What are you reading in 2024?

The Cancer Letter’s summer reading list is here and it’s full of titles to help you drive professional growth, reflect on a divided nation—and even explore a little “neural nostalgia” with Beyoncé.

Since 2020, The Cancer Letter has tried to capture the ethos of the year by asking a panel of clinicians, basic scientists, early-career faculty, patient advocates, government officials, and regulators this simple question: What are you reading?

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Some years, the books reflect a need to make sense of a complex world (2020: “What the hell is going on?”, 2021: “How can we be better?”). Other years, they reflect a need for escape (2022: “The year of the thriller”). In 2023, the list was dominated by science and memoir (The Cancer Letter, Aug. 11, 2023).

This year, the reading list features the highest density of nonfiction selections of any prior year (74%), with novels comprising only 20% of recommended titles. The list also includes a poetry anthology, a podcast, and a Beyoncé album.

“The Demon of Unrest: A Saga of Hubris, Heartbreak, and Heroism at the Dawn of the Civil War,” by Erik Larson, is in part responsible for skewing the nonfiction statistics this year—it was recommended four times by The Cancer Letter’s panel.

Andrew E. Chapman, director of Sidney Kimmel Cancer Center and enterprise vice president of oncology services at Jefferson Health, calls it a “terrific and detailed account of the months leading up to the attack on Fort Sumter and the start of the Civil War.”

Several expressed concern about how the book reflects the divisiveness they see today.

“History may be repeating itself. Much of the politically-based rhetoric and incivility seen then is repeating itself now,” said Otis W. Brawley, Bloomberg Distinguished Professor of Oncology and Epidemiology at Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center.

“The story is relevant in today’s divided political and social environment in the United States and reminds us that we have gone through incredible challenges before and that this is not the first time that the people of this nation grew apart,” said Daniel M. Geynisman, chief of the division of genitourinary medical oncology at Fox Chase Cancer Center and editor-in-chief of JNCCN. “Knowing that we were able to move past that once is something I find comforting.”

Radiation oncologist Stacy Wentworth also recommended the book, but something Larson said in person has stuck with her even more.

An audience member asked Larson what lesson he learned from writing this book. His answer still haunts me: ‘When extremists tell you what they’re going to do, believe them.’

Stacy Wentworth

“This summer, I bought tickets to hear Erik Larson speak at our local bookstore. In these fraught political times, I hoped his take on the months leading up to the Civil War would quell my anxieties,” she said. “An audience member asked Larson what lesson he learned from writing this book. His answer still haunts me: ‘When extremists tell you what they’re going to do, believe them.’”

Extremism was on Robin Zon’s mind, too.

Zon, ASCO 2024-2025 president and physician emeritus at Michiana Hematology Oncology, recommended “Fever in the Heartland: The Ku Klux Klan’s Plot to Take Over America, and the Woman Who Stopped Them,” by Timothy Egan.

“This year (May 2024), my hometown celebrated the 100th anniversary of the confrontation known as the ‘Notre Dame versus the KKK,’ which occurred during the time of the book,” Zon said. “I would describe the book as a disturbing example of humanity at its height of imperfection and brutality—and yet a stunning story of the woman who sacrificially stopped it.”

“I enjoy books that give me a different perspective on history and events,” said NCI Director Kimryn Rathmell about her selection, “The Potlikker Papers: A Food History of the Modern South,” by John T. Edge, which explores post-Civil War history in a new way—through cuisine.

“Many of those events we’ve heard before, but sharing the impact farmers, cooks, and home cooking had on them—many monumentally—provides a different level of insight and connection with the events,” Rathmell said. “This book provides a different view of culture, of relationships, and our human relationship with food as sustenance as well as symbolism, economy, and culture.”

“As we close in on the height of the election campaign season, reference to us being a divided nation is frequently mentioned,” said Suresh Ramalingam, executive director of Winship Cancer Institute and the Roberto C. Goizueta Chair for Cancer Research at Emory University School of Medicine. 

To that end, he recommends “Age of Revolutions: Progress and Backlash from 1600 to the Present,” by Fareed Zakaria.

“Zakaria walks the reader through the impact of these events on the social and political fabric of each nation, and how it influenced the rest of the western world,” Ramalingam said. “He elegantly explains that divisions have always been part of the society, with the main difference being that the lines along which they occurred were deeply influenced by the major events of the time.”

The year of professional development?

This year, with a whopping 17 books on leadership and personal growth, we could go so far as to call it the year of professional development. 

“I consider myself a student of leadership, and soak up articles on LinkedIn almost daily,” said Thomas Sellers, director of the OHSU Knight Cancer Institute. Two of his book recommendations fall into the professional development genre: “Crucial Conversations: Tools for Talking When Stakes are High,” by Joseph Grenny, Kerry Patterson, Ron McMillan, Al Switzler, and Emily Gregory and “Science, Being, and Becoming: The Spiritual Lives of Scientists,” by Paul J. Mills.

Of the latter, Sellers says, “I’m deeply committed to ending cancer as we know it, but the belief that we are all connected influences my interactions with colleagues, and brings whole new meaning to the concept of challenging paradigms.”

“Currently, I am working on bringing back the positive culture of pride and excellence in the work we do, and always keeping patient care and satisfaction as our North star,” said Ben Ho Park, director of the Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center and Benjamin F. Byrd, Jr. Professor of Oncology. To that end, Park recommends “Be Our Guest-Revised and Updated Edition: Perfecting the Art of Customer Service,” a Disney Institute Book with Theodore Kinni.

