it was when I last read it 50 years ago. 

Certain aspects of the book, particularly those related to ethnic and gender interactions, have not aged perfectly, but overall it is a remarkably creative, thought-provoking, and enjoyable description of how we build on what came before. 

• The Creative ACT: A Way of Being, by Rick Rubin
• Shoutin’ in the Fire: An American Epistle, by Danté Stewart 

Rick Rubin’s book has affected how I view creativity. It challenged me to go beyond my typical sources of creativity and to more deliberately commit to a creative practice of being.

Danté Stewart’s semi-autobiography hit home, as it directly took on the challenges of the Black religious experience and living in America. He points out the difficulties at times of reconciling the two, and how both are often not neatly aligned. I will definitely read this book again.

• Ravenous: Otto Warburg, The Nazis, and the Search for the Cancer-Diet Connection, by Sam Apple
• The Angel of Darkness, by Caleb Carr

Alexandria Carolan and Jacquelyn Cobb contributed to this story.