Park is not alone in contemplating organizational culture. 

“At the end of the day, it is critical to look past the marketing slogans and vision statements that can ‘fit on a t-shirt’ and critically review the actions of those in the organization. It is what you do, not what you say that really counts,” said Monica Baskin, associate director of community outreach and engagement and associate director of health equity at UPMC Hillman Cancer Center. 

Baskin recommends “What You Do Is Who You Are: How To Create Your Business Culture,” by Ben Horowitz.

“As it relates to my cancer-related work, I think these principles are key to why some institutions fare better with recruiting and retaining a diverse biomedical workforce that feels included and welcomed, as well as clinical trials and other research that is representative and relevant to the catchment areas served,” Baskin said. “Talk is cheap. It is time for us all to do better.”

Several books reflect that desire to do better—from addressing burnout to fighting systemic inequities.

“Most of us who work in health care thrive in periods of intense work and long days. However, we also need periods to work on long-term goals and system change,” said Edward R. Arrowsmith, executive vice president of therapeutics at Tennessee Oncology, who recommended Cal Newport’s “Slow Productivity: The Lost Art of Accomplishment Without Burnout.”

Rathmell’s pick, “Agnotology: The Making and Unmaking of Ignorance,” by Robert N. Proctor and Londa Schiebinger gave her new insight into addressing public trust in medicine.

“Thinking about how society views health and how individuals are empowered to take command of their own health made me very interested in understanding why we choose not to follow sound medical advice, or distrust public health measures such as vaccination or cancer screenings,” Rathmell said. “This book breaks down something that we don’t often think about—why don’t we know what we don’t know?”

Shikha Jain, associate professor of medicine in the division of hematology and oncology at the University of Illinois, Chicago, as well as director of communications strategies in medicine, and associate director of oncology communication and digital innovation at University of Illinois Cancer Center, recommended Jessi Gold’s “How Do You Feel: One Doctor’s Search for Humanity in Medicine.”

“What impressed me most about this book is its raw honesty and vulnerability,” said Jain, who is also the founder and president of Women in Medicine. “Dr. Gold shares her own experiences and those of others in the medical field, shedding light on the immense pressures and emotional toll that come with being a healthcare provider. The book emphasizes the importance of acknowledging and addressing mental health concerns, breaking the stigma that often surrounds them in the medical profession.”

Many of the recommended titles focus on making a positive difference in medicine.

Jain’s new book, “An Evolution of Empowerment: Voices of Women in Medicine and Their Allies,” of which she is co-editor with Avital O’Glasser, shines a light on gender inequities in medicine.

“As one of the editors and authors, this anthology holds a special place in my heart, bringing together the powerful stories and experiences of women in medicine and their allies, highlighting the challenges, triumphs, and transformative journeys of these individuals,” Jain said. “Reading about the resilience and determination of these women is incredibly inspiring, as their stories of overcoming obstacles, breaking barriers, and achieving their goals despite the odds serve as a testament to the strength and spirit of women in medicine.”

UPMC’s Baskin recommended “Legacy: A Black Physician Reckons with Racism in Medicine,” by Uché Blackstock, calling it “a call to action that should resonate with diverse audiences.”

“Dr. Uché Blackstock masterfully illuminates issues related to Black women’s health, healthcare inequities, and structural racism in medicine, from both historic and current vantage points,” Baskin said. 

“However, this book left an even greater impression on me as a daughter who lost a parent to cancer at a young age, a Black woman in academic medicine, and a mother of two daughters who are pursuing medical careers. It reminded me of the legacy my father left for me and my sister and the legacy that I hope to be leaving for my girls—no matter what degree, title or role you have, make a positive difference in the world.”

The full reading list follows.

The 2024 Summer Reading List

• Slow Productivity: The Lost Art of Accomplishment Without Burnout, by Cal Newport
• The Wager: A Tale of Shipwreck, Mutiny and Murder, by David Grann

“Slow Productivity” is the latest work of pragmatic non-fiction by the theoretical computer scientist Cal Newport. 

Two ideas from Slow Productivity really resonated with me. One is his concept of pseudoproductivity—we need to avoid having days full of email replies and Zoom calls that don’t move toward our big goals. The second is his guidance to work at a natural pace. 

Most of us who work in health care thrive in periods of intense work and long days. However, we also need periods to work on long-term goals and system change. Newport is the foremost evangelist of the deep life and “Slow Productivity” is full of practical tips and case studies that can help us find the balance and focus we need. If Marie Curie could find time to travel with her family, then so can we.

Speaking of which, David Grann’s latest, “The Wager,” is a wonderful vacation read. A stunning tale of a sea voyage that went spectacularly awry. In addition to being a great story, it’s a wonderful elucidation of the omnipresence of class dynamics and imperialist ideology. The role that disease played in the voyage was fascinating—the sailors were ravaged by typhus and scurvy but did not understand their etiology or prevention. It made me wonder what parts of our society that we’re misunderstanding.

• Legacy: A Black Physician Reckons with Racism in Medicine, by Uché Blackstock, MD
• What You Do Is Who You Are: How To Create Your Business Culture, by Ben Horowitz

Legacy: A Black Physician Reckons with Racism in Medicine – Dr. Uché Blackstock masterfully illuminates issues related to Black women’s health, healthcare inequities, and structural racism in medicine, from both historic and current vantage points. 

For example, she highlights the devastating and lasting impact of the 1910 Flexner Report that led to the closure of five of the seven Black medical schools and up to 35,000 fewer Black physicians in the U.S. today. At the same time, she points to what should have been foreseeable failures in our healthcare system to meet the challenges of preventing and treating COVID among marginalized populations. 

The book’s critical assessment of the legacy of our nation’s healthcare system is interwoven with the story and legacy of Dr. Blackstock’s mother, also a physician, who died from leukemia at the age of 47. The early life experiences, including watching their mother as a physician, organizational leader, and patient fueled twin sisters Drs. Uché and Oni Blackstock to pursue their careers in medicine to carry on their mother’s legacy. 

As a behavioral scientist who has spent the majority of my academic career conducting research on minority health and health disparities, this book is compelling in its detailed account of current health inequities, how we got here, and what we must do to achieve health equity. The book is certainly a call to action that should resonate with diverse audiences. 

However, this book left an even greater impression on me as a daughter who lost a parent to cancer at a young age, a Black woman in academic medicine, and a mother of two daughters who are pursuing medical careers. It reminded me of the legacy my father left for me and my sister and the legacy that I hope to be leaving for my girls—no matter what degree, title or role you have, make a positive difference in the world. 

What You Do Is Who You Are: How To Create Your Business Culture – Hands down, this is the best leadership book I have ever read. The title says it all! This book demonstrates core principles of setting up any organization for success. 

Primarily, the author highlights the fact that culture is not what you say, but rather what you do, particularly what your team does when you are not around. The author brilliantly weaves in global history and contemporary hip hop culture to emphasize his step-by-step formula for an intentional culture that moves an organization toward innovation and maximum impact. 

An intentional culture, as described by Horowitz, is designed to reflect the leader (her strengths, beliefs, etc.) as opposed to trying to mimic another leader. The second key ingredient is that the culture facilitates employees to act in ways that align with the organization’s vision. 

Dr. Uché Blackstock masterfully illuminates issues related to Black women’s health, healthcare inequities, and structural racism in medicine, from both historic and current vantage points.

Monica L. Baskinh

This book was recommended to me by a colleague who was making final decisions about leaving his organization. He talked about having devoted a great deal of his career to the organization (and endured sacrifices in his personal life in service to his employer), but did not feel like the institution was living up to the mission and vision statements that are plastered around the building. 

The timing of this suggestion also coincided with some of my own reflection on the culture I needed to create in a recent leadership role. I further recognized that it was critical for me to not look to other leaders to set the tone for those I would directly influence, but that I recognize my leadership strengths and build from there. 

The book also helped me to better understand why I have been compelled to pass on certain career opportunities and even step away from others that initially seemed to be a good fit. Namely, the culture did not match the actions, and those actions did not match my personal values. 

At the end of the day, it is critical to look past the marketing slogans and vision statements that can “fit on a t-shirt” and critically review the actions of those in the organization. It is what you do, not what you say that really counts. 

As it relates to my cancer-related work, I think these principles are key to why some institutions fare better with recruiting and retaining a diverse biomedical workforce that feels included and welcomed, as well as clinical trials and other research that is representative and relevant to the catchment areas served. Talk is cheap. It is time for us all to do better.

• Applied Minds: How Engineers Think, by Guruprasad Madhavan
• Guiding Cancer Control: A Path to Transformation, consensus study report of the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering and Medicine
• Deaths of Despair and the Future of Capitalism, by Anne Case and Angus Deaton
• The 1619 Project: A New Origin Story, by Nikole Hannah-Jones
• Under the Skin: The Hidden Toll of Racism on American Lives, by Linda Villarosa
• The Demon of Unrest: A Saga of Hubris, Heartbreak, and Heroism at the Dawn of the Civil War, by Erik Larson

“Applied Minds” by Guru Madhavan, a senior scholar at the National Academy of Engineering explains the engineer’s way of thinking and understanding problems. For those who seek to understand, it is a good way to take an alternative approach and view to problems and issues. 

Guru Madhavan is also a lead author of “Guiding Cancer Control: A Path to Transformation,” which is the National Academy of Medicine yearlong study leading to a cancer control plan. The study summary describes the principles, attributes, methods, and tools needed to implement an effective national cancer control plan. The committee that did the study was chaired by Mike Johns, MD and staffed by Guru Madhaven.

Spoiler alert: capitalism, which lifted countless Americans out of poverty, is now destroying middle class America.

Otis W. Brawley

“Deaths of Despair and the Future of Capitalism” by Anne Case and Nobel Laureate Angus Deaton. After consistently going up for a hundred years, life expectancy is going down in the U.S. It is not going down in other western countries that we compare ourselves to. This book explains the reasons why. Spoiler alert: capitalism, which lifted countless Americans out of poverty, is now destroying middle-class America.

“The 1619 Project: A New Origin Story” by Nicole Hannah-Jones—or more specifically the health sections written by Linda Villarosa, who is an amazing writer and Pulitzer Prize winner.

“Under the Skin: The Hidden Toll of Racism on American Lives” by Linda Villarosa explains the roots of the social determinants of health and the root of health disparities in the US. She is especially good at discussing the myths of race and biologic differences used to justify slavery and are amazingly believed today.

“The Demon of Unrest” by Erik Larson is a history of the pivotal five months between the election of Abraham Lincoln and the start of the Civil War. History may be repeating itself. Much of the politically based rhetoric and incivility seen then is repeating itself now.

• The Winners, by Fredrik Backman
• The Demon of Unrest: A Saga of Hubris, Heartbreak, and Heroism at the Dawn of the Civil War, by Erik Larson

The Winners -The final book in the Beartown trilogy. A great escape into a small hockey town in Scandinavia with abundant life lessons.

The Demon of Unrest -Terrific and detailed account of the months leading up to the attack on Fort Sumter and the start of the Civil War.

• I Heard There Was a Secret Chord: Music as Medicine, by Daniel J. Levitin, PhD
• Letter to a Hostage, by Antoine De Saint-Exupéry

I Heard There Was a Secret Chord: Music as Medicine – This is a book I am looking forward to—it is not published yet but will be available Aug. 27! 

The author is a distinguished musician, neuroscientist and writer. His previous books include “This Is Your Brain on Music: The Science of a Human Obsession,” which sold more than 1 million copies and was praised by numerous critics. I have heard him speak on this subject a number of times along with Renee Fleming and Dr. Francis Collins and his insights are keen. As oncologists, the power of music to improve the quality of life for our patients is a noteworthy subject.

“Letter to a Hostage” by Antoine De Saint-Exupéry is a very short work originally published in 1943. It is a remembrance and homage to his dear friend, Leon Werth, a Jew who was trapped in France during the Nazi occupation. The writing is luminous (as you would expect from this author) and the sheer humanity is breathtaking. It is a frankly emotional work with elements of the power of friendship despite separation, war, and patriotism.

• The Second Mountain: The Quest for a Moral Life, by David Brooks
• The Demon of Unrest: A Saga of Hubris, Heartbreak, and Heroism at the Dawn of the Civil War, by Erik Larson

The Second Mountain – Published in 2019, Mr. Brooks weaves together stories of multiple individuals through history to show us how to move from an individualistic, self-centered and often unsatisfactory way of life to one of relationalism and a more meaningful existence. He does so without preaching too much and without taking himself too seriously. 

He argues that hyperindividualism, the way we are often taught and encouraged to live and succeed, can lead to isolation and insecurity. To move beyond this, we require a commitment larger than oneself, but importantly one that is different from a simple tribalism solution. 

Mr. Brooks presents attachments, commitments and relationships as the foundational aspects of a moral ecology that can help us transcend internal and external turbulent times and something each of us can strive toward. I think the field of oncology and the profession of medicine are particularly positioned to allow us to practice these skills.

The Demon of Unrest – An incredible storyteller, Mr. Larson published this book in 2024 and it provides a historical account of the months between the election of Abraham Lincoln and the start of the Civil War. 

The novel is gripping as it weaves the narrative from the perspective of multiple individuals in the North and South and shows both the everlasting nature of human beings and their desire for self-worth, power and the moral high ground and how a series of small but ever-growing differences can lead to great calamity. 

The story is relevant in today’s divided political and social environment in the United States and reminds us that we have gone through incredible challenges before and that this is not the first time that the people of this nation grew apart. Knowing that we were able to move past that once is something I find comforting.

• Have a Beautiful, Terrible Day!: Daily Meditations for the Ups, Downs & In-Betweens, by Kate Bowler
• Hidden Potential: The Science of Achieving Greater Things, by Adam Grant
• The Mel Robbins Podcast, by Mel Robbins

While writing “Fatal to Fearless: 12 Steps to Beating Cancer in a Broken Medical System,” I went back and read every journal I’d kept since being diagnosed with multiple myeloma nearly 30 years ago. You can imagine what it’s like reading back every year. This incredible window of hindsight showed me that life is a roller coaster, especially when you’re a young mom facing a fatal disease. 

By the time I was done writing F2F, which is part memoir and part “how to”, I was looking at life differently. Yes, my work at the MMRF and Harvard Business School had incredible purpose but now in my 60s, what impact did it have on what mattered most—family and friends?

My new perspective led me to Kate Bowler’s latest book “Have a Beautiful, Terrible Day!” As a stage III cancer survivor and Duke theologian, Kate looks at life differently. She reminds us that life is filled with challenges. You will have good days and lousy days. Embrace both. Give yourself grace and have a sense of humor.

As a stage III cancer survivor and Duke theologian, Kate looks at life differently. She reminds us that life is filled with challenges. You will have good days and lousy days. Embrace both. Give yourself grace and have a sense of humor.

Kathy Giusti

I am also a big Adam Grant fan, so I read his most recent book “Hidden Potential: The Science of Achieving Greater Things.” Adam reminds us that we are often our own worst enemies when looking at our potential. We can build certain skill sets by having a curious mind and reminding ourselves that we won’t be perfect at learning new things. He also reminds us that it’s ok to take risks. I was never a writer, so his book was helpful when I took on this new challenge.

Finally, I find Mel Robbins’s podcast to be enlightening. She is funny, self deprecating, and brings on great experts to cover everything from happiness to sleep to motivation and relationships. Her entire focus is on building a better life.

Related article: 

Kathy Giusti’s “Fatal to Fearless” memoir tells the story of prevailing over multiple myeloma Book offers 12 steps to beating cancer in a broken medical system 

• An Evolution of Empowerment: Voices of Women in Medicine and Their Allies, by Shikha Jain, MD and Avital O’Glasser, MD
• How Do You Feel: One Doctor’s Search for Humanity in Medicine, by Jessi Gold, MD, MS 
• Simply Lies: A Psychological Thriller, by David Baldacci

“An Evolution of Empowerment: Voices of Women in Medicine and Their Allies” is a profoundly impactful book that I believe all my colleagues should read. 

As one of the editors and authors, this anthology holds a special place in my heart, bringing together the powerful stories and experiences of women in medicine and their allies, highlighting the challenges, triumphs, and transformative journeys of these individuals. 

The book captures a wide range of voices and perspectives, reflecting the diversity within the medical community. Each story is authentic and deeply personal, offering insights into the unique challenges and successes that women in medicine face. Reading about the resilience and determination of these women is incredibly inspiring, as their stories of overcoming obstacles, breaking barriers, and achieving their goals despite the odds serve as a testament to the strength and spirit of women in medicine. 

The book emphasizes the importance of community and allyship, underscoring how crucial it is to have a support system, whether through mentors, colleagues, or allies, to navigate the complexities of a medical career. Moreover, the narratives in this book are a call to action for empowerment and advocacy, highlighting the importance of standing up for oneself and others, advocating for equality, and striving to create a more inclusive and supportive environment in the medical field. These stories prompt self-reflection and encourage growth, both personally and professionally, providing valuable lessons and insights that can guide and inspire others in their own journeys. 

“An Evolution of Empowerment” is not just a book; it’s a movement that resonates with anyone who reads it, encapsulating the essence of what it means to be a woman in medicine today—resilient, empowered, and unwavering in the pursuit of excellence and equality.

“How Do You Feel” by Dr. Jessi Gold is a compelling and insightful book that I had the privilege of reading early. This book delves deep into the often-overlooked emotional and mental health aspects that come with taking care of others. Dr. Gold’s candid exploration of mental health issues within the medical community provides a refreshing and necessary perspective that is both enlightening and relatable. 

What impressed me most about this book is its raw honesty and vulnerability. Dr. Gold shares her own experiences and those of others in the medical field, shedding light on the immense pressures and emotional toll that come with being a healthcare provider. The book emphasizes the importance of acknowledging and addressing mental health concerns, breaking the stigma that often surrounds them in the medical profession.

Another striking aspect of “How Do You Feel” is its practicality. Dr. Gold doesn’t just highlight the problems; she offers actionable strategies and tools for managing mental health, fostering resilience, and seeking support. Her approach is both compassionate and pragmatic, making it accessible and applicable to anyone in the medical field, and beyond. 

Furthermore, the book serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of self-care and emotional well-being. It encourages readers to prioritize their mental health, not just for their own sake but also to better care for others. Dr. Gold’s insights are a call to action for a cultural shift within the medical community, advocating for greater awareness and support for mental health issues.

Overall, “How Do You Feel” left a lasting impression on me because it tackles a critical yet often neglected aspect of our lives as medical professionals. Dr. Gold’s thoughtful and empathetic writing provides much-needed validation and guidance for those struggling with mental health challenges. This book is a must-read for everyone, and especially for those in the medical field, offering hope, understanding, and practical advice for navigating the complex emotional landscape of healthcare.

Simply Lies: A Psychological Thriller – Some of my favorite types of books to read are thrillers, mysteries, and books that keep me on the edge of my seat. I am currently reading “Simply Lies” and can’t put it down! 

• Poverty, by America, by Matthew Desmond

Incredible discussion of systemic problems in America. It’s not just a new telling, it is a call to action: “It’s more complicated than that, some will say. Most social problems are complicated, of course, but a retreat into complexity is more often a reflection of our social standing than evidence of critical intelligence. Hungry people want bread.” (Matthew Desmond)

• Elon Musk, by Walter Isaacson

I just read the book “Elon Musk” by Walter Isaacson.

It is a fascinating story that gives insights on why Elon Musk’s family emigrated from North America to South Africa. It describes Elon Musk’s life as a kid and how he was beaten regularly by bullies. Also, it describes the many emotional traumas caused by his father, who was an engineer and rogue personality. The book describes how his parents’ divorce added stress to his mother, who worked as a model and had several other side jobs to support Elon and his brother. When the mother was working, the boys were often unsupervised and did lots of things that many parents would not allow. 

As a teenager, Elon Musk moved back to Canada and eventually he moved to the U.S. After several rough years in school with numerous emotional meltdowns and social awkwardness, he became one of the greatest inventors in modern history. He has created novel payment methods, creative banking models, digital maps, electrical cars, spaceships, and exploration of our Universe, and more. Also, he has an endless drive to deliver change—significant change and disruption. 

This is a fascinating story about the private life and the professional outcomes of a man who is fearless and highly disruptive.

C. Ola Landgren

The book describes events from Elon Musk’s childhood and discusses how they impacted him later in life. For sure, he had a highly complex childhood filled with struggle and trauma. Young adulthood was challenging, and many situations were fueled by frustration and more trauma. Recurring themes throughout his life are hard work without breaks, computer programming, fast cars, risk taking, and computer games.

According to background information about the book, Isaacson shadowed Musk for two years, attended his meetings, walked his factories with him, and spent hours interviewing him, his family, friends, coworkers, and adversaries. This is a fascinating story about the private life and the professional outcomes of a man who is fearless and highly disruptive.

• Disgrace, by J.M. Coetzee
• My Brilliant Friend, by Elena Ferrante
• The Great Gatsby, by F. Scott Fitzgerald
• End of the Affair, by Graham Greene

• COWBOY CARTER, by Beyoncé 
• Power, for All: How It Really Works and Why It’s Everyone’s Business, by Julie Battilana and Tiziana Casciaro
• Invisible Women: Data Bias in a World Designed for Men, by Caroline Criado Perez
• The Truths We Hold: An American Journey, by Kamala Harris

COWBOY CARTER – Since its release, this album has been part of my daily life. The intentionality and beauty of the album is genius and redefines a genre of music that has long denied its roots and connections to Black Americans. 

In part, it is about building community and storytelling while expanding and changing country music and Americana. I consider it a civil rights album and it’s made me an even bigger fan of Beyoncé. Letting go of preconceptions and listening to this album from start to finish is something we should all do to immerse ourselves in an authentic and modern take on our shared culture. 

Neural nostalgia is stimulated by so many subtle aspects of the album making it a real experience. Why wouldn’t I want my peers and colleagues to share that rich experience? 

Power, for All: How It Really Works and Why It’s Everyone’s Business – I was lucky enough to hear one of the authors, Julie Battilana, speak about power and how we can understand, understand and wield it. It changed how I approach several professional aspects of my career. 

The book can help teach us how to make impactful change and meaningful collaborations within our reach. It has also helped me better understand how to empower my patients with cancer and their loved ones. 

Neural nostalgia is stimulated by so many subtle aspects of the album making it a real experience. Why wouldn’t I want my peers and colleagues to share that rich experience?

Shail Maingi

Invisible Women: Exposing Data Bias in a World Designed for Men – I have worked for years on the health care disparities experienced by invisible populations such as LGBTQ+ people whose sexual orientation and gender identity are not accurately collected in most databases which creates research challenges. This book offers insight on how by centering the experiences of, in this case, men vs women, can lead to real and pervasive data gaps that negatively impact all women. 

Understanding the limitations of available data makes us better researchers. It also helps make our work more applicable to real-world populations who are, in fact, people with a diverse set of lived experiences 

The Truths We Hold: An American Journey – I’ve had this book for 4 years and it seems like a good time to read it. I am curious to see how her mother’s work as a breast cancer researcher who died from colon cancer shapes her worldview and priorities.

• Be Our Guest-Revised and Updated Edition: Perfecting the Art of Customer Service, a Disney Institute Book with Theodore Kinni

For full disclosure, I am still reading the book but it has made a lasting impression already. I think many would agree that post-pandemic, customer service in many areas of work has been lacking, and this also includes healthcare and research enterprises. 

Currently, I am working on bringing back the positive culture of pride and excellence in the work we do, and always keeping patient care and satisfaction as our North star. This book offers many tips and insights into service excellence and provides subtle but important examples of what we can do as healthcare providers and researchers to achieve our goals.

• American Prometheus, by Kai Bird and Martin J. Sherwin

American Prometheus is the biography of J. Robert Oppenheimer, the “Father” of the atomic bomb. An exceptionally complicated man, especially personally as well as professionally, this magnum opus thoroughly explores the person and the contexts in which Oppenheimer tried to square the circle that his life and accomplishments entailed. 

A remarkably well written book, my interest was piqued by the movie about Oppenheimer that was released last year, and this biography filled in almost all of the gaps and questions that I had after seeing this amazing film.

• Age of Revolutions: Progress and Backlash from 1600 to the Present, by Fareed Zakaria

As we close in on the height of the election campaign season, reference to us being a divided nation is frequently mentioned. These divisions are noted in the realms of socioeconomic status, race, educational status, wealth, rural versus urban and many more. 

In “Age of Revolutions,” Fareed Zakaria looks at various revolutions that have taken place in the western world over the past four centuries. These include the Dutch, French and British revolutions; the emergence of the United States as a dominant power thanks to industrialization is a key focus of the book. More recently, technological revolution and globalization have also impacted the world in a major way. 

Zakaria walks the reader through the impact of these events on the social and political fabric of each nation, and how it influenced the rest of the western world. He elegantly explains that divisions have always been part of the society, with the main difference being that the lines along which they occurred were deeply influenced by the major events of the time. 

He provides room for optimism as we look at what the recent geo-political changes mean for the future, while also providing a warning of how quickly things could deteriorate if the community of nations do not work together with intent.

Suresh S. Ramalingam

The last part of the book focuses on the emergence of China as a major economic power and its potential impact on the future of the global community. I found the book to be an excellent high-level overview with sufficient detail, without dragging down the reader too far into any specific topic. He provides room for optimism as we look at what the recent geo-political changes mean for the future, while also providing a warning of how quickly things could deteriorate if the community of nations do not work together with intent. 

I highly recommend the book for those interested in history and politics. The book has some memorable quotes, including the one by Voltaire who described the “Holy Roman Empire” as “neither holy, nor Roman, nor an empire.”

• The Potlikker Papers: A Food History of the Modern South, by John T. Edge
• Agnotology: The Making and Unmaking of Ignorance, by Robert N. Proctor and Londa Schiebinger
• 84, Charing Cross Road, by Helene Hanff

I enjoy books that give me a different perspective on history and events. “The Potlikker Papers” walks you through the post-Civil War and Civil Rights Era, as well as the more modern South telling the stories through food. Many of those events we’ve heard before, but sharing the impact farmers, cooks, and home cooking had on them—many monumentally—provides a different level of insight and connection with the events. It also deepens levels of understanding about the connections between history and current times. 

This book provides a different view of culture, of relationships, and our human relationship with food as sustenance as well as symbolism, economy, and culture.

I started reading “Agnotology” upon the recommendation of a good friend. Thinking about how society views health and how individuals are empowered to take command of their own health made me very interested in understanding why we choose not to follow sound medical advice, or distrust public health measures such as vaccination or cancer screenings. 

This book breaks down something that we don’t often think about—why don’t we know what we don’t know? More, it provides an in depth look at how willingness to not know can be exploited. It makes you think, and offers some insights into the complex psychology of what we know, want to know, or choose to not know.

When I have downtime, I really enjoy books that just make you feel good about humanity. “84, Charing Cross Road” is a fictional story told in letters between an avid reader in search of books and an antique bookseller. 

This book breaks down something that we don’t often think about—why don’t we know what we don’t know?

W. Kimryn Rathmell

By offering some opening into herself, the letter-writer gradually spurs a relationship—platonic and carried out by post—with the bookseller, and ultimately all of the workers in the shop. The book is light, and draws you into the complex events of the bookstore and the time (set initially in post-WWII, but spanning 20 years) in ways that are utterly plausible and emotionally gripping. 

The deep friendship that forms is the win for me, and speaks to how important and valuable it is that we show our true selves even in mundane correspondence, and how much opportunity there is for humans to find connection. 

• Crucial Conversations: Tools for Talking When Stakes are High, by Joseph Grenny, Kerry Patterson, Ron McMillan, Al Switzler, and Emily Gregory
• Tightrope: Americans Reaching for Hope, by Nicholas D. Kristof and Sheryl WoDunn
• Science, Being, and Becoming: The Spiritual Lives of Scientists, by Paul J. Mills, PhD

Crucial Conversations: Tools for Talking When Stakes are High – I consider myself a student of leadership, and soak up articles on LinkedIn almost daily. I’m currently reading “Crucial Conversations,” which provides “tools for talking when the stakes are high.” It takes a very logical approach to navigating those situations where people differ in their opinions, the stakes are high, and emotions run strong.

Tightrope: Americans Reaching for Hope – As a citizen who was trained in public health, I’m very concerned about climate change, homelessness, drug addiction, violence and access to health care. There is appropriately a lot of discussion, debate and efforts to find solutions, but at times it feels like we are addressing symptoms rather than underlying causes. 

“Tightrope”, written by Nicholas Kristof and Sheryl WoDunn, is based on the lives of people he grew up with in the small town of Yamhill, Oregon. He supplements those personal stories with historical events and data that shines a light on causes and thus solutions.

Science, Being, and Becoming: The Spiritual Lives of Scientists – I have been a lifelong reader of books that speak to the more existential issues of meaning and purpose. I also follow Dr. Deepak Chopra on LinkedIn, which led to a book by Paul J. Mills entitled “Science, Being and Becoming: The Spiritual Lives of Scientists.” Fascinating personal interviews with 30 scientists lead to the conclusion that science can contribute to the spiritual awakening of humanity and a more harmonious life here on earth. I’m deeply committed to ending cancer as we know it, but the belief that we are all connected influences my interactions with colleagues, and brings whole new meaning to the concept of challenging paradigms.

• Say Nothing: A True Story of Murder and Memory in Northern Ireland, by Patrick Radden Keefe
• Breakthrough: The Quest of Life-Changing Medicines, by William Pao, MD, PhD
• Everyone in My Family Has Killed Someone, by Benjamin Stevenson
• Living Medicine: Don Thomas, Marrow Transplantation, and the Cell Therapy Revolution, by Fred Appelbaum

Say Nothing: A True Story of Murder and Memory in Northern Ireland – This book was recommended by the New York Times as one of the best books of the 21st century, and it lives up to the billing. It delves into the history of “The Troubles”—including assassination attempts, informants, hunger strikes, abductions and a secret library in Boston. Starting in the late 60’s and going through to the present day, it is meticulously researched, fast-paced and at times heart-breaking, with jaw-dropping real-life plot twists (these things actually happened!) to rival any true crime novel. 

Breakthrough: The Quest of Life-Changing Medicines – A lively description of the scientific histories of breakthrough medicines for cancer and other diseases. William is a well known molecular biologist and oncologist who has worked in academia and industry, with a personal involvement in some of the scientific advances he describes. The book is written to be approachable to the non-scientist, but even researchers or doctors who are familiar with these medicines will learn a lot about the backstory of their origin. 

Even though I thought I knew a lot about this topic, I was inspired by the descriptions of how basic science discoveries (e.g. Peter Medawar and immune tolerance in cattle) were avidly ingested by these physician-scientists and then directly incorporated into curative human therapy.

Norman E. Sharpless

Everyone in My Family Has Killed Someone – The algorithm thought I would like this mystery novel, and the AI was right. My wife and I listened to it together as an audiobook over a couple of car trips and it’s ideal for this purpose. A humorous murder mystery with many surprising plot twists, it is written by a real student of the genre who respects its rules and traditions, but still figures out a way to make the whodunit feel fresh and contemporary.

Living Medicine: Don Thomas, Marrow Transplantation, and the Cell Therapy Revolution – I visited the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center recently and they gave me this book as swag, and I basically finished it on the airplane back from Seattle. Fred, a giant of medical oncology, writes well and tells the story of how Don Thomas and colleagues developed bone marrow transplantation through a few decades of trial and error. Even though I thought I knew a lot about this topic, I was inspired by the descriptions of how basic science discoveries (e.g. Peter Medawar and immune tolerance in cattle) were avidly ingested by these physician-scientists and then directly incorporated into curative human therapy. 

• The Creative Act: A Way of Being, by Rick Rubin
• For the Benefit of Those Who See: Dispatches from the World of the Blind, by Rosemary Mahoney

“The Creative Art: A Way of Being” by the legendary American music producer Rick Rubin is an inspiring collection of ideas and thoughts on what drives and grows creativity. The idea of embracing uncertainties and unknowns really resonates with me. This is not a guidebook on how to be creative, but it sheds insights on thought-provoking philosophies and approaches that I believe are relevant to any field. 

“For the Benefit of Those Who See” by Rosemary Mahoney was a gift to me from a visiting scholar. This book describes the courage and capabilities of blind individuals, offering the perspectives that disabilities do not compromise life experiences and interactions. There are substantial references to schools and institutions that work with the blind, such as the Braille Without Borders school in Tibet. I appreciate this gift from my visitor who aims to broaden her views and horizons by spending time learning from cancer centers around the world.

• The Demon of Unrest: A Saga of Hubris, Heartbreak, and Heroism at the Dawn of the Civil War, by Erik Larson
• The Greatest Love Story Ever Told, by Suzy Quinn
• The Baltimore Case: A Trial of Politics, Science and Character, by Daniel Kevles
• wild embers: poems of rebellion fire and beauty, by Nikita Gill

The Demon of Unrest: This summer, I bought tickets to hear Erik Larson speak at our local bookstore. In these fraught political times, I hoped his take on the months leading up to the Civil War would quell my anxieties. An audience member asked Larson what lesson he learned from writing this book. His answer still haunts me: “When extremists tell you what they’re going to do, believe them.”

The Greatest Love Story Ever Told: I downloaded this self-published book on Amazon for free at the recommendation of a friend. I have not read many YA novels so I didn’t know what to expect. The challenges faced by the uptown girl/downtown boy protagonists reminded me that I only get a glimpse of my patient’s lives, particularly when they are AYAs. If you cried at the end of The Fault In Our Stars, you will love this book as well.

Considering the current politician-led attacks on scientists, this book, written by Yale University history professor Dr. Daniel Kevles, shows us that history doesn’t repeat but it rhymes.

Stacy Wentworth

The Baltimore Case: I was unaware of the political scandals that rocked the NIH and NCI in the early 1990s until I started researching my upcoming podcast about the NSABP and Bernie Fisher. I quickly got up to speed and Nobel Laureate Dr. Baltimore’s name kept popping up. Considering the current politician-led attacks on scientists, this book, written by Yale University history professor Dr. Daniel Kevles, shows us that history doesn’t repeat but it rhymes.

wild embers: The poem “Your Heart is not a Hospital” begins: 

Your body is not a first aid kit
for broken people
and damaged souls
and hearts that are too tired
to fix themselves.

A rapidly changing healthcare environment combined with a bounty of exciting new cancer therapies overlaid with the fallout of a global pandemic all contribute to a feeling of uncertainty. What is my role in this new world, I wonder. Gill’s synthesis of the mystical and the mundane doesn’t provide the answer but helps me live with the question.

A guest editorial by Wentworth is available in this issue. 

• The Personal Librarian, by Marie Benedict and Victoria Christopher Murray
• A Fever in the Heartland: The Ku Klux Klan’s Plot to Take Over America, and the Woman Who Stopped Them, by Timothy Egan

I am a long-time fan of historical fiction, which, luckily (for me), is a favorite genre for our book club.

One author I especially enjoy is Marie Benedict, who rather than focusing on a particular time period, seeks out women whose compelling stories and contributions have been hidden or suppressed. I found her book co-authored by Victoria Christopher Murray, “The Personal Librarian,” to be particularly impactful. 

The story centers around Belle de Costas Greene, the daughter of Richard Greener, the first African American graduate of Harvard. Belle was the personal librarian to JP Morgan and became one of the most powerful people in the art world in times of segregation and racism due to her skin as passing as white. Author Marie Benedict acknowledged she did not have the perspective needed to portray the life of Belle and collaborated with Victoria Christopher Murray. 

Words that come to mind describing the book include: bold yet tender, brilliant, eye-opening, and transformative for the reader. I highly recommend this book as well and her other books, including “The First Ladies.”

One author I especially enjoy is Marie Benedict, who rather than focusing on a particular time period, seeks out women whose compelling stories and contributions have been hidden or suppressed.

Robin T. Zon

The second book, “A Fever in the Heartland: The Ku Klux Klan’s Plot to Take Over America, and the Woman Who Stopped Them,” by Timothy Egan, is noteworthy due to its relevance to where I have spent my last four plus decades of my life in Indiana/Michiana area. 

The epicenter of the story is in Indiana, where the resurgence of the KKK in the 1920’s started. I would describe the book as a disturbing example of humanity at its height of imperfection and brutality—and yet a stunning story of the woman who sacrificially stopped it. 

Even more relevant, this year (May 2024), my hometown celebrated the 100^th anniversary of the confrontation known as the “Notre Dame versus the KKK,” which occurred during the time of the book. In fact, this act of defiance of the Notre Dame students against religious intolerance, proved to be a historical inflection point; and has been memorialized as the event which led to the nickname, “The Fighting Irish!” 

Next on my reading list: Todd Tucker’s “Notre Dame vs. the Klan: How the Fighting Irish Defied the KKK.”

Jacquelyn Cobb and McKenzie Prillaman contributed to this story